Missouri State Senate

Missouri Seersucker Caucus Is Most Powerful, Bipartisan Force At The Capitol (PHOTOS)

Last month, we reported on Missouri State Senator Ryan McKenna's handwritten proposal to ban seersucker suits for anyone over the age of eight. His disdain for the fashion trend -- inspired by a growing love of seersucker at the Missouri State Capitol -- has apparently backfired. Big time. The so- ... More >>

Senator Brian Nieves Writes Insane E-Mails to Constituent Who Doesn't Want His Newsletters

We have to imagine that, as an elected official in Missouri who has experienced some controversy, State Senator Brian Nieves must be used to getting a fair amount of hate mail. And we'd guess that this message he received last Friday is, relatively speaking, pretty mild: "Take me off your mailing ... More >>

Gun Violence: Missouri One of Worst States With High Crime Rates, Weak Laws (REPORT)

Though top Republicans in Missouri are devoting a lot of time and money to protect the privacy of gun owners, a new report says that officials in the state have a much bigger problem they need to address: really high rates of gun violence supported by very weak laws. The Center for American Progre ... More >>

Gun Privacy: Judge Says There's Only "Hearsay Evidence" Missouri is Sending Data to Feds

As we reported earlier this week, Republican legislators have increased pressure on the Department of Revenue to prove that it is not collecting personal information of law-abiding gun owners and sending documents off to the federal government. But a judge has since issued an order in the lawsuit ... More >>

Guns: After Firearm Privacy Lawsuit, Missouri Senate Wants Proof There's No State Conspiracy

Is the Missouri Department of Revenue purposely tracking information about gun owners and sending documents off to the federal government or a private company? That's a question that Republican lawmakers in the state still seem to be asking this week after a resident hoping to get a concealed carry ... More >>

Romney Calls on Akin to Drop Senate Bid, Akin Tells Romney to Mind His Own Damn Business

The Washington Post reports that Mitt Romney has joined the overwhelming chorus of Republicans calling on Todd Akin to drop out of the Senate race today. The Romney campaign reportedly released a statement from the presidential candidate: As I said yesterday, Todd Akin's comments were offensive a ... More >>

Odds Stacked Against Black Candidates, According to Some Operatives

If black candidates do not win these elections, where the odds are stacked against them, St. Louis, a city that is roughly 50 percent African American, will have no black representatives in Congress, the Missouri Senate or in the state House.

Cell Phones To Be Added to Missouri "No Call" List Under Bill Sent to Governor

The Missouri Senate yesterday unanimously passed a bill that would allow residents to add their cell phones to the state's "No Call" list that bars solicitors from calling or texting who don't want contact from vendors.In April the Missouri House passed House Bill 1549 in similar fashion with a 147- ... More >>

Akin, Brunner and Steel Don't Know the Minimum Wage

​Todd Akin, John Brunner and Sarah Steelman, the three Republicans running for the Missouri Senate, all participated in a debate hosted by KMOX. Moderator Charlie Brennan threw 'em all for a loop when he asked them what the federal minimum wage is, and if they would vote to increase it. Brunner ad ... More >>

State Senator Evokes MLK to Defend Rolling Back Discrimination Laws

State Senator Brad Lager​Updated 1:15 p.m. with comments from State Senator Lager. This week Missouri Senate Republicans are pushing a bill that would dull workplace discrimination laws. Most notably, the legislation states that a person who files a discrimination lawsuit against an employer must ... More >>

Missouri Legislature Approves Late-Term Abortion Bill

​Yesterday, the Missouri state legislature gave its final approval to a bill that criminalizes abortions after twenty weeks if it's shown that the fetus is developed enough to survive outside the uterus.If signed into law, the bill would provide stiff penalties for doctors who perform the newly-pr ... More >>

Is Photo ID Amendment Bigoted Enough to Drive Missouri Republicans to the Polls?

It's me, McLovin. Can I vote now, please?​Frankly, we here at Daily RFT are a little disappointed. We'd expected something juicier.Usually when Missouri's Republican-controlled Legislature rolls out a proposed constitutional amendment, it's something outrageously bigoted. Something that they hope ... More >>

Why Not Sell the Naming Rights to the New Mississippi River Bridge?

newriverbridge.orgHere are some ideas: Bud Light Bridge; Monsanto Round-Up Ready Bridge; Go See Ray Bridge ​Yesterday the Missouri Senate killed a bill that would have named the bridge under construction in north St. Louis after two local politicians and -- almost as an afterthought -- everyone wh ... More >>

