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(AUDIO): Bipartisan Missouri landfill legislation is backed by Congressman Mark Alford

March 24, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

State Rep. Mike Haffner (R-Pleasant Hill) testifies before a Missouri House committee in Jefferson City on March 23, 2023 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The Missouri House has voted to give final approval to bipartisan legislation that creates a one-mile buffer between landfills and neighboring towns.

House Bill 909 is sponsored by State Rep. Mike Haffner (R-Pleasant Hill). This week’s vote on Haffner’s bill was 139-16 and comes after public outcry from Missouri lawmakers in both parties about a proposed landfill that would be built near Raymore and Lee’s Summit. U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Harrisonville), who represents part of Columbia on Capitol Hill, tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that he and U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City) both oppose the proposed location.

“This landfill will probably be built, just not there,” Congressman Alford tells listeners.

Supporters of Haffner’s bill say the landfill would impact the livelihoods of thousands of Missourians, in its current proposed location. Congressman Alford notes this is a bipartisan issue.

“I promised when I campaigned to be the voice and the vote for the people of my district. And I’m going to be their voice, I don’t care if it’s here, I don’t care if it’s in the Statehouse (in Jefferson City) or in city hall, that’s what I intend to do,” Alford says.

Raymore’s mayor also supports Haffner’s bill, saying the future of their community is on the line.

(AUDIO): U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Harrisonville) discusses packer legislation and other farm issues on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”

February 1, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Harrisonville) has filed new federal legislation aimed at increasing meat processing capacity in Missouri and nationwide. Congressman Alford’s bill is titled the “Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States (A-PLUS) Act.” Congressman Alford tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that the bill would increase meat processing capacity by allowing livestock auction market owners to invest in small and regional packing facilities. The Missouri Pork Association and the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association have endorsed Congressman Alford’s legislation. Both organizations are headquartered in Columbia:

(AUDIO): Former U.S. Rep. Billy Long (R-Springfield) emphasizes civility on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”

January 30, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

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:

Hartzler: Blaze in mid-Missouri’s Wooldridge started in a combine

December 21, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri Governor Mike Parson and U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) brief reporters and Wooldridge residents in front of the fire-damaged church on October 26, 2022 (file photo courtesy of the governor’s Facebook page)

West-central Missouri’s outgoing congresswoman says the massive October blaze that destroyed more than 2,500 acres was started by a combine.

U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville), who represents Wooldridge, tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” the blaze quickly spread.

“Now ultimately that fire did spread into the Big Muddy Wildlife Refuge and with the winds and the dryness that were there it did burn for miles and miles,” Hartzler says.

Congresswoman Hartzler also tells listeners that the fire was not caused by tall grass in the Big Muddy Fish and Wildlife Refuge, which is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“The management per say was not the cause. And the fire was at such speed and such volume that even the fire breaks that they do have in between would not have stopped it. They’re just not wide enough,” says Hartzler.

The blaze destroyed at least 23 structures in Wooldridge and closed I-70 near Rocheport for several hours. There were no fatalities in the blaze.

Congresswoman Hartzler toured the devastation in late October with Governor Mike Parson (R) and Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia). Leader Rowden has described the damage in Wooldridge as gut-wrenching and heartbreaking. Rowden has told 939 the Eagle that the Wooldridge recovery will be an issue that state lawmakers will address when they return to Jefferson City in January.

(AUDIO): Outgoing U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) focusing on fire-damaged Wooldridge as she leaves office

December 20, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Outgoing U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) is focusing on several things as she leaves office, including fire-damaged Wooldridge. She represents the small Cooper County town on Capitol Hill. Congresswoman Hartzler joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri,” telling listeners that the Wooldridge fire that burned more than 2,500 acres was started by a combine. Congresswoman Hartzler says there was NO correlation between the fire and tall grass in the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge: