Funding for the University of Missouri was a top priority for former Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia), who served in the Missouri Senate from 2009-2016. Schaefer was only the second Republican in history at the time to hold that seat (Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden is now the third). Former Senator Schaefer has filed to run in Missouri’s new third congressional district, which includes Columbia south of Broadway, Ashland, Hartsburg, Jefferson City, Boonville, California and Fulton. Governor Mike Parson (R) and state lawmakers in both parties joined Mizzou officials in October to break ground on a $20-million expansion of the MU Research Reactor (MURR), which is down the hill from Faurot Field. The MURR is the top-ranked University research reactor in the nation, producing a medical isotope that battles various cancers worldwide. Former Senator Schaefer tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that the University of Missouri is the largest employer in the new district and that, if elected, he will do all he can to help them and the MURR as well. Former Senator Schaefer is also calling for term limits for congressional members and is focusing on illegal immigration. Schaefer tells listeners that eight million illegal immigrants have entered the United States in the past three years, more than the population of 36 other states:
(LISTEN): Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) discusses 2024 session on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) expresses frustration with the Senate Freedom Caucus, saying they “bloviated” on the Senate floor before essentially taking a deal he offered them two weeks ago. Pro Tem Rowden joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, telling listeners that he made it clear all along that initiative petition reform would be taken up quickly, once gubernatorial appointments were made. Pro Tem Rowden tells listeners that initiative petition reform and what he describes as education reform may come up next week. Republicans have a 24-10 supermajority in the Missouri Senate. Senator Rowden says he has a good working relationship with Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo (D-Independence). He says Leader Rizzo represents a red district, while Rowden represents a blue district. He expects more partisan debate later this session:
(LISTEN): “Missouri Times” publisher Scott Faughn discusses Missouri’s 2024 session on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
“Missouri Times” publisher Scott Faughn will be the guest speaker at the February 19 Cole County Lincoln Days event at Jefferson City’s Capitol Plaza Hotel. Dinner begins at 6 that evening, and U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) and a number of state lawmakers are also expected to be there. Mr. Faughn joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” We discussed the dinner, the Freedom Caucus controversy with Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia), and legislation from State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) that would allow charter schools to operate in the Columbia Public Schools (CPS) district, without local school board sponsorship. Scott also addressed the Magnitude 7 closing in southeast Missouri’s New Madrid. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) has filed legislation aimed at saving the plant, and U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R) has called on President Biden to invoke the federal Defense Production Act, noting 30 percent of the nation’s aluminum is produced at the Bootheel plant. Senator Hawley says it’s an issue of national security:
(LISTEN): State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) appears on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Missouri’s governor signed Senate Bill 190 into law in 2023, which allows counties to freeze property tax increases for seniors who are eligible for Social Security, own a home and are required to pay taxes on that home. Missouri counties can put the new measure in place by ordinance or by voter approval. State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, saying she’s displeased with the Boone County commission’s announcement for an April election on the issue, particularly the word “certain” rather than “all”. She tells listeners that she’s still gathering signatures to try to place the issue on the August or November ballot, a measure that she says would freeze all taxing entities. Representative Toalson Reisch says seniors on fixed incomes in Boone County need this protection. She also weighed in on the removal of three GOP committee chairmen yesterday by Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia). Representative Toalson Reisch says both sides need to lock themselves into a room until they can work it out. And while she didn’t name names, she tells listeners there are Missouri GOP House and Senate members who don’t talk or vote like Republicans:
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