Meth-Fighting Missouri Pseudoephedrine Ban Could Face Filibuster

Sudafed shouldn't need a 'scrip, says State Senator Rob Schaaf.​In hopes of combating the state's never-ending meth problem, state legislators have been pushing a bill to make cold medicines that include pseudoephedrine available by prescription only.That would include Sudafed, Claritin and a host ... More >>

Missouri Right-To-Work Bill Appears Dead -- For Now

​The Missouri Senate yesterday failed to come to a vote after debating for three hours a bill that would prohibit unions from operating "closed shop" businesses in the state. Supporters of the so-called "right-to-work" initiative -- which bars unions from collecting fees and dues from all employee ... More >>

Right to Work Bill Under Debate in Missouri Today With Scant Media Attention

Image via Show Me ProgressIf you haven't heard (which is likely), Friday's rally drew 4,500 to Kiener Plaza​Correction: This post initially stated that the "right-to-work" bill was part of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce's "Fix the Six" campaign.  It is not. The Missouri Senate today is deba ... More >>

Puppy Mill Repeal: Senate Bill 113 Allows Feces-Filled Water

Jennifer SilverbergA Senate bill would bring major changes to the Humane Society-backed initiative approved by voters in November.​Missouri Senate Bill 113, the effort to undo the voter-approved crackdown on dog breeders, Prop B, is widely expected to pass the Senate today. (It was approved by voi ... More >>

Hearing Today Over Bill to Ban Red-Light Cameras in Missouri

The Missouri Senate committee on Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government is holding a hearing this afternoon on legislation calling for the banning of red-light cameras in Missouri. State senator Jim Lembke (R - St. Louis County) drafted similar legislation last year that failed to become la ... More >>

Missouri Isn't Alone in Desire to Slaughter Horses

​State representative James Viebrock's (R - Battlefield) bill last year to make Missouri the only state in the nation with a horse slaughtering facility never gained much traction. Never the less, in 2009 the Missouri Senate unanimously pass a resolution calling for the resumption of horse slaught ... More >>

Barbara Fraser Gains Seven Votes in Recount, Still 126 Votes Shy of Victory

barbarafraser.com​The results are in from that recount we told you about earlier this month involving the 24th District race for Missouri Senate. On December 2, Democrat Babara Fraser asked for a recount after losing in November to Republican John Lamping by a margin of 0.3 percent (or 133 votes). ... More >>

Recount in Works for Barbara Fraser v. John Lamping for State Senate

barbarafraser.com​Updated below...The Secretary of State's office is conducting an official recount of last month's election for the Missouri Senate -- District 24. Republican John Lamping won the election to represent mid- St. Louis County by just 133 votes out of a total of 61,091 cast. That's a ... More >>

Voting Group Challenges State Senate Election; Wash. U. Students Turned Away at Polls

​Advancement Project, a national voters' rights organization, is asking the St. Louis County Election Board to review the results and circumstances surrounding last week's race for the 24th District of the Missouri State Senate. Republican John Lamping squeaked out a narrow victory over his Democr ... More >>

RFT readers debate the rights of animals, Dumpster divers, pregnant women and mustachioed men

U.S. Senate Election 2010: Roy Blunt Leading Robin Carnahan by 6 Points

Roy Blunt continues to hang on to his lead to be Missouri's next U.S. Senator.​In a race almost certain to attract widespread national attention later this year, Republican Rep. Roy Blunt continues to lead Democrat Robin Carnahan in the Missouri Senate contest, according to the latest Rasmu ... More >>

Hey, Uncle Sam, Missourah Goes All Constitutional On Your Ass!

Image viaSelf-explanatory.​The Missouri House of Representatives today endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment to invoke the 10th Amendment right here in the fine Show-Me State. When it comes to hate crimes, abortion, gun control, same-sex marriage, health-care reform, church 'n state, home-s ... More >>

Crap: Missouri's Next Sustainable Energy Resource?

Image viaCrap: lawmakers are full of it, utility companies want to make good use of it.​The Missouri Senate moved forward with a bill yesterday that would make the methane gas produced by animal waste a part of the state's renewable energy program for utility companies.The proposed law (SB 848) do ... More >>

Senate Bill Would Bar All Missouri Drivers From Texting

Texting while pedaling would still be permitted in Missouri.​The Missouri Senate yesterday unanimously approved a bill that outlaws texting while driving for all motorists in the state. Last summer state legislators approved a similar law that applies only for drivers under the age of 21. The bill ... More >>

Which Mark Twain Quote Best Summarizes Lawmakers' Quest to Rename Highway?

Mark Twain and his jockey enter the on-ramp of I-70, circa 1880.​I'm not sure which of his quotes on foolishness Mark Twain would choose to comment on the recent actions in the Missouri Senate where legislators are attempting to rename a stretch of Interstate 70 through St. Louis. Back in 1999, st ... More >>

Ed Martin's Race to Unseat Russ Carnahan Gains Traction, Attention

edmartinforcongress.com​Got an email the other day from Ed Martin with some "big news" for the Republican candidate for Missouri's 3rd Congressional District (map here). According to a non-partisan report issued last week, Martin is now being pegged as a somewhat legitimate threat to unseat Democr ... More >>

Saint Louis Zoo Will Remain Free for All -- Even "Zoosiers"

Image sourceEven if you're from -- omigod! -- Jefferson County, they'll still let you in. For free.​Mayor Slay just Tweeted earlier this afternoon that the Saint Louis Zoo will remain free for all visitors. "A gift from city and county taxpayers," he writes.Last week the Missouri Senate had voted ... More >>

Ass Clown of the Week: Political Edition

This week's clowns show their stripes.​With a few exceptions, ordinary folks in and around St. Louis refrained from outrageous acts of jackassery this week. Congratulations.Wish we could say the same of our elected officials. When it comes to questionable behavior, Missouri and Illinois politicos ... More >>

Hoosier Watching Could Get a Lot Less Interesting at Saint Louis Zoo

Saint Louis Zoo patron or wild animal?​The next endangered species at the Saint Louis Zoo could be the notorious redneck known as the "zoosier" (zoo hoosier). Why's that? 'Cause the zoo and the city's other free tourist attractions -- the Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum and St. Lou ... More >>

Last Week's Most-Read Posts, August 24-30, 2009

The scandal involving former Missouri State Senator Jeff Smith kept readers' attention all last week. Here's a rundown of the most-clicked-on headlines, August 24-30, here at the Daily RFT.America F*** Yeah: Chesterfield Hummer Dealership Also Sells Assault Rifles  The Postcards That Brought Do ... More >>

Jeff Smith's Resignation Letter

Note: Below is the unedited letter Jeff Smith sent out to supporters following his guilty pleas Tuesday to two charges of obstructing a federal investigation. ​Dear Friend, Today, with great sadness and regret, I am resigning from the Missouri Senate. ... More >>

Jeff Smith Resigns Missouri Senate, Pleads Guilty to Two Felonies

Jeff Smith​Jeff Smith pleaded guilty today to two counts of obstructing justice. The first stems from an initial investigation into his failed 2004 campaign for U.S. Congress. The second charge comes from a follow-up investigation into his 2004 campaign conducted this year. According to a breaking ... More >>

Woodstock (or Altamont) in the Ozarks -- The 35th Anniversary

ozarkmusicfestivalexhibit.comThe Ozark Music Festival kicked off 35 years ago last Saturday, July 18, at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia. Concert promoters had assured Sedalians that they would be hosting a "soft rock" festival with 50,000 spectators.Instead, 160,000 people (and that's a c ... More >>

Butt Heads: At the State Capitol, a Different Set of Smoking Rules Applies

Butt Heads: Want to know where our public officials stand on smoking bans? OK, we'll ask 'em!

Readers put out a call for more warrior-like bishops and considerate treatment of little people, Soulard residents

Bill to Ban Red-Light Cameras Crashes in Committee

Derek JensenLegislators on Missouri's Senate Transportation Committee rejected yesterday a senate bill that would ban red-light cameras in the state. Sen. Jim Lembke, a Republican representing parts of St. Louis city and county, first proposed the bill in January. Last week the bill got a speedy hea ... More >>

Noodlers Fish For Change in Jefferson City

Jennifer SilverbergHarold Ramsey with a whopper.Harold Ramsey and other supporters of hand fishing (a.k.a. noodling) spoke before the Missouri Senate Agriculture committee yesterday, according to the Post-Dispatch.Ramsey, his fisherman friend Gary Webb and other members of Noodlers Anonymous were fe ... More >>

"I Want That School:" Charter schools long to find a home in dormant St. Louis classrooms

St. Louis Public Schools' 100-Year Deed Restriction Bans Charter Schools From Setting Up Shop in the City's Abandoned Classrooms

Rhonda Broussard went out shopping in late 2007 for a building to house the St. Louis Language Immersion Schools, a set of French- and Spanish-speaking public charter schools she plans to open this fall. Broussard pulled up in front of the old Hodgen Elementary School, a brick Italianate structure i ... More >>

Letters

Week of July 13, 2005

The Hair, A Parent

Want a Brazilian wax for bikini weather? Not so fast, kiddo.

Choke the Chicken

Adult businesses fear the "Smut Shop" bill will tax them into oblivion

Critter Lovers

State lawmakers just can't say no

News Real

A Dangerous Call to Arms

Proposition B blows away common sense, but that won't stop the NRA

News Real