Truth & Consequence

***8 HAPPENINGS***
Ranked in order of impact, through the mindset of a local TV newsroom

1. The House voted to repeal the controversial "village law," which allows one person to hold an election to incorporate an area as a "village." It now goes back to the Senate for a final vote. If it clears, an emergency clause is attached to make it effective as soon as the Governor signs it.

2. John Edwards endorsed Barack Obama.

3. Gov. Matt Blunt threatened to call a special session if lawmakers don't approve his illegal immigration reforms.

4. Kenny Hulshof and Sarah Steelman launched the first TV ads of their primary campaign for Governor right here in Southwest Missouri.

5. Sarah Steelman called on state lawmakers to "reverse course" and remove a provision that would allow state lawmakers and elected officials who have a "conflict of interest" in the alternative fuels industry to receive taxpayer subsidies and tax credits. She cites an A.P. story that reported about 20 officials have received thousands of dollars in those subsidies.

6. A Senate committee approved a resolution to put a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot that would create a revenue growth lid for the state. The Joint Resolution needs to pass the full Senate before it could be placed on a statewide ballot. But some groups are already saying its passage would result in a severe fiscal crisis in Missouri.

7. The Office of Administration announced its investigating Attorney General Jay Nixon's handling of $629,987 in state funds acquired through a multi-state settlement with a prescription benefits company. House Budget Chair Allen Icet asked for the investigation, citing concern that Nixon and his office may have misappropriated state funds by spending the money without the approval of the General Assembly.

8. GOP Whip Roy Blunt downplayed the Republican House election loss in Mississippi Tuesday, saying that “six months ago, Rudy Giuliani was the front runner in the Republican contest and Barack Obama did not have a chance.” Blunt said that Democrats won in Mississippi and Louisiana by running “on what the GOP is for.” “So we know now that the message works,” he said, according to The Politico. “So we have to be sure that nationally, we connect the message with the Republican Party, rather than the other party.”