Missouri’s Senate President Pro Tem has stripped three fellow Republicans of their committee chairmanships, describing them as “the “Chaos Caucus.” While Republicans have a 24-10 supermajority in the Senate, GOP infighting has led to gridlock in Jefferson City. Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) made the announcement during a Tuesday afternoon Statehouse press conference. He’s stripped State Sens. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg), Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) and Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester) from their chairmanships. Senator Rowden joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, telling listeners that he took action due to years of disrespect toward the Missouri Senate and colleagues. He also says the Freedom Caucus senators have tried to break the Senate. Senator Eigel, who’s seeking Missouri’s GOP gubernatorial nomination in August, has issued a statement to 939 the Eagle, after he was stripped from his chairmanship. Senator Eigel, writes, in part: “Jefferson City is ruled by a uniparty cartel of special interests, RINOS and Democrats, who band together to crush the voice of the people. These are the same tactics the Swamp uses against President Trump.” Senator Hoskins’ district includes Cooper and Howard counties in the 939 the Eagle listening area:
Former State Sen. Bob Onder (R-Lake St. Louis) appears on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
The Iowa GOP presidential caucuses are tonight, and the Hawkeye State is expected to see the coldest weather for caucus night in decades. Former State Sen. Bob Onder (R-Lake St. Louis) is in Des Moines this morning as a surrogate for former President Donald Trump. Senator Onder joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, telling listeners that he believes Iowa farmers will turn out tonight to support former President Trump. Onder says farmers are used to this kind of weather. Onder tells listeners Des Moines has received about 18 inches of snow and that your feet hurt to walk outside, due to the subfreezing temperatures. While he’s currently running for Missouri lieutenant governor, former Senator Onder tells “Wake Up” that he’s also looking at a possible run to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) in Missouri’s sprawling third district, which includes parts of Columbia, Jefferson City, Boonville, Fulton, New Florence and St. Charles County. Onder tells listeners he expects to make a decision in the next week or two about whether he’ll run for Missouri lieutenant governor or Congress. He’ll have to decide by late February, which is when filing opens. Former Senator Onder tells listeners that who we send to Congress is important. He blasts President Joe Biden (D), saying the cost of living for the average family in the United States has increased by $11,000 under President Biden:
GoCOMO bus fares to remain free in Columbia for at least another year
Columbia’s city council has voted to suspend transportation fares for GoCOMO bus riders for the fourth straight year.
GoCOMO has been operating fare-free since the March 2020 COVID emergency declaration. Columbia Public Works officials say current transportation sales tax (TST) funding and a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) operating grant can keep the bus system fare-free for at least another year.
Columbia Public Works spokesman John Ogan tells 939 the Eagle that the Columbia transit budget is $7.4 million, and that budget includes expected GoCOMO expenditures on fixed routes, Paratransit and the Tiger Line. Mr. Ogan notes Columbia transit receives its funding from state and federal grants, the transportation sales tax and also from Mizzou. The University of Missouri pays the city of Columbia about $839,000 for the operation of the Tiger Line shuttle service for students.
Mr. Ogan notes GoCOMo also receives about $2.5 million in federal grants, about $245,000 in state grants and about $2.5 million in transportation sales tax money.
Columbia used federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money and federal CARES Act funding for the past two years to remain fare-free, but those monies have run out. President Joe Biden (D) signed ARPA into law, and former President Donald Trump (R) signed the federal CARES Act into law.
GoCOMO has been a priority for city manager De’Carlon Seewood, who’s encouraged residents to ride the buses.
(LISTEN): U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raymore) appears on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raymore) is urging former President Donald Trump to participate in the August 23rd GOP presidential debate in Milwaukee, after the former president was indicted on ten counts in Georgia. Former President Trump has been indicted four times this year. Congressman Alford joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, telling listeners that the former president is being “persecuted” and that this is not about January 6, 2021 but is instead about November 5, 2024, the date of the presidential election. Congressman Alford also praises Monday’s turnout at the Missouri state fair in Sedalia for a listening session on the federal farm bill. Congressman Alford tells listeners that U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-Illinois), the son of Rev. Jesse Jackson, stayed at his Raymore house last night after the hearing in Sedalia. Congressman Alford says although the two men disagree on many issues, they agree on the federal farm bill’s importance and about the importance of child nutrition and battling hunger. Congressman Alford’s district includes parts of Columbia as well as Centralia, Hallsville, Sedalia and Clinton:
(AUDIO): Former U.S. Rep. Billy Long (R-Springfield) emphasizes civility on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Former U.S. Rep. Billy Long (R-Springfield) accumulated one of the most conservative voting records in Missouri’s GOP delegation during his 12 years on Capitol Hill. For State of the Union every winter, Congressman Long stood in the aisle before and after every speech, shaking the hands of both President Barack Obama (D) and Donald Trump (R). Presidents Obama and Trump also signed Congressman Long’s St. Jude tie, and the ties were auctioned off to help St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis. Some of Congressman Long’s constituents in conservative southwest Missouri were not happy that he shook President Obama’s hand. Congressman Long discussed that this morning on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” He encourages civility on Capitol Hill, and urges Missouri freshmen U.S. Reps. Mark Alford (R-Harrisonville) and Eric Burlison (R-Springfield) to sit in the aisle for next Tuesday’s State of the Union. Long says they can and should be cordial to President Biden while still fighting for conservative principles: