Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) is seeking the GOP nomination for secretary of state in August 2024. Senator Rowden, who is being forced out of the Senate by term limits at the end of 2024, joined 939 the Eagle host Fred Parry for the hour on Saturday morning’s “CEO Roundtable” program. Term limits were a key topic of discussion. Missouri voters approved term limits in 1992, and lawmakers can serve up to four terms in the Missouri House (eight years) and up to two Senate terms (eight years) for a maximum of 16 years. Senator Rowden tells listeners he’d like to see that changed. Under his proposal, the 16 years would stay the same but a lawmaker could serve it wherever they want to. For instance, you could serve eight House terms for a total of 16 years etc. Senator Rowden also outlined his reasons for running for secretary of state, saying it’s an office that can make Missourians lives better and easier. Fred Parry and Senator Rowden also discussed sports wagering on the program. Senator Rowden blames State Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg) for sports wagering’s defeat in the 2023 session, saying Senator Hoskins wanted slot machines in gas stations:
(AUDIO): Missouri sports wagering legislation hearing set for this evening
A Missouri House committee will hear testimony Wednesday evening in Jefferson City on legislation to legalize sports wagering.
The bipartisan bill is sponsored by veteran State Rep. Phil Christofanelli (R-St. Peters), a senior member of the House in the term limits era.
“That used to be a novel idea, but almost every other state has done it at this point. I’ve been filing it for four or five years now,” Rep. Christofanelli says.
Representative Christofanelli spoke recently on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” He wants the controversial issue of slot machines addressed separately.
“I like to take one issue at a time and try to get something done for the people back home,” says Christofanelli.
The Missouri House Emerging Issues Committee will hear House Bill 581 at 5 pm. Bill opponents include State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville), who worries about the impact of gambling addiction. Christofanelli tells listeners that people like sports wagering and that it’s good for the state and good for consumers.
Click here to listen to the January 5, 2023 “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” interview with Representative Christofanelli.
Veteran Missouri lawmaker Basye accepting new position with area congressman’s office
A veteran mid-Missouri state lawmaker who’s served as the powerful Missouri House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee chairman has accepted a new position.
State Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) is finishing his fourth and final House term, due to term limits. He says he’ll finish his term, which expires on December 31. Basye will be working for U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth).
“I’ll be working in his office starting in January,” Basye tells 939 the Eagle.
In addition to serving as chairman of the House education committee, Basye also serves on the Joint Committee on Education. His primarily rural district includes parts of Columbia, along with Harrisburg, Higbee and Renick.
Congressman Luetkemeyer’s sprawling district includes parts of Columbia, as well as Jefferson City, Fulton and Linn.