Eight-term U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) will be retiring in December, after 16 years on Capitol Hill. Missouri’s new third congressional district includes Columbia south of Broadway, Ashland, Hartsburg, Fulton, Boonville, California, Kingdom City, Holts Summit, Jefferson City, Linn and New Florence. It also includes Wentzville and O’Fallon. Former Boone County clerk Taylor Burks announced his run to try to replace Congressman Luetkemeyer, during a live interview on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” this morning. Mr. Burks tells listeners that he’s the only candidate who’s looking at this race from mid-Missouri, and that the district should be represented by someone from central Missouri. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) and former State Sen. Bob Onder (R-Lake St. Louis) are also running. Mr. Burks criticized the redistricting process that drew the new boundaries, saying central Missouri “got sliced up by some jokers in Jefferson City.” National security is a top priority for Mr. Burks, who’s a veteran. He’s also touting transportation, saying service roads along I-70 from St. Louis to Columbia literally run out and that must change:
(LISTEN): Former Boone County clerk Taylor Burks announces congressional run on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Eight-term U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) will be retiring in December, after 16 years on Capitol Hill. Missouri’s new third congressional district includes Columbia south of Broadway, Ashland, Hartsburg, Fulton, Boonville, California, Kingdom City, Holts Summit, Jefferson City, Linn and New Florence. It also includes Wentzville and O’Fallon. Former Boone County clerk Taylor Burks announced his run to try to replace Congressman Luetkemeyer, during a live interview on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” this morning. Mr. Burks tells listeners that he’s the only candidate who’s looking at this race from mid-Missouri, and that the district should be represented by someone from central Missouri. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) and former State Sen. Bob Onder (R-Lake St. Louis) are also running. Mr. Burks criticized the redistricting process that drew the new boundaries, saying central Missouri “got sliced up by some jokers in Jefferson City.” National security is a top priority for Mr. Burks, who’s a veteran. He’s also touting transportation, saying service roads along I-70 from St. Louis to Columbia literally run out and that must change:
(LISTEN): State Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) appears on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
State Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) represents Callaway, Montgomery, St. Charles, Lincoln and Pike counties in the Missouri Senate. He joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” and tells listeners he’s seriously considering a run to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) on Capitol Hill. Senator Fitzwater confirms he’s praying about the issue and notes opportunities like this don’t come along often. Missouri’s massive third district includes Columbia, Boonville, California, Jefferson City, Fulton, New Florence and Wentzville. Senator Fitzwater says it’s important to have a mid-Missourian in that seat. He also discussed his proposed constitutional amendment to reduce the Missouri House’s size from 163 to 102 and to modify term limits for state lawmakers. Missouri’s current term limits allow lawmakers to serve up to eight years in both chambers for a total of 16 years in Jefferson City. Senator Fitzwater’s proposed constitutional amendment would allow lawmakers to serve up to 16 years in the Legislature, regardless of which chamber. If lawmakers approve Senator Fitzwater’s measure, the issue would be placed on the statewide ballot this August or November:
(LISTEN): Missouri Chamber of Commerce touting I-70 expansion plan
Missouri’s largest business organization is praising the state’s $2.8 billion plan to rebuild and six-lane I-70 from Wentzville to Blue Springs. Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Dan Mehan tells 939 the Eagle that it’s historic.
“I-70 is the beltway for the country and it started in Missouri and it’s been far too long since we invested back in it,” Mehan says.
The I-70 project will start in Boone County. Chamber president Mehan says the project will have major economic benefits. He’s praising state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for supporting the bill, and praises GOP Governor Mike Parson for signing it.
“When the Legislature did that, they put a mark for Missouri for the rest of the country saying we will be the logistics and distribution center for not just the region but for the nation and for the continent,” says Mehan.
Numerous state lawmakers from across Missouri joined the governor at the August Columbia bill-signing ceremony. GOP State Reps. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville), Kent Haden (R-Mexico) and Tim Taylor (R-Speed) attended, along with House Assistant Minority Floor Leader Richard Brown (D-Kansas City) Democratic State Reps. Doug Mann, David Tyson Smith and Kathy Steinhoff (all D-Columbia).
Powerful Missouri congressman Graves and COU’s new terminal taking center stage at Columbia transportation summit
A few hundred transportation professionals and industry stakeholders are in Columbia today and tomorrow for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s transportation future summit.
The two-day conference begins this afternoon at the Holiday Inn Executive Center. Chamber president Dan Mehan will welcome the audience at 1:30, and powerful U.S. House Transportation Committee chairman Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) will then speak via video. He’s expected to discuss federal funding for transportation and Missouri’s $2.8 billion plan to rebuild and expand I-70 to six lanes across the state, from Wentzville to Blue Springs.
Six breakout sessions are also planned for this afternoon, including one on the future of railroad in Missouri.
Another one involves the new terminals at Columbia Regional Airport (COU) and at Kansas City International Airport (KCI). COU airport manager Mike Parks will be addressing several hundred transportation professionals from across the state about Columbia Regional’s $23-milion new terminal, which is 52,000 square feet. Columbia voters approved a 2016 hotel tax, which is the new terminal’s main funding source.
There will also be a breakout session today about self-driving cars.
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