Decision '08: Hulshof Concedes

Kenny Hulshof concedes the race for Governor at 9:40 p.m. Central. He has called Jay Nixon.

Also, Hulshof is losing Greene County to Jay Nixon:

KENNY HULSHOF (REP) . . . . . . . 22,281 40.24%
JEREMIAH W. (JAY) NIXON (DEM). . . . 31,348 56.61%

Steelman Says She's Against Greene Co. Court Plan

The State Treasurer Clarifies Her Position on A Greene County Ballot Initiative to KY3 Amid Confusion

***

PLUS: Greene Countians Against Question 1 Launch Website

***

Republican State Treasurer Sarah Steelman tells the KY3 Political Notebook she's opposed to a ballot initiative in Greene County designed to change the way judges are seated on the bench from election to selection.

The proposal is known as the Non-Partisan Court Plan, and it's Question 1 on Greene County's ballot.

"I don't recall being asked about the Greene County Non-Partisan Court Plan," wrote Steelman in an e-mail to the Notebook, after some supporters of the plan claimed the former candidate for Governor backed it. "But I do not support it. I don't support implementing the Missouri Plan in any county where it is not currently used," Steelman went on.

Earlier, backers of the plan had said Steelman supported the Non-Partisan court push.

James Harris of Better Courts For Missouri, a group opposed to the plan said that Republican candidate for Governor, Kenny Hulshof's support for Question 1 only tells half the story. "Hulshof has called for sweeping judicial reform at the state level because he like Governor Blunt recognize the personal injury attorneys have too much influence in the selection process," said Harris.

Still, Hulshof did announce at the Springfield Bar Association meeting last month that he backed Greene County's Non-Partisan Court Plan. He then went on to lay out some concerns with the Missouri Plan itself, which is used to select Supreme Court Judges.

Instead of electing judges, the Non-Partisan Court plan would set up a panel to select judges based on merit. That panel would include 2 citizens appointed by the Governor, 2 attorneys voted on by Greene County Lawyers and the chief appeals Judge. That panel would come up with a list of three names for appointment, and present that list to the Governor.

In her e-mail, Steelman went on to say that she supports the Missouri Plan with some changes, "specifically more transparency."

Chip Sheppard, a Springfield attorney who supports the Greene County plan, has said that the opposition group, Better Courts For Missouri, lacks transparency in its own organization. Sheppard describes Better Courts as "shadowy." "Lobbyist James Harris won't disclose to anyone, who is giving the big money he is spending," Sheppard said. "I think (that) violates Missouri Ethics Law," he added.

Better Courts and other opponents think the Missouri Plan, and the Greene County Non-Partisan Plan gives undo influence to trial attorneys. After Gov. Matt Blunt appointed Judge Zel Fisher to the Supreme Court this week, Harris used the opportunity to criticize the selection process. "It is obvious that more qualified applicants were not nominated, leading us to believe that political favoritism and strong bonds to MATA (Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys) were the qualifications that propelled Judge Fisher to his newly secured position," Harris said in a release.

Harris stresses to The Notebook that it's the same "Missouri Plan" that will be implemented in Greene County unless its defeated, "not some modified statewide version." In an effort to ramp up their efforts against the initiative, Springfield conservative Larry Russell has launched a website http://www.stopquestion1now.com/.

"Greene Countians have been electing judges for decades, and it works for us, so I don't see any reason to import the problems of St. Louis and Kansas City just become some rich trial lawyers would rather pick judges themselves," said Russell, who is past president of the Missouri Republican Assembly.

For more on the debate over the plan, click HERE and HERE.

Gov. Blunt Opposes Greene County Court Initiative

In an interview with KY3 News, Gov. Matt Blunt announced his opposition to the Greene County Non-Partisan Court Plan that will face voters in three weeks.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

***FOR MORE, WATCH A DEBATE BETWEEN GOV. BLUNT AND INITIATIVE SUPPORTER CHIP SHEPPARD ABOVE***

The Greene County Non-Partisan Court plan would fundamentally change the way we pick our judges in Greene County from election to selection. The Governor says he opposes the ballot initiative because it takes away the people's right to elect judges. But supporters of the plan note that other top Republicans still favor the initiative, because they believe it will take politics out of the courtroom -- and lead to a judicial process that focuses on merit.

KENNY HULSHOF AND SARAH STEELMAN BOTH SAY THEY SUPPORT THE PLAN . . . JAY NIXON HAS NOT TAKEN A POSITION PUBLICLY.

Struckoff: Turnout in Greene County Could Be Highest Ever

"Maybe 140,000, 150,000 or higher,"

says Greene County Clerk Richard Struckoff

***

DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE WAS 5 P.M.

Greene County clerk Richard Struckoff predicts this could be the highest volume election the county has ever faced. He’ll have extra poll workers and election deputies at every polling place. Richard Struckhoff says voter turnout may be the highest its ever been in Greene County.

The county has 190,000 registered voters. Struckhoff says the county had 68-percent voter turnout in the last presidential election. More than 126,000 people voted. This year Struckhoff expects that number will jump.

"Maybe 140,000 150,000 or higher," he said.

And it's not just the number of registered voters that's up but also the poll workers.

"In a typical election we have 320 election judges but now we have 544, so that's almost double that amount," Struckhoff said.

Read more of KY3's Kristen Nelson report HERE.

Friday Shorts

• A spokesperson for Peter Kinder sent us this statement in response to Sam Page's accusation that the Lieutenant Governor is having it both ways on embryonic stem cell research: "Peter Kinder stands by his statement that Sam Page is a liberal from St. Louis who continues to criticize Peter for all the work he has done on behalf of the people of St. Louis." Added Paul Sloca: "But Peter would be happy to call Sam Page a liberal from Carter County if that’s what Sam prefers." Sloca did not comment on how Kinder feels about embryonic stem cell research.
• Regarding Thursday's KY3 News @ 10 story on the Greene County Non-Partisan Court plan, Kenny Hulshof's spokesperson, Scott Baker wanted to remind us: "It is important to note that Kenny also said that modifications are needed to the overall Missouri Plan." Better Courts for Missouri, which has voiced opposition to the Non-Partisan Plan, sent out this awkward statement Friday: "We understand that Greene County citizens would reasonably be concerned by statements implying his support for a measure that would take away their right to vote for judges, but, again, we stand by our statement that Congressman Hulshof deserves to be commended for supporting open and accountable judicial selections and opposing the Missouri Plan."
• Dems are almost getting too gleeful when unemployment numbers tick up. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Missouri's unemployment rate increased from 6.4% to 6.6% Friday. The Democratic Party notes that Missouri also lost another 3,700 jobs last month. "The thousands of Missourians who lost their job last month do not agree with Congressman Hulshof that either they or our state’s economy are in 'a good place,'" said Missouri Democratic Party spokesperson Zac Wright. So what happens if Jay Nixon becomes Governor, and in March, Missouri is still losing manufacturing jobs?
• Congressman Roy Blunt is calling for bipartisanship to deal with stabilization of the market. "Now is the time to set politics aside and prioritize stabilizing the economy," Blunt said at a press conference, as reported by Politico. "And if we do that and do that quickly, good things can happen and it will happen quickly. We may be seeing that in the market today," he said.

Voters Will Decide How To Pick Greene County Judges

THE NON-PARTISAN COURT PLAN

David Jones won the Aug. 5th Judicial primary against Judge Bob Lawson. But would Greene County be better off selecting its judges by appointment -- or electing them? That's the essence of a County ballot initiative that will face voters in November.

***

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE
***

Republican candidate for Governor Kenny Hulshof announced his support for the Greene County Non-Partisan Court Plan at the Springfield Bar Association Meeting: "I think that having the non-partisan plan here at the county level is a good thing."

***

Democratic candidate Jay Nixon's campaign sent The Notebook this response:

"Attorney General Nixon believes that politics has no place in the selection of judges," said spokesperson Oren Shur. "He is a longtime supporter of the non-partisan Missouri Court Plan, but he believes these decisions must be made at the local level. He trusts the voters of Greene County to make the right decision for their community on Election Day."

***

For more information about the plan, CLICK HERE.

Better Courts for Missouri has expressed opposition. Read Why HERE.
***
AND: The League of Women Voters Plans Forum on the Plan: Monday, Sept. 29th, Retired Judge Miles Sweeney will speak at The Library Center on South Campbell at 6:30 p.m. about the initiative

Bentley, Bengsch Sound Off on Governor's Race

REACTION TO HEARING CANDIDATES IN JEFF. CITY

Bentley: "Nixon did a really good job too, I hate to say . . ."

