Legislature.com

The effort to cut suspected drug users off a temporary state welfare program has run into a wall of talk again. You can read Bob Priddy’s story and listen to half an hour of debate at Missourinet.com

Candidates crowd hallway in Secretary of State’s office on first day of filing for August 3rd primary
After a temporary delay due to a computer glitch, the candidate filing process got underway this morning at the Secretary of State’s office. Before the day ends as many as 300 or more candidates will file for the August 3rd primary election.

Carnahan warns of investment scams
The Secretary of State’s Investor Protection Division ”can tell you if investor is registered with the state, if the product is registered, or if they’ve had any problems in Missouri before, because if they have, that ought to be a red flag warning,” says Secretary Robin Carnahan.

Protecting DNA evidence
Law enforcement officers often get DNA evidence at a crime scene but they can’t connect it to a specific suspect. The senate is moving to preserve their ability to finally prosecute someone because the statute of limitations runs out before a suspect is identified.

Bill takes aim at LAGERS lawsuit against State Auditor
A lawsuit prevented the State Auditor from conducting a full audit of the local government retirement system. A bill in the state Senate would clarify vague language, end the lawsuit and give the Auditor authority to review LAGERS.

Springfield News-Leader news hound Chat Livengood has a first-look at those filing for state office this morning:

“There’s no advantage for showing up early to file. Candidates who file today are entered into a lottery for their spot on the ballot.

The most closely watch race today will be candidates filing to run in the open 7th District congressional district. Seven Republican candidates have declared their intention to seek the seat being vacated by Rep. Roy Blunt, who is running for Senate.

Given that we love all things (well, “most” things) blog-related here at legislature.com, it’s nice to see Chat getting this up so quickly. Seems like only yesterday we would have had to wait a while for this kind of news. I’m sure Chad (and others) will do longer pieces for their respective… what do we call ‘em now? “Media Outlets?” But we’re all better served by this timely update.

And the dashing @tonymess was twittering up and down the line of candidates this morning as they waited to file. I call your attention to the Twitter widget in the top left corner of this page.

From a weekend story in the Kansas City Star by Mike McGraw

Cash-strapped legislators have recommended spending cuts for Missouri schools and shelters for battered women, but so far the yachting class can enjoy another season of clear sailing.

Thanks to a longstanding tax exemption, Missouri’s marina set can opt to pay a small fee in lieu of sales taxes and shave as much as $30,000 off the purchase of a $500,000 boat.

That tax exemption alone is depriving state and local coffers of more than $6 million a year, according to some estimates. It’s just one of more than 130 untaxed transactions that are getting renewed attention in Jefferson City because of the state’s continuing budget crisis.

For now, however, yachts are treated like baby formula for the poor, tickets to the state fair and even newsprint —all are exempt from state and local sales taxes.