Archive for May, 2010

Capitol Hill’s iPad caucus

Friday, May 21st, 2010

Nice to know our own Sen. Claire McCaskill is one of the cool kids and a member of “Capitol Hill’s iPad Caucus.” This story by Politico’s Erika Lovley (real name?) makes it sound like the iPad is gonna be a Big Deal in DC like everywhere else. And, according to some tech experts and lawmakers, “revolutionize the way Congress does business.”

“Indeed, the iPad may be the ultimate paper saver for an institution that prints millions of pages a year and still piles huge stacks of bills outside the House chamber every day. In the coming years, staffers armed with iPads will be able to send out updates directly from the cloakroom about proceedings on the House floor.”

As soon as we finish ripping off this Politico story, we’re heading for the App Store to download GovWatch, “the first-ever congressional iPhone application that is also compatible with the iPad.” The app –no connection to Missouri’s GovWatch, I assume– “aggregates information about members’ Twitter feeds and legislation while allowing users to submit ideas about how to stop government waste.”

In a reassuring example of digital Darwinism, members of congress who refuse even to carry a BlackBerry are becoming an endangerd species.

Editor: This story has nothing to do with the Missouri legislature but maybe we can start a list of MO lawmakers toting the iPad.

Update: Uh, the GovWatch app might not be as… objective? as we hoped.

“But it is the job of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Republicans to plut a stop to wasteful Washington spending and shine a light into the federal bureucracy.”
“Just as the White House’s iPhone app shows you how they spend other people’s money, GovWatch helps you save it while…” etc etc etc.”

“But it is the job of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Republicans to plut a stop to wasteful Washington spending and shine a light into the federal bureucracy.”
“Just as the White House’s iPhone app shows you how they spend other people’s money, GovWatch helps you save it while…” etc etc etc.”

Reflections on the 95th General Assembly

Saturday, May 15th, 2010

Photo by Jessica Machetta

The 2010-11 Missouri State operating budget dominated the legislative session leaving little time to work on other legislative goals that the Governor had outlined more than 4 months ago, but there was a mad dash in the final two weeks to push through more than a few significant items. Bob and Brent reflect on how covering this session was similar, and also how it has differed from sessions past—as they have covered a combined 50 sessions together.

AUDIO: Press Pass for May 17, 2010

Ethics reform sparks all out war in Missouri House

Friday, May 7th, 2010

Which is no small achievement for a measure that stood on the doorstep of passage after clearing a House committee on a unanimous vote. Republican whip, Rep. Brian Nieves of Washington, mocked Democrats after inquiring of Minority House Leader Paul LeVota. House Speaker Pro Tem Bryan Pratt of Blue Springs only topped his criticism of Democrats with his praise of the bill after inquiring of Democrat Jason Kander of Kansas City.

Brent Martin has the blow-by-blow, including audio of Nieves and Pratt, on the Missourinet blog.

Summary of MO House ethics reform bill

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

SB0844c