Republican Greene County Commissioners Roseanne Bentley and Harold Bengsch said they liked what they heard from the candidates for Governor about local control and unfunded mandates at a recent event in Jefferson City, but aren't ready to endorse in the G.O.P. primary.

Republicans Kenny Hulshof and Sarah Steelman and Democrat Jay Nixon recently each got to make their pitch to County Commissioners across the state.

Commissioner Bentley thought Hulshof did a bit better than Steelman, because of the time of day he spoke and his openness to receiving questions. "Kenny had an edge, simply because he spoke during the lunch hour, while she spoke later," Bentley told the KY3 Political Notebook.

"Basically they spoke about the same things, but I thought her reluctance to take questions put Kenny at a stronger advantage," Bentley said.

Bentley liked what Hulshof had to say about unfunded mandates and dealing with state prison populations. Commissioner Bengsch only got to hear Hulshof speak and said he indicated he supported "good local control, as opposed to taking it away."

"We're very interested in the reimbursement rate counties get for taking care of state prisoners, and Hulshof said he would reimburse at a stronger rate," Bengsch said.

Bentley said Steelman also touched on the topic. "Both did well, and Jay Nixon did a really good job too, I hate to say . . . not being my party," Bentley acknowledged. "He was more energetic and Sarah didn't take questions, and people had questions. I don't know if she had another appointment to go to."

When asked if she was endorsing a candidate, Bentley replied, "I'm in a primary myself, so it's wise for me not to pick. I'm being cautious."

Bengsch said it's hard to really make a decision between Hulshof and Steelman "based on 1 or 2 speeches." "I'm open to listening to what everyone has to say. Obviously, my loyalties are to the Republican Party, but I'm open to everyone," he said.

Bengsch said he would still like to hear more about how candidates would specifically deal with unfunded or partially unfunded mandates and "budgeting on the backs of the local level."

He said a shortened primary season for the Republicans will probably bring both Steelman and Hulshof's positions "under scrutiny much faster."

Coonrod (Jokes) About Audits

"Holy cow! The county's going to be audited. But it was Christian County."

---Greene County Commissioner Dave Coonrod, joking with attendees during his welcoming speech at Jackson Days. He told an audience that he "feared" Greene County was getting audited, when it was really Christian County. Coonrod was certainly speaking in a joking mood when he later sucked up to State Auditor Susan Montee. "Can I get you a drink later?," Coonrod asked playfully with grin.

Former Council Member Blasts Drug Card

I thought we'd been thorough in our reporting of the new prescription drug discount card Greene County began offering residents this week.

You can watch my series of reports HERE HERE and HERE .

But a former Springfield City Councilman thinks I missed a big point, and wrote me to tell why.

"Why in the world are you people wasting so much time on this silly card. It's not a discount card," said John Shikany. "This is nothing more than a marketing tool. Many businesses use these, they are discounts only in the sense that the prices that are already too high, are lowered and are usually still higher than the person can get the same thing for at another retail business, for less money," Shikany added.

"I can't understand why you people are running this item as the top story one day, second story the next. It's idiotic. The news is that this county association then Greene County officials, were stupid enough to fall for this ridiculous "discount" program," Shikany said.

"It's a marketing tool, that's all it is. No real "savings,"" Shikany said.

Believe me, doing 3 days of the same type of story in a row isn't heaven for a reporter. But prescription drugs are a big deal to a lot of people, and that's why we thought it was worth putting so much time into it. I thought we dove into the details of the program and allowed pharmacists to make the critique Shikany is making --- in our first story. But you can watch, and be the judge.

Greene County Unveils Discount Drug Card, But How Much Will You Save?

Greene County is launching a new discount drug card to help cut the cost of prescriptions.

KY3 News @ 10 previewed the program Tuesday night. Watch it HERE.

County commissioners will unveil the program at a news conference on Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m.

The idea of the card is to cut the cost of drugs by an average of 20 percent. The program is through the National Association of Counties and about 3,000 counties have signed on, although Greene County is only the second in Missouri to do so.

The cards will be available at no cost in health clinics, senior centers and libraries, and can be used by all Greene County residents. But some pharmacists say the card is a bit too good to be true, and are warning not to expect eye-popping savings.