A spokesperson for Stacey Newman's campaign called and reasserted arguments from comments section of the last post (JR's) that the words "Eastern Region" on Brown's business card undermines his claim to have been a Deputy Chief Counsel. That's a retreat from their mailed lit piece which said Brown gave himself the title. However, the promotion memo again supports Brown's resume as it simply states Deputy Chief Counsel.
Newman's campaign, by the way, says that their erroneous information came by calling the local district office, where they spoke to an unidentified woman, "whoever answered the phone."
Location:ChambersPark (between Franklin and Compton) 19th Ward
Attendance:2,000-2,500 people*
Purpose:To create an environment that is entertaining and fun, yet offers essential information and screening on health, financial, and job opportunities/resources to benefit the community, particularly targeting senior citizens and children.
To create job opportunity matches with entry level and qualified hard to reach candidates
Chair:Marlene Davis, Alderman, Ward 19; Michael McMillan, Chrm Bd of Directors, VJVL Initiative
Event Attractions & Highlights: (partial list)
SPECIAL UNVEILING
Live Entertainment Job Recruitment
Go CartsFree Food and Beverage
Ferris WheelAttendance Prizes
Free GiftsBasketball Demonstration
Free Candy Land Free Swimming
Boxing & Martial Arts ExhibitionCorvette Show
St. LouisScienceCenter YES Voter Registration
Missouri History Society Exhibit Health Screenings
Logan Indy Race Car ExhibitionCorvette Club Display
State Treasurer Sarah Steelman wants to repeal the ethanol mandate enacted in January of this year. Her opponent, Rep. Kenny Hulshof, wants to retain the mandate. Hulshof raises corn, the primary source of 95% of U.S. ethanol, for several generations.
The mandate requires that all gasoline in Missouri be made of a 10% ethanol blend when its price is equal to or less than gasoline.
"[Hulshof] contends it helps hold down the price of gas and reduces the nation's dependency on foreign oil.
…
Steelman contends the mandated use of the corn-based fuel is driving up the cost of human food, livestock feed and even of gasoline itself."
That the role of renewable fuels is becoming a major issue in a Republican primary alone says how far the energy debate has come. Certainly there is a self-interested political aspect to this; farmers vote and no one supports "foreign oil" dependancy.
Yet even if ethanol rides in on a political float, it represents the growing seriousness with which people are taking alternative energy sources.
While studies (pdf) have shown that ethanol production now represents a net energy gain, Steelman's point illustrates the poor choice of corn as its principle source.
Cellulosic ethanol, President G. W. Bush's "switchgrass", is the real ethanol machine, generating over 340% of the energy invested in producing it. Contrast that with corn's 30-70%. The technology, however, is immature and will need more investment if it is to reach production levels.
Despite the seemingly strange decision to divert a food source to generating a gasoline substitute, most corn in this country is controlled and grown by large conglomerates. They are also–unsurprisingly–major lobbyists.
It's not necessarily fair to imply nefarious dealings and money, of course. A natural political windfall–think "family farms" not Con Agra–and a massive pre-existing infrastructure make corn the first, if not the best, choice.
Barring some major revolution in personal transportation or Manhattan Project-style effort to change the country, the internal combustion engine is going to be with us for some time; eating up oil and pumping out pollution as it goes. In that case, any effort that both reduces oil dependency and pollution is welcome.
While Nixon's focus does appear to eclipse his Republican colleagues interest, the GOP hasn't entirely abandoned the field, but you'll have to wait till after the August primary to find out where they stand.
Both candidates for the Republican nomination, State Treasurer Sarah Steelman and Rep. Kenny Hulshoff, assure the public they will explain their plans for dealing with health care…after one of them wins the nomination.
The story points out that the candidates' choice to downplay or highlight health care is politically pragmatic. Among likely Republican voters, health care concerns poll lower than standard issues like taxes and spending; while among likely Democratic voters, it is the dominant issue (Research 2000 poll, July 14).
Yet the same poll shows that among all voters, health care tops the list of important topics with 15%. Education funding and the economy follow closely with 14% each.
While the Republicans' decision to downplay health care may help them save energy to put into red-meat Republican issues, their decision leaves the field open for Nixon to stake out a leading position. It may even give him the edge he needs.
The issue is dominant among Democrats, and top among all voters. Closely following health care are issues like the economy and education which voters are increasingly turning to Democrats to solve.
Add in a general trend away from the Republican party and Nixon's own favorable poll numbers and it could mean that the Governor's Mansion is Nixon's to lose.
On Wednesday night the political arm of Planned Parenthood, Planned Parenthood Advocates, joined NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri PAC in voting to endorse Rep. Robin Wright-Jones.
“Now that Planned Parenthood Advocates have joined NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri PAC with their endorsement, both major reproductive rights organizations have endorsed my candidacy for the 5th Senatorial district.This sends a strong message to 5th district voters that I am the candidate that will be there for choice,” said Rep. Wright-Jones
This endorsement is just the most recent in an overwhelming list of progressive organizations and individuals to endorse Rep. Wright-Jones for the 5th State Senate Seat.
Others include:
Missouri AFL-CIO, Missouri NEA, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Sen. Maida Coleman, AFT Local 420, PROMO, Missouri State Teachers Association,ACORN PAC, The United Auto Workers CAP, NARAL, SEIU Missouri/Kansas State Council, The Hon. Ronnie White, ERA PAC, St. Louis City Labor Club, The Missouri Women’s Political Caucus, Rep. Jeanette Mott-Oxford, UFCW Local 88, CWA City Legislative Club, Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition, and many more.
(St. Louis) – Today, Brian Wahby announced his endorsement of Rodney Hubbard’s campaign for state senate. Wahby, the chair of the Saint Louis City Democratic Party praised Hubbard, calling him, “an accomplished legislator committed to improving the lives of people in Saint Louis and throughout Missouri.”
“Hubbard is the only candidate that has real record of legislative accomplishments,” said Wahby. “His commitment to the Democratic Party and its principle of putting the interests of people over special interests is exceptional. Democrats have a clear choice – Rodney Hubbard is the progressive candidate for Senator with the experience, vision and courage to effectively represent us in the Missouri Senate.”
82nd District - This is the seat that Rep. Sam Page is vacating to run for Lt. Gov. It's expected to be competitive in November.
Republicans have a primary: Terry Frank (here is his website) and Frank Plescia (here is his). Terry Frank only raised $2,350 this quarter bringing his total on-hand to $4,868. Plescia reported a strong quarter raising $33,975. He now has $26,474 on-hand.
Democrats have only one candidate, Jill Schupp (here is her website). Schupp had another solid quarter, raising $21,546, spending quite a bit ($24,158) and finishing with $28,125 on-hand.
The acquisition of Anheuser-Busch by InBev this week brought to mind the buyout of another major company that St. Louis embraced as its own, A.G. Edwards.
The $7 billion purchase by Wachovia Corp. occurred just over a year ago.
Although it bounced back in the afternoon, Wachovia's stock hit a 17-year low on word that an Oppenheimer & Co analyst downgraded the company's rating.
Wachovia is one of the latest institutions to take it on the chin as the rah-rah heady days of the credit bubble collapses around the investors and lenders who once fattened themselves on what seemed to be an endless line of credit.
Several institutions have failed in the wake of the collapse, most recently, the bank Indymac Bank was seized by the government last Friday after it announced it couldn't pay off what it owed its depositors.
The administration also announced it would back up the teetering mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, which hold trillions of dollars in mortgages between them.
Despite assurances from the administration and the Federal Deposit Insurance Company, the image of thousands of customers lined up to withdraw their money from the failed bank should hopefully break through the veil that seems to exist between the reality of the financial Frankenstein created over the last decade and the rosy future perpetuated by the business world and its friends in politics.
The U.S. economy has been incredibly resilient and it has survived quite a beating, that said analysts are predicting that the troubles won't wrap up any time soon.
As home prices continue to decline and loan defaults mount, federal regulators are bracing for dozens of American banks to fail over the next year.
In 13-SD (St. Charles), Sen. Tim Green, freed from a primary challenge, has stopped raising serious money. He only raised $4,125. And he’s started spending it. He made $21,550 in contributions. Most of that ($15k) went to the 13th Senatorial Legislative Committee.
In 82-RD (St. LouisCounty, Sam Page for LG), Frank Plescia (R) raised $33,975. No legislative committees, and really only a smattering of lobbyists and government relations people. It looks like a fair amount of family, and friends.It’s hard to put $34k together that way, but Plescia did. His biggest expense was to the Keller Group ($6k). He now has $26,474 on-hand.The Democratic candidate, Jill Schupp, had another solid quarter, raising $21,546, spending quite a bit ($24,158) and finishing with $28,125 on-hand.
In 91-RD (St. LouisCounty, Fares termed), Randy Jotte (R) raised $7,220 and has $27,166 on-hand. On the Dem side, Jeanne Kirkton (D) raised $22,481, only spent $1,642 and has $51,474 on-hand. Kirkton is clearly one hard-working candidate who’s not taking anything for granted.
In 100-RD (St. LouisCounty), Nick Haul (R) is the Republican challenging incumbent Rep. Sue Schoemehl. Haul raised $820 and now has $561 on-hand. Schoemehl is safe.
106-RD (Perryville), Rep. Steven Tilley (R) raised $55,705. It looks as if he received $325 from all 100 Rex Sinquefield PACs though I didn’t count them up so he may have missed one or two. Tilley now has $42,572 on-hand.
Former state representative Sherman Parker has a date in court today. His estranged wife has sought an order of protection against him. Parker is the head of the Missouri Republican Party's Missouri Spectrum, an outreach effort to African American voters.
Heck of a fundraising quarter. Here's the press release:
ST. LOUIS - State Rep. Clint Zweifel, Democratic candidate for state treasurer, filed his fundraising report for the 2nd quarter of 2008. Rep. Zweifel raised $233,444.82 between April 1 and June 30, bringing his total for the primary campaign to $393,836.79.
"Democrats are responding to our message of fiscal competence and using the state treasurer's office to voice our values on the issues of the day," Zweifel said. "In just four months we have raised upwards of $400,000 from 609 contributors."
During the second quarter, 42 percent of Zweifel's contributions came from individuals giving under $100.
"I stood up to Governor Blunt when he kicked 200,000 Missourians off of Medicaid and raided our student loan agency," Zweifel said. "As your state treasurer, I will stand up for our values: economic opportunity, high-quality education, retirement security and health care access."
About Clint Zweifel Clint Zweifel was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2002. He is a leader in the House on state finances where he serves as the ranking member on the Ways and Means Committee and the Special Committee on Tax Reform. Clint led Democratic policy strategy and developed real solutions to help Missouri families. He also chaired the Missouri House Democratic Campaign Committee in 2006, when Democrats made the largest net gain in seats since 1978. Clint was named the 2008 Outstanding Legislator of the Year by the Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition.
Endorsements Clint's endorsements include Congressman Lacy Clay, former Governor Roger Wilson, former Lt. Governor Joe Maxwell, State Senators Joan Bray, Rita Days, Jeff Smith, and Victor Callahan, State Representatives John Burnett, Jason Grill, Jason Holsman, Paul LeVota, Jonas Hughes, Beth Low, Jenee Lowe, Kate Meiners, Luke Scavuzzo, Trent Skaggs, Mike Talboy, Martin Rucker, Ed Wildberger, Maria Chapelle-Nadal, Mike Corcoran, Bruce Darrough, Mike Daus, Tony George, Joe Fallert, Mike Frame, Esther Haywood, Ted Hoskins, Rodney Hubbard, Sam Komo, Michele Kratky, Al Liese, Tim Meadows, Jamilah Nasheed, Jeff Roorda, Sue Schoemehl, Mike Spreng, Rachel Storch, Tom Villa, Gina Walsh, Pat Yaeger and Jake Zimmerman. Clint has also been endorsed by numerous organizations, wards and townships including Change to Win, the Missouri AFL-CIO, Missouri FOP, Missouri NEA, ADVOCATES PAC, PROMO PAC, La Raza Kansas City Political Club, and Jackson County's Committee for County Progress.
