Boone County GOP central committee chair Tony Lupo says the committee has not written a letter to Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) calling for him to step down as pro tem. Mr. Lupo joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”. The issue involves Senator Rowden’s decision this week to remove three fellow Republicans from their committee chairmanships. Mr. Lupo says the committee intended to send a private message to Senator Rowden asking him to show some leadership and to come back to the committee. Mr. Lupo tells listeners a central committee member offered write a first draft, which was done. That first draft ended up being posted on Twitter, and Mr. Lupo doesn’t know how that happened. He tells listeners that the first draft would need revisions and a vote, before any letter would be sent to Senator Rowden. Pro Tem Rowden has stripped State Sens. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg), Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) and Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester) from their chairmanships:
(LISTEN): Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden discusses committee chairmanships and 2024 session on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Missouri’s Senate President Pro Tem has stripped three fellow Republicans of their committee chairmanships, describing them as “the “Chaos Caucus.” While Republicans have a 24-10 supermajority in the Senate, GOP infighting has led to gridlock in Jefferson City. Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) made the announcement during a Tuesday afternoon Statehouse press conference. He’s stripped State Sens. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg), Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) and Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester) from their chairmanships. Senator Rowden joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, telling listeners that he took action due to years of disrespect toward the Missouri Senate and colleagues. He also says the Freedom Caucus senators have tried to break the Senate. Senator Eigel, who’s seeking Missouri’s GOP gubernatorial nomination in August, has issued a statement to 939 the Eagle, after he was stripped from his chairmanship. Senator Eigel, writes, in part: “Jefferson City is ruled by a uniparty cartel of special interests, RINOS and Democrats, who band together to crush the voice of the people. These are the same tactics the Swamp uses against President Trump.” Senator Hoskins’ district includes Cooper and Howard counties in the 939 the Eagle listening area:
(LISTEN): State Sen. Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester) preview Missouri’s 2024 session on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
State Sen. Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester) will serve his 16th and final year in the Missouri Legislature in 2024, due to term limits. He chairs the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee and is also seeking the GOP nomination for Missouri Treasurer in 2024. Senator Koenig joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” to preview the 2024 session, which begins January 3 in Jefferson City. One of his top priorities is what he describes as initiative petition reform. Senator Koenig tells listeners that changing the Missouri Constitution should require a higher threshold than a simple majority. Democrats strongly oppose the change, saying Missouri voters have been approving things like a minimum wage increase, Medicaid expansion and a right-to-work repeal because GOP lawmakers are not listening to voters. But Senator Koenig disagrees. He wants to see an IP bill pass that would require a proposed Missouri constitutional amendment to be approved by voters in five of the state’s eight congressional districts. Senator Koenig says cities shouldn’t be able to tell farmers what to do and versa. Senator Koenig also called for the expansion of school choice and a parental bill of rights on the program. He’ll also focus on transgender legislation in 2024:
Bernskoetter hopeful on special session and on Missouri Senate leadership race
Legislation that would have sent $325 checks to Missourians with an income under $150,000 has been removed by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Senate could debate the combined new bills on Tuesday, and amendments will likely be offered on the Senate floor.
State Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City), who chairs the Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee, tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that he’s optimistic a tax cut bill will pass.
“I don’t know that it’s going to look like what the governor called for. But I think we will agree that the state of Missouri has a lot of money right now, and the people know how spend it better than we do,” Bernskoetter says.
Bernskoetter also tells listeners that House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith (R-Carthage) wants to rewrite the entire tax code.
Senator Bernskoetter is also optimistic that he’ll be the next Senate Majority Leader, which is the number two position in the chamber.
“There’s me and (State) Senator (Andrew) Koenig and (State) Senator (Cindy) O’Laughlin are running for Floor Leader. Things are looking good on my end,” says Bernskoetter.
Missouri’s current Senate Majority Leader is State Sen. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia), who’s running for Senate President Pro Tem. Bernskoetter predicts Rowden will win that race.
(AUDIO): State Sen. Bill Eigel appears live on 939 the Eagle’s “Randy Tobler show”
Outspoken State Sen. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) is one of the former members of the Missouri Senate Conservative Caucus, which disbanded this week. Senator Eigel, who chairs the Senate General Laws Committee, is calling for a new coalition of leadership in the Missouri Senate GOP caucus. Republicans currently have a 24-10 supermajority. Eigel joined Randy …