Several thousand people are expected to be in downtown Jefferson City for Friday evening’s popular “Living Windows”, which features food, hot chocolate, carolers, dancing and live reindeer. “Missouri Times” publisher Scott Faughn joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, telling listeners that the downtown Jefferson City organizers do a great job with Living Windows. He also says he and his son Gussie will do a re-enactment of the “Christmas story” that evening at 225 Madison, which is where the newspaper is housed. Mr. Faughn also previewed Missouri’s 2024 legislative session, telling listeners that State Sen. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) wants to eliminate personal property taxes and that Eigel wants his bill heard in January or February. Faughn suggests that Senator Eigel may hold the floor early in session and demand a vote on his bill:
(LISTEN): Missouri GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) appears on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
State Sen. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring), who chairs the Missouri Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Pensions Committee, has formally kicked off his GOP gubernatorial campaign. Senator Eigel joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri, telling listeners that there were more than 1,000 people at Friday’s campaign kickoff event in St. Charles County. Senator Eigel says it’s time “to send a bold conservative reformer who will be a champion for the people of this great state and bring a reckoning to the Jefferson City swamp.” He blasted two fellow Republicans during the live interview, Governor Mike Parson and Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield). He criticized their spending proposals, saying Missouri’s state operating budget has grown from $20-billion in 2010 to $53-billion in 2023:
(AUDIO): Missouri Times publisher Scott Faughn joins us live on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Missouri Times publisher Scott Faughn says Missouri’s 2024 GOP gubernatorial primary is leaning toward a competitive race between Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe and State Sen. William Eigel (R-Weldon Spring). Faughn says Senator Eigel has become a serious threat in this race. He also emphasizes the importance of rural radio ads to Missouri GOP candidates in primary and general elections. Mr. Faughn also weighed in on Missouri’s 2024 Democratic primary for attorney general, as race that features State Rep. Sarah Unsicker (D-Shrewsbury) and Elad Gross:
(AUDIO): State Sen. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) discusses personal property tax relief and sports wagering on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
State Sen. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that there is no path forward for sports wagering legislation this year. The 2023 session ends this evening at 6. He says any bill that would pass today with Sportsbook attached to it would be a clear Hammerschmidt multiple subject violation and would be thrown out by the courts. Senator Eigel also delivered a message to Missouri Senate and House GOP leaders on “Wake Up”: he says the Missouri Senate will pass his personal property tax cut bill today or nothing else will happen. Eigel says it’s badly needed for seniors and others hit with whopping personal property tax bills:
(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.