Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft

Columbia’s school board to discuss April board ballot tonight

January 9, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Then-State Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) speaks on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on May 2, 2022 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

It looks like former State Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) will not appear on the April ballot for Columbia’s school board, barring court intervention.

The board meets tonight at 6:30 and is scheduled to approve the sample ballot for the April 4 election. Seven names are on the sample ballot, listed in the board packet. They are, in order, Paul Harper, John Potter, Christopher Horn, Dean Peter Klempke, James Edward Gordon, John Lyman and April Ferrao.

Basye tried to file on December 27, which was the final day of filing under state law. However, CPS’ Aslin building was closed that day due to it being a district holiday. CPS says filing was available by appointment, but appointments had to be made by December 22. Bayse ended up filing on December 27 at the Boone County clerk’s office.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) has told 939 the Eagle that a CPS policy cannot conflict with state law. Ashcroft also says he has full confidence that Boone County clerk Brianna Lennon (D) will make sure that everyone who legally filed for office will be listed on the April ballot. Lennon tells 939 the Eagle that while she appreciates Secretary Ashcroft’s confidence and support, the filing documents and certification process is ultimately CPS’ responsibility under the law.

“My office’s authority is administrative as far as filing goes- we accept certifications from school districts, municipalities and local political subdivisions for the April election until January 24th,” Lennon says.

Basye told 939 the Eagle that he met with an attorney in late December to discuss his options if he’s kept off the April ballot.

Ashcroft to emphasize criminal justice reform and education in Missouri House address

January 4, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft presides over the Missouri House on January 9, 2019 in Jefferson City (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Missouri lawmakers have returned to Jefferson City today for the start of the 2023 session. Both chambers gaveled-in at high noon.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has opened the House, telling state representatives he’s waiting on the Senate. He’s opening the House, as all 163 state representatives will be sworn-in. Ashcroft will then take nominations for Speaker, and State Rep. Dean Plocher (R-Des Peres) is expected to be elected Speaker, since the GOP has a 111-52 supermajority.

Secretary Ashcroft tells 939 the Eagle he will then give a short speech of priorities he hopes the House will address this session.

“You know we’re doing to talk about criminal justice reform. We’re going to talk about making sure that parents are in charge of their kids’ education,” Ashcroft says.

He also plans to emphasize accountability and transparency in government. He views the start of session as an opportunity, saying Missourians shouldn’t expect much from Washington.

“We’re not going to see help from the federal government. They’re going to make it worse. I think there’s a real opportunity for the Legislature to let the people of this state know that help is on the way,” says Ashcroft.

The GOP will also have a 24-10 supermajority in the Missouri Senate. State Sen. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) is expected to be elected Senate President Pro Tem today.

Ashcroft is confident in Boone County’s clerk regarding Columbia school board filing

December 30, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

State Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) speaks on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on May 2, 2022 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Missouri’s secretary of state is closely monitoring the controversy involving this week’s attempt by outgoing State Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) to file for Columbia’s school board.

Basye tried to file on Tuesday at the Aslin building, but it was a district holiday and the offices were closed. Columbia Public Schools (CPS) spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark tells 939 the Eagle that filing was available that day by appointment but that the appointments had to be made by December 22. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft tells 939 the Eagle that state law allows candidates to file up until 5 pm on December 27.

“Whatever their policy is, it cannot conflict with state law. So if someone is questioning whether or not the policy is effective, you’re going to have to see if whether or not it contradicts state law,” Ashcroft says.

Basye ended up filing Tuesday at Boone County clerk Brianna Lennon’s office, rather than the Aslin building. GOP Secretary of State Ashcroft tells 939 the Eagle that Ms. Lennon, a Democrat, is the election authority in Columbia. Counselor Lennon is also an attorney.

“Brianna Lennon and I obviously don’t agree on everything politically, because we come at it from different sides of the political spectrum. But Brianna Lennon, I have full confidence that she will make sure that everyone that legally filed for office by the deadline will be included on the ballot. She will make sure that things are done correctly,” says Ashcroft.

Ms. Baumstark notes filing isn’t certification and that candidates must be certified and the school board must authorize a notice of election and sample ballot, before candidates are officially placed on a ballot. Baumstark says the board must do this by January 30 as required by law. Baumstark has told 939 the Eagle that the board plans to do this at their January 9 meeting.

Representative Basye says he met Thursday with an attorney, to discuss his options if he’s kept off the April ballot.

(AUDIO): State Rep. Rudy Veit (R-Wardsville) appears on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”

December 29, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

State Rep. Rudy Veit (R-Wardsville) says state government has an ongoing obligation to continue to function. He’s filed straightforward bills regarding Casenet and on the presidential preference primary (PPP). Representative Veit’s House Bill 347 reinstates Missouri’s presidential preference primary. Veit disagrees with Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who has said that the PPP costs taxpayers $9.1 million. Secretary Ashcroft has described the presidential preference primary as an election that has no bearing on the presidential race. Representative Veit joined us live in-studio on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”:

(AUDIO): Outgoing State Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) discusses Columbia school board race on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”

December 28, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Outgoing Missouri House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee chairman Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) says he’s prepared to take legal action, if Columbia’s school board doesn’t certify his name for the April school board ballot. Chairman Basye joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” Tuesday was the final day to file for Columbia’s April school board race, but Basye says CPS authorities wouldn’t let him inside the Aslin building to complete paperwork. He contacted Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office and Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office, and ended up filing at Boone County clerk Brianna Lennon’s office. CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark tells 939 the Eagle that December 27 is a district holiday and that Aslin offices were closed. She says filing was available by appointment and that appointments had to be made by December 22. Chairman Basye says that’s a violation of state law, and that candidates should be able to file on the final day without an appointment. Ms. Baumstark says filing isn’t certification, and that candidates must be certified and the board must authorize a notice of election and sample ballot before candidates are officially placed on a ballot. Baumstark says the board must do this by the end of January as required by law. She says the board plans to do this at their January 9 meeting: