McCaskill Plans To Vote For Obama's Budget

The Hill reports that Sen. Claire McCaskill has indicated that she will vote for President Obama's budget, despite concerns from other centrist Democrats about its eye-popping increases and total pricetag.
***
From the article: "But Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.), centrists who wrote a letter to Conrad urging spending restraint, have said they plan to vote for the budget this week. Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), another conservative member, has also said he plans to vote for the budget."

"McCaskill said that Conrad improved Obama’s budget proposal substantially by slicing in half a proposed increase in domestic discretionary spending. She noted that not taking into account proposed funds for the 2010 census and veterans’ care, the budget proposes a slight domestic discretionary spending decrease," reports the Capitol Hill paper.

McCaskill was one of 10 Democrats that met with Obama's budget director Peter Orszag.

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Conservative Challenger Seeks Slot on School Board

4 CANDIDATES

3 SLOTS

1 CHALLENGER

THE NEW GUY

Eric Jensen is the lone challenger facing three incumbents in Springfield's School Board election next Tuesday. The trial attorney and self-described conservative boosted merit pay, busted unions and predicted the eventual downfall of No Child Left Behind at a League of Women Voters Forum Tuesday night.

But he faces Andy Hosmer, School Board president Kris Callen and 15-year board veteran Bruce Renner in a top 3 out of 4 campaign.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

"I don't have a lot of history with the district. Some see that as a weakness. I see it as a strength," said Jensen, noting he doesn't have the baggage that's tied to certain education interests and constituencies.

During the hour-long forum at Weaver School, Jensen mentioned merit pay twice, warned that union leaders don't always have the best interest of the children in mind, and pledged to go line-by-line through the budget to find savings.

READ A HISTORY OF MY TWITTER UPDATES FROM THE FORUM HERE

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McCaskill Skeptical of Insurance Companies

"LIKE WHITE ON RICE"

Members of a U.S. Senate committee are pressing health insurance companies about how they reimburse consumers for using out-of-network doctors.

Sen. Claire McCaskill, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, is one of the leading skeptics. "We need to be vigilant and stay on you like white on rice," she said, in response to UnitedHealth Group executives' insistence that their company had done nothing wrong.

The New York Times reports that McCaskill told the executives that the public takes a skeptical view of health insurers. "People think they are getting a raw deal," she said.

Recent hearings are meant to consider whether more federal oversight of insurers might be necessary to protect consumers.

Read more...

Prouty Enters The Fray

NEWLY MINTED MOUTHPIECE

Jonathan Prouty began his new gig Tuesday as spokesperson of the Missouri Republican Party. The first statement he delivered lacked both the customary outrage and partisan shots that are usually staples of party-controlled releases. In the statement, Party Chair David Cole thanked Executive Director Jared Craighead for his service and ushered in the new era of Lloyd Smith:

"Jared Craighead was one of the most dedicated and capable Executive Directors that the Missouri Republican Party has ever had. His leadership and management were one of the reasons that Missouri fared far better than other states in the last two election cycles. The fact that Missouri was the only battleground state that went for the Republican nominee in 2008 speaks volumes about the kind of success that Missouri Republicans have enjoyed under Jared’s tenure. I know Jared is excited about practicing law and I wish him and Alison all the best and continued success," said Cole.

"The fact that Lloyd Smith has agreed to be the Executive Director of the MRP guarantees that Missouri will continue to have one of the best run state parties in the entire country. He has vast political and congressional experiences which makes him perfectly suited to assume management responsibilities for MRP at this critical time. Lloyd Smith is a consummate professional who knows how to develop and execute winning strategies. I am so grateful that he has agreed to take on this important responsibility," Cole concluded.

***

Before taking the reigns at the MOGOP, Prouty served as a communications associate with John Hancock's consulting company.

The Notebook looks forward to working with Prouty through the good, the bad, the ugly --- and through all that outrage.

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Senate Cmt. Approves Ameren Bill

A Senate committee has passed legislation allowing Ameren UE to charge ratepayers in advance of a new power plant's construction.

The 6-4 vote pushes SB228 to the full Senate.

Missourians for a Balanced Energy future applauded the vote:

"The balanced legislation will create 3,000 of those jobs, invest over $6 billion in Missouri, and result in a clean, non-carbon emitting power plant," said spokesperson Scott Charton. "The opposition’s deceptive and negative campaign tactics could not trump common sense in the Missouri Legislature."

The legislation is paving the way for Callaway 2, a nuclear plant and the largest construction project in Missouri history. Ameren UE has argued that a change in law is needed to proceed with the plant.

***

The Fair Electricity Rate Action Fund is vowing a fight:

"Ameren should be ashamed. With Missouri’s jobless rate above 8%, you’d think that Ameren would want what’s best for Missouri’s families and seniors. Instead, Ameren is only looking out for their own bottom line, pushing a bill which will raise utility rates on our families and seniors by 40% every single month and guaranteeing job losses in our state," said Gregg Keller, FERAF spokesman.

FERAF believes the bill is a wish-list for Ameren, rather than a comprehensive plan to meet Missouri's energy needs.

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MIAC Report Researched Under Blunt, Written Under Nixon

A controversial state security report which targeted certain right-wing and third-party groups as terrorist threats was researched in 2008 and written in 2009, The Notebook learned Monday evening.

According to the State Highway Patrol, work began on the now defunct 8-page Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) "Modern Militia Movement" document back in July of 2008, during Gov. Matt Blunt's term.

But the report was completed during the first month of Governor Jay Nixon's administration.

"The MIAC employee began research on the report during the first week of July 2008," said Highway Patrol Captain Tim Hull. "They completed the written report during the last week of January 2009," Hull added.

February 20th is the date listed on the document.

The revelation of the report's evolution clears up the mystery over when the document was produced, but will likely not resolve the blame game between the Blunt and Nixon camps.

Nixon has noted that the agency and report was formed under the Blunt administration. Blunt said Monday that he had no knowledge of such a report during his term. The timeline detailed by the Highway Patrol revealed that work on this document was done under both administrations.

A spokesman for Blunt said Nixon's reaction to the report was more pertinent than the timing of when it began. "The drafting of a report by a bureaucrat is significantly different than its promulgation and defense by the governor and the department director," Chrismer said. "Governor Blunt has said that he was not aware of any report issued while he was governor that was similar to this offensive one and indicated what action he would have taken had there been one," he added.

Captain Hull's comments also shows that top levels of both administrations were -- and are not regularly immersed in the details of such reports.

For the amount of MIAC reports that are released, they couldn't and shouldn't be, explained another law enforcement official.

Officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about the MIAC controversy, said there are some days where he receives "two or three MIAC reports a day." He said the reports can range from covering events like a jail escapee to a crime in a particular region.

"We're not out to target Ron Paul supporters with bumper stickers. I'd resign today if I knew anyone was doing that," said the Patrolman.












Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

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Dixon With Nixon on Quality Jobs, Not Healthcare

"I would echo the Governor's call that the Senate get that bill on his desk."

Springfield Rep. Bob Dixon agrees with Governor Jay Nixon that the Senate should move quicker to pass the Quality Jobs Act. Some members of the Senate want to reign in the amount of tax credits doled out to developers each year. But Dixon said this legislation "is the wrong thing to be holding up."

BUT: In this interview, which occurred before final votes on the House budget, Dixon was reluctant to commit to Nixon's healthcare plan that would add thousands back to the rolls through higher hospital taxes.

"We've been very clear that we do not want to expand any kind of welfare program at this time," Dixon said, acknowledging he can see both sides of the issue.

The Missouri Hospital Association agreed to voluntarily raise its own taxes to provide the funding. But Dixon said he wanted assurances that the hospital money would not dry up down the road. "I'd have to know for sure it's going to be there," he said.

Ultimately, Democratic attempts to include Nixon's healthcare plan failed.

The Nixon administration is hoping that the Senate will include the plan in its version of the budget.

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Matt Blunt Fires Back Over MIAC

In a statement sent to The Notebook Monday, Governor Matt Blunt said while he did create the Missouri Information Analysis Center, he is not responsible for the "offensive report" it produced.
***
"I certainly do not plan on responding to every false charge or false news report," the former Governor began, "but recent assertions regarding the offensive MIAC report warrants a response."

"Let me be clear about the recent, offensive MIAC report that profiled Missourians that hold conservative political views," Blunt said, in a statement e-mailed by spokesperson Rich Chrismer. "While I did create the Missouri Information Analysis Center to act as a fusion center to gather and disseminate tactical intelligence about specific crimes, I did not create the MIAC to profile citizens based upon political views - liberal or conservative. To my knowledge MIAC never issued anything similar to the recent report while I was governor. If they had, I would not have defended it. I would have taken corrective action immediately and certainly held those responsible, accountable for their actions," Blunt added.

"The assertion that I am somehow responsible for an offensive report that was issued more than a month after I left office and that profiles conservatives is so absurd that one would not think it requires a response from me, but evidently it does," Blunt enclosed.

The 8-page MIAC report referred to anti-abortionists, anti-immigration advocates and supporters of certain third party candidates as potential terrorist threats.

After growing political pressure, the Nixon administration scrapped the report last week, and the Governor said his predecessor was responsible for MIAC. While the report is dated Feb. 20th, there are some signs the report was created while Barack Obama was still President-elect. It's not yet clear exactly when the specific report was compiled or who wrote it.

Read more...

Week 11: Nixon's Grade

NIXON'S WEEK 11 GRADE: C -

When Governor Jay Nixon was first asked about the Missouri Information Analysis Center "modern militia" report on March 20th, the Attorney General didn't blink -- defending it as a necessary tool to analyze threat levels. Six days later, after mounting pressure from citizens and lawmakers coupled with a flurry of media reports, the report had been scrapped and blame was heaped upon Matt Blunt. The administration's reaction to the 8-page document that labeled anti-abortionists, anti-immigration advocates and third party candidates as potential threats began with defiance and ended with passing the buck. Predictably, some Republicans waved their outrage flags in attempt to capitalize on the cultural storm, but Nixon's team gave the opposition an easy opening with their lethargic, slowly-evolving response. The differing day by day concessions looked like the administration wanted to do just enough to make the story go away, without ever addressing how or why the specific terms were included. Even Fired Up, which serves as the pulse and loyal booster of the left, issued a measured response, calling the language "broad, unfair and unhelpful." Rep. Bob Dixon, who is running for State Senate in 2010, told me he didn't believe Nixon was to blame for the report. We now know it was formulated under Blunt's watch. But the Governor didn't feel any need to mention that until it got too hot in the proverbial political kitchen. This was the first real week when a story seemed to get out in front of the Nixon folks, and the experience surely taught them some valuable lessons going forward.

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Koster Wins MIZZOU B-Ball Grit Award Via Twitter

In a spontaneous vote via TWITTER, Attorney General Chris Koster was crowned winner of the first ever MIZZOU Basketball "Gritty politico" award.
***
The Notebook conducted the unscientific vote via Twitter Saturday afternoon during the final minutes of the Mizzouri-UConn game, when the Tigers came up short in their quest to win what would have been their first Final Four appearance.

The Notebook asked Twitterers: What Missouri politician most exemplifies the grit and tenacity of MIZZOU basketball this season?

The MIZZOU Basketball "Gritty Politico" award is meant to go to the pol who is "gritty, aggressive, beats expectations, surprises and may start slow, but closes strong."

While Koster came out on top in the voting, Sen. Claire McCaskill and Sen. Kurt Schaefer tied for runner-up. Sens. Jim Lembke and Matt Bartle also received votes, as did Rep. Chris Kelly.

Not in Twitter-land yet?

Who would you cast your "Gritty Politico" vote for?

***ALSO: Due to the Mizzou loss, Sen. Claire McCaskill and Gov. Jay Nixon will both be sending Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and Governor Jodi Rell a hearty portion of Kansas City Barbeque.

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Judge Allows Group to Run Anti-Ameren Ad

A judge ruled Saturday that a group fighting Ameren's plan to raise power rates could air television commercials during Missouri's NCAA tournament game Saturday.
***
FERAF or the Fair Electricity Rate Action Fund is fighting Ameren's proposed rate plan. The group announced a judge rejected Ameren's temporary restraining order to block their commercials. Ameren argued the public would be "confused" by the ads, but a U.S. District Court judge rejected that complaint.

"We are gratified that the court agreed with us on this important issue and that we can continue to communicate directly with Missourians regarding Ameren’s proposed rate hike plan,"said FERAF spokesman Gregg Keller. "Ameren’s rate hike plan will cause Missourians’ monthly utility bills to go up by as much as 40% and is guaranteed to cost Missouri jobs during difficult economic times and our advertisements accurately reflect these facts," Keller added.

WATCH THE COMMERCIAL HERE

According to the St. Louis Business Journal, in January, Missouri regulators approved an electric rate increase of $162.6 million. But Ameren has argued that increase will still fall short of paying for rising operating and financing costs.

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Blunt to Tour Mt. Vernon Vet Clinic Monday

Congressman Roy Blunt will visit the Missouri Rehab Center and Gene Taylor Veterans Clinic in Mt. Vernon Monday at 9:45 a.m.
***
OTHER BLUNT POINTS:

• According to American Medical News, Congressman Blunt seems to agree that Congress needs to fix the Medicare reimbursement formula this year. "Almost everyone in the Congress believes that you need to be more fairly compensated and that Medicare takes advantage of the system by not doing [its] part,"Blunt is quoted saying at a March 10th conference.
• Blunt has co-sponsored legislation with Rep. Ron Paul (i.e. Mr. Revolution) that calls for the Federal Reserve to be more transparent about their operations. The legislation requires a full audit of the Fed by the end of 2010. "An extra level of transparency could prevent our current troubles from worsening -- and perhaps could have prevented them from becoming this severe," Blunt said.
• Capital J, a D.C-based Jewish publication, reports that Blunt wants a greater effort from the State Department to enforce sanctions against Iran. He wants the Obama administration to apply more pressure on firms that invest in Iran's energy sector.

ALSO on MONDAY: Blunt has an evening fundraiser set for his U.S. Senate bid at Metro in Springfield.

Read more...

Mo. Senate Pollster: "I Was Not Fired"

The pollster who ran a recent Missouri U.S. Senate race poll said he wasn't fired from his polling company, as was reported by The Oklahoman.
***
Chris Wilson, who recently conducted a statewide poll as a "feasibility study" for Sarah Steelman said that story, printed in 2004, was wrong. The story said that Wilson was fired for stealing secrets and money while working for a competing firm. Qorvis Communications filed a lawsuit against Wilson. But Wilson said he was not fired. "Our strategic relationship was terminated. This is a complicated business dispute that . . . was resolved in arbitration," Wilson wrote The Notebook in an e-mail. Wilson is the founder and chief executive officer of Wilson Research Strategies, a Republican consulting company with offices in Oklahoma and Washington.

"I find it a bit sad that Blunt and his people would attempt to tie an ancient business dispute to the survey findings," Wilson said. "To do so illustrates a disturbing disregard for the opinions of Missouri voters," Wilson said.

The poll found both Roy Blunt and Steelman trailing Democrat Robin Carnahan in a potential 2010 U.S. Senate match-up. But it was also designed to test the potential vulnerabilities of a Blunt candidacy.

For more on the poll, click HERE.

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Tax Credit Talk Stalls Jobs Bill

INCENTIVE or ENTITLEMENT?

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

LOCAL DEVELOPER SAYS DOWNTOWN RENEWAL WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE WITH HISTORIC TAX CREDITS
"They shouldn't mess with it," says Springfield developer Dan Scott

SEN. LAGER PROPOSES REFORMS
"If the business plan is so poor that the private sector won't do it, I don't believe the taxpayer should have to fund it," says Sen. Brad Lager

The entire tax credit debate is tied to Gov. Jay Nixon's Quality Jobs expansion. The bill has been passed by the House, but the Senate is still debating it. The tax credit issue is why a group of Republican Senators are holding it up.

Read more...

House Passes Budget Without Healthcare Expansion

HOUSE CLEARS 2010 BUDGET

"A COLOSSAL WASTE OF TIME"

***

The House passed a $22.8 billion operating budget in a series of votes Thursday.

Democrats complain that the GOP majority passed up a rare opportunity to restore health care coverage to 35,000 Missourians through no cost to state taxpayers.

Gov. Nixon's plan to increase access would be financed by higher hospital taxes and matching federal dollars, but GOP leaders rejected the plan. "Our version of the budget continues the promise that Missouri will live within our means," said Republic Rep. Jim Viebrock in a statement.

"This is rational and prudent health care policy. It is not charity," said Rep. Chris Kelly, a Democrat who many Republicans respect.

ALSO: The Missouri Budget Project estimates that as many as 70,000 Missourians will be directly impacted by cuts to mental health and senior services.

"The sham that is the House budget process has been a colossal waste of time,” said House Minority Paul LeVota in a stronger statement. "The Senate is going to toss the House budget straight in the garbage and start from scratch."

***

THE PROCESS:

LeVota complained that the budget process is too centralized with the House budget Chair writing most of the budget with little input from other members. LeVota also said that the public only had time to testify on the budget before the budget bills were filed.

But in his weekly newsletter, Rep. Viebrock took aim at the protesters who appeared at the Capitol this week. He said they showed up "too late."

"Right on schedule, the protesters showed up on Wednesday for a rally and to encourage the legislature to fully fund their cause," Viebrock wrote. "They gathered out on the front lawn, got all pumped up and stormed the building chanting and screaming clever catch phrases. They demanded changes and additional monies be put into the budget. All of that is well within their rights to do, however, as I have been stating in previous reports, the time to have that kind of input- has already passed. The day we are voting on the final proposal is simply too late. These groups are nowhere to be found when the actual work takes place, they do however, have no problem showing up after the fact to complain," he said.

Read more...

Poll Pokes At Blunt's Negatives in Senate Contest

FLASH POLL:

CARNAHAN 47%, BLUNT 44%

CARNAHAN 47%, STEELMAN 39%

***

BLUNT CAMPAIGN RESPONDS: "Push polling is a nasty tactic and these tactics do not merit a response from the campaign."

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

A new U.S. Senate poll shows Democrat Robin Carnahan leading both of her potential Republican opponents in the 2010 contest, but the numbers also point to some political vulnerabilities of Congressman Roy Blunt.

The poll, taken by Republican pollster Wilson Research Strategies and released to The Notebook Thursday, shows probable Democratic nominee Carnahan leading Blunt 47% to 44%. It shows Carnahan leading former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman by a larger margin, 47% to 39%.

The poll, taken between March 7-9, surveyed 600 likely voters in Missouri. It has a margin of error of 4 percent.

The numbers also reveal that although Blunt is much more well-known than Steelman, he carries higher negatives among independents and Democrats. Pollster Chris Wilson said the results highlight Blunt's inherent weakness as a candidate.

"My conclusion is that he starts out with serious issues that are difficult to overcome in the general election, if not the primary," said Wilson in an interview.

On the other hand, the data also reveals that Blunt is stronger within his own party, and that Steelman plays better with "soft Democrats," a potential liability in a GOP primary.

Wilson said the poll was taken as a feasibility study for a potential Steelman U.S. Senate candidacy. But Steelman did not pay for the poll. Wilson said because of his company's confidentiality clause, he could only say that a third party unaffiliated with Steelman paid for the data.

The Blunt campaign's response to the poll was short but pointed: "Push polling is a nasty tactic and these tactics do not merit a response from the campaign," said Blunt spokesman Rich Chrismer.

When asked about the merit of the topline general election numbers, Chrismer repeated his original response.

Wilson, who conducted the poll, was fired from the head of Qorvis Communications back in 2004. According to The Oklahoman, the local business' parent company filed a lawsuit against him for "stealing corporate secrets and cash while plotting to launch a competing firm." Wilson is quoted saying the lawsuit was prompted by a business dispute.

THE INTERNAL NUMBERS:

NAME I.D. (General Electorate)

BLUNT 97%

STEELMAN 75%

FAVORABILITY WITH (General Electorate)

BLUNT 50% (33% unfavorable)

STEELMAN (not included)

FAVORABILITY WITH REPUBLICANS (400 Republicans 5% MOE)

BLUNT 76% (10% unfavorable)

STEELMAN 47% (19% unfavorable)

FAVORABILITY WITH INDEPENDENTS

BLUNT 51% (37% unfavorable)

STEELMAN 41% (15% unfavorable)

FAVORABILITY WITH SOFT DEMOCRATS

BLUNT 25% (50% unfavorable)

STEELMAN 39% (13% unfavorable)

The survey also measured support for Blunt and Steelman after a biography was read to respondents about each candidate. A significant portion of the information given to the voter was negative, in order to test arguments against a candidate.

Wilson said Blunt's paragraph included information about his vote for the original fall financial bailout, his support for earmarks and his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Wilson said after measuring "informed voters," Blunt loses almost half of his support from soft Republicans and drops nearly 20 points among independents. Without access to the full paragraph, it's impossible to gauge the fairness of the wording.

"INFORMED VOTERS"

CARNAHAN 55%

BLUNT 30%

Wilson said that "voters are particularly angered when they learn of Blunt's involvement with Jack Abramoff, and that he was one of the largest recipients of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac campaign contributions."

"The same negatives will hurt Blunt in the Republican primary, where after voters hear this information, he trails Sarah Steelman by more than 20 points," according to the report on the poll.

Wilson's memo concludes that once voters become aware of these negatives of a Blunt candidacy, his "soft support will vanish."

On the other hand, Steelman, Wilson writes, "is uniquely positioned to win over independents and moderate Democrats, while inspiring Republicans with her opposition to bailouts and overspending in Washington."

Read more...

Nixon Blames Blunt for MIAC

Gov. Jay Nixon told reporters Thursday that no one in his administration, nor anyone he hired, reviewed the MIAC security report before it was distributed to police across the state.

***

Nixon said that a lack of oversight from Gov. Blunt's administration led to the distribution of the report on the modern militia movement, reports The News-Leader's Chad Livengood.

"Nixon noted the Missouri Information Analysis Center was "formed under my predecessor," writes Livengood.

But just last week, when Nixon was originally asked about the report, he defended the work of the MIAC. "It's something we do every day and we're going to continue to do," he said to KRCG.

STATE GOP SAYS NIXON HAD TO KNOW ABOUT MIAC PROCESSES:

Republican Party Chair David Cole notes that Nixon toured MIAC with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano just a few weeks ago.

"Are we now to believe that Nixon didn’t know anything about the processes and procedures that were in place at the Fusion Center understanding that he recently took the Homeland Security Secretary there???," reads the release sent out by GOP Executive Director Jared Craighead.

"Nixon’s ridiculous new defense is particularly troubling and disingenuous since he has stood by the controversial report encouraging political profiling even as members of his administration began to back away from it," added Cole.

Read more...

Kinder Wants More Answers About MIAC Report

"AN OUTRAGE"
Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder said answers provided by the Highway Patrol about a leaked state security report are inadequate, and that the controversy deserves a more thorough explanation from top officials.

"It doesn't look back at all. It doesn't answer any of my concerns about how this report got out there and whether in fact, as you asked, there are other reports we need to know about. And how far back does this go,?" Kinder said in an interview with KY3 News at the Capitol Wednesday.

***WATCH FULL CLIPS***

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Lobbyist Liaisons vs. Meals on Wheels

WATCH 'EM AT IT
Democratic Minority Whip Jeff Roorda challenges freshman Republican Scott Largent (not seen on camera) on his amendment to eliminate funding for legislative liaisons in cabinet agencies and put the money towards the Meals On Wheels program.
****
With Roorda obviously taking the upper hand in the debate over the newly minted State House member from Clinton, attorney and GOP pitbull Rep. Tim Jones comes to the rescue BELOW.

Roorda argues that Republicans never had a problem with these "liaisons" during the Blunt administration; Jones pushes back and dares Roorda to vote against an amendment that would transfer money from "lobbyists" to meals for the needy. In the clip immediately below, Jones begins his argument with the premise that department liaisons should not be taking positions and lobbying lawmakers to support or oppose any particular legislation.

Roorda, referring to the GOP's budget proposals, answers: "Because they're crazy."
GENTLEMEN, PLEASE
MUST-WATCH BACK & FORTH BELOW

WHO WON THE DEBATE -- ROORDA or JONES?

Read more...

Highway Patrol Scraps MIAC Report

DAY 3: FALLOUT

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT FROM JEFF CITY HERE

The head of the Missouri State Highway Patrol shut down a controversial report linking conservative groups with the modern militia movement, which opposes government laws and administrative rules. The report by the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) portrays militia members as commonly associated with fundamental Christian, anti-abortion and anti-immigration movements. It also says members are usually supporters of various third-party presidential candidates. The report even mentioned Ron Paul, a Republican congressman who ran for president.

Read more...

In Jeff City Wednesday

The controversy over a state security report seeps into a third consecutive day as the Lieutenant Governor calls for a top official to be put on leave and the House considers a budget amendment to send a signal.

GET TWITTER UPDATES FROM THE CAPITOL HERE

Coverage Begins from Jefferson City on KY3 NEWS @ 5

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Kinder: Put Britt on Leave

Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder has called for Department of Public Safety Director John Britt to be put on administrative leave because of the MIAC security report.

***

The House is set to take up a budget amendment Wednesday afternoon that would prohibit the Department from using any state funds for "political profiling."

DEVELOPING . . .

FOR KY3 NEWS @ 5, 6 & 10

Read more...

Lieutenant Governor to Weigh in on MIAC Uproar

ENTER, KINDER

Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder will hold a morning news conference Wednesday that will call for action against the head of the Department of Public Safety because of his role in a controversial security report, the KY3 Political Notebook has learned.

Kinder is expected to make a significant announcement regarding alleged "political profiling" by Public Safety Director John Britt.

***

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

The announcement is in response to a political firestorm that has erupted over a MIAC security report that has many conservatives outraged and offended.

Britt has apologized for references to certain political candidates -- but is standing by language that refers to Anti-Abortionists, Tax Resistors, Christian Identity members and Anti-Immigration advocates as potential security threats to the state of Missouri. Conservatives believe the report paints potential threats with too broad a brush.

Read more...

Senate Moves to Add Cell Phones to No-Call List

The Missouri Senate gave initial approval of a bill that would allow residents to add their cell phone and fax numbers to the state's No-Call List.
***
Sen. Scott Rupp's legislation is also meant to protect No-Call members from automated phone calls during election cycles. Violators could face up to $5,000 fines if the bill becomes law.

Read Senate Bill 65

"These annoying, unwanted calls and text messages are costing Missourians money because they are having to pay for these calls and text messages they don’t want on their cell phones, as well as having to pay for the paper, ink and other costs of receiving a fax," Sen. Rupp said. "Missourians should no longer have to foot the cost for these unsolicited ads."

Any political committee making calls must register with the Missouri Ethics Commission, while non-committees or businesses making calls on a candidate's behalf must register with both the commission and Secretary of State, according to the legislation.

The bill still needs a second vote before heading to the House.

Read more...

House Members to Attempt Amendment on Public Safety Dept. Budget Over MIAC

"It will be a unified response"

A bipartisan coalition of Missouri House members is planning to sign on to a budget amendment that would prohibit the Department of Public Safety from using any state or federal money for "political profiling."

***

Springfield Rep. Bob Dixon tells The Notebook that the proposed amendment will be offered on the floor Wednesday in response to the political firestorm over the MIAC security report.

Dixon said several meetings were held at the state Capitol on Tuesday to discuss how best to respond to lawmakers problems with the language included. "It's just outrageous. The report is so sloppy. When you begin going into specific political candidates, it's really on the edge. Like Big Brother. It's got a lot of people upset," Dixon said in an interview.

Dixon said that there's strong bipartisan support for the amendment. "It will be a unified response," Dixon said.

Rep. Jim Guest will offer the amendment on the floor Wednesday during debate over HB 8. Rep. Chris Kelly will be the leading Democrat to sign on.

The amendment reads the following: AMEND House Committee Substitute for House Bill No. 8, Page 1, Sec. 8.005, Line 5, by adding immediately after the word "Equipment" the following . . . "and provided the Missouri Department of Public Safety shall not spend state or federal funds for political profiling."

There was some discussion within the coalition to try to draft an amendment that would reduce the Missouri Information Analysis Center's budget and move funds to a Cybercrime task force -- but Dixon said that approach was rejected after some discussion.

***

ALSO: NIXON STILL STANDS BY REPORT

In a follow-up with spokesman Jack Cardetti Tuesday, he said that Governor Nixon still stands by the report but agrees that "it could have been done better."

"The Governor believes that law enforcement officials have one of the most dangerous, difficult jobs in society . . . and should have more information, not less," Cardetti said. When pressed on specific characteristics, Cardetti responded, "He certainly believes portions could have been explained or worded better."

Cardetti said specific questions should be directed to the Department of Public Safety.

The Notebook asked the Department of Public Safety to elaborate on some of the specific characteristics listed in the report, including .”Christian Identity, Militant Abortion, Tax resistors, Anti-immigration.”

SPOKESMAN MIKE O'CONNELL E-MAILED THIS RESPONSE:

"I sent you the Director’s letter yesterday. As is mentioned in the letter, law enforcement officers "do the most dangerous job of anyone in our society and regularly put themselves in the path of great danger, bodily harm and death to protect innocent citizens. As such, it is our regular practice to provide as much information as we can to law enforcement agencies and their officers so they are fully cognizant of any situational hazard which they may encounter."

REPUBLICANS: APOLOGY DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH

"A tepid apology from the Director of the Department of Public Safety does not go far enough in assuring Missourians that they will not be targeted by law enforcement for holding mainstream views," said David Cole, Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party in a statement Tuesday. "Gov. Nixon unequivocally defended this report after its release. It is time for him to offer a public apology and unconditional retraction."

DEVELOPING . . .

Read more...

Obama Back in Primetime Tonight

The President speaks to the nation at 7 p.m. CT

EARLY REMARKS RELEASED:

ON THE ECONOMIC CRISIS: "We've put in place a comprehensive strategy designed to attack this crisis on all fronts. It’s a strategy to create jobs, to help responsible homeowners, to re-start lending, and to grow our economy over the long-term. And we are beginning to see signs of progress."

ON THE BUDGET: "The budget I submitted to Congress will build our economic recovery on a stronger foundation, so that we do not face another crisis like this ten or twenty years from now. We invest in the renewable sources of energy that will lead to new jobs, new businesses, and less dependence on foreign oil. We invest in our schools and our teachers so that our children have the skills they need to compete with any workers in the world. We invest in reform that will bring down the cost of health care for families, businesses, and our government. And in this budget, we have made the tough choices necessary to cut our deficit in half by the end of my first term – even under the most conservative estimates."

ON THE DEFICIT: "At the end of the day, the best way to bring our deficit down in the long run is not with a budget that continues the very same policies that have led to a narrow prosperity and massive debt. It's with a budget that leads to broad economic growth by moving from an era of borrow and spend to one where we save and invest. That's what green jobs and green businesses will do. That's what a highly-skilled workforce will do. That’s what an efficient health care system that controls costs and entitlements like Medicare and Medicaid will do. That’s why this budget is inseparable from this recovery – because it is what lays the foundation for a secure and lasting prosperity."

ON THE RECOVERY: "We will recover from this recession. But it will take time, it will take patience, and it will take an understanding that when we all work together; when each of us looks beyond our own short-term interests to the wider set of obligations we have to each other – that’s when we succeed. That’s when we prosper. And that's what is needed right now. So let us look toward the future with a renewed sense of common purpose, a renewed determination, and most importantly, a renewed confidence that a better day will come."

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Newt To Speak At College of The Ozarks

NO JOKE

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will speak at the College of the Ozarks on April 1st.

Gingrich is slated to speak on the topic of "The Future of America: What Every American Needs to Know" at 7 p.m. in the Jones Auditorium.

The forum is by invitation only and not open to the public.

Gingrich will also hold an informal question and answer session with students earlier in the day around 2:30 p.m.

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Midyear Budget Approved Without Nixon Healthcare Plan

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) -- Missouri lawmakers approve a $312 million midyear spending bill that rejects the governor's plan to expand a children's health care program.

Gov. Jay Nixon proposed increasing the funding for a program that covers health insurance costs for children who don't have private health insurance and whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid.

The legislation approved Tuesday and now heading to Nixon also averts fears from transportation officials that funding could be cut off for federal stimulus projects.

The concern stemmed from two special state funds created to capture the stimulus money and to make it easier to track how it's used. That's because the Transportation Department didn't have authority to spend money in the new state accounts.

The supplemental budget gives the agency that permission.

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State Apologizes For Third Party References in Security Report

NOT FAR ENOUGH?

The Department of Public Safety acknowledged that references to political candidates in a state security report went too far -- but has not yet backed away from other characteristics used to describe potential militia or terrorist groups.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

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MoGOP Hits Nixon On Appointing Donors

GOP: PAY TO PLAY?
CARDETTI: ASK NORMA

The Missouri Republican Party estimates that Governor Jay Nixon's appointees and their employers donated around $3.4 million dollars to his election campaign.

"It is stunning how quickly Jay Nixon disregarded his campaign promises, instead appointing his moneyed friends to the highest levels of state government," said David Cole, Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party. "Despite his pledge to clean up Jefferson City, it seems that money is the most important factor in Governor Nixon’s staffing decisions."

The GOP said the most egregious example is the hiring of Jeff Mazur, a former staffer for AFSCME Council 72, who is now serving in the Office of Administration. The union contributed $2.8 million to Nixon and Democrats during the 2008 cycle, according to Cole.

Republicans also note Lloyd "Joe" Carmichael of Springfield, who has been appointed to the Highway Transportation Commission. Carmichael's family and his employer donated more than $41,000 to Nixon, according to GOP calculations.

***

NIXON SPOKESMAN JACK CARDETTI RESPONDS:

"Gov. Nixon has assembled an experienced and professional team to turn around this state’s economy. The Republican-led Missouri Senate voted to confirm each and every member of Gov. Nixon’s cabinet, all of whom have been hailed for their proven backgrounds of leadership, both inside and outside state government," said Cardetti. "The Governor also appreciates the professional manner in which Republican Senators have personally sponsored his appointments to important boards and commissions, including the Highway Commission and the University of Missouri Board of Curators."

Cardetti also notes that Springfield Republican Sen. Norma Champion is personally sponsoring Carmichael's appointment.

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McCaskill to Co-Chair DNC "Change" Commission

Senator Claire McCaskill has been named one of two co-chairs of a DNC commission that will recommend changes to the 2012 presidential nominating process.

***

Governor and Democratic National Committee Chair Tim Kaine tapped Congressman James Clyburn and McCaskill to head the "Change Commission" Monday.

The commission is made up of 37 total members and will explore changing when primaries and caucuses can be held, reducing the number of superdelegates and improving the caucus system.

Read full release HERE.

The commission will issue its recommendations to the DNC by Jan. 1st 2010.

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Public Safety Director Apologizes For Security Report

REGRET & REMOVE

The Director of Missouri's Public Safety Department said Monday he regrets certain portions of a statewide security report that was construed as offensive to supporters of third party political candidates.

In a letter to former presidential candidates Ron Paul, Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin, Department of Public Safety Director John Britt acknowledged that "some regrettable information was included in the report on militia groups in Missouri."

"While the intent of the report was only to identify certain traits that are sometimes shared by members of militia organizations, this report is too easily misinterpreted as suggesting that militia members may be identified by no other indicator than support for one particular candidate or political organization," wrote Britt. "This is an undesired and unwarranted outcome. Upon review and reflection, it is the judgment of the Department of Public Safety that the report should have made no reference to supporters of Ron Paul, Bob Barr, Chuck Baldwin or any other third-party political organization or candidate."

Britt said he has ordered that portion of the Feb. 20th report to be removed to excise all reference to "Ron Paul, Bob Barr or Chuck Baldwin."

The letter does not address other portions of the report which describes extreme anti-tax, anti-abortion and anti-immigration characteristics as potential signs of a militia member.

For more information, read the post immediately BELOW this one.

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Conservatives Upset Over Security Report

"CULTURE OF DISTRUST"

Conservative citizens, bloggers and lawmakers are upset about a security report compiled by state and federal law enforcement officials that outlines potential signs someone might be a terrorist or member of a militia.

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The 8-page Missouri Information Analysis Center's report lists extreme anti-tax, anti-abortion and anti-immigration citizens as potential groups to be aware of. Supporters of Ron Paul, Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin are also listed.

"The law enforcement community needs to focus on the act itself," said Rep. Shane Schoeller in an interview Monday morning. "To me when you begin to put something in print like that, then quickly you being to become a society where people may be more reserved in expressing what they should be able to express anytime," Schoeller added.

*WATCH CLIPS OF INTERVIEW ABOVE*

Schoeller said he and other lawmakers have been bombarded with letters and phone calls from constituents angry about the MIAC report. Schoeller said he fears the report fosters "a culture of distrust."

"When you begin to have this many people with this much concern . . . they really need to take a second look and say this wasn't the wisest idea," Schoeller said.

DEVELOPING . . .

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Huckabee Likens Abortion to Slavery

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee likened abortion to slavery in a speech at a fundraiser for an anti-abortion organization.

Huckabee said Monday that the U.S. in abolishing slavery already debated and decided that it's wrong for one person to have complete, life or death power over another. Huckabee said that shouldn't change whether the control is based on racial bigotry or a pregnant woman making a decision for her unborn child.

His half-hour speech was for a luncheon fundraiser for the Vitae (VEE'-tay) Caring Foundation. The organization sponsors advertisements encouraging women to seek abortion alternatives.

Huckabee is to speak again at a Monday dinner for the group. Its organizers hoped to raise $400,000.

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Week 10: Nixon's Grade

NIXON'S WEEK 10 GRADE: B

Governor Nixon took his spring break week to announce he was restoring $1 million bucks for tourism this year. And some Republicans rolled their eyes. How can the Gov. take/receive credit for restoring just part of the money he took away just months earlier? It's like taking a few bites out of somebody's sandwich at lunch when they go to the restroom -- and when they return to the table, they thank you for not eating the whole thing. He can, because he's the Gov. Nixon also went back to bipartisan basics, by backslapping Republican Sen. Jack Goodman at his Branson event. Still, despite smiles all around, Nixon got smacked with more bad numbers. The state lost another 6,400 jobs last month, the Department of Economic Development reported. And Nixon needs Republicans to get the program through that he believes will help turn those numbers around. There's some division among Democrats about how Nixon should approach the second half of the season to get his initiative through the General Assembly: more carrots or sticks? Compromise with the resistant GOP, or club them with his first year political capital that will eventually run thin? Despite gripes from the left that it's not Nixon's fault, as the A.P's David Lieb writes this Sunday, "Gov. Jay Nixon's top legislative priorities -- job creation, healthcare and higher education -- largely have been stalled, rejected or ignored," so far. Nixon backers are hoping he's like his beloved Mizzou Tigers --slow starters, but strong closers in the second half.

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Blunt Makes Campaign Course Correction

RESHUFFLING THE DECK
Craighead, Perron now on the outs, according to a knowledgeable Republican

Roy Blunt's campaign for U.S. Senate underwent a major shake-up this week with several longtime allies being told they wouldn't be at the top of the campaign structure, as originally expected, a GOP source tells The Notebook.

Jared Craighead, who is finishing his term as executive director of the Missouri Republican Party, will not become Blunt's campaign manager, according to the source, who has deep ties to Republicans across the state, but requested anonymity because of the sensitivity surrounding the discussions and decisions.

Craighead was widely believed to be Blunt's campaign manager in-waiting. At statewide Lincoln Days in Kansas City last month, Craighead donned a "Blunt for US Senate" sticker on his jacket, even though he still was serving in his capacity as a top state party leader.

Blunt's top Washington fundraiser, Jay Perron, has also been let go for the time being, according to the source. Perron has been a top D.C. Blunt moneyman for years, mostly organizing fundraisers inside and around the Beltway. The source said Perron's services won't be needed right now because, "Roy's not going to be able to raise a lot of D.C. money." "Raising money for a candidate who will be in the extreme minority in the U.S. Senate anyway, is tough," explained the source.

Perron did not return an e-mail message and a phone call from The Notebook Saturday.

The obvious question: Why is Blunt making these moves now -- a full 20 months before the general election? The source said that Blunt and his closest advisers must have realized that they were putting together "a totally unwieldy campaign apparatus, a 10-headed monster." The move was not only politically important, but financially prudent.

"These guys had a 10-person top apparatus. It was way too big and bloated, and would lead to a high burn rate," said the source, referring to the cost it takes to pay all the employees this early in the cycle. "I think they had to come to this decision."

Included in the "10-person" top Blunt tier are family members, Abby Blunt, former Gov. Matt Blunt, Andy Blunt and Amy Blunt, as well as, Blunt staffer Gregg Hartley, communications consultant John Thompson, political consultant John Hancock, Blunt staffer Miles Ross, Blunt adviser Rich Chrismer, former Matt Blunt Chief of Staff Trish Vincent, and fundraiser Linda Bond, wife of U.S. Senator Kit Bond.

There are some questions if Chuck Poplstein, who sent out the original "Draft Roy Blunt for Senate" message, will wield a major role. It seems that former Blunt fundraiser Tom Carter of Ozark, will be devoting most of his time to the 7th District Congressional candidacy of Hal Donaldson.

In a short e-mail to The Notebook, Blunt campaign spokesman Rich Chrismer did not specifically address the status of Craighead or Perron or any other roles in the campaign.

"We have made no campaign management announcements, but we are building a good team," Chrismer said in an e-mail. "Our greatest strength remains our candidate."

A key player in any statewide Republican candidate's fundraising is Karen Mohan Day. Day, of Wildwood, is the single most powerful GOP fundraiser in the state, claiming to have helped haul in an estimated $60 million dollars for various Republican candidates over the past 15 years.

According to two sources, Day has yet to sign a long-term deal with Blunt, and is instead helping him so far on an event-by-event basis. "The fundraising isn't going as well as expected," said one GOP staffer, who knows Day but is currently unaffiliated with any campaign.

"She's worried that, following (Kenny) Hulshof, she can only leverage her donor relationships so many times on behalf of flawed candidates," said the other source. Day was not reachable on Saturday. Hulshof lost the Governor's race to Jay Nixon by a staggering 19 percentage points.

Blunt's next Springfield fundraiser is set for Monday, March 30th at Metropolitan Grill. Attendees are being asked to donate $2400.

Some of the comments about the inner-workings of the campaign feed into the impression that Blunt is an inherently weak candidate who will not be able to defeat likely Democratic nominee Robin Carnahan. It's a view held by loyalists close to former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman and Blunt enemies alike.

But for now, Blunt is the only publicly announced Republican in the race, and the clear frontrunner for the nomination. While Steelman is likely to jump into the U.S. Senate contest at some point down the road, she's mostly operating a shadow campaign at the moment. She has made at least two trips to Washington D.C. to meet with potential consultants and fundraisers, but most of her moves have been purposely under the radar. While Blunt is packing his weekends with Lincoln Day events, Steelman's political meetings have thus far been small and private.

"Blunt will work hard. He's a good campaigner," said one Republican close to the Congressman.

One perceived weakness of a Steelman candidacy is her ability to raise enough money to stay competitive with Blunt, in what would become an expensive primary. In her primary race for Governor, Steelman largely depended on Springfield financial adviser Jeff Layman and Kansas City fundraiser Danny Pfeifer. Allies on both sides of the Blunt-Steelman divide believe a primary would require both candidates to raise a significant amount of money outside the Show-Me state.

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Let's Be Blunt: Taxing AIG Bonuses "Purely Political"

NOT GONNA HAPPEN

"This bill will not pass the Senate"

Congressman Roy Blunt tells The Notebook Friday that his vote to tax 90 percent of bonus money allotted to the big banks was "all about sending a message" and says he's confident the bill won't pass the U.S. Senate.

"If it was going to be real, it would have to have a lot more thought than that bill had," Blunt said in an interview Friday.

Blunt signaled that he might not have voted to tax the bonuses if he knew the legislation had a chance of passing and being signed by the President. "This is all about sending a message. You're going to get slapped back if you do things that don't make sense to people," Blunt explained, calling it a "purely political" vote.

"I'm for sending messages occasionally, and the message here is, when you take a lot of taxpayer money, you have a different level of responsibility than you had before," Blunt said. "This bill will not pass the Senate. This was all about messaging to people who've taken TARP money."

***

The vote to tax bonuses divided the House GOP caucus, with Blunt voting in favor of it along with 84 other Republicans, including Whip Eric Cantor. House Minority Leader John Boehner voted "no."

Politico on Blunt and Adam Putnam: " . . . the populist anger over bonuses paid by a bailed-out company all but required them to get in line behind the Democrats’ tax plan."

Blunt and Putnam are both candidates for statewide office.

BELOW: BLUNT ON GEITHNER

The Congressman said he doesn't have confidence in the Treasury Secretary yet, but is willing to give him more time.

"I'm willing to give him some more time and he needs more help," Blunt said of the Secretary.

Notes 20 vacancies remain in key advisory roles

"I do think he's probably working as hard as anybody in Washington right now, maybe harder, but not producing very good results because he's not fully populated the government with people that need to do these jobs," Blunt explained.

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