Latest entries in Politics Watch
Political updates from Columbia, Jeff City and Washington by The Maneater's political reporters.
Nov. 16, 2009
City Council considers adding amendment to nuisance party ordinance
The Columbia City Council first read a proposed amendment during the Monday night meeting that would change the definition of a nuisance party to include fireworks.
The current ordinance, which was passed three years ago, defines a nuisance party as a “gathering of 10 or more people” that includes any one item on a list of things such as underage drinking, littering or noise violations.
The idea of expanding the ordinance officially began July 22 when Sixth Ward Councilwoman Barbara Hoppe described a “persistent fireworks” problem in East Campus and motioned to determine whether fireworks needed to be added to the list of the ordinance’s violations.
After coming back from a conference of city governments this weekend, Hoppe said at the Nov. 16 meeting she had not read over the proposed amendment to the nuisance party ordinance.
“I’ll take a look at it,” she said. “I’m interested in people’s concerns, comments and perceptions.”
Though both firing guns and shooting off fireworks constitute misdemeanors within city limits, with the exception of permitted fireworks displays and hunting or range shooting, the amendment would add “setting off fireworks” and “discharging firearms” as numbers 12 and 13 on the list of nuisance party qualifications.
To read city documents pertaining to the amendment, visit the City of Columbia Web site, gocolumbiamo.com.
Nov. 12, 2009
Senator Kit Bond interviewed on The Daily Show
Tomorrow, Sen. Kit Bond will be coming to MU to promote the book he co-wrote, “The Next Front: Southeast Asia and the Road to Global Peace with Islam.” The book discusses the rise in Islamic fundamentalism in Southeast Asia and what the Obama Administration can do to counteract it.
On Tuesday, Bond appeared as a guest on The Daily Show. Visit thedailyshow.com for the full interview.
Nov. 10, 2009
Jefferson City police investigating possible hostage situation
A helicopter flies over Central Bank at the corner of High and Madison streets Tuesday. Jefferson City Police, SWAT, and State Troopers were at the site to investigate a potential hostage situation at the Governor Office Building down the street.
Capt. Bob Cynova of the Jefferson City Police Department said they received a call around 10:02 a.m. that there was a hostage situation in the Governor's Office Building at 200 Madison St. in Jefferson City.
Cynova said it is just an alarm at this time but the department is treating the situation as if it's real.
"Basically we have a hard perimeter and multiple search teams inside," Cynova said.
A hard perimeter is where no one can leave the building, Cynova said, meaning if there is a situation, it would not leave the building.
Gov. Jay Nixon was in Texas early this morning for a business meeting when he heard about the alarm, according to a news release from his office, but he is now in his office at the capital. The release stated he has been in contact with law enforcement and his senior staff throughout the day.
A Missouri State Trooper hides in the brush Tuesday on Madison Street during a potential hostage situation in the Governor Office Building. State Troopers and Jefferson City police reported to the scene after a 911 call from the building reported a hostage situation.
Possible hostage situation in Jefferson City
Jefferson City Police captain Mike Smith answers questions from the media Tuesday about the possibility of a hostage situation inside the Governor Office Building in downtown Jefferson City, Mo. Initial reports say the situation started with an alarm leading to the evacuation of the office building.
A possible hostage situation is unfolding at the state capitol where, according to a report form the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cole County Sheriff deputies and State Highway Patrol officers have surrounded a government office building located at 200 Madison St.
The report quotes one employee, Lewis Mills, who said that around 10:15 a.m. a message came over the intercom telling everyone to stay in their offices. Mills said the situation is located on the fifth floor of the office building, which houses the Public Service Commission.
See the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for the whole story.
Stay with The Maneater for continued coverage of this breaking news.
Sheila King, 38, and Shannon Heaviland, 41, are lead past police tape after being evacuated from Madison's Cafe on Tuesday after reports of possible hostage situation inside the Governor Office Building in downtown Jefferson City, Mo. King and Heaviland were two of many others who were evacuated from nearby businesses as a precaution during the situation.
People evacuate from the Governor Office Building located at 200 Madison St. in Jefferson City, Mo. on Tuesday. Workers were evacuated after a call was made to local authorities claiming there was a hostage situation in the area. However, no hostage situation was confirmed and no shots were fired.
Oct. 20, 2009
Robin Carnahan speaking at MU Law School
Secretary of State Robin Carnahan will be speaking at the MU Law School at 6 p.m. on Oct. 21. Carnahan, who has been criticized by some for a lack of campaign events thus far will be speaking about her 2010 Senate campaign.
She is the only Democratic candidate and is running against U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and State Sen. Chuck Purgason for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by long-time incumbent Kit Bond, R-Mo.
The event will be held in room seven, located in the basement of the school, and it is expected to end around 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15, 2009
Jerry Wade announces candidacy for mayor
Fourth Ward Councilman Jerry Wade said, in an e-mail early Tuesday, he is running for mayor of Columbia in April 2010.
"I believe I have the qualifications and ability to be a good mayor and I want to continue my community service to Columbia," Wade said in the e-mail.
Mayor Darwin Hindman, Columbia's longest serving mayor, said in August he would not seek re-election in April. Wade, with his term as councilman expiring this same year, was seen as a likely Candidate.
