Two weeks ago, after the Chairman of the Senate Fiscal Oversight Committee had abruptly adjourned his committee without any discussion about the so-called Ford bill, we asked him if he thought his action might cost him his committee chairmanship. “It really doesn’t matter at the moment,” he told us, “I’m going to do what I think is right for the longterm direction of the state.”

Bob Priddy’s post –with link to audio »

From Missourinet.com: “Debate on the quality of health care legislation in Washington gets boisterous and disruptive in the Missouri House as the body advances a constitutional amendment prohibiting anyone from being compelled to participate in any health care system.”

Brent Martin has audio of Rep. Jones and Englund getting interrupted in the House. And Rep. Jonas Hughes questioning Rep. Tim Jones about HCS HJR 48, 50 and 57.

Friend and co-work David Brazeal does a lot of work with small government agencies, helping them understand and use social media. He’s started putting together a short podcast with headlines from around the country on that topic. If you know someone that works in this “space” … hit ‘em with a link.

Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt fired up the crowd gathered at the St. Charles Convention Center by taking shots at Democrats in Washington and claiming that his likely race against Democrat Robin Carnahan will be an “uncomplicated” race.

Blunt, the favorite of Missouri Republican officials to replace Republican Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond who is retiring, outlined stark differences between his views and those of Secretary of State Carnahan.

You can listen to Congressman Blunt’s speech and read Brent Martin’s story at Missourinet.com »

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty told Missouri Republicans gathered for Lincoln Days in St. Charles that their time has come. Pawlenty, the featured speaker to open the weekend gathering, said it wasn’t that long ago that pundits dismissed the Republican Party. He said many claimed that the time of conservatives had come and gone, but that liberal policies in Washington have turned many against the Democrats.

Brent Martin has audio of the 25 min speech at Missourinet.com »

Missouri Republicans express optimism about their chances in November as a large and enthusiastic crowd mingles with candidates at the St. Charles Convention Center.

State party officials say more than 850 people have registered for the annual kick-off to the campaign season, a record. A rally for United States Senate candidate, southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt, kicked off the festivities.

Republicans heard from Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty during the banquet last year. Tonight, former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, who also served as U.S. Senator, governor and state attorney general, will speak to the crowd. Missouri Republicans honor Senator Bond, who is retiring from public office, tonight as well.

Read/listen to Brent Martin’s full report at Missourinet.com »

Health insurers regulated by the state would have to cover treatment for autism under a bill that has passed the House and moved to the Senate.

Rep. Dwight Scharnhorst (R-Manchester) said during his opening remarks on the House floor that his bill would mandate the coverage of a wide range of disorders, called the autism spectrum disorder. HCS HB 1311&1341 passed the House Thursday on a 135-to-18 vote.

Scharnhorst took pains during his opening remarks to point out provisions to protect small businesses from any spikes in health care premiums due to the mandate. He noted that if a small business experiences a premium increase of 2 1/2 %, it could opt out of the mandate.

You can listen to longer version of Rep.Scharnhorst’s comments at Missourinet.com, but here’s the “money cut.”

AUDIO: Missourinet News Capsule :60

• The number of initiative petitions filed for state reviews before their circulation has increased by more than 600 percent since 2004. The legislature being asked to control that growth. A senate committee is looking at Bray’s bill, and at some alternative proposals. AUDIO from committee meeting. AUDIO at Missourinet.com
• Missouri House leaders defend resolutions aimed at Congress. AUDIO

From an interesting post by Missourinet News Director Bob Priddy on the Missourinet blog.

You know it’s a slow news day when reporters resort to reading the Missouri Constitution.

Monday, being President’s day and therefore a day of much idleness among normal news sources, was one of those days. During the holiday ruminations we recalled our discussion last week with Rep. Jason Smith about his proposal to require special elections to be held whenever there is a vacancy in statewide elected offices. And suddenly this thought struck us:

One of our recent lieutenant governors might have served illegally for almost two months.

You can read the full post here.

The proposal to force insurance companies to cover therapies for autism disorders might be leaving out thousands of Missouri children. This year’s version of the autism coverage mandate specifically excludes those who get healthcare through the Medicaid program—Mo Healthnet, as it’s called. Full story at Missosurinet.com

Audio excerpt from Senate debate (40 min)