Skelton: 2011 Not An Exit Date

Rep. Ike Skelton told The Hill that President Obama's timetable to begin withdrawing from Afghanistan in the summer of 2011 "is not an exit date."

"It's not an exit date. It's a goal," said Skelton.

The House Armed Services Committee chair also scoffed at GOP charges that Obama has set a date for troop withdrawal in stone, adding, "did you hear what they said, 'situations may come up?'"

***

PLUS: Skelton challenger Bill Stouffer pounced on the vote to extend the estate tax, which was set to expire at the end of the year. The vote was 225 to 200. While some Democrats crossed over in opposition, Republicans were unanimously against the measure.

The legislation makes the 45 percent tax rate permanent -- for estates over $3.5 million for individuals and $7 million for couples.

"Ike voting with Nancy Pelosi is not a surprise since he has voted with her 95% of the time this year,” said Stouffer in a statement. "What is surprising, however, is that Ike would thumb his nose at so many farmers, small businessmen and families in rural Missouri by refusing to allow the tax to die in 2010 and voting to permanently extend the tax at a punishing rate of 45%," he added.

Nixon, Zweifel Pitch Property Tax Cut

Gov. Jay Nixon and State Treasurer Clint Zweifel plan to propose a one-year property tax cut for certain new homeowners next year.

The plan would subsidize a portion of property taxes for families making less than $98,000 a year who buy a new or existing home in Missouri in 2010.

Nixon and Zweifel announced they would bring the plan before the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) on Dec. 18th.

If approved, income eligible Missourians would have $1,250 of their property taxes paid. Families could earn an additional $500 credit with purchases of energy efficient homes and items.

It's estimated that between 9,000 and 11,000 families could tap $15 million in MHDC funds.

"Purchasing a home not only helps families achieve part of the American dream, but it also strengthens our economy and provides good-paying jobs," Gov. Nixon said in a statement.

The plan comes out of recommendations made by an advisory panel convened by Gov. Nixon this past summer. Among the recommendations was a plan to "promote home ownership and incentivize energy efficiency."

The full report of the panel can be found HERE.

County Dweller Hoeman Takes Tax Stand

ZING!

Asked if he supported a sales tax hike to shore up Springfield's police and fire pension fund, newly minted Democratic State Senate candidate Michael Hoeman noted he wasn't a city resident.

But Hoeman went on to say he would've voted for the hike if he could've.

*WATCH Q & A ABOVE*

"I think it was crucial for our community . . ."

Comes after The Notebook posed the same question to Republican Rep. Bob Dixon at an endorsement event Monday morning. (SCROLL DOWN)

PLUS: In the Twitterverse: Carl Bearden of AFPMissouri says positions on local issues are irrelevant. Adds that Dixon was right not to answer.

Hoeman kicked off his State Senate campaign Monday. He'll likely face Dixon next November.

Dixon Dodges Sales Tax Question At Firefighter Endorsement

FIREFIGHTERS UNION BACK DIXON IN THE 30th

***WATCH TAX Q & A ABOVE***

Republican State Senate candidate Bob Dixon declined to say whether he voted to raise Springfield's sales tax to help fund the pensions of firefighters, on the same day he received the endorsement of the city's local firefighter union.

Dixon, who scheduled an early Monday morning press conference with Springfield Firefighters Local 152 just hours before his Democratic opponent planned to kick off his campaign, said he did vote on the pension sales tax, which passed overwhelmingly earlier this month.

But three different times, he dodged questions about how he voted, saying it was a decision for the voters of Springfield. Watch the video ABOVE.

"I did vote in the privacy of the voting booth but I did not ask people to vote a certain way," said Dixon, who currently represents the #140th State House District. "I left that decision up to the voters, and I do respect their decision."

Dixon's decision to decline a public position on the sales tax allows him to avoid offending portions of his campaign coalition, which includes firefighters and anti-tax conservatives.

For instance, both firefighter union president Shawn Martin and vocal pension sales tax opponent Fred Ellison stood behind Dixon at his campaign announcement Monday. But Martin and Ellison were on opposite sides of the tax issue.

Martin said he did not know how Dixon voted on the pension tax.

"I have not asked him officially," Martin said in an interview.

"What is more important is where an individual stands as far as getting people to vote," he added. "If he had stood up there and advocated for the tax great. If he had stood up there and advocated against it, that's something else."

UPDATED 5:41 PM: The Greene County Democratic Party accused Dixon of having it both ways. "Rep. Dixon needs to answer this question. He’s trying to have it both ways. We do not need someone in Jefferson City who straddles the proverbial fence and politically calculates their every move, we need a decisive leader for Springfield," said Greene County Democratic Executive Director Matthew Patterson.

Martin said his union decided to endorse Dixon because he's a "longtime friend," who stood up to city leaders when some were reluctant to address the pension shortfall.

Dixon was one of the local lawmakers who helped champion state legislation that required the city address the pension funding problem. "It also offered them the ability to choose whether or not they wanted a tax, and the voters decided that they did," Martin said.

Dixon also won the backing of the Missouri State Council of Firefighters, and thanks both groups for their support in his campaign against Democrat Michael Hoeman.

"I cannot think of any other group that I'd rather have in there with me than the firefighters," Dixon said to cheers.

He said he hoped for a "friendly and respectful" dialogue about the issues with Hoeman, a Springfield school board member and local physician.

Group Ramps Up For Ban On Real Estate Transfer Taxes

A statewide group is trying to head off a tax currently collected in 37 states -- but NOT Missouri.

It's considered a pre-emptive strike against a tax that could hit you if you sell your home.

It's called the real estate transfer tax -- and Missouri realtors call it unfair double taxation. That's why they're getting behind a ballot initiative to change the constitution to bar it from ever coming to Missouri.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

The group, "Vote Yes to Stop Double Taxation" needs about 230,000 signatures by May to get the proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot.

Decision 2009: Lessons Learned

AFTER THE PARTY
A level-headed attempt to make sense of what Nov. 3rd really means

1. MAYOR O'NEAL MOJO -- Jim O'Neal was able to accomplish what his predecessor could not -- convincing enough Springfield city voters to approve a sales tax hike during a difficult economic period. O'Neal, along with other top city officials, worked every civic group tirelessly over the past several months. And as a result he not only won, he achieved what could be viewed as a mandate for the future. Supporters swung 3,043 votes their way in a 9-month period. That's the power of persuasion. City skeptics beware, there's a new Sheriff in town.

2. SPRINGFIELD AIN'T AS CONSERVATIVE AS YOU MIGHT THINK -- For years Republicans have worried about the trend. They no longer can pile up the big margins in Springfield like they used to inside city limits. It's not that the demographics changed that much since February when the tax failed. But it shows that voters here are less tied to staunch ideology when a convincing case is made. A 10-point tax hike win is something to be said for amid a backlash against bailouts and the sustained effects of a recession. WATCH KY3 NEWS @ 10 COVERAGE HERE.

3. TEABAG MOVEMENT OVERBLOWN -- After all the hub bub about a revolution brewing in District 23 in New York, the Democrat prevailed. Sure, it was messy and complicated. But a loss surely can't be viewed as a start of a movement. All the top GOPers got involved, threw their marker down. Sarah Palin was a hero. The D.C./New York establishment was mocked for picking the wrong candidate. This isn't to say, their forces won't emerge in another state in 2010. But Doug Hoffman turned out to be a loser.

4. A WARNING SHOT -- GOP Governor wins in Virginia and New Jersey can not and should not be understated. New Jersey, in particular, is a huge win for Republicans. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's close race for another term was also notable. There's an anti-incumbency, anti-big money wave out there. But neither Chris Christie nor Bob McDonnell ran as part of the tea party movement. They were Republicans who fit their state, ran mostly positive campaigns and seized the moment. Virginia traditionally goes to the party opposite of the White House and Corzine had trouble long before there was even a teabag movement. Still, the Republican wins are a warning shot for overconfident Obama-ites who may be a little more skeptical about all that "change they can believe in."

5. IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT OBAMA -- The results on Tuesday are neither a repudiation or an endorsement of the president. Missouri Republicans would have you think that Obama couldn't win re-election tomorrow: "Obama’s coattails have all but disappeared, and tonight’s election results should put Democrats on notice. Supporting the liberal Obama-Pelosi agenda is dangerous, even in states that voted overwhelmingly for Democrats just one year ago," said Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder in a statement. "Today Americans overwhelmingly rejected President Obama and Speaker Pelosi’s radical agenda," said 7th District candidate Billy Long. "Tonight's election results show that Americans are fed up with the extreme liberal agenda of Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama," said 4th District candidate Bill Stouffer. But voters told exit pollsters that Obama did not factor much into their voting. Put up your best national Republican against Obama in the Garden State tomorrow, and does the GOP think it would achieve a mirror result? Nonsense. It's a lesson that the conservative movement is alive and kicking but that individual races are sometimes more about binary choices than overarching national themes.

6. KRIS BAREFIELD = KING PUNDIT -- In our Decision 2009 pundit challenge, Kris Barefield picked the police and fire pension tax result within .2%. Barefield said the pension tax would pass 54.3% to 45.7%. The final result: 54.5% YES, 45.4% NO. Barefield was closest of all our participants and gets mega props from The Notebook. He's King pudit, at least for a day. If we think of a reasonable, responsible prize, we'll let ya know.

Decision 2009: In A Jersey State of Mind

Springfield voters trek to the polls to vote on a five-year 3/4 cent sales tax hike designed to shore up a $200 million dollar hole in the city's police and fire pension fund.

STILL UNDECIDED?

WATCH both sides stump on our Ozarks Today Pension panel
WATCH the last-minute door-to-door campaign
CHECK OUT the only public poll conducted

Weather: 7AM 44 degrees, NOON 56 degrees
SUNNY

*PLAYING PUNDIT*
IT'S TOO CLOSE TO CALL . . . SO WHY NOT TRY
Area political junkies predict the police/fire pension tax outcome:
(Listed in the order received via FACEBOOK & Twitter)

Stephen Eisele: 53% YES, 47% NO
Matt Lyons: 51% YES, 49% NO
Crista Hogan: 53% YES, 47% NO
Grant Morris: 57% YES, 43% NO
Tom Martz: 53% NO, 47% YES
Brian Despain 54.5% NO, 45.5% YES
@PunkOnDeck 56% NO, 44% YES
Kristen Sanocki 52% NO, 48% YES
Josh Martin 54% NO, 46% YES
Branson Mayor Presley 52% YES, 48% NO
Kathy Bumgarner 58% NO, 42% YES
Matthew Block 52% YES, 48% NO
Jake Medley 65% YES, 35% NO
Kris Barefield 54.3% YES, 45.7% NO
@Springburg 52% NO, 48% YES
@Drewfy2Shoes 52% YES, 48% NO
@RatBite 52% YES, 48% NO
Cameron Sullivan 54% YES, 46% NO
Elijah Haahr 52% YES, 48% NO
Jeff Wisdom 51% NO, 49% YES

LuCastieMan 52.7% NO, 47.3% YES

Notebook Pundit Rolling Average: 50.6% YES, 49.4% NO
You can weigh in VIA TWITTER or FACEBOOK
***
PLUS: Other key issues --

Springfield public schools request a no tax hike bond issue
Christian County wants a property tax hike to pay for new libraries
Sparta asks residents to pay for a new high school

AND . . . WHY MY HEART IS IN NEW JERSEY

THE RACE OF THE NIGHT
Christie v. Corzine

Pollster.com Final Average: Chris Christie (R) 42%, Jon Corzine (D) 42%

Full coverage all day online @ The Notebook . . . an on-air on KY3 . . .

THE PLACE TO BE FOR POLITICS

Set Your Clocks Back, But Wake-Up . . .

FOR SUNDAY'S SPECIAL DECISION 2009 OZARKS TODAY
@ 7 AM

Ky3 is assembling a special police & fire pension panel before Tuesday's critical vote.

Mayor Jim O'Neal and two others supportive of the sales tax increase to shore up a $200 million dollar police and fire pension shortfall will answer questions LIVE on OZARKS TODAY.

Anchor Paula Morehouse and myself will deliver the questions that viewers and readers have submitted via Ky3.com, e-mail, Facebook & Twitter.

THEN: The Opponents -- Tom Martz & Fred Ellison will explain why they're voting "no" and are urging others to do the same.

***--- Just two days before the vote ---***

Sunday, 7 AM . . . ONLY on KY3's OZARKS TODAY

Mayor Wins A Convert In Final Pension Tax Push

If it succeeds in this turbulent economic climate, no one person will be more responsible for passage of the 3/4-cent sales tax hike than Mayor Jim O'Neal, who has been tirelessly trying to reach the persuadable -- no matter how big or small the group.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

On Tuesday night, at the Lion's Club, O'Neal's presentation won over at least one skeptic.

"I wasn't sure that I was for it but, after his presentation, I think I've changed my mind. I probably will vote for the sales tax," Robert Stueven said.

Springfield voters will decide Tuesday whether to raise its sales tax for five years to make up a $200 million dollar shortfall in the police and fire pension fund.

PLUS: SUNDAY
A special edition of Ozarks Today Weekend
@ 7 AM
A special panel of city officials will field your questions.

SUBMIT THEM HERE -- @Ky3.com -- ON FACEBOOK --- ON TWITTER

Or by e-mail: dcatanese@ky3.com

Anti-Beverage Tax Ad Sparks Confusion About School District's Role

A national group opposing the idea of new taxes on beverages is hitting the airwaves hard in Missouri, featuring two prominent community members from the Ozarks to deliver their message.

But one ad featuring the Republic school district's Activities Director has already come down. But It's unclear exactly why.

"It is confusing and it did lead to confusion," said Republic school board president Melissa DuVall.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

WATCH THE AD FEATURING REPUBLIC'S GREG GARTON

(Stopped running his week)

WATCH THE AD FEATURING TEAMSTER ROGER CHAPEL

(Continues to air)

Hartzler Seizes Opening On Taxes Against Stouffer

UPDATED: STOUFFER CAMPAIGN RESPONDS

"The goal here is better government . . . not attacking others"

Republican candidate for Congress Vicky Hartzler is seizing on the touchy topic of taxes in an attempt to illustrate a difference with her 4th District GOP primary opponent Sen. Bill Stouffer.

In a release Tuesday, Hartlzer picked up a Democratic attack on Stouffer and pledged to not vote for a tax if sent to Washington.

"When Bill Stouffer was elected to the State Senate, he proposed a bill to raise the state sales tax by 1 percent for 10 years. I think raising taxes is the wrong way to solve problems," Hartzler said in a statement.

The former State House representative is referring to a 2007 bill that would have raised the sales tax by 1-cent over a decade to pay for $7.2 billion dollars in interstate highway upgrades. On the day Stouffer announced his candidacy, the Missouri Democratic Party blasted out the charge to reporters and called the Napton Senator a hypocrite.

As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Stouffer was the main backer of the tax for roads plan.

"My answer is, ‘Don't raise any taxes. High-tax thinking is the problem, not the solution. I know the people of Fourth District strongly agree, in a broad and bipartisan way," Hartzler said.

"I never voted for a tax increase while I was in Jefferson City. I won't vote for one in Washington, D.C. Unlike my opponents, I believe Americans need lower taxes, not higher taxes," she added.

On the second day of his announcement tour in Jefferson City last week, Stouffer defended his position, saying that voters would have ultimately decided whether to implement the tax increase. "I don't shy away from tough decisions," Stouffer said, in an interview published by Capitol Calling.

UPDATED 8:09 P.M. The Stouffer campaign said it was disappointed Hartzler had taken a "negative tone." "There are so many folks interested in running for this position now because the district isn't happy with Ike Skelton voting with Nancy Pelosi 95% of the time. We are disappointed one of these candidates has chosen to start this important race with a negative tone. The goal here is better government, not attack others for presenting solutions to a vote of the people to solve the problems we face in Rural Missouri," said Stouffer spokesman Scott Paradise.

This marks Hartzler's first direct criticism of Stouffer. Republicans privately worry that a contentious and costly GOP primary campaign would eviscerate any shot at upending Democratic Congressman Ike Skelton.

Hartzler's release also points out that she was the first candidate in the race Rep. Skelton. She takes a shot at Skelton for voting for the House climate change legislation, which she refers to as a "carbon tax," and attempts to paint both men with the same charge.

"With great personal respect, I strongly disagree with both gentlemen. Taxes are too high, not too low," Hartzler said.

"Principled disagreements will occur, as on this issue. When important differences do occur with Senator Stouffer or Congressman Skelton, I will state my position clearly and will strive to deal with vital issues in a way that is respectful at all times," she added.

"I Want to Heal That Breach"

O'Neal Drops the Gauntlet

In his most direct and biting comments to date, a frustrated Mayor Jim O'Neal blamed previous city management Thursday night for alienating Springfield police and firefighters for 50 years and prolonging a fight over how to fund an insolvent pension system.

*WATCH HIS TOUGH COMMENTS ABOVE*

"I don't know what part of city managers school teaches city managers to alienate police and firefighters, but it's certainly been in practice here for 50 years," O'Neal said during a special council meeting on the police and fire pension tax.

"I'd really like to try and clean the slate and say look we're here, we'll meet with you. Mr. Burris' office is open, that's never happened before. My office is open, I don't think that's happened as much as it should of," O'Neal said, clearly referring to former city manager Tom Finnie and former Mayor Tom Carlson.

***

The meeting focused on a resolution that essentially makes a list of promises to voters if they pass the police and fire pension sales tax in November.

WATCH THE Ky3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

Long Takes The Pledge

7th District Congressional candidate Billy Long announced Tuesday he signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge that states he won't cast a vote raising taxes.

AND he's jibing his GOP opponents for not having done so yet.

The Taxpayer Protection pledge states that the candidate will "oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses; and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates."

***

Long said he is the first candidate in the race to replace Congressman Roy Blunt to sign the pledge. "I don’t know what the rest of the candidates are waiting for, but like typical politicians they have to put their finger in the air before they decide if the voters think they are being taxed too much," said Long in a statement.

"We need a smaller government that does a few things and does them well. I am willing to put my signature where my mouth is," Long added.

Americans for Tax Reform first instituted the pledge in 1986.

"I oppose all tax increases," said Long. "Folks are tired of Washington spending and taxing them silly. I hope that all of my friends in this race will agree with me on the pledge."

Long is running for the Republican nomination against Sen. Jack Goodman, Sen. Gary Nodler, Greene County prosecutor Darrell Moore and Ozarks Technical Community College instructor Jeff Wisdom.

June 1st Bullets

A sleepy day in Missouri politics, a slow enough start to possibly take some vaca later this week?

Hmmm . . . Here's our bullets to catch-up:

• MIAC COMMITTEE -- Rep. Bob Dixon announces he'll chair an Interim Committee on "State Intelligence Analysis Oversight" to review the origins of the controversial Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) report that outraged conservatives earlier this year. Dixon, who is running for the 30th District State Senate seat in 2010, released a statement of high praise from Speaker Ron Richard. "Representative Dixon has been vocal in expressing his concerns about the report issued by MIAC and he is one of the driving forces behind the creation of this committee. I believe he is the ideal choice," Richard said. No timetable was mentioned for hearings.
  
• GM GOES BANKRUPT -- And Sen. Claire McCaskill released this statement: "I’m looking forward to GM coming out of bankruptcy a stronger, better company. Ultimately, I’m pleased that we’ve managed so far to save important middle class jobs like those at the Wentzville plant and just across the border at the Fairfax plant in Kansas. I’m also anxious for the U.S. automakers to no longer rely on the federal government and, in the end, for the taxpayers to get their money back."
• REAL HOUSEWIVES -- This is a bit preposterous, but Abigail Blunt has been mentioned as a potential candidate for BRAVO's Real Housewives of D.C. The wife of Congressman Roy Blunt is afterall, one of the "Top 50 Corporate Lobbyists in D.C., and known for her fashionable wardrobe," according to Politics Daily. I don't know what Team Blunt would like less, reading more about Abigail's lobbyist credentials or watching her on reality TV. Although I will say Real Housewives of New Jersey is worthwhile late-night wind down tube.
• REPORT: BLACKS STOPPED MORE -- Black motorists are significantly more likely than other drivers to be stopped by Missouri law enforcement officers - a disparity that has grown greater during the past decade, according to a study from the Attorney General's office. An annual demographic report on Missouri traffic stops released Monday shows black drivers were 67 percent more likely than white or Hispanic drivers to be stopped in 2008. Not shocking. Same report was released last year. Question is: Do policy makers or law enforcement think they need to do anything to address/fix this?
• WHAT'S CID STAND FOR? -- Community Improvement District. Springfield currently has seven of them. Click here to find out why critics are raising some red flags before Council approves two more.
  

Fmr. Bush Speechwriter Picks Claire for Supreme Court

A former White House speechwriter for President H.W. Bush says Sen. Claire McCaskill is her favorite pick to become the next Supreme Court Justice.

***
In a blog for U.S. News & World Report, Mary Kate Cary says her vote goes to McCaskill because of her work experience "both as a waitress and a prosecutor, her life as a single mom, and her family responsibilities taking care of both young children and an aging parent."

Cary narrowed her choices to "three liberal women with law degrees," but lauded McCaskill with this description:

"And my personal favorite, Claire McCaskill: University of Missouri Law graduate, 55, single mom for seven years, then remarried and now has a blended family of nine kids. Put herself through law school as a waitress; according to her official bio, she worked in a fabric store as a teenager in order to sew her own clothes. Later, she ran the state's largest prosecutor's office (in Kansas City) and began its first domestic violence unit. Elected as a state legislator and Missouri State Auditor, now serving as senator from Missouri. Returns to St. Louis every weekend, where her 79-year-old mother, Betty Anne, lives with the family."

MEANWHILE . . . THE GOP CONTINUES TO BELIEVE MCCASKILL HAS A BERMUDA-BASED TAX SHELTER:

"Once again, Senator McCaskill is dodging questions, avoiding responsibility, and clouding the issue of her family’s Bermuda-based tax shelter. Despite previously claiming that she and her husband ‘share everything,’ McCaskill is now distancing herself from the business," said Lloyd Smith, Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party.

The GOP is pouncing on this explanation given by McCaskill's spokesperson yesterday: "Like Warren Buffet, Claire's husband has an investment in a reinsurance company in a foreign country that has never been a tax benefit to him nor will there ever be a tax benefit for this investment."

But in March, The Notebook asked McCaskill specifically about the tax shelter charge. She said Rural Reinsurance Company International has "absolutely nothing to do with a tax shelter."

*WATCH THAT VIDEO HERE*

Champion: Jobs Bill Not Important If "Not Done Right"

Springfield Sen. Norma Champion said she supports a ceiling on state historic tax credits but not a complete sunset, and isn't sure the Senate will even approve a jobs bill before the session is over.

***

"I would not be surprised if that doesn't get held up, and, or separated," Sen. Champion said when asked about the status of legislation that would expand tax credits for businesses in Missouri. The legislation has languished in the Senate for weeks because of a debate over whether to reign in different types of tax credits.

"If we vote on a Fair Tax, that would do away with it all, now wouldn't it," Champion said. Asked for her position on tax credits, she added, "I support a ceiling, but I don't support a sunset per say. I think we need a plan to look statewide and appropriate them so they are equitably distributed in the state. We have to look very, very hard at what these tax credits are doing. I think we have to get a handle on them, tighten the perimeters of them."

Champion downplayed the importance of passing some type of jobs legislation by next week. "It's important if we can get it settled, but it's not important if it's not done right. This doesn't have to be done," she said.

Champion said she has not been lobbied by the Governor's office for her support.

"The Governor hasn't lobbied me on anything," she said.

ON THE TAX CUT PASSED BY THE HOUSE:

"I can see the logic of it, doing it one-time," Champion said. But she isn't convinced that making it permanent is a good idea. "That I don't know whether we can sustain. We don't know what our revenue will be like," she said.

Mo. Tax Revenue Continues Decline

State tax revenues continued to decline during the month of April, dropping a half a percentage point compared to last year.

***

Corporate and franchise taxes took the biggest hit, falling 19 percent for the month. Sales and income taxes were down 7 percent and individual incomes taxes dropped 4 percent.

State Budget Director Linda Luebbering noted that the individual income tax collections fell short of the already dire forecast. "It is likely that revenues will decline even more than the four percent decline anticipated in the consensus revenue estimate for Fiscal Year 2009," Luebbering said.

House Clears Tax Cut With Stimulus Funds

UPDATED @ 5:51 PM: The House voted to reject a stimulus spending bill but passed a permanent half a percent state income tax cut as the Jefferson City budget battle rolled on Thursday.

***

The House voted 82-68 to reject the stimulus spending after some members described it as pork and suggested it should be saved for next year.

The story below outlines the battle:

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

It's being billed as the largest tax cut plan in Missouri history -- but Democrats call it a gimmick.

"This is the GOP's desperation plan," said House Minority Leader Paul LeVota. "They are scrambling at the last minute of the session, they're trying to come up with an absolutely fiscally irresponsible plan," LeVota added.

Democrats want to use the plan to stabilize other state programs to prevent future cuts.

But Republicans argue a tax cut is the best way to use the stimulus money without committing to ongoing spending.

"You can always have good projects and good ideas, but at the end of the day, there's no way you can fund all of them. So I think you try to be fair to everyone and that's where the tax cut idea comes in," said Willard State Rep. Shane Schoeller.

VIDEO: Full Coverage of Springfield's Tea Party

IMAGES FROM THE TEA PARTY
In 60 Seconds
Springfield, Mo.
4/15/09

More Video of my Q & A with Attendees . . . Courtesy of the hardest working photographer in all of television, Taka Yokoyama.

Plus: Raw Opinions on Roy Blunt, Kit Bond, Claire McCaskill and Sarah Steelman
(Click on the final TWO clips)

*WATCH IT ALL BELOW*
THIS IS CONSERVATIVE AMERICA

In the first clip, Mark Brown voices his opinion about why President Obama should be impeached for his economic policies. "He's not doing what he promised. He's a liar," said Brown. Brown dismissed a question about Bush-era spending, saying it's "nothing like it is now."

Angela Galiana attended the rally holding a picture of her three children and said she was worried the President would saddle them with overwhelming debt. She said the main reason she attended was tax policy. But even though Galiana would benefit from Obama's tax cut this year, she said his long-term policies impacting businesses would override any gain this year. "He's taking higher class citizens who are making over $250,000 . . . It's not fair," she said.

Janice Parker said she stood on Chestnut Expressway to show her displeasure with political profiling in the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) report. "All I know is, they were trying to profile, and I didn't care for it," Parker explained.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 6 COVERAGE HERE
***
COUNTERPOINT:
Drury University Professor of Economics Steve Mullins offered a counterpoint to the protests, noting that the current debt level as a percentage of the economy is lower now than it was during President Reagan's administration. "These people weren't protesting then. These people haven't been protesting for the past eight years, where we've spent more than $500 billion dollars a year more on wars, tax cuts and a Medicare prescription drug benefit."

Mullins said that while he believes some of the Tea Day party attendees have genuine concerns, many were there for purely partisan reasons. "Why just under the current administration does borrowing and budget deficits scare you so much," Mullins asked. "When you put these numbers in perspective, they're not as scary as some of the critics could make them out to be."
***

"We're Going on A Spending Frenzy"

Karen Richmond was one of the most articulate Tea Partiers we met -- and she's a conservative who feels abandoned by GOP leaders.

So I asked her what she thought about a variety of Missouri pols -- and their fiscal conservative credentials.

On Roy Blunt: "He's been there too long . . . I really liked Jim Talent."

Richmond just offered a hearty belly-laugh when we asked if one particular Missouri Republican was a true conservative.

To see who she laughed off, CLICK ABOVE.

"They're Not Listening To The People"

DON'T WANT PORK
"I'm against Republican representatives not listening to us."

Sandy Thompson is self-described independent who feels sold out.

"I think we need to clean out the Congress and we need to clean out the Senate," Thompson said.

*WATCH HER RATE MISSOURI POLS ABOVE*

Blunt Calls Homeland Security Report "Politically Motivated"

SPRINGFIELD'S TAX DAY TEA PARTY

LIVE COVERAGE on KY3 NEWS @ 5 & 6

***
Though he isn't personally speaking to any Tea Party rallies, Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Roy Blunt is issuing his support for the movement and criticizing a Homeland Security report that warns about a rise in "rightwing extremist activity."

ROY BLUNT'S STATEMENT:

"I support the Tea Party movement and share its concerns for America and bad policies that endanger the present and the future. Missourians have a right to be angry. They are tired of being treated like an open ATM by President Obama, Speaker Pelosi and Senator Harry Reid. Like the Missourians participating in these Tea Parties, I strongly opposed the so-called ‘stimulus.’ The liberal Democrats rammed through nearly $1 trillion in new spending in a bill that nobody even read. My opponent, Robin Carnahan, told The Associated Press she supports the Obama spending spree. The massive spending plan Robin Carnahan supported will slow recovery, slow the creation of jobs and saddle our children and grandchildren with a mountain of debt," said Congressman Roy Blunt.

BLUNT CALLS REPORT "POLITICALLY MOTIVATED"

"This report by President Obama's Department of Homeland Security is absolutely outrageous. It is wrong for the Department of Homeland Security to be playing politics, much less monitoring Americans who are exercising their First Amendment rights at tea parties across the nation. The Obama Administration should have learned a lesson from Missouri when Jay Nixon’s Administration was criticized for issuing a similar report targeting conservative candidates and conservative causes," said Congressman Roy Blunt in a statement.

The Homeland Security Secretary is standing by the report today, according to The Washington Times.

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