According to previous Maneater reports, Wade would not say whether he was running until he and his family had fully thought out the decision. Wade said he decided to announce his decision now to put an end to speculation.
"This gives plenty of time for interested people in the Fourth Ward to consider running and hopefully we will have a slate of excellent candidates," he said.
Wade will hold an extended set of office hours at the Rendezvous coffeehouse Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon so constituents can talk to him about his decision.
Sept. 8, 2009
Columbia Water and Light Director Resigns
Kraig Kahler, Columbia's Water and Light director, resigned from his position due to family issues. According to an official news release, City Manager Bill Watkins asked for and then received Kahler's resignation.
“I have no doubts about Kraig’s professional integrity and intelligence,” Watkins stated in the release, “But he is experiencing some difficult family issues at this time. In my opinion, this has affected his focus on the department in a way that is not likely to change in the near future.”
Watkins said Kahler left his position in good standing and is receiving the maximum separation pay allowed by city ordinance. He is also available on a consultancy basis for the next two months.
Micheal Schmitz is the interim director.
Aug. 6, 2009
Parts of state to hold sales tax holiday
One of Missouri's two annual sales tax holidays will be going on this weekend. From Friday to Sunday, items relating to school supplies will not be subject to the 4.225 percent state sales tax.
Although shoppers in Columbia will not have to pay the state sales tax during the weekend, they will still be required to pay the city's sales tax of 3.325 percent. The law establishing the tax free weekend allows for all sales taxes to be waived, but it also lets individual cities choose whether they participate in the holiday.
According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, clothing that is $100 or less, purchases of school supplies that are less than $50 and laptops that are less than $3,500 are all exempt from state sales tax. Computer software costing less than $350 and computer accessories that are less than $3,500 are also sales tax free.
According to the MDR Web site, some of the closest cities to Columbia that are participating in the holiday are Centralia and Mexico. For these, and other participating towns, the local sales tax will not be added to the purchase price of the qualifying items.
The state's other sales tax holiday takes place in April and exempts energy efficient appliances from sales taxes.
Nixon announces principles of Autism coverage
Gov. Nixon laid out his principles for autism insurance coverage in Columbia earlier today. According to a news release from the governor's office, his stop at the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders was one of three he made in the state today to announce principles he feels are key to legislation mandating insurance coverage for autism.
The news release said Nixon's principles are first, that health insurance plans renewed or issued after Jan. 1, 2011 must provide coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Second, this coverage is only for medically necessary treatments for the disorders and the coverage is capped somewhere between $35,000 and $55,000. Third, Nixon said there can be no limit on patients' visits to Autism service providers. Finally, Nixon said insurance companies should not be able to deny or cancel coverage based solely on the fact that someone is diagnosed with autism.
In the news release, Nixon said it was important that insurance coverage for ASD pass the Missouri General Assembly.
“It is clear to me and has become clear to bipartisan majorities of both the Missouri House and Senate that action on autism coverage legislation can wait no longer," Nixon said. "A bill that guarantees that insurance providers will cover the most effective treatments for autism must pass this legislative session and it must include substantial provisions that make real differences for real families."
Legislation to cover autism patients passed the Missouri Senate last session, but the legislation stalled in the House.
St. Louis resident Molly Schad, who has a son diagnosed with autism, accompanied Nixon during his stop across the state. In the release, she said guaranteed coverage was necessary.
“Harry’s therapy costs thousands of dollars a year and has meant financial hardship for our family.” Schad said. “There has to be a better way. Insurance isn’t good for very much if it doesn’t cover the one avenue that actually makes the life of a child more productive. A guarantee for ABA treatments is badly needed.”
The Missouri legislature, which is in recess now, is expected to take this issue up once the next session begins in January.
June 25, 2009
Forsee reacts to Nixon's budget cuts
Exercising his line item veto power, Governor Jay Nixon announced this morning that he would cut or withhold more than $400 million dollars from the state budget for Fiscal Year 2010.
According to a budget summary obtained by The Maneater from the Governor's office, $100 million of these cuts are permanent and include $12 million for ethanol funding in FY2012 and FY2013 and $10 million for a highway interchange in Jefferson City.
The release stated nixon also withheld $300 million in other funds that could be be added back into the budget if state revenue figures exceed current expectations. These withheld funds include money for the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center and cuts an additional 200 state employees from the budget. Overall, more than $100 million of funding for MOHELA projects were either cut or put on hold by the governor.
Reacting to the news, UM System President Gary Forsee said in a news release that the University of Missouri System was disappointed by Nixon's decision.
"These construction and renovation projects enjoy wide public support and address long-standing problems with aging facilities that no longer serve the purposes for which they are intended," Forsee said. "We fully understand the state is facing challenging financial times, but eliminating or delaying funding for shovel-ready projects represents a missed opportunity to stimulate the economy by providing jobs and better education and health care services for Missourians.”
Nixon said the current economic situation required sacrifices.
"All across our state, families are having to make tough financial decisions – putting off things they want, just so they can afford the things they truly need," Nixon said in news release. "In short, more than ever, Missourians are having to tighten their belts and prioritize. Just as Missouri families are required to tighten their belts, so too must state government. Missourians are fiscally conservative people, and especially in these tough economic times, we must not turn our backs on that value."
