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 Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) appears on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee chair Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) says the “votes weren’t there” in the Senate last week to override any of the 14 budget bills overridden by the GOP-controlled Missouri House. That included restoration of $1.4 million for Columbia-based Missouri Task Force One and $2-million for Missouri National Guard reenlistment incentives. The Senate did not take up any of the overrides last week, and Chairman Hough tells listeners that it’s simple and involves math. Overriding a veto in the Senate requires at least 23 votes. He also praises the approximately $50-billion budget signed recently by Governor Parson, noting it contains $2.8 billion to rebuild and expand I-70 to six lanes from Wentzville to Blue Springs and another $300-million for a new mental health hospital in Kansas City. Chairman Hough also addressed the spending criticism he received last week on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” from one of his colleagues, State Sen. William Eigel (R-Weldon Spring):
(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:
(LISTEN): State Sen. William Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) appears on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
State Sen. William Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) says the status quo is responsible for Tyson Foods’ decision to close chicken plants in southeast Missouri’s Dexter and in southwest Missouri’s Noel. Senator Eigel joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, telling listeners that Missouri Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft are part of the status quo. Kehoe and Ashcroft are Senator Eigel’s rivals for Missouri’s GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2024. Senator Eigel is calling for the elimination of all personal property taxes and for elimination of the state income tax. He tells listeners that it’s time for Missouri to emulate Florida and Tennessee, saying local governments are seeing record revenue. Senator Eigel is also ecstatic about the upcoming six-laning of I-70 across Missouri:
(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: