Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade

(AUDIO): “Missouri Times” publisher Scott Faughn discusses Leader Quade’s Missouri gubernatorial run on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”

July 10, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) has announced her gubernatorial campaign for 2024. Leader Quade has posted a campaign video outlining her background. She notes she grew up poor and lived on food stamps and leftovers. The video also shows her playing roller derby. “Missouri Times” publisher Scott Faughn, a Republican, describes Leader Quade’s story as impressive and says it’s one of the best campaign announcements that he’s seen. Faughn joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”. He says Quade will still have a difficult time getting rural votes in towns like West Plains, Farmington and Poplar Bluff:

(AUDIO): “Missouri Times” publisher Scott Faughn discusses Missouri’s 2024 gubernatorial race on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”

June 5, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

“Missouri Times” publisher Scott Faughn expects this to be a big quarter for GOP gubernatorial candidate Jay Ashcroft, describing him as the front-runner in the primary race. Faughn joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” this morning, telling listeners that GOP lieutenant governor candidate Mike Kehoe has shown he’s able to go negative on Ashcroft. As for Missouri Democrats, Faughn says they have a thin bench for gubernatorial candidates in 2024 but says House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) is a potential star. He says Leader Quade has helped Missouri House Democrats pick up seats in the two two election cycles:

(AUDIO): “Missouri Times” publisher Scott Faughn discusses Missouri’s 2024 gubernatorial race on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”

June 5, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor say his AG pick embodies faith, family and freedom

November 23, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Governor Mike Parson prepares to introduce Andrew Bailey as Missouri’s next attorney general on November 23, 2022 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

Missouri’s next attorney general is a familiar name in state government and at the Statehouse in Jefferson City.

Governor Mike Parson (R) has appointed his office’s general counsel, Andrew Bailey, to the post. Bailey has also served as a Missouri Assistant Attorney General and as general counsel for the Missouri Department of Corrections.

He will be Missouri’s fourth attorney general in six years. Governor Mike Parson says bringing stability to the AG’s office is critical. The governor says he looked for five core things with this appointment.

“Commitment to law and order, patriotism and respect for the (state) Constitution. Conservative values, family values and someone who would promote calm and steady while never afraid to fight for Missourians,” Parson says.

Bailey’s start date hasn’t been determined yet. While the governor didn’t say it, he implied that he expects Bailey to run for the post in 2024. Parson tells Capitol reporters that Bailey has had many accomplishments as general counsel for the governor’s office.

“We fought for the unborn and ended elective abortions in Missouri. We’ve strengthened the Second Amendment protections. Supported law enforcement at every turn,” says Bailey.

Bailey will replace U.S. Sen.-Elect Eric Schmitt, the outgoing attorney general. This is the second time Governor Parson has appointed an attorney general. Parson appointed Schmitt to the post in 2018, when Josh Hawley was elected to the U-S Senate.

Meantime, Missouri’s top House Democrat is calling on Bailey to end what she calls outgoing attorney general Schmitt’s frivolous lawsuits. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) says Schmitt used the attorney general’s office “as a taxpayer-funded arm of his political campaigns,” saying he wasted money on frivolous lawsuits.

‘We are hopeful that Mr. Bailey can succeed in the immense task that awaits him,” Leader Quade says, in a news release.

As for GOP Governor Parson, he says Bailey embodies the ideals of faith, family and freedom, and that he’ll fight for Missouri children like they’re his own.

Tax cut legislation heading to the Missouri House; House Democrats warn about budget impact

September 22, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

State Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) briefs Capitol reporters in Jefferson City on September 21, 2022 (photo courtesy of Harrison Sweazea at Senate Communications)

The Missouri Senate has given final approval to an approximately $1-billion state tax cut.

Wednesday’s vote was 24-4, sending the bill to the House for consideration. State Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) voted for the bill, saying Missouri has had record revenue growth.

“When we see those numbers, it’s my belief and I think a lot of the other Republicans up here, that we want to provide tax relief to the folks back at home,” Hough says.

Hough, the Senate Appropriations Committee vice chair, joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” The bill also eliminates Missouri’s lowest tax bracket, meaning earners with less than $1,000 annually would no longer have to pay state income taxes.

Senator Hough, who will chair the powerful Appropriations Committee in January, tells listeners that the tax cut would help everyone.

“This helps low-income earners, high-income earners, small businesses that employ all of our friends and neighbors and keep our main streets open,” says Hough.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) blasts the bill, saying it will blow a $2-billion hole in the state budget once fully implemented.

“That’s nearly triple what the governor originally claimed his election year tax giveaway for the rich would cost,” Leader Quade tweeted on Wednesday. She says Children’s Division employees at the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) are underpaid and overworked, adding that one DSS employee sells his plasma to pay the bills.

Governor Mike Parson (R) has tweeted that he’s confident the Legislature will approve an income tax cut package.

Both chambers have approved identical farm bills, which extend agricultural tax credits for six years. Governor Parson describes those votes as a huge win for agriculture. The tax credit extension has been a top priority for Missouri’s commodity groups, including the Missouri Farm Bureau and the Columbia-based Missouri Pork Association.