U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) represents Columbia, Jefferson City, Fulton, Boonville and much of the 939 the Eagle listening area on Capitol Hill. Congressman Luetkemeyer joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri,” telling listeners that new U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) will do a great job in the position. Congressman Luetkemeyer says he’d like to get Speaker Johnson to Columbia or Jefferson City, similar to getting then-House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to Jefferson City several years ago. Congressman Luetkemeyer also discussed the House spending bill being debated today on Capitol Hill, which includes a 64 percent cut in Amtrak funding compared to last year. The congressman tells listeners he’ll have to study that, noting most Missourians don’t use public transportation. But Congressman Luetkemeyer says many people on the two coasts use public transportation, noting he doesn’t have a vehicle in Washington because it’s so difficult to find a parking spot:
(LISTEN): Mid-Missouri foster care gala is Friday; Boone County has hundreds of foster children
A Friday night fundraiser will be held in Jefferson City to benefit an organization that aims to foster safe and nurturing homes for children and to facilitate heartfelt adoptions.
The Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association’s (CMFCAA) “Puttin’ on the Ritz” gala will take place Friday evening from 5:30-8:30 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. CMFCAA spokesman Gerry Tritz says gala proceeds will directly bolster the association’s vision.
“This year we added an extreme family finding program and we added an advocacy program. The extreme family finding program just tries to find family and extended family for kids in the system who are in danger of aging out,” Tritz says.
Mr. Tritz says single tickets are $50, with couple tickets at $90. Dave and Tori Baker will provide the musical backdrop. The CMFCAA’s aim is leading foster children toward safety and permanency, ultimately to a forever home.
There are about 500 children in foster care in Boone County. Mr. Tritz tells 939 the Eagle that the CMFCAA now includes 24 counties. Columbia, Jefferson City and Fulton are all served by the organization:
“We go as far as south as Dallas County and north to Randolph County. You know we have a lot in between,” says Tritz.
Mr. Tritz says gala proceeds will directly bolster the association’s vision of advocating for children, fortifying families and reshaping lives. State Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) will be the keynote speaker at Friday evening’s event, which will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 at the Capitol Plaza hotel.
(LISTEN): Palm Strategic Group partner Jonathan Ratliff appears on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Palm Strategic Group partner Jonathan Ratliff is also the Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee’s (HRCC) executive director. Republicans control the Missouri House 111-51, which is a supermajority-plus. Mr. Ratliff joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”. The Missouri House Ethics Committee will hold a November 8 hearing in Jefferson City, a hearing that’s widely believed to involve House Speaker Dean Plocher (R-Des Peres) Mr. Ratliff tells listeners that House Republicans will caucus in about a week, adding that the caucus overall stands behind Speaker Plocher. Mr. Ratliff also says Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) enters the secretary of state’s race as the frontrunner in the 2024 GOP primary. Ratliff describes Rowden as a prolific fundraiser. He also weighed in on the Democratic primary for Missouri’s first congressional district, where incumbent U.S. Rep. Cori Bush (D-St. Louis) is being challenged by St. Louis County prosecutor Wesley Bell (D). Mr. Ratliff tells listeners that anytime Congresswoman Bush speaks, it’s a great fundraising opportunity for Republicans across Missouri. Ratliff also addressed Senator Rowden’s mid-Missouri seat, which will be an open seat and a Boone County-only seat in 2024. Mr. Ratliff predicts that seat will flip to Democrats:
(LISTEN): Missouri’s Rowden, Hoskins clash again over sports wagering
Two Missouri GOP state senators who are running for secretary of state next year are blaming each other for the defeat of sports wagering legislation in Jefferson City this year.
Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) spoke Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” program.
“We had the ability to cut property taxes, legalize sports betting and do some other things in the tax realm all in one fell swoop, and Senator Hoskins decided to kill all of that because they want slot machines in gas stations,” Senator Rowden says.
Senator Rowden tells listeners that the legality of these slot machines in gas stations is questionable, noting the issue is currently in litigation.
State Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrenburg), who represents mid-Missouri’s Cooper County in the listening area, disagrees. He’s issued a statement to 939 the Eagle, which says “the Missouri Constitution says state tax revenue from gaming must be used for education and veterans and currently that tax revenue does not fully fund our veterans homes and cemeteries. As a veteran of the Missouri Army National Guard, I will continue to fight to find a dedicated funding source for our veterans homes and cemeteries. Unfortunately, as a former pop singer, Rowden’s loyalties lie with getting the best deal for casinos, not the best deal for Missouri veterans and taxpayers.”
Meantime, Senate President Pro Tem Rowden says term limits are good but that Missouri’s term limits are bad. Missouri voters approved term limits in 1992, and state lawmakers can serve up to four terms in the House (eight years) and up to two four-year Senate terms (eight years) for a maximum of 16 years in Jefferson City. Senator Rowden tells 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” he’d like to see that tweaked and sent back to voters.
“I love the idea or I like the idea of saying ok you can just serve 16 years (in the Missouri Legislature) but you can do it wherever you want. Because instead of saying you can only serve eight and eight in either chamber, there’s a bunch of House members that are never going to run for the (Missouri) Senate, but if they’re there for 16 years they have the ability to really kind of put their roots down and figure out those ways to really serve their community well,” says Rowden.
You can listen to host Fred Parry’s full interview with Senator Rowden here.
(LISTEN): Boone County northern district commissioner Janet Thompson discusses federal ARPA dollars on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Columbia has received $25 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, while Boone County has received $35-million in federal ARPA dollars. President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law. Boone County commissioner Janet Thompson joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, telling listeners that more than 100 groups submitted ARPA applications to the county which totaled about $84-million. She notes 27 applications were funded. Commissioner Thompson tells listeners that commissioners hope to get the second round going in 2024, and she encourages applicants who didn’t receive funding the first time to resubmit. She also praises Boone County’s Nature Center, which is being built in the Three Creeks Conservation Area just south of Columbia. Commissioner Thompson notes the nature school is available to ALL Boone County school districts, adding that Three Creeks is a major part of the area’s ecosystem:
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