Jim Trout, running in the 15th Senate District to replace termed Micahel Gibbons, raised $8,554, loaned himself another $5,000, bringing his cash on-hand to $11,683. He has a primary with Steve Eagleton. The Republican nominee will be Eric Schmitt.
In the 74th, Rep. Tony George (D) raised $8,600. He now has $41,425 on-hand.
In the 80th, Rep. Ted Hoskins (D) raised $4,125 and has $21,810 on-hand. He’s facing a primary challenge from Brenda Boyd who filed Limited Activity in April.
In the 86th Martha Ott raised $6,600 and has $6,520 on-hand. That’s a very nice looking quarter. Ott should prevail in the Democratic primary, but faces a difficult November in this solid Republican district where Jane Cunningham is termed.
In the 97th, Jan Polizzi (D) raised $1,925 and has $943 on-hand. She seeking to replace Rep. Walt Bivins (R) who raised $3,825 this quarter and now has $17,034 on-hand.
In the 108th Jake Hummel (D) put up a nice quarter, raising $12,281 ($3,250 was from the 13th Senate Leg Committee). He now has $24,474 on-hand. His primary opponent Art Gansner hasn’t filed yet. Rep. Tom Villa is termed.
Andria Simckes, running for State Treasurer, unveiled her endorsement list yesterday.
Organizations Metro St. Louis Sentinel Newspaper Missouri State Women's Political Caucus Missouri Women’s Political Caucus, Kansas City Chapter Women's Democratic Forum (national endorsement) Missouri State Women's Leadership Coalition Missouri State ERA-PAC Four Freedoms – Kansas City GLBT Rights Organization Freedom Inc., Kansas City North St. Louis County Unity PAC
3rd Ward- Ward Democratic Organization 6th Ward-Ward Democratic Organization 18th Ward-Ward Democratic Organization 21st Ward- Ward Democratic Organization 22nd Ward Democratic Organization 27th Ward, Democratic Organization Bonhomme Township Democratic Club Clayton Township Democratic Club Creve Coeur Township Democratic Club Lafayette Township Democratic Club Missouri River Township Queeny Township Democratic Club University Township Democratic Club
Religious Leaders Rev. Douglas Parham, President of St. Louis Clergy Coalition Rev. Wallace S. Hartsfield Rev. Anthony M. Brooks Rev. Ronald L. Bobo Rev. E.G. Shields Rev. Earl Nance Rev. Tommie Pierson Rev. Eric Belt Rev. Sammie Jones Bishop James Tindall Rebuttzin Paula Rivkin Rabbi Carni Rose, Rabbi Mordechai Miller Rabbi Neal Rose
Former and Current Elected Officials Representative TD El Amin Representative Juanita Walton (and Committee woman, Ferguson Township) Representative Ted Hoskins Kansas City Councilman Terry Riley Jackson County Legislator Scott Burnett St. Louis County Council Hazel Erby Alderman Quincy Troupe, 1st Ward Alderman Freeman Bosley Sr., 3rd Ward Alderwoman April Ford-Griffin, 5th Ward Alderwoman Kacie Starr-Triplett, 6th Ward Alderwoman Bennice Jones-King, 21st Ward Alderman Jeffrey Boyd, 22nd Ward Alderman Frank Williamson, 26th Ward Alderman Greg Carter, 27th Ward Committeewoman Yaphett El-Amin, 1st Ward (former State Representative) Committeewoman Mattie Moore 2nd, Ward Committeewoman Lucinda Fraizer, 3rd Ward Committeewoman Tishaura Jones, 8th Ward Committeeman Jesse Todd, 18th Ward Committeewoman Ernestine Hill, 18th Ward Committeeman Chink Washington, 21st Ward Committeeman Joe Palm, 26th Ward
Committeeman Bob Levine, Lafayette Township Committeeman James Cotter, University Township Committeeman Todd Weaver, Spanish Lake Township Committeeman CT Sharp, Missouri River Township Committeewoman Yolonda Fountain Henderson, (and City Councilwoman, Jennings, Ward 1) City Councilwoman Yolanda Austin, Jennings, Ward 2 City Councilwoman Marjorie Jones, Country Club Hills, Ward 1 Jennings School Board Director Tamara Thomas, Jennings School Board Director Harold Austin, Fire Board Director Joseph Washington, Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District Fire Board Director Robert Edwards, Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District Fire Board Director Bose Bradford, Florissant Valley Fire Protection District
Former State Representative Ron Bockenkamp Former State Representative Betty Thompson Former St. Louis City Mayor Clarence Harmon Former St. Louis City Comptroller Virvus Jones Sherman George, former St. Louis Fire Chief
Community Leaders Dr. Malaika Horne, University Missouri St. Louis Ollie Gates, President/CEO of Gates Barbeque Carolyn Seward, Better Family Life Mark Bryant (former President of Freedom Inc.) Ida Wolfolk Dr. Jerome Williams Dr. Caron Curls Dr. John Moten, President of the Black Leadership Roundtable Vallery Bell Mary Polk Yvonne Stokes Sly James Lew Moye, President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Frankie Freeman Pearlie Evans
Michael Mullen has been chosen from the panel of nominees to fill the vacancy on the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis created by the retirement of Judge Evelyn M. Baker.
Here's what one resident in the 64th reports. This is obviously incomplete, just a best recollection:
Favorable / Unfavorable: Clay, Slay, McMillan, Smith, Storch, Roberts
Favorable / Unfavorable: Legislature
Is the state on the right track or wrong track?
What is your top concern?
Would you vote for these people for mayor: Clay, Slay, McMillan, Smith, Storch, Roberts
Will you vote to re-elect Rachel Storch?
Does this information make you more or less likely to vote for a candidate: Was director of Clinton campaign in Missouri; Voted to cut health benefits; Was rated 100% by NEA; Was an early Obama supporter.
Let me read you some statements about Rachel Storch: She was director of the Hillary Clinton campaign in Missouri, was endorsed by John Temporiti the Party Chair who usually doesn't take sides in a primary, is considered a rising star of the Democratic Party, Has considered higher office after only serving two years.
Let me tell you some statements about Mike Roberts Jr: He was an early supporter of Barack Obama; he is the son of millionaire developer Mike Roberts.
Sen. Chris Koster's campaign sent out a message today announcning two event at which Clay and Koster will appear tomorrow:
Jefferson City, MO – On Monday, July 7th, in Pine Lawn and St. Louis City, Congressman William Lacy Clay, Jr., will endorse Senator Chris Koster for Attorney General. The endorsements by Congressman Clay, state and local elected officials continue the strong momentum that is building behind the Koster for Attorney General campaign.
12:00PM Koster Joined By Congressman Clay, Police Chief Rickey O. Collins, State, and Local Officials to Announce Endorsements of Koster for Attorney General and Discuss the Important Partnership between the Attorney General's Office and Local Law Enforcement Pine Lawn Police Department 6250 Steve Marre Avenue Pine Lawn OPEN PRESS
1:00PM Koster Joined By Congressman Clay, State, and Local Officials to Announce Endorsements of Koster for Attorney General and Discuss the Role the Next Attorney General Will Play in Dealing with Environmental Hazards in Urban Communities Carter Carburetor Facility North Grand Avenue and Dodier Street St. Louis City OPEN PRESS
Modeled on Newt Gingrich's Contratc with America, Mike Leara, a Republican running to replace Jim Avery in South County, has unveiled his own promises.
But in addition to including proposed legislation, Leara also promises constitutents a local phone number where he can be reached at anytime. Sounds a bit like Tip O'Neill's All Politics Is Local.
State Senator Chris Koster released a statement on a Cole County judge's decision not to hold up $21 million in state funding that is destined to be distributed to the Life Sciences Trust Fund.
"It is the strong desire of the Republican Party to criminalize stem cell research in our state, despite the clear objections of Missourians and the limitless potential it presents in the areas of medical advancements and economic development."
He also took the opportunity to try and gain some distance from his red-trunked former brethren.
"As our next Democratic Attorney General, I plan to fight tirelessly for those in this state who yearn for the next generation of cures, and for the vast majority of Missourians who reject the agenda of the extreme right wing that has hijacked the Republican Party.”
The Trust was established by legislation in 2003 to help direct revenue from the tobacco settlement into research.
The Missouri Roundtable for Life (represented by their attorney Ed Martin, a former aide to Gov. Matt Blunt and former ACC columnist) filed suit this week questioning the disbursement saying that the stem cell protection amendment approved by voters in 2006 may mean the Trust could potentially fund embryonic stem cell research.
The Roundtable argues that there is some ambiguity between the amendment and the Trust's own stipulation that research not involve abortion, human cloning or prohibited human research.
The $21 million in appropriations came with even tighter restrictions on exactly which fields can be funded which includes plant science and information technology.
The Roundtable is concerned that the stem cell amendment may trump the legislators' restrictions if the Trust decides to fund forays into stem cell research or research at institutions that also do stem cell research.
The Roundtable lost its bid to put a hold on the funding, which was part of the already-signed state budget, while the courts work to settle the language debate.
On its face it would seem that the situation would likely allow the potential for stem cell funding despite the legislators restrictions. Both the 2006 amendment and the Trust's legal language interprets funding issues quite broadly; no cloning, no abortion, and no prohibited human research of which stem cells are no longer a part.
That said, the courts won't be taking this up soon, so it's obviously not a remedial question.
Still, given the right-to-life's desire to see stem cell restrictions back on the books, the suit could represent an effort to tie up the issue in court until new legislation or amendments could be passed, or perhaps even get the definition of human cloning back into flux.
Either way, they will continue to chip away at public funding for life sciences research. It's also yet another example for other states to point to when attempting to lure research centers and up-and-coming scientists away from Missouri.
MOHELA is already lurching into Missouri's educational system like Godzilla into a building. Adding to the system's burden by tussling over life science funding while other states are investing millions into expanding their programs only continues to degrade its status.
An additional interesting bit is who else is involved. State Treasurer Sarah Steelman's office was named in the Roundtable's suit and Rep. Bob Onder sits on the board of the Trust.
Onder's involvement may have helped cost him the endorsement of Missouri Right to Life in his bid for the U.S. Congress.
Slay Asks Candidates Where They Stand On Gun ID Tech
From Mayor Slay.com: I recently joined a group of elected officials in supporting national implementation of a microstamping technology that transfers a gun’s unique identification onto its cartridges. When cartridges from such guns are recovered at crime scenes, they can be more easily traced back to the handgun that fired them, through its life, and – sometimes – to the person who fired them.
Firearm violence is a serious problem in Missouri. Is support of microstamping going to be a point of difference among the candidates for the state’s highest offices?
State Rep. Jeff Harris has released another internet ad into what is becoming a fast growing–and fortunately, fast-improving–outlet for Missouri political messages.
Harris again rides the theme of the DINO, a Democrat In Name Only. One of his opponents in the race for the Democratic nomination for the Missouri Attorney General slot, State Senator Chris Koster, has been regularly painted by Harris and their fellow competitor, State Rep. Margaret Donnelly, as an elephant in a donkey suit.
A story by AP writer David Lieb notes that health care issues have 
The acquisition of Anheuser-Busch by InBev this week brought to mind the buyout of another major company that St. Louis embraced as its own, A.G. Edwards.
