Missouri’s 2023 legislative session has four days left. Republicans have supermajorities in both chambers: 24-10 in the state Senate and 111-51 in the Missouri House. House Speaker Dean Plocher (R-Des Peres) says his chamber has a GOP supermajority and that they should lead like they have a supermajority. He tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that residents will be very happy with with what legislative Republicans deliver by Friday. Speaker Plocher’s priorities this session have included tax cuts, initiative petition reform and transgender legislation. He predicts that some transgender bills will pass and hopes Governor Mike Parson (R) will sign them. He’s also pleased the Legislature has given final approval to a bill ending state taxes on Social Security benefits starting in 2024:
(AUDIO): Swift Foods to present $200,000 check to Columbia officials tonight
Columbia’s mayor is praising Swift Foods, which has invested $200-million into their new plant on Route B.
Swift and JBS executives will be in Columbia this (Monday) evening to present a $200,000 check to develop Whitegate park near Towne drive and Whitegate drive. That’s a project former Mizzou basketball star Laurence Bowers has also been involved in. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe tells 939 the Eagle that Swift is giving back to Columbia.
“Investing in their employees but also in the community. So some of the programs that they do where they help pay for college education for their employees and for their employees’ families like that is huge. So I’m happy to have such a great company here based in Columbia,” Mayor Buffaloe says.
Columbia Parks and Recreation says the $400,000 Whitegate park project would be funded by the JBS donation and by the voter-approved 2021 park sales tax. The city council is set to vote this evening on the improvement project, which includes a new playground, basketball court, open playfield, lighting and tree plantings.
The council will accept the check tonight and is also scheduled to vote on the improvement project. If the council approves the project, construction would start this summer with an anticipated competition date of spring 2025.
Swift executives referenced the donation during the April 6 ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new $200-million plant on Route B, which is the largest private investment in Columbia history.
(AUDIO): Columbia Regional Airport officials in talks with United, Delta and some low-fare carriers
A top Columbia business leader predicts United Airlines will return to Columbia Regional Airport (COU). The Chicago-based airline suspended service at COU during the pandemic. Columbia Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) president Stacey Button describes United as a great partner.
“We continue to have conversations with United (Airlines). And as I mentioned they did suspend service, not exit the community specifically. So we do expect them to come back,” Button tells 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.”
United suspended flights at Columbia Regional Airport in January 2022. COU airport manager Mike Parks told 939 the Eagle News at the time that the decision involved pilot and staffing shortages. Mr. Parks has also predicted that United will be back.
Button is optimistic about the future of COU, especially with its $23-million new terminal. She tells listeners that they’re currently talking to United and Delta Airlines, as well as to some low-cost carriers.
“The good news is that quite honestly the airlines are very familiar with Columbia, Missouri. We’ve definitely got great placement on the map when they look at fleet management. Columbia, center of the state, pretty equal distance between St. Louis and Kansas City,” says Button.
Governor Mike Parson has told 939 the Eagle that he believes the new COU terminal will help make Columbia a top medical destination. You can hear the full interview with REDI’s Stacey Button and REDI’s Jay Sparks here.
Missouri Supreme Court sets August execution date for convicted murderer
An eastern Missouri man who kidnapped and beat a six-year-old girl to death with a brick almost 21 years ago will be executed in August.
The Missouri Supreme Court has scheduled an August 1 execution date for 45-year-old Johnny Johnson. Court documents indicate Johnson tried to rape six-year-old Casey Williamson after kidnapping her, before murdering her at an abandoned glass factory near Valley Park. Johnson also used a boulder to kill the girl, according to court documents.
The Associated Press reports Johnson was staying with friends in Valley Park when the murder happened.
Barring intervention from Governor Mike Parson, the U.S. Supreme Court or a federal judge, Johnson will be put to death by lethal injection on August 1.
(AUDIO): Veteran Missouri state senator wants to see I-70 four-laned through Columbia
A state senator from eastern Missouri who’s strongly considering a 2024 gubernatorial bid says the money is available to pay for his proposal to four-lane I-70 from Wentzville to Blue Springs.
State Sen. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) spoke on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.”
“Using a combination of the surpluses we have in Jefferson City, plus setting aside some future revenues over the next ten years to pay for it. We weren’t going to have to raise anybody’s taxes. We would be able to do this all with the funding that we already have coming in the door,” Eigel says.
Senator Eigel has said a federal match of 50 percent would give Missouri the $8-billion needed to complete the project. He also tells listeners the project would take eight years to finish.
Senator Eigel also wants Missouri Governor Mike Parson (R) to support his plan.
“What I’m not sure that has gained traction is the political impetus to do a full four-lane expansion. You know, when you’re talking about a big idea like this that’s going to require a tremendous amount of political energy, you really have to have leadership at the top of government. That’s the governor’s office,” says Eigel.
Senator Eigel also says Missouri’s record surplus would help fund the project, without raising taxes.
You can hear the full interview with Senator Eigel on 939 the Eagle’s Facebook page.
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