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Eckersley Sues Governor, Claims Blunt's Aides Ordered Emails Destroyed

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, January 09, 2008 at 7:26 PM

From the Post-Dispatch:
Scott Eckersley, a lawyer fired from Gov. Matt Blunt's office, filed a suit today that accuses several top Blunt aides of ordering the illegal destruction of state e-mails to prevent potentially damaging messages from being turned over to reporters.

The suit contends that Eckersley was fired for repeatedly pressing Blunt aides with warnings that such orders violated state record-retention and open-records laws. Eckersley's firing violated state law protecting whistle-blowers, according to the lawsuit.

Filed in Jackson County Circuit Court, the suit names Blunt, three former or current top aides and the deputy Office of Administration commissioner, Richard AuBuchon.
All the defendants named in the suit:
  • Governor Matt Blunt
  • Ed Martin, Blunt's former chief of staff
  • Henry Herschel, Blunt's former general counsel
  • Rich Chrismer, Blunt's communications director
  • Richard AuBuchon, deputy Office of Administration commissioner

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Blunt Grants Christmas Pardons

By Antonio D. French

Filed Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 11:50 PM

Gov. Matt Blunt gave the kind of Christmas gift Sunday that only a governor can give.

Blunt announced his decision to pardon Alicia Allison-Brown, Jesse Barnes, James Birdwell, Sr., Craig Johnson, Robert Jordan and Carl Smart, who all were convicted of non-violent offenses years ago and have since, according to Blunt, become and remained law-abiding citizens.

None of the people pardoned were currently in prison and several of them committed their crimes decades ago and were only sentenced to probation, which they have long ago completed.

More from the governor's office on the people who were pardoned:
In 1990, at the age of 23, Alicia Allison-Brown was convicted of stealing. She was sentenced to four years probation and 120-day shock incarceration. Ms. Brown applied for pardon in 2005. Ms. Allison-Brown is married with one child. She is a member of FEMA Missouri Task Force I, serving as a Canine Search Specialist and trained in Tech Rescue

In 1961, at the age of 24, Jesse Barnes was convicted of 2nd degree arson. He was sentenced to three years in prison and paroled after serving five months. He successfully completed his parole. Mr. Barnes applied for pardon in 2006. Mr. Barnes is a self-employed and professional painter. He has been married for 40 years and has three children as well as grandchildren.

In 1963, at the age of 20, James Birdwell, Sr., was convicted of malicious destruction of property. He received a one year suspended sentence and two years of probation. Mr. Birdwell applied for pardon in 2003. Mr. Birdwell has owned a small construction business for nine years and previously worked for the Kansas City Star for more than 10 years. He has been married for 45 years and has five children and 17 grandchildren

In 1985, at the age of 19, Craig Johnson was convicted of the crime of stealing. He was sentenced to three years probation. Mr. Johnson applied for pardon in 2004. Mr. Johnson is a minister and chaplain in the U.S. Army where he has achieved the rank of Captain. He served in the first Gulf War where he received numerous decorations and awards.

In 1990, at the age of 21, Robert Jordan was convicted of the crime of stealing. He was sentenced to two years probation. Mr. Jordan applied for pardon in 2003. Mr. Jordan and his wife have three children and serve their community as Emergency Medical Technicians.

In 1980, at the age of 28, Carl Smart was convicted of 2nd degree arson and deceitful stealing. He was sentenced to five years probation, which he completed successfully. Mr. Smart applied for a pardon in 2004. Mr. Smart is a Navy veteran and has worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years. He is married with three children and one grandchild.
"Ms. Allison-Brown, Mr. Barnes, Mr. Birdwell, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jordan and Mr. Smart have paid for their mistakes," said Gov. Blunt. "It is my hope and belief that they will continue to be productive citizens."

Missouri’s Probation and Parole Board unanimously recommended that a pardon be issued in all cases. Local law enforcement were not opposed to the four receiving a pardon. In addition each person receiving a pardon has support from their local community, including elected officials, religious leaders, community leaders or neighbors.

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Dems Launch Blunt Video Game

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 7:45 PM



UPDATE: The Missouri Republican Party's response to the Dems new video game:
"While Democrats prefer to spend their time and donor resources on frivolous pursuits in a make-believe world, Governor Blunt and Republicans are focused on real world concerns like improving the quality of life for all Missourians, which is certainly no game.

"Missourians want grownups running the state, not children, which is why Republicans continue to be so successful and Democrats continue to play political games instead of offering solutions."

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Trish Vincent New Chief of Staff

By Antonio D. French

After the resignation of Ed Martin, Governor Matt Blunt today announced that he has selected Patricia "Trish" Vincent to serve as his new Chief of Staff.

The press release:
“Trish is a competent administrator and a dedicated public servant,” Blunt said. “She has tremendous experience and she knows how to lead and manage people. In her new role as Chief of Staff, Trish will be charged with managing my office, staff and cabinet and helping me move Missouri forward. Specifically, I am directing Trish to continue moving us forward on my priorities for education, job creation, implementing my plan to cover Missouri’s uninsured, fighting illegal immigration to make up for Washington’s failure to act and making state government even more efficient and accountable to taxpayers.”

Vincent, 53 of Jefferson City, currently serves in Gov. Blunt’s Cabinet as the Director of the Department of Revenue where she has served since the beginning of the governor’s administration. As director, Vincent answered the governor’s call to make state government do more with less, to produce savings for taxpayers, all while improving customer service for Missourians.

As director, Vincent managed and oversaw the department’s budget and employees. Vincent also worked closely with the General Assembly in representation of the department’s budget and to advocate for legislative changes.

Under her leadership the Department of Revenue collected over $30 million in unpaid taxes to the state with the department’s new tax compliance data warehouse. Vincent helped improve customer service by extending regular business hours at the agency for Missouri customers. The new Internet site she worked to implement, www.whoisnotpaying.mo.gov, is holding accountable businesses that are behind in sales and withholding taxes. And Missourians are saving over $1 million annually in postage and printing for driver’s license renewals and motor vehicle registrations.

Prior to her service in the governor’s Cabinet, Vincent served as Deputy Secretary of State for business services when the governor served as Secretary of State. As deputy secretary of state Vincent managed the Business Services Department, which includes three Divisions: Corporations, Uniform Commercial Code and Commissions, and
Branch Offices for Corporations located in St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield.

In the Secretary of State’s office, she implemented several new technological improvements, including allowing Missouri’s entrepreneurs and employers to conduct business with the office online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Vincent also served as the In-State Director and District Office Director for former United States Senator John Ashcroft.

“It has been an honor serving in Governor Blunt’s Cabinet and I am excited about taking on this new challenge as his Chief of Staff,” Vincent said. “Governor Blunt has turned the state’s economy around with pro-growth, pro-jobs initiatives that have helped turn the $1.1 billion deficit he inherited into two surpluses in a row. He has kept his promise to increase funding for education every year he has served as governor. He rescued the state’s health care system for the poor. And he cut taxes for Missourians. Governor Blunt has the right vision for our state and I am looking forward to this opportunity to serve and help him make Missouri an even better place to live, work and
raise a family.”

Vincent commended the work of outgoing Chief of Staff Ed Martin who helped the governor achieve his priorities for education, health care and tax cuts during the last legislative session, helped enact an important job-creation bill and transportation infrastructure legislation during the special session and helped implement the governor’s directives to fight illegal immigration in Missouri. Martin will assist Vincent during the transition.

Vincent will begin her new duties immediately. Trish and her husband Larry live in Jefferson City and have two daughters.

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Ed Martin Out as Chief of Staff

By Antonio D. French

From Jason Rosenbaum at the Columbia Tribune:
Ed Martin, who served as Gov. Matt Blunt's chief of staff, has resigned.

The governor announced this afternoon that Martin, a St. Louis resident, had stepped down from the position to "spend more time with his family." He was a key player in the controversy over the administration's retention of e-mails.

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Blunt to Start Saving E-mails [Updated]

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 8:49 AM

BREAKING NEWS — READ IT HERE FIRST

Caving to mounting public criticism and still-possible legal ramifications, Gov. Matt Blunt today directed his administration to create a permanent e-mail retention system. Blunt says by doing so he is "setting a higher standard in state government and going well beyond present legal requirements."

The governor said he will act to ensure that anyone using a .gov ("dot gov") e-mail address complies with the higher standard, including all statewide officials.
“I take great pride in my administration’s commitment to being good stewards of taxpayer dollars and commitment to accountable and transparent government. Our state has an open records law and we have followed it. But there is confusion in state government about e-mail retention. For example, some state officials who claim to retain all emails in fact do not. That confusion is not acceptable to me. I am directing the Office of Administration to develop a system allowing for the permanent retention of every e-mail throughout all of state government. I expect all elected officials to cooperate with the Office of Administration in establishing this new and higher standard of openness.

“Because retention will be automatic and permanent, state employees will be released from making case-by-case decisions on what to save. All state e-mails will be retained and be open to the public for its inspection, subject only to the limited and well-defined exceptions where legal and privacy concerns apply.

“This standard will prevent what has happened in Attorney General Nixon’s office, where the spokesperson said that e-mails are routinely deleted, and e-mail record requests to the Attorney General’s Chief of Staff are returned with very significant gaps in time.

“I expect every statewide official, members of the legislature, independent agencies, the judicial branch and anyone using a state government e-mail account to retain every e-mail they send and receive. Transparency and accountability should be bipartisan values.”
Governor Blunt has directed the Office of Administration to develop the computer and technical systems required for permanent maintenance of every state government e-mail. He says he expects their plan as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the year.

UPDATE @ 10:36 AM: As expected, Missouri Democrats are unimpressed by Blunt's new appreciation for the importance of government e-mails.

"Missouri law already states clearly that e-mails are public records and must be retained. Matt Blunt is in this mess not because the law isn’t clear, but because he clearly isn’t following the law," said Jack Cardetti, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman. "It’s a sad day when the only person in state government that refuses to acknowledge this law exists is Gov. Blunt."

"The other troubling part of the governor’s announcement is that it only regulates government email addresses," said Cardetti. "The governor's office has admitted that Gov. Blunt and his senior staff use political email addresses to discuss state business, thereby, evading the sunshine and record retention law. It would appear that the governor’s new retention system applies to everyone in state government except for his office."

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VIDEO: Blunt Questioned on E-mails

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, November 01, 2007 at 4:56 PM

Gov. Matt Blunt was questioned today in St. Louis about his administration's regular destruction of government e-mails, which appear to in fact be public records, and the firing of one of his attorneys who apparently questioned the legality of the policy.



Video provided by the Missouri Democratic Party.


Related Video:

VIDEO: Nixon: Blunt is Breaking the Law

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VIDEO: Blunt on Sullivan, SLPS

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 8:27 AM


Nixon: Blunt's Office Breaking the Law

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 3:10 PM

Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon, the likely Democratic nominee for governor in 2008, today said that Governor Matt Blunt's office appears to be breaking the law by destroying their email records.

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Blunt Nominates Davis, Chapel

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 12:25 PM

On Wednesday Gov. Matt Blunt approved the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission’s nomination of Omar Davis to serve as the new director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Davis, of Jefferson City, is the director of Legal Services Division and general counsel for the Department of Revenue. Davis previously served as Deputy General Counsel in the governor's office and Securities Enforcement Council for Blunt when he was Secretary of State.

Davis, 32, holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Kansas State University and a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri School of Law.

Davis’ appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

Yesterday Blunt also nominated Rod Chapel, the current director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations whom Davis will replace, to a six-year term on the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission.

Prior to his role as the head of the DLIR, Chapel worked as the Legal Services Division Director and general counsel for the Department of Revenue.

Chapel, 37, previously served as an associate in the Sly James Law Firm. Mr. Chapel holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Oklahoma State University, a juris doctorate from Tulane Law School and a master of laws in taxation from Washington University School of Law.

Chapel will replace Terry Jarrett. His nomination is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending September 12, 2013.

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VIDEO: Missouri, St. Louis Become ONE

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, September 10, 2007 at 6:01 AM

Last week, Governor Matt Blunt and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay joined to declare Missouri a State of ONE to help raise awareness about global disease and poverty with the ONE Campaign, a non-partisan national program dedicated to the cause.

Here is the raw video of the announcement:

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VIDEO: Matt Blunt on Lou Dobbs

By Antonio D. French

Filed Sunday, September 09, 2007 at 10:42 AM

Governor Matt Blunt was on CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight" last week to discuss his new order that everyone pulled over by the Highway Patrol must have their immigration status checked.

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis warned that the executive order could lead to more racial profiling. Jorge Riopedre, the group's secretary and legislative affairs chairman, told the Post-Dispatch that law enforcement agencies may single out "Hispanic-looking'' people, and take them directly to an immigration judge. He predicted that legal immigrants or citizens could find themselves unfairly forced to prove their status.

"This is not about illegal immigration. It's about due process,'' Riopedre told the Post.

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Blunt 'Hopeful' of Senate Support

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, September 06, 2007 at 12:36 PM

PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE



At an unrelated press conference this morning, PubDef reporter Gabe Bullard asked Governor Matt Blunt about the status of his two controversial education appointees, Rick Sullivan and Derio Gambaro. The governor said he remains hopeful that Democratic Senators Jeff Smith (Gambaro's senator) and Joan Bray (Sullivan's senator) will come around and support the men.

Previous Stories:

Advice and Consent: When and Why Not?

SLPS: Our Czar Still Reigns

LETTER: Sullivan, Gambaro Withdrawn

BLUNT WITHDRAWS SULLIVAN, GAMBARO

Will Blunt Withdraw Sullivan? Gambaro Too?

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Advice and Consent: When and Why Not?

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, September 05, 2007 at 8:51 AM

There is a bit of Constitutional confusion in Jefferson City today.

As readers of PubDef had expected for weeks (and readers of the Post just found out today), Governor Matt Blunt withdrew the names of two of his controversial education appointees during last week's special session of the State Legislature. Both State Board of Education appointee Derio Gambaro and St. Louis Public Schools CEO Rick Sullivan were withdrawn from Senate confirmation because of lack of support from their home senators — a customary requirement for successful confirmation.



PubDef has reported than both men are expected to be resubmitted to the Senate soon and would remain in power until at least January, when the Senate reconvenes and again takes up gubernatorial appointments. However, the Governor's office believes it is not necessary to resubmit their names to the senate before next year.

According to a source close to the situation, the Governor believes that simply having the nominees on file with the Secretary of State's office is sufficient enough for the two men to continue to serve on a interim basis. The well-placed source says the Governor is considering not resubmitting the names to the senate until next year.

However, the Missouri Constitution clearly states, in the case of Gambaro, that appointments to the Board of Education must be made with the "advice and consent of the Senate." The law creating Sullivan's positions says the same thing. And apparently, the Senate's Republican leadership agrees.



State Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons (R-Kirkwood) told the Post-Dispatch the decision to pull the names was mutual to avoid a Senate vote. He also said he agrees with Blunt's staff that Sullivan and Gambaro still hold their posts for now. But Gibbons also said he believes the state constitution requires that the governor renew their interim appointments by September 19 if he wants them to stay on until the Senate reconvenes in January.

If these men serve for three months without being submitted to the Senate, it may put every action, vote and decision under close legal scrutiny. And in the case of Sullivan, who serves on a three-person board, if any important decisions are made by a vote of 2-1, a judge may later rule the vote was in fact 1-1 since Sullivan could not legally cast a vote — especially if he is ultimately not confirmed by the Senate.

Developing...

Previous Stories:


SLPS: Our Czar Still Reigns

LETTER: Sullivan, Gambaro Withdrawn

BLUNT WITHDRAWS SULLIVAN, GAMBARO

Will Blunt Withdraw Sullivan? Gambaro Too?

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Blunt Signs Eco-Devo Bill into Law

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, September 04, 2007 at 10:41 PM

Governor Matt Blunt today signed the Distressed Areas Land Assemblage Tax Credit Act into law as part of his larger economic development package.

Other provisions of the new law include expanding the Quality Jobs Tax Credit for businesses that add jobs with above average wages and health benefits, expanding tax credits for filmmakers, and legalizing ticket scalping in Missouri.

Click here
to download House Bill 1.

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LETTER: Sullivan, Gambaro Withdrawn

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 3:55 PM

PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE

In the following two-page letter from Governor Matt Blunt to the Missouri Senate, the names of 10 different appointees were pulled from consideration. According to sources, only two (SLPS CEO Rick Sullivan and State Board of Education appointee Derio Gambaro) were pulled because of controversy. The others, including Harris-Stowe University regent Wayman Smith, were pulled because they were unable to make the Senate hearing or some other minor reason.



Click image to enlarge

Blunt will likely re-appoint most, if not all, of the people on this list following the end of this special session of the Missouri Legislature. The Senate would then take up these appointments again during their regular session next year.

However, it is still not known whether Sullivan or Gambaro's senators (Jeff Smith and Joan Bray, respectively) will be willing to support their appointments next session either.

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BLUNT WITHDRAWS SULLIVAN, GAMBARO

By Antonio D. French

Governor Matt Blunt’s office officially withdrew his nomination of Rick Sullivan as CEO of St. Louis Public Schools yesterday after Sullivan’s State Senator, Joan Bray, refused to sponsor his appointment.

Blunt also withdrew the name of his latest appointment to the Missouri Board of Education, former State Representative Derio Gambaro, after State Senator Jeff Smith also refused to support his appointment at this time.

Both Sullivan and Gambarro were recess appointments. After the governor’s withdrawal this week, he will likely reappoint them after the conclusion of this week’s special legislative session. The senate would then take up their nominations again next year.

In other St. Louis Public Schools news... Superintendent Diana Bourisaw was in Jefferson City yesterday meeting with lawmakers and touting the good things going on in the district.

Earlier Story
:

Will Blunt Withdraw Sullivan, Gambaro?

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Supreme Court Questionnaires Online

By Gabe Bullard

Filed Friday, August 24, 2007 at 11:57 AM

In Missouri, the governor selects a judge to serve on the Supreme Court from a panel of three candidates submitted by the Appellate Judicial Commission. The Appellate Judicial Commission is made up of the presiding chief justice, three lawyers chosen by the Missouri Bar and three people appointed by governors.

Before they make the cut, the Supreme Court candidates are asked to complete a questionnaire. Governor Matt Blunt's office has posted their responses on the Governor's website. Click here to read them.

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Will Blunt Withdraw Sullivan? [Updated: Gambaro Too?]

By Antonio D. French

Filed Sunday, August 19, 2007 at 8:57 AM

The term of St. Louis Public Schools' chief executive officer may be even shorter than many predicted.

Governor Matt Blunt's appointment to the Special Administrative Board of the city schools, Rick Sullivan, has yet to be confirmed by the State Senate, and is unlikely to be unless his senator, Joan Bray, sponsors him.

Blunt appointed Sullivan after the legislature ended its last session. As a recess appointment, Sullivan would normally not have to be confirmed until the senate came back in January.

But as the state legislature reconvenes this week, there is growing speculation that Blunt will withdraw Sullivan from the CEO post to avoid his senate rejection and reappoint him again after the special session.

UPDATE:  According to Senate Minority Leader Maida Coleman, unlike a veto session, during a special session of the Legislature, the senate carries on with all its normal business, including confirmation of appointments.

The senate is scheduled to take up the confirmation of roughly 45 gubernatorial appointments during this short session. Unless they are withdrawn, that would include Sullivan and Board of Education appointee, Derio Gambaro — both of whom, at this point, do not have the support of their home senators.

The Governor's office has until the last 24 hours of session to withdraw their nominations. He then can renominate them 24 hours after the Legislature adjourns.

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Blunt Officially Calls Special Session

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 7:03 PM

Governor Matt Blunt today officially called a special session of the Missouri General Assembly beginning August 20, 2007.

From the press release:
"I want to thank the leaders of the General Assembly for their great spirit of cooperation that I believe will ultimately lead to the passage of these important priorities for Missouri’s transportation infrastructure and Missouri jobs," Blunt said.

Blunt is asking state lawmakers to fast track the Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Program to repair or replace more than 800 Missouri bridges and enact an economic development package which includes an expansion of the governor’s successful Quality Jobs Act.

Blunt announced his intention to call the legislature into special session after vetoing House Bill 327 and reaching a consensus to pass a more restrained bill that would expand the Quality Jobs programs.
One of the most controversial parts of HB 327 was a $100 million Land Assemblage Tax Credit which, as far as anyone could tell, only one man, "Blairmont" developer Paul McKee, qualified for.



Meanwhile, Democrats are calling Blunt's special session a gift to special interests and his lobbyist brother.

From the Missouri Democratic Party:

Gov. Matt Blunt today called the Missouri Legislature into a special session to work on $70 million worth of special interest giveaways, including a law allowing ticket scalping that will directly benefit his lobbyist brother, Andy Blunt, whose client Ticketmaster wants to resell tickets on the Internet.

While Blunt’s call for a special session won't include tax relief for average Missouri families, it does include a controversial tax break for a wealthy St. Louis developer to buy private land in St. Louis.

"Matt Blunt has made a mockery of this special session by insisting that the needs of his brother’s lobbying clients get put ahead of the economic interests of our state," said Jack Cardetti, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman. "Instead of wasting taxpayer money on a special session for special interests, Matt Blunt should put Missouri’s working families first for a change."

This will be the second time in three years that Gov. Blunt has had to call legislators into a special session to fix mistakes made just months before by him and the Republican majorities in the House and Senate.

According compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Missouri’s economy is lagging behind the rest of the country. BLS reports that:
  • Missouri’s unemployment rate, 4.8%, is above the national average.
  • From May to June (the latest BLS report) Missouri lost 6,600 jobs, the most of any state except Maryland.
  • Over the past year, Missouri’s job growth is the 16th worst in the country. (June 2006-June 2007, 0.94%)
  • Since Gov. Blunt took office, Missouri has the 22nd worst job growth rate. If Missouri’s economy had grown at the country’s mean growth rate under the Blunt administration, 26,750 more Missourians would have jobs today.
According to estimates from 2005, the special session will cost approximately $100,000 per week.

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Blunt Pats "Cool Down" on the Back

By Antonio D. French

Governor Matt Blunt was in north St. Louis yesterday — not to tour the so-called Blairmont properties (although he did witness firsthand the blight and crumbling buildings of the third ward), but for a press event recognizing the efforts of Cool Down St. Louis, an organization that gives air conditioners to those in need.

With temperatures above 105 degrees and surrounded by the stark signs of urban decay — boarded up buildings, piles of bricks, homes with fallen porches — the Governor's people and representatives of Cool Down arrived to the 4300 block of Linton Avenue in the comfort of air conditioned cars. A Mercedes and Lexus stood out in their the impoverished surroundings.

Cool Down President Kevin McGowan (who arrived in the passenger seat of a Porsche) joined Blunt, Police Chief Joe Mokwa, Fire Chief Sherman George, and Alderman Marlene Davis for the photo opp on the city's hottest day of the year. The group knocked on three pre-screened doors and offered residents free air conditioners before taking the podium to congratulate each other for a job well done.



Learn more about Cool Down St. Louis by visiting their website.

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Flashback: Gambaro on Blunt

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, August 07, 2007 at 9:26 PM

Cleaning out the old digital closet, we ran across this nugget of irony.

In July 2006, when he was running for state senate, Derio Gambaro sent this mailer to St. Louis voters saying he was the "best person to stop Governor [Matt] Blunt's agenda."



As we all know, in June 2007 Governor Blunt appointed Gambaro to the State Board of Education...

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Court Candidates Docs Missing?

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 3:54 PM

From the Governor's office...

Gov. Matt Blunt's office today raised questions about information in the Supreme Court Candidates’ applications that was withheld by the Appellate Judicial Commission. The commission asserted Friday the applications they delivered to the governor's office were complete, but a review found that documents were missing or removed from the original applications submitted by the candidates.

The missing documents include one candidate’s statement of judicial philosophy, another candidate’s list of cases as required by the commission and background check authorizations for all three candidates.

"Upon review, we found that the three Supreme Court candidate's application materials you sent to our office last Thursday were incomplete," said the Governor’s Chief Counsel Henry Herschel in a letter to Judge Laura Denvir Stith, the chair of the Judicial Appellate Commission.

After initial research that included a request from each candidate for copies of their original application, it became clear that the commission removed or withheld pertinent information from the applications provided to the governor.

Missing documents include:
  • one candidate’s list of cases tried
  • one candidate’s statements of judicial philosophy
  • background check authorization forms for all three candidates
The commission asked each applicant twenty-five questions including a request for a list of ten legal cases they have tried. The materials sent to the governor's office did not include an answer to this question by one of the candidates. After contacting the candidate, the governor's office was provided with a two page addendum that had been provided to the commission but was missing from the application. This addendum listed only four cases that had been tried by this candidate.

Additionally, one of the candidate's statements of judicial philosophy, provided to the Appellate Commission as an addendum, was omitted. This was particularly enlightening as it addressed head on the question of judicial philosophy by one of the candidates.

The applications from the commission also failed to include the signed permission waivers for background checks and the background checks themselves. It is not known whether the commission ran background checks on the candidates or why copies of the authorization forms were removed from the application files.

The governor's office previously requested all available information from the Appellate Judicial Commission and has expanded that request to include information about why relevant material was excluded from the provided materials. The request is part of the exhaustive interview process in motion to help Gov. Matt Blunt determine who of the three candidates will serve as Missouri’s next Supreme Court Judge.

In Missouri, the governor does not appoint a judge to the Supreme Court from citizens at large. Instead an Appellate Judicial Commission, made up of the presiding chief justice, three lawyers chosen by the Missouri Bar and three people appointed by governors, selects a panel of three candidates. Gov. Blunt has appointed only one of the three commissioners, and the others were appointed by former Gov. Bob Holden. The governor has 60 days to appoint one of the three nominated candidates to the Supreme Court.

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Three Choices for Supreme Court

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 4:46 PM

Governor Matt Blunt will soon choose from among three members of the Missouri Court of Appeals for his first appointment to the Missouri Supreme Court.

The Appellate Judicial Commission selected the finalists from among 30 applicants to replace Ronnie White, who recently resigned from the court to go into private practice.

The finalists are Judge Nannette Baker of the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District and Western District Judges Patricia Breckenridge and Ronald Holliger. Baker and Holliger were both appointed to their current posts by Democratic governors while Breckenridge is a Republican appointee.

White was the first and only black member of the state high court. Baker is the lone African-American among the finalists. Blunt has 60 days to make his selection. If he fails to do so, the commission will make the appointment.

UPDATE: Blunt's office today requested information on all the applicants. Here's the press release...

Gov. Matt Blunt’s office today requested any transcripts, notes and information gathered by the Appellate Judicial Commission as they narrowed a field of 30 applicants to a three member panel. The request is part of the exhaustive process in motion to learn more about and evaluate the legal work of the three names submitted to the governor as candidates for the Missouri Supreme Court.

“As you might imagine, details from these interviews will be very helpful to our office as we begin our own exhaustive interview process,” wrote Henry Herschel, General Counsel for the governor in a letter. “I am sure you will agree that any interview transcripts, audio recordings, notes, format, length and any additional information from these interviews will be helpful to us as the governor prepares to make this important decision.”

The office has requested:
  • Any transcripts and/or audio recordings and notes from every interview with every applicant
  • Information on meeting and interview times, locations and length
  • Details of notice provided regarding all commission meetings and interviews
  • Insight into the questions presented to the applicants including whether they were standardized and what questions were included or given priority
The governor’s office acknowledged receipt of the applications submitted by the three candidates, but noted it did not include this information. Once the governor’s office receives the documents, they will compile this information with all available records, research and communications to aide the governor in making his final decision.

In Missouri, the governor does not appoint a judge to the Supreme Court from citizens at large. Instead an Appellate Judicial Commission, made up of the presiding chief justice, three lawyers chosen by the Missouri Bar and three people appointed by governors, selects a panel of three candidates. Gov. Blunt has appointed only one of the three commissioners, and the others were appointed by former Gov. Bob Holden. The governor has 60 days to evaluate the three nominated candidates to the Supreme Court.

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Anderson to Arts Council

By Gabe Bullard

Filed Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 1:03 PM

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has appointed Dr. Reynaldo S. Anderson to the Missouri State Council on the Arts.

Anderson, 42, has been active in the military as well as in political and church organizations. He is currently an assistant professor of education at Harris-Stowe University.

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When Aides Attack

By Gabe Bullard

The New York Times reported yesterday that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s aides used the State Police to gather information about State Senate Majority Leader – and Spitzer’s top rival – Joseph L. Bruno. The aides were planning on using the information to attack Bruno politically.

Spitzer has suspended his communications director Darren Dopp without pay for his role in the affair.

This account of governor’s aides using state law enforcement for political means might ring a bell for Missourians. Last week, the Kansas City Star reported that Governor Matt Blunt’s aides used the Missouri Highway Patrol to attack State Attorney General Jay Nixon. So far, Blunt has not taken any action regarding the case.

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K.C. Star: Blunt's Staff Pressured Highway Patrol to Criticize Nixon

By Gabe Bullard

Filed Saturday, July 21, 2007 at 4:01 PM

A report by the The Kansas City Star uncovered that aides to Governor Matt Blunt urged the Missouri Highway Patrol to publicly criticize Attorney General Jay Nixon, a potential Democratic challenger in the 2008 election.

In e-mails obtained by the Star, sent from Blunt's office to the Highway Patrol, reveal that the Governor's office was instrumental in putting together a June 7 Highway Patrol statement that critized Nixon over how he handled the 2005 Taum Sauk reservoir collapse.

"The e-mails show the governor used the Highway Patrol not as a law enforcement agency but as a political arm of his administration," said Jack Cardetti, a spokesman for the Missouri Democratic Party.

Blunt's office says they were not trying to use the Highway Patrol for political gain. Instead, they say they were helping members of the department voice their frustrations with the Attorney General for not filing criminal charges in the Taum Sauk case.

But as The Star points out, the Governor's staff did not send any e-mails urging the Highway Patrol to attack Nixon until after two Patrol spokesmen agreed with Nixon's statement.

The Republican Party was already critical of Nixon's involvement in the case, citing a campaign donation by Ameren as reason for bias. Nixon has since returned the contribution.

The Attorney General's office is now pursuing a civil case against Ameren. The Environmental Protection Agency is also looking into the case.

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First Black Conservation Commissioner

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 9:48 AM

At an event yesterday in O'Fallon Park in north St. Louis, Gov. Matt Blunt announced the appointment of Don R. Johnson to the Conservation Commission. Johnson is the first African American to hold the position.



State Senators Maida Coleman (D-St. Louis City) and Michael Gibbons (R-Kirkwood) were also at the event.

Video shot by intern Gabe Bullard

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Dems: Blunt Profits from Selling Gov't

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 7:12 AM

Press release from the Missouri Democratic Party...

Blunt’s 2nd Quarter Finance Plan: Sell State Government for $478,250 in Campaign Contributions

Jefferson City, MO --- Less than a year after getting rid of campaign contribution limits in Missouri, Gov. Blunt’s fundraising strategy is becoming crystal clear: sell off state government piece by piece in exchange for unlimited campaign contributions.

This quarter alone, Gov. Blunt raked in $478,250 in contributions from appointees to state boards and commissions; fee office operators or their families; companies with state government contracts; and even the railroad company to which he gave rights to the Boonville Bridge. A glance at Blunt’s quarterly report reads a little like the old American Express commercials:

Selling Booneville Bridge Rights to Union Pacific: $25,000 (in campaign contributions)

Selling Appointments to Boards and Commissions: $130,500

Selling lucrative fee offices: $80,250

Selling state government contracts: $242,500

Total sale of state government to campaign donors in 2nd quarter alone: $478,250

Selling your integrity: Priceless.

"In his zest to fill his campaign coffers, Matt Blunt has continued to sell state government to special interests and wealthy corporations at the expense of Missouri families," said Jack Cardetti, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman. "Missourians deserve a governor who will restore integrity to state government by focusing on health care and college affordability, instead of auctioning off state government to the highest campaign contributor."

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Blunt Hires Slay's Other PR Man

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 9:29 AM

From Deb Peterson's column today...

Our town's Gentry Trotter has worn many hats in his day, but this may be the first time he's worked for a Republican Missouri governor. Trotter, known mostly for his pr mavenry, has been named special assistant to Ed Martin, Gov. Matt Blunt's chief of staff, and communications advisor to the Governor's office.

Trotter is expected to provide statewide counsel in the area of media relations and community outreach. He will also advise the administration about utilities, economic development, consumer issues and boards and commissions. Trotter does some similar tasks with Democratic St. Louis Mayor
Francis Slay.

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Republicans vs. Sex (Again)

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, July 09, 2007 at 5:24 PM

A new law signed Friday by Governor Matt Blunt encourages abstinence-only education in Missouri's public schools and bars some experts from teaching classes on sex or STDs.

House Bill 1055
adds to the existing law, which states all sex education courses must present students with "the latest medically factual information regarding both the possible side effects and health benefits of all forms of contraception, including the success and failure rates for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases..."

The new law adds: "...or shall present students with information on contraceptives and pregnancy in a manner consistent with the provisions of the federal abstinence education law".



In addition, the new law restricts agents of abortion providers (read: Planned Parenthood) from offering, sponsoring, or furnishing in any manner any course materials or instruction relating to human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases.

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Blunt Appoints Wimes to Bench

By Antonio D. French

Press Release from Gov. Matt Blunt's office...

Gov. Matt Blunt today appointed Jackson County Drug Court Commissioner Brian Curtis Wimes to Circuit Judge of the 16th Circuit - Division 18 to replace Judge Jon Gray, who retired.

Judge Gray was appointed by then-Gov. John Ashcroft to circuit judge in 1986 and was the first African American to serve the 16th Circuit. Wimes is also African American.

"We must work to ensure that all Missourians are represented in their government and that in all cases qualified Missourians are elevated to service," Blunt said. "Brian Wimes’ experience overseeing the county’s drug court and his dedication to public service and the law of our state will be invaluable as he assumes this new role. Missourians can be proud he has agreed to serve in this capacity."

Mr. Wimes, 41 of Kansas City, has served as Jackson County Drug Court Commissioner for more than five years. He previously worked in the Jackson County prosecutor’s office, where he was named Rookie Prosecutor of the Year and received national honors. He also worked for the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons, Litigation Branch. Mr. Wimes earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Kansas and a law degree from Texas Southern University.

Mr. Wimes is an active community participant. In 2002, he was honored as a member of Ingram’s Magazine’s “40 under Forty”. He is a member of St. Monica’s Catholic Church, on the board of directors for the Hope House Domestic Violence Shelter and has participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Mr. Wimes was one of three candidates for the circuit judge position sent to Blunt by the 16th Judicial Commission, which accepts applications and selects candidates to fill judicial vacancies within this circuit. The governor can only appoint one of the three candidates submitted to him by the commission.

The five-member 16th Judicial Commission is made up of the chief judge for the Western Court of appeals, two attorney’s elected by the Missouri Bar, and two gubernatorial appointees.

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McKee Tax Credit to be Vetoed

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, July 06, 2007 at 2:01 PM

BREAKING NEWS

A source tells PubDef that Gov. Matt Blunt is going to veto HB 327, the contoversial bill containing a $100 million land assemblage tax credit, within the hour.

UPDATE: It's done. Here's the press release...

Blunt Vetoes Giant Bill Packed with Excess Spending

Governor Says Good Wages, Health Care Are Quality Jobs ‘Musts’

JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Matt Blunt today vetoed tax-credit legislation that came to his desk loaded down with excessive spending, including incentives for businesses that fail to pay average or above-average wages and fail to provide employees with health coverage.

In vetoing House Bill 327, the Governor said he is prepared to summon a special legislative session if legislative leaders are willing to pass a more restrained bill that will achieve the good objectives of this legislation such as expanding the successful Quality Jobs program - while setting aside special projects and excessive spending items.

The vetoed bill would have spent an estimated $200 million in excess of Quality Jobs reauthorization, and there were unknown expenses associated with the legislation that could cost Missourians even more. The legislation drew Blunt’s veto after growing large and expensive with a laundry list of projects that included creation of an “eminent domain train,” tax breaks for “phantom flights” to Europe and a provision that would harm many existing Missouri employers by putting them at a competitive disadvantage.

“There are important initiatives in the bill,” Blunt said. “The Quality Jobs Act we created in 2005 has helped Missourians create more than 94,000 new jobs since 2005. Ultimately, however, it became loaded with excessive spending that simply does not benefit the average Missouri taxpayer. There is no difference between spending taxpayer dollars by appropriations and spending them by tax credits. Each should meet the same test of fiscal responsibility.”

“I am committed to signing a fiscally responsible expansion of Quality Jobs, Enhanced Enterprise Zones and the New Market Tax Credits. The savings from a sounder bill will benefit the state for decades to come,” Blunt added.

Among the sections identified as problems by the governor:

Jobs and Health Care

Of greatest concern to the governor, the vetoed bill allowed Quality Jobs tax incentives to go to businesses that pay employees less than the average county wage and, more significantly, do not offer health care coverage to their employees. Governor Blunt created the Quality Jobs Act to help generate new family-supporting jobs with good pay levels and health coverage, but the vetoed legislation would have provided the same benefits to businesses that pay lower wages and do not offer health care.

“I will insist that job-creating incentives be provided to employers who pay at least average wages and provide health coverage,” Blunt said.

Eminent Domain Trains

Another part of the bill sought to provide eminent domain power at the behest of a Colorado company that is seeking rail tracks and other property to run “historic rail cars” as excursion entertainment.

Blunt had three objections to the provision. First, it provided a public bounty for dinner theater trains, an activity that offers, at most, the very smallest of effects on the economy. Second, it could complicate the governor’s plan to expand the Katy Trail on the Rock Island rail corridor. Third, Blunt said the state must not slide down “the slippery slope” of piecemeal awards of the power to take private property against an owner’s wish. Last year, Blunt signed into law on the nation’s strongest safeguards for private ownership, which was endangered by the U.S. Supreme Court’s pro-taking decision in Kelo versus New London, Conn.

Blunt said, “We must not extend the power of eminent domain at the very time we have been successfully restricting it.”

Phantom Flights to Europe

Blunt said transportation infrastructure improvements would have suffered from a new aviation fuel tax exemption offered for non-existent, future international flights that originate in Missouri and cross an ocean. The Missouri Department of Transportation opposed the provision and said transportation improvement would lose $400,000 in revenue.

Blunt said, “At present, no transoceanic flights originate in Missouri. Of additional concern, as written, it is possible that airlines could claim the exemptions for flights that merely connect with trans-ocean flights in U.S. cities in other states.”

Hurting Established Employers

The governor also expressed concern with a change in state tax laws that could cause established Missouri employers, particularly distribution companies, to operate at a competitive disadvantage. House Bill 327 would give tax breaks to new distribution companies, while denying the benefit to existing businesses.

Summary

“We have established a new economic climate that allows innovative Missourians to more easily create new jobs and quality jobs in high numbers, attracts new businesses, and strengthens established employers,” Blunt said. “The new direction in our economy relies on the enterprising spirit of the people and the Missouri work ethic. New state policies are supporting and empowering this growth by balancing a budget that was $1 billion in the red when I became governor, by establishing clear incentives for high-quality, family-supporting jobs with health care coverage, and by protecting our small business owners and large employers from the long-ignored threats of frivolous lawsuits and other regulatory burdens.”

Since taking office Blunt has made it priority to restore balance to the state’s budget. Overcoming an inherited $1 billion deficit he was able to balance the state’s budget, make important investments in Missouri’s future and secure $200 million for priorities like education and health care in future fiscal years.

The governor signed budgets that include more than $675 million in education aid to benefit Missouri students of all ages including more than half a billion dollars for K-12 education. His Lewis & Clark Discovery Initiative generates an additional $335 million to strengthen Missouri’s colleges and universities. Blunt secured these significant increases without a single penny of job killing new taxes.

The governor has helped create a jobs climate that has enabled Missouri employers to create more than 94,000 new jobs since January 2005.


UPDATE 2: A second press release...

What Missourians are Saying About
Gov. Blunt’s Veto of House Bill 327

The following Missourians today voiced their support for the governor’s veto of House Bill 327:

“We appreciate the Governor’s careful consideration of House Bill 327 and recognize the difficult decision he had to make on this legislation. We also support his call for a special legislative session to address the Quality Jobs program and Enhanced Enterprise Zones. These are core economic development programs, which must be expanded in order for our state to create jobs and encourage growth.”
Jim Anderson
President, Springfield Chamber of Commerce

“The governor was right to veto House Bill 327. Time and again legislators are told by special interest lobbyists that if only their particular industry could be granted an exemption from state taxes that will produce economic growth, but they never discuss how these giveaways hurt Missouri taxpayers. This legislation was packed with special interest projects and excessive spending that would have taken Missouri in the wrong direction. I applaud Governor Blunt for protecting Missouri taxpayers by using his veto pen to stop House Bill 327 from becoming law.”
Matt Bartle
State Senator, District 8

“I was concerned all along that the good in the bill was not enough to out weigh the concerns in other provisions. I know this was not an easy decision but the Governor made the right decision.”
Ed Emery
State Representative, District 126

“I supported the Governor’s priorities in this bill (Quality Jobs and Enhanced Enterprise Zones), as well as the Land Assemblage provision. It is a shame that these important economic development enhancements had to be lost due to unrelated, costly amendments. I hope the general assembly will be able to enact these three provisions quickly.”
Chuck Gross
Former State Senator and Budget Chairman

“This legislation would have put Cape Girardeau County into a conflict of over $500,000 for county revenue. We cannot afford this amount of reduction from our budget, if it is withheld.
Gerald Jones
Presiding Commissioner, Cape Girardeau County

“I agree with Governor Blunt’s decision to veto House Bill 327. There were an awful lot of good things in this bill but when you add up the plusses and the minuses the minuses far outweighed the good.”
Charlie Kruse
President, Missouri Farm Bureau

“I applaud Gov Blunt for giving the General Assembly a second chance to craft sound public policy that continues to facilitate job growth and economic development while practicing responsible stewardship of the people’s money and ensuring Missouri’s healthy and solid financial foundation.”
Brad Lager
State Senator, District 12

“I support Governor Blunt’s veto of House Bill 327. In my opinion, the bill’s negative ramifications far outweigh its positive characteristics. The uncertain fiscal impact on the state is a cause of great concern, as is the unilateral exemption of certain products and materials from sales and use taxes at the local level. Quality Jobs is an extremely important economic development tool. I urge the General Assembly to pass a clean, stand-alone bill to allow Quality Jobs to be workable and successful.”
Ken McClure
Gov. Blunt’s former Chief of Staff and
A former head of the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee Staff

“Brick and mortar retailers across the state who have to compete with foreign competitors appreciate the governor’s veto of House Bill 327, and by this action keeping the playing field level for Missouri businesses.”
David Overfelt
President, Missouri Retailers Association

“House Bill 327 would have had a dramatic negative impact on funding for highways and bridges in Missouri. By vetoing this bill, Governor Blunt is showing a strong commitment to transportation in our state, which means fewer fatalities on our roadways and greater economic opportunities for our citizens. I know the governor had to make a difficult decision, but it was the right decision. I thank him for his outstanding leadership on this issue and for safeguarding our critical transportation system.”
Pete Rahn
Director, Missouri Department of Transportation

“Governor Blunt’s veto of House Bill 327 is an example of true leadership. While House Bill 327 contains a great number of good economic development tools including some of my own amendments, the final bill missed a very important step – the conference committee. By vetoing 327, the legislature can come back with the good ideas and discard those we cannot afford.”
Delbert Scott
State Senator, District 28

“House Bill 327 gets in the way of keeping Missouri on a pro-growth path.”
Rex Sinquefield
President, Show-Me Institute


UPDATE 3: From the Arch City Chronicle: Alderman April Ford Griffin had lobbied against the bill...


Governor Matt Blunt
Office of the Governor
Room 216, State Capitol Building
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101

Dear Governor:

As Alderwoman of the 5th Ward of the City of St. Louis, I write this letter requesting your humble consideration to please veto HB 991 "Land Assemblage Tax Credit Act" pertaining to the "Project" as described in the media, targeted primarily for the 5th Ward of the City of St. Louis.

My concern from the beginning is there must be community input on this major economic development. Residents, Business Owners, and other stakeholders of the 5th Ward that I represent deserve nothing less and they all are citizens of the State of Missouri.

Please feel free to call me if there is further understanding of this matter required at (314) 941-0186. Thanking you in advance for your consideration and support.


Respectfully yours,

April Ford-Griffin
Alderwoman, 5th Ward
City of St. Louis

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Political Briefs

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, July 05, 2007 at 8:25 AM

political briefsCLINTON ON TRUMAN — Former President Bill Clinton... Ahhhh, remember the Clinton Years? Stock market through the roof, no American cities destroyed by terrorism or flood, general peace and prosperity — The Good Ol' Days. Oh how we miss thee... Anyway, back to my thought... Clinton is going to be in Independence, MO today speaking on the legacy of Missouri's only U.S. President, Harry Truman.

If you're contemplating the four-hour drive, don't bother. Tickets are sold out. Hey, it's Bill.

political briefsWANTED: MINORITY LEADER — Earlier this week, it broke that State Rep. Jeff Harris (D-Columbia) was stepping down as House Minority Leader. MissouriPolitics.net and Jason Rosenbaum think current Asst. Leader Paul LeVota (D-Jackson County) is the leading figure to replace Harris.

political briefsTHE "I WISH..." LAW — Governor Matt Blunt has been zig-zagging across the state in recent weeks signing bills into law. As a matter of fact, the Gov will be in Maplewood and St. Charles later today to sign two more. But last week, Blunt signed one of the more popular new laws — at least among the fellas in the barbershops.

Called the "Castle Doctrine" by supporters, the new law allows people to use deadly force on intruders to their homes or carjackers. In addition to shielding people against lawsuits, the bill also removes the requirement that a person flee from an attacker.

In the barbershops, it's being called the "I Wish a Muthafucka Would" law after Cedric the Entertainer's popular comedy routine (video clip NSFW).

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McKee in the Mexico Ledger

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, July 03, 2007 at 6:00 AM

In Monday's edition of the Mexico Ledger — out of Mexico, Missouri — reporter Tim Hare looks at House Bill 327. It seems there's a little bit for everybody in the the giant givaway legislation.

From the article:

Referring to its potential to help create quality jobs, Senator Wes Shoemyer urged area residents to encourage Governor Matt Blunt to sign House Bill 327.

Shoemyer made the appeal during a legislative breakfast held Friday morning at the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce. He indicated final approval of the bill could have direct benefit for Mexico and its residents.

Among the provisions of HB327 are changes to existing elements of the Quality Jobs program, including raising tax credit caps, utilizing tax credit offsets, and providing for certain tax exemptions."

The article continues:

HB327 has recently come under greater scrutiny following revelations that Paul McKee Jr., a St. Louis-based developer with political ties, could potentially greatly benefit, especially from provisions in the bill that would provide tax credits eliminating interest costs and half of eligible land costs.


Sen. Delbert Scott of Lowry City has decried the bill, stating from the Senate floor in May, "It's an attempt to hide a big pot of money for one guy. The whole thing stinks."

While the governor does have line-item veto authorization on appropriations bills, the line-item veto is not permissible under state guidelines on tax credit legislation.

If necessary, Shoemyer said Blunt "could call a special session with a narrow call on it so he knows he would get clean legislation," and also questioned whether the St. Louis developer in question would be able to meet certain eligibility requirements.

Click here to read the full story.

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Blunt Calls Special Election

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 8:13 PM

Gov. Matt Blunt today called for a special election to fill the vacancy in the 23rd Senate District. The special election will be held on Sept. 4, 2007.

Republican Sen. Chuck Gross resigned from the Missouri State Senate effective May 31, creating an open Senate seat in the 23rd Senate District.

Candidates must be selected by party committeepeople and filed with the Secretary of State's Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 31.

There remains speculation that the special election provides opportunity for soon-to-be-term-limited St. Louis Democrat Maida Coleman to also leave the Senate early and accept a gubernatorial appointment.

Coleman's seat is currently the target of three announced candidates (State Reps. Rodney Hubbard, Tom Villa, and Robin Wright-Jones).

It is said that Blunt might give Coleman an early appointment to pave the way for Hubbard, a St. Louis Democrat with strong relationships with the state's Republican leadership.

Coleman has denied any rumors of plans for an early exit.

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Governor in the City Today

By Antonio D. French

Governor Matt Blunt is in St. Louis today. He is scheduled to present a proclamation and participate in a Heat-Up St. Louis event at 11:45 a.m. at the McGowan/Walsh Sales Center, 2200 Washington Ave.

Later, Blunt will sign into law Senate Bill 384, which addresses license plate tab theft, something city residents are all too familiar with.

The signing event is at 1:45 p.m. in the St. Louis Police Board main board room, 1200 Clark Avenue #603.

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Franks Joins Governor's Staff

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 10:25 AM

Gov. Matt Blunt today announced the appointment of Angeletta McCormick Franks to serve as director of the Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity.

Franks previously served as a commissioner on the St. Louis City Election Board and as an aide to former U.S. Senator Jim Talent as a community liaison.

Franks will also serve as a special assistant to chief of staff Ed Martin and will be part of the governor’s senior staff.

The Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity works to promote diversity within the state government and improve the opportunities for women and minorities to access state employment opportunities and state contracts. The office serves as a resource to further improve business and economic opportunities for Missouri’s women-owned and minority-owned businesses.

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New Blunt Appointments

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, June 18, 2007 at 11:30 AM

Governor Matt Blunt has reappointed Wayman F. Smith (D), 66 of St. Louis City, to the Board of Regents of Harris-Stowe State University.

Smith is a former St. Louis alderman and an attorney with Smith Partnership. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Monmouth University and a juris doctorate from Howard University. His reappointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on July 28, 2012.

Blunt also announced the appointment of:

Dr. John B. Heskett, 59 of St. Louis, to the Mental Health Transformation Working Group. His appointment is for a term ending at the pleasure of the governor.

Darrell B. Roegner, 67 of Lake St. Louis, to the Missouri State Penitentiary Redevelopment Commission. Roegner is regional president of Premier Bank. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on March 3, 2008.

And Jimmy Dale Morris, 72 of Springfield, to the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Morris is owner of Morris Oil Company, Inc. His appointment is for a term ending on Nov. 15, 2007.

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Catholics Pressure Nixon on Gambaro

By Antonio D. French

Filed Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 6:00 AM

Two well-known St. Louis Catholics are asking Attorney General and Democratic candidate for governor Jay Nixon to support Governor Matt Blunt's selection to the State Board of Education.

PubDef.net has obtained a copy of a letter dated this week sent to Nixon from Rev. Sal E. Polizzi of St. Roch Catholic Church and Rev. Vincent Bommarito of St. Ambrose Catholic Church. In it, the two ask Nixon to support the appointment of conservative Democrat Derio Gambaro to the Board of Education.

"As the leading Democrat in our state and the only announced Democratic candidate for governor of our state we are writing to ask you to contact Senator [Jeff] Smith and ask him to support Derio," they wrote.

"As you well know, the Italian neighborhood (The Hill) is still a very democratic area and the residents would appreciate Senator Smith's support for Derio's appointment."

Gambaro was one of Smith's opponents in a crowded primary contest last year to replace the term-limited State Sen. Pat Dougherty. Smith has voiced some concerns about Gambaro's appointment.

Click here to download the letter
Click here to read Jeff Smith's statement on Gambaro
Click here to watch video of Blunt's announcement

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VIDEO: Blunt Appoints Gambaro

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, June 08, 2007 at 6:38 PM


Smith on Gambaro

By Antonio D. French

State Senator Jeff Smith, whose sponsorship is needed for Derio Gambaro to be confirmed in January, issued the following statement today:

"Derio Gambaro was a worthy opponent in our race for the 4th District Senate seat and a dedicated public servant during his tenure in the state House.

"However, given the specificity with which I outlined my substantive concerns about the Governor's earlier nominee, I am disappointed that the administration chose to ignore rather than address the issues I raised. It is unfortunate as well that the administration refused my repeated offers for consultation on this appointment, particularly since I worked throughout the session in a bipartisan fashion on education issues.

"Since it is important that the city be represented on the State board, I will look forward to learning more about Mr. Gambaro's educational philosophy and qualifications."

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Slay, Others Support Gambaro

By Antonio D. French

Mayor Francis Slay, Police Chief Joe Mokwa and State Rep. Rodney Hubbard are among the supporters listed today for Derio Gambaro, Governor Matt Blunt's latest appointment to the State Board of Education.

"Derio Gambaro has been a true civic leader in the City of St. Louis," Slay is quoted on press release passed out at today's announcement.

"Whether working at the neighborhood level, leading our Election Board, or serving as a State Representative, Derio has lead with conviction and compassion. I am pleased that he will be serving as St. Louis' representative on the State Board of Education. I am certain he will be a champion for Missouri's children and advocate for quality public education," said Slay.

Joining the praise for Gambaro was Chief Mokwa and State Rep. Hubbard.

"I support his appointment to the State Board of Education and believe he will be a strong advisory for Missouri's children and for public education in our state," said Mokwa.

"I think Governor Blunt has made an outstanding choice in Derio Gambaro for this very important board," Hubbard is quoted as saying.

"Derio has the respect and admiration of his community, and will act to ensure that Missouri's students receive the best education our state has to offer," said Hubbard.

Other statements of support came from two high ranking Republicans, Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons (who also attended today's event along with State Rep. Jane Cunningham) and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder.

Because it is a recess appointment, Gambaro will join the Board immediately. However, come January, his appointment is subject to Senate confirmation within 30 days for a term ending on July 1, 2012.

Check back later for video from today's announcement.

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Gambaro Event at Family Business

By Antonio D. French

Governor Matt Blunt will hold a press conference to announce the appointment of former State Rep. Derio Gambaro to the State Board of Education, which we first reported yesterday, at the site of Gambaro's longstanding family business in south St. Louis.

The Governor will be in "The Hill" neighborhood today at the Missouri Bakery, 2027 Edwards St., at 1:45 p.m. The Bakery was founded by Gambaro's grandfather and uncles in 1924.

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Blunt to Name Gambaro to BOE [Updated]

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, June 07, 2007 at 3:51 PM

READ IT HERE FIRST

PubDef has learned that Gov. Matt Blunt will be appointing former State Rep. Derio Gambaro to the State Board of Education tomorrow.

Gambaro represented south St. Louis in the House of Representatives for two terms between 1998 and 2000. In 2006, Gambaro ran in a crowded field of candidates to replace term-limited Pat Dougherty in the State Senate. He finished third in the race, behind political science instructor Jeff Smith and State Rep. Yaphett El-Amin.

In these two videos from June 2006 Gambaro sounded very critical of existing charter schools in St. Louis, particularly Confluence Academies which Smith co-founded.





During the campaign Gambaro was often criticized for supporting a scholarship program which many called a thinly-veiled school voucher program. He was also criticized for accepting financial support from Rex Sinquefield, a wealthy backer of school choice efforts in Missouri.

Because Blunt will be making the appointment while the State Legislature is on recess, Gambaro will immediately join the Board. However, when the Senate returns in January, Gambaro will have to be nominated sponsored by his state senator, Jeff Smith.

Smith tells PubDef that he just learned of Gambaro's appointment today and has not decided whether he will support his former opponent next year. He said there are still some outstanding issues on which he would still like to see where Gambaro stands.

In the meantime, it looks like Gambaro will have several months on the Board to show Smith and everyone else where he stands on a whole range of education issues before he is up for confirmation.

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Missouri is "Southern"? Who Knew?!

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, June 04, 2007 at 7:58 AM

Gov. Matt Blunt opened the three-day Southern Growth Conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at Union Station yesterday with a presentation on Southern workforce challenges. Blunt is the current chairman of the Southern Growth Policies Board.

That begs the question, "When did Missouri become a Southern state?"

According to the organization's website, there are 13 state members -- Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia — plus the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (which is convenient since nearly 50 state legislators are heading there next week on the the state's dime, but more on that later).

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Digital Schooling for SLPS Students

By Dan Martin

Filed Friday, June 01, 2007 at 9:15 AM

A new effort announced yesterday, May 31, by the St. Louis Public School District would let students transport the classroom into their home computers.

In yesterday's press release, Superintendent Diana Bourisaw stated that the district is developing a "virtual school" for the 2007-2008 school year. The program would allow certain K-12 students to attend school from any Internet-capable computer.

“Through the Internet, we will offer a broad range of courses and flexibility in scheduling," said Bourisaw.

Interestingly, this program is not part of a larger plan unveiled by Gov. Matt Blunt earlier this month that would provide similar online classroom services to K-5 and 9-12 grade students throughout the state.

According to SLPS Community Relations official Deborah Sistrunk, the district will be administering its program separate from the larger state program as a services for its own students.

Under Blunt's plan, the Elementary School courses would be taught by the Connections Academy, a Maryland based company that provides online education. High School courses would be provided by Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville and several unnamed national partners.

The city's plan names no providers as yet, but states that classes will be taught by Missouri certified teachers.

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VIDEO: Blunt Signs MoHELA Bill

By Dan Martin

Filed Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 2:42 PM

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt was on the campus of the University of Missouri in St. Louis this morning to sign into law Senate Bill 389, which includes his controversial plan to take $350 million from the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MoHELA), which makes loans for college tuition, to pay for new construction projects on campuses around the state.



In addition to the funding of construction projects, SB 389 also included several other provisions, including State Sen. Jeff Smith's "Teach for Missouri Act".

Modeled after the national Teach for America program, Smith's plan (renamed "Missouri Teaching Fellows Program Fund") would allow certain graduates of Missouri colleges who are hired to teach in unaccredited or partially accredited school districts can have some of their student loans forgiven for each of their first five years teaching.

Click here to download the full 52-page bill.

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Blunt to Sign MoHELA Changes Today

By Antonio D. French

Gov. Matt Blunt will sign into law this morning his controversial plan to take $350 million from the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, which makes loans for college tuition, to pay for new construction projects on campuses around the state.

Blunt will sign the bill at a ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on the campus of UMSL.

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Blunt Names Female Ag Director

By Dan Martin

Filed Thursday, May 03, 2007 at 5:23 PM

Following the resignation of Missouri Department of Agriculture director Fred Ferrell, Governor Matt Blunt has nominated Platte City resident Katie Smith to become the next director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Ferrell resigned this past winter following sexual harassment allegations brought by former MDA employee Heather Elder. However, Gov. Blunt has denied that events surrounding Ferrell's resignation have anything to do with his selection of a female candidate.

If the nomination is confirmed, Smith would become the first female director of the state's Department of Agriculture.

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Blunt Announces Appointments

By Dan Martin

Filed Tuesday, May 01, 2007 at 10:29 AM

Governor Matt Blunt announced his appointees to various commissions and state boards yesterday. Among the appointees were six St. Louis area residents.

Charles G. Misko (St. Louis) was named to the Missouri Real Estate Commission. His term would end on Oct. 16, 2007. Misko is a managing attorney with the law firm Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP. Chip Misko, as he is known, currently acts as Midwest regional counsel for PETsMART and negotiates leases throughout the country for several national retailers.

William P. Hopfinger (St. Louis) was named to the Advisory Commission for Physical Therapists. His term would end on Oct. 1, 2009.

Jane B. Evans (Kirkwood) was named to the Missouri Community Service Commission. Her term would end on Dec. 12, 2009.

William F. Madosky (Richmond Heights) was named to the Missouri State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. His term would end on April 26, 2011.

Autumn L. Hooper (St. Louis) was named to the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Her term would end on June 1, 2009.

All but one of Gov. Blunt's appointees now await Senate confirmation. Edward L. Baker, appointed by Governor Blunt to the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors, has already been confirmed. His term ends on Jan. 1, 2013.

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Will This Bridge Ever Get Built?

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 10:19 AM

According to the Belleville News-Democrat, more than two dozen members of the St. Louis political and business elite met downtown last week to talk over options for paying for a new Mississippi River bridge.

There is a new sense of urgency in reaching an agreement on the bridge before Missouri and Illinois miss their chance at $239 million in federal aid.

The day before the meeting, we asked Gov. Matt Blunt if after years of plans, new plans, negotiations, and renegotiations, will this bridge ever get built?

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Guns, Guns, Guns

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, April 16, 2007 at 11:59 PM

One day after the National Rifle Association, the nation's leading gun lobby, ended its annual conference here in St. Louis, the eyes of the world are on the State of Virginia, where a man armed with a gun murdered more than 30 people today.



After a week of pro-gun press releases pandering to the NRA crowd, Governor Matt Blunt today issued an executive order for all flags at state facilities will be flown at half-staff for the Virginia Tech victims and their loved ones.

"Melanie and I extend our thoughts and prayers to all those who lost a loved one in this senseless tragedy and to everyone at Virginia Tech," said Blunt. "I ask Missourians to join me in praying for those who lost a family member or friend in this terrible act."

Just last week the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 257 which ensures that no Missourian should be denied "possession, transfer, sale, transportation, storage, display, or use of firearms or ammunition during an emergency."

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Blunt on HealthNet vs. Medicaid

By Antonio D. French

After the "Missouri Health Improvement Act of 2007" passed the Missouri Senate last week, Democratic Senator Joan Bray (University City) called it "hugely bureaucratic," saying it sends too much money to insurance companies and the bureaucracy of additional levels of people "just pushing papers around."

But Governor Matt Blunt said the program, meant to replace Medicaid, is a positive step in the right direction of providing health care for more Missourians.

In an interview with PubDef.net last week, the governor said the program shifts the state's focus to preventative healthcare.



Click here to read the St. Louis Oracle's take on the Democrats that voted in favor of the bill.

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Is Riverview Gardens Next?

By Antonio D. French

Filed Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 11:54 PM

There is a rumor that Riverview Gardens has been notified that the state is about to step in. Last week we asked Gov. Matt Blunt if state involvement in troubled districts was going to end with St. Louis Public Schools.



UPDATE: Today DESE released the agenda for the State Board of Education's April meeting. It specifically noted that neither the St. Louis City schools nor the Riverview Gardens School Districts will be discussed this month.

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Gov. Blunt Interview - Part 1

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, April 13, 2007 at 8:00 AM

Gov. Matt Blunt on St. Louis Public Schools: "I don't think it can get much worse."

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GOP Accuses Dems in Photo-gate

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, March 30, 2007 at 12:31 PM

From the Missouri Republican Party...

In what is certainly the most disgusting use of the politics of personal destruction in state history, Missouri Democrats this week provided to the media STOLEN personal family photos of a member of Gov. Matt Blunt’s staff. The Missouri Republican Party immediately called for an investigation into how Democrats obtained the photos and who was responsible for these disgusting, politically motivated attacks on a female crime victim.

“Democrat Chairman John Temporiti as the head of his party should start his investigation with Senators Maida Coleman, Chuck Graham and Victor Callahan to ensure that everyone at the State Democrat Party who has knowledge of the perpetrators of this victimization come clean,” said Jared Craighead, executive director of the Missouri Republican Party. “Saying ‘we don’t know and we can’t find out who used these stolen photos for political gain’ won’t cut it! Democrats need to hold their own people accountable when deplorable tactics such as these are used. Winning at all costs should not be the standard in Missouri politics.”

The Missouri Republican Party today also called on the Missouri Democrat Party to apologize to the victim and her family for these despicable tactics and hold their people accountable for this reprehensible behavior by firing those responsible, cooperating with investigators, demanding resignations from elected officials involved in this exploitation and not stonewalling the family who has a right to know who did this. This story was irresponsibly reported by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch and hopefully Democrats will responsibly take immediate corrective action as outlined above.

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VIDEO: Blunt on Illegal Workers

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, March 09, 2007 at 8:07 AM

Governor Matt Blunt recently appeared on Fox News to discuss the state's recent firing of a state contractor who was using illegal immigrants to work on state projects.



The State of Missouri cancelled its contract with Sam’s Janitorial Services and barred them from doing further business with the state after local and federal law enforcement agencies identified dozens of suspected illegal immigrants working under falsified documents.

Blunt credited Housekeeping Manager Vernon Morris for first noticing inconsistencies in the contract staff's documents and tipping off the Capitol Police.

At the end of the interview, Blunt also talks about his support of Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

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Blunt Invites Blagojevich to St. Louis

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, February 01, 2007 at 2:11 PM

From the Governor's Office:

ST. LOUIS – Following a Governor’s Summit today with Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt invited Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to St. Louis for a discussion on issues of regional concern, including the Mississippi River Bridge.

"By working together in an open and constructive manner we can address issues and identify solutions that will benefit both states," Gov. Blunt said. "It is my hope that this meeting will serve as a launching point for ongoing discussions that will lead to greater economic opportunities and job creation for the St. Louis metropolitan area."

In a letter, Blunt invited Blagojevich to a meeting in St. Louis with business and community leaders from the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, the Regional Business Council and Civic Progress. Blunt proposes opening a new dialogue on potential solutions for a new Mississippi River Bridge and efforts to make the bi-state region a leader in the research and production of renewable fuels.

Blunt hopes the meeting will benefit both states as the two governors work together to capitalize on the bi-state regions’ assets and attract more quality, family supporting jobs to the area.

Earlier today, Gov. Blunt and Gov. Sebelius hosted the second annual Governors' Summit on Regional Economic Development in Kansas City to discuss economic development and education initiatives.

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Bommarito to Police Board

By Antonio D. French

Gov. Matt Blunt today appointed businessman Vince J. Bommarito to the St. Louis City Board of Police Commissioners.

According to the bio attached to the Governor's announcement, Bommarito is 75 years-old and the CEO of Tony's Restaurant, Inc. and a partner at America’s Center Catering Bommarito is also a member of the RCGA and the Downtown St. Louis Partnership.

Bommarito's appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on Jan. 31, 2011. He replaces Michael Quinn whose term expired.

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Blunt Podcasting

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 11:49 PM

Gov. Matt Blunt today launched his first podcast on iTunes. The premiere podcast features the governor's State of the State address.

"We are working diligently and making great strides to build a stronger Missouri, and I am excited to provide Missourians yet another way to access information about their state," Blunt said in a press release.

"We use technology in many ways to better our lives and make things more convenient and efficient. It is my hope that, in the same way, making information available in a wide range of formats will help provide more choices for Missourians to get the information they want from my office."

Click here to download Blunt's podcast in iTunes.

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Fox 2's Watch Party Coverage

By Antonio D. French

Filed Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 8:32 AM

Click here to view Channel 2's report from this week's State of the Union Watch Party at The Royale and see quick interviews with Jim Shrewsbury and Lewis Reed.

And back by popular demand, our own video from the night...

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Latest Blunt Appointments

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, January 26, 2007 at 12:25 PM

The Governor's Office has announced the following appointments:

Consolidated Health Care Plan Board of Trustees

Roslyn M. Morgan, 50 of St. Louis, is a probation and parole officer at the Missouri Department of Corrections. Ms. Morgan holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Webster University and a master’s in administration from Southeast Missouri State University. Ms. Morgan’s reappointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on Dec. 31, 2009.

Garry E. Taylor, 62 of Jefferson City, is principal owner of GETCo Consulting Service. Mr. Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Westminster College and masters in community development and public administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Mr. Taylor’s appointment is for a term ending on Dec. 31, 2007.

Health and Educational Facilities Authority of the State of Missouri

Judith W. Scott (R), 65 of Poplar Bluff, is vice president for college advancement at Three Rivers Community College. Ms. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master’s in English from Southeast Missouri State University. Ms. Scott’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on July 30, 2011.

Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund Board of Trustees

Schuyler J. Mariea, 44 of Jefferson City, is president of Premier Bank in Jefferson City. Mr. Mariea holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Westminster College and a master’s of business administration from Lincoln University. Mr. Mariea’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on Feb. 6, 2010.

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VIDEO: Blunt on SLPS, School Funding

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 8:49 AM

The Kansas City Star has a video of Gov. Matt Blunt discussing the ongoing lawsuit by several school districts, including St. Louis Public Schools, claiming that Missouri does not adequately fund public education.

"I think we have a good formula that's driven by the needs of the students," Blunt said in the video. "I'm opposed to seeking a tax increase through the court system."



In the video Blunt, who recently said education was his "highest priority", also briefly discusses the St. Louis school district.

"It's the largest school district in the State of Missouri and it's not providing a quality education to the young Missourians that are in that school district," he said.

Click here to watch the video.

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Blunt to Mention Sickle Cell

By Antonio D. French

READ IT HERE FIRST

A source in the Capitol tells Pub Def to look for Gov. Matt Blunt to mention in his State of the State address Wednesday a change to the state's HealthNet program (formerly Medicaid) that will include Sickle Cell disease in its Chronic Care Improvement Program.

Sickle Cell almost exclusively affects blacks. An estimated 70,000 Americans have the disease, and about 10% of African-Americans have sickle cell trait. In 2003, former Senator Jim Talent sponsored the Sickle Cell Treatment Act which increased federal funding for treatment and research efforts.

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Blunt Reaffirms He's Anti-Abortion

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, January 22, 2007 at 3:09 PM

With today's 34th Anniversary of the historic Roe v. Wade decision, Gov. Matt Blunt today issued the following statement on the sanctity of human life:

"I believe we have a moral obligation to protect the rights of the most vulnerable members of our society.

"As Missouri's governor, I have worked hard to enact pro-life measures including signing legislation that prohibits taking minors across state lines for an abortion without the consent of a parent or guardian.

"I also signed into law legislation authorizing an income tax credit for contributions made to qualified pregnancy resource centers. These centers provide support to women facing a crisis or unplanned pregnancy so they can make a good decision for their child and themselves.

"When it comes to appointing judges, I believe it is only appropriate for the judiciary to interpret the law, and not appropriate for them to try and impose their views on the citizens of Missouri.

"I have also strongly supported increased funding for the Alternatives to Abortion Program which offers counseling and services to pregnant women, supporting them in carrying their child to term. And I signed into law legislation to protect women's health by ensuring doctors who perform abortions have hospital privileges at a hospital located within thirty miles of the location at which the abortion is performed or induced.

"We will continue working in Missouri to pass strong pro-life legislation that respects the sanctity and dignity of human life."

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Daus Opposes Takeover, Blunt Says Education is his "Highest Priority"

By Antonio D. French

Filed Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 9:03 AM

State Rep. Mike Daus paid a visit to one of city's best performing schools Friday morning and, according to one student reporter, said if the state really wants to help SLPS they should allot more money for public education.

Young Claire Paddock, fifth grade reporter for the Kennard Tiger Times, writes:

Mike Daus is a Missouri State Representative from the 64th district. He visited Kennard School today. He said that he does not support the State Board of Education taking over the public schools because sometimes the government doesn't know best what's going on and that the people do, and should have a say in who they elect, and what happens to their schools.

He also said that the state legislature can help schools by spending more funds for the right things and not for unimportant things. He didn't say what those were.

Meanwhile, Gov. Matt Blunt will be bouncing around the state Monday to announce his plan to improve student achievement in the areas of math, engineering, technology and science.

In addition to stops in Kansas City, St. Joseph and Cape Girardeau, Blunt will be in the St. Louis area at 2:15 p.m. at the Florissant Valley Campus of St. Louis Community College.

According to his press release, Blunt has made education the highest priority of his administration.

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STATE OF EMERGENCY... AGAIN

By Antonio D. French

Filed Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 11:12 AM

Gov. Matt Blunt issued executive orders today declaring a state of emergency and activating the Missouri National Guard in response to the winter ice storm. Blunt has also put the Disaster Medical Assistance Team on standby in anticipation of mounting emergencies.



"As we actively assess needs and damages, my first concern remains for Missourians' safety," Blunt said in a press release. "These orders ensure state resources are available to keep Missourians safe in the wake of the snow and ice and as they face freezing temperatures over the next few days."

The storm system has so far left nearly 200,000 households without power on the onset of what is predicted to be the coldest weekend so far this winter. Many communities now are dealing with widespread closings and cancellations, triggered by ice and snow, but it is concerns about power outages paired with well-below freezing temperatures that triggered the governor's orders. Power outages are dispersed throughout the state, with Springfield and the St. Louis area hit hardest.

The governor's executive orders declare a state of emergency in the State of Missouri, activate the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan directing state agencies to provide support in affected areas as needed, and activate the Missouri National Guard.

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Smith to Support Wilson

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, January 04, 2007 at 9:57 AM

The Arch City Chronicle and Post reporter Jo Mannies report that State Sen. Jeff Smith will be supporting Gov. Matt Blunt's expected appointment of Republican Carol Wilson as the next head of the St. Louis City Board of Elections.

Wilson will replace current chair, Kim Mathis.

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Political Briefs

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, January 03, 2007 at 7:43 AM

political briefsSLAY KNEW? -- Curiously absent from last night's failed, sad attempt to destabilize the school district by forcing the resignation of Dr. Diana Bourisaw was anyone from the mayor's office.

At just about every board meeting and at the special meeting that ended with the resignation of Dr. Creg Williams, one can usually spot the mayor's education liaison, Robin Wahby. But not last night.

Every reporter in town knew what was going on last night, but no representative from the mayor's office was there to take questions or relay info back to Mayor Slay? Makes some believe that "Hizzoner" knew exactly what was about to go down, did nothing to stop it, and wanted to be nowhere around when the crime went down.

political briefsEARLY CALL TO DUTY -- Governor Matt Blunt has asked State Auditor-elect Susan Montee to finish the remainder Claire McCaskill's term as state auditor.

"I have asked Susan Montee to begin her service to the state a little early," Blunt said. "I look forward to working with Susan to improve the efficiency of state government."

McCaskill becomes Missouri's newest U.S. Senator beginning noon Eastern Time, Thursday, creating a vacancy in the auditor’s office. Blunt will appoint Montee to finish the four remaining days of McCaskill's term until Montee’s four year term officially begins on Monday.

political briefsS.O.S. for SLPS -- A "Save Our Schools" Public Forum and organizing event has been set for 6:00 p.m., Thursday, at Carr Lane Middle School, 1004 North Jefferson Ave.

Save our Schools is organizing with the expressed purpose of seeking input from the community, parents, teachers and voters in the decision making process.

"We welcome advocates of the St. Louis Public Schools to take part in this organizing meeting and public forum. Save Our Schools invites all stakeholders, especially parents, to voice their concerns," said Claudia Blackmon, a St. Louis Public School parent. Ms. Blackmon, a Gateway High School parent, will moderate the forum.

TINY BRIEF -- Congratulations to the new legislators being sworn in today in Jefferson City.

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Political Briefs

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 9:35 AM

political briefsDONE FOR A WHILE -- Outgoing Senator Jim Talent said Monday he doesn't intend to seek political office again in the near future, but wasn't ruling out a later campaign farther down the road.

"I don't foreclose anything, but I don't have any plans to run for anything for a while anyway," Talent told the Neosho Daily News.

The Daily News ponders that Talent "could try in 2008 for the Republican nomination for election to his former western St. Louis county 2nd Congressional seat or for Missouri's other Senate delegation in the same year if incumbent Sen. Kit Bond decides not to run again. A stab at the Republican nomination for governor in 2008 is also an option but not likely unless Gov. Matt Blunt unpredictably makes a go for national office."

political briefsBLUNT BETS AGAINST BEAVERS -- Gov. Blunt and Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski have made a gentleman's wager as the University of Missouri Tigers and Oregon State Beavers prepare to meet in the 73rd Annual Brut Sun Bowl on Friday, Dec. 29, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso.

"With Missouri poised to win back-to-back bowls and our second Sun Bowl, a sampling of Oregon products to help us celebrate will be most appreciated," Blunt said.

Should the Tigers defeat the Beavers, Kulongoski has agreed to give Blunt a bounty of Oregon goodies including a large selection of premium Oregon craft microbrews from the Oregon Brewer's Guild, three full wheels of globally-recognized Rogue Creamery bleu cheese, and a sampling of fresh Oregon seafood.

Should the Beavers win, Blunt has offered Kulongoski a selection of Missouri branded beef, Missouri award-winning wines and an AgriMissouri basket containing Show Me BBQ, Fitz’s Root Beer, blueberry amaretto syrup from Persimmon Hill Gourmet Foods and apple butter from Bekemeier's Fruit Butters.

political briefsYOU'RE INVITED -- U.S. Senator-Elect Claire McCaskill is inviting her supporters to her swearing-in in Washington D.C.

McCaskill will host a cocktail reception on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at The Willard Hotel, 1401-09 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.

Then on Thursday, Jan. 4, McCaskill will actually be sworn-in at noon. A swearing-in reception will be from 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at 538 Dirksen Senate Office Building SD 538, Washington, DC 20540. There will be a closed circuit viewing of the swearing-in for all to enjoy. Senator-elect McCaskill will join the reception immediately following her swearing-in re-enactment which occurs at 1:50pm.

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Blunt Forwards Letters to Smith

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at 3:00 PM

Governor Matt Blunt's office today sent a file of letters supporting the appointment of Donayle E. Whitmore-Smith to Senator-elect Jeff Smith's office. The Governor's office says he has received dozens of letters supporting Whitmore-Smith's appointment to the State Board of Education. But many public education advocates have gone on record opposing her because of her strong pro-charter, pro-school choice positions.

"Donayle Whitmore-Smith has the qualifications and background to serve in this post and help our children get the education they need to be successful," Blunt said.

"She will also bring a diversity of opinion to the state's school board. Many others agree that she is the right choice for the State Board of Education. I know Donayle would appreciate the support of her incoming State Senator and we hope that he will consider the many letters we have received endorsing her appointment."

As the nominee's state senator, Smith's support is required, according to nominating custom, for Whitmore-Smith's appointment to go through. Recently pressure has mounted from both sides on Smith, who himself is an advocate of charter schools.

The Governor's office noted in a press release that if the Senate approves Whitmore-Smith, she would be the only African-American parent of school age children serving on the board. Last week, Blunt appointed another African-American to the State Board of Education, Reverend Stanley Archie of Kansas City.

According to Blunt, the letters of support for Whitmore-Smith range from parents who sent their children to the school that Whitmore-Smith founded; to James Buford, the President/CEO of the Urban League of St. Louis and a former member of the St. Louis City School Board, to a Governor Carnahan appointee to the Coordinating Board of Higher Education, to a university administrator, to a member from the Coalition of Hispanic Organizations’ Educational Committee, to Missouri citizens who strongly support the governor’s position regarding a need for a diversity of opinions on the state’s school board.

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Political Briefs

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, December 15, 2006 at 9:00 AM

political briefsFLU BE GONE -- Almost over the flu and a sunny day outside, we might actually leave the house today -- without a pocketful of tissues and cough drops!

Wish us luck and send us those tips.


political briefsNEW TALENT -- Governor Matt Blunt has grabbed Sen. Jim Talent's former communications director to be his own. Rich Chrismer was announced yesterday as the governor's new mouthpiece.

Reports place Chrismer's new paycheck at around $92,000 ($22K more that the last guy, Spence Jackson). The Gov's office says Chrismer's new role will include more duties than his predecessor.

We hope that doesn't mean they're going to make him physically remove his own critics from press conferences. Spence was always very clear, that's what Capitol security was for!

political briefsSECRET AGENT MAN -- This whole "Senate shake-up" thing hasn't been all bad news for the old Republican guard. Senator Kit Bond just landed himself a nice spot as the new Number Two on the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee.

Bond's new assignment will place him in charge of overseeing, among other things, the nation's foreign and domestic spying operations. Just call him Bond, Kit Bond.

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Blunt Meets With Regional Leaders

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, December 05, 2006 at 1:02 AM

A PUB DEF Video Report

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SLAY REQUESTS NATIONAL GUARD

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, December 01, 2006 at 3:54 PM

Mayor Francis Slay has requested that Gov. Matt Blunt again mobilize the National Guard to aid a city that is largely without power.

According to Jeff Rainford, the mayor's chief of staff, there are approximately 53,000 city households currently without electricity -- compared to 95,000 earlier this year when summer storms left hundreds of thousands of residents without power for several days.

It appears that for many residents, it's the same story, different season. Ameren officials say it could be 24-48 hours before they will even know when power will be restored.

To help deal with the extremely cold tempertures (expected to drop in the single digits tonight), Rainford said four heating centers are open (see below), with the Wohl Recreation Center, 1515 N. Kingshighway, being left open throughout the night.

Most of the city's libraries are with power and open for people to warm up in. While the city's homeless are being directed to the 12th and Park Recreation Center, 1410 S. Tucker Blvd.

Rainford said the fire department checked on 60 of the city's senior centers this morning and found 11 without power. He said efforts are underway to get power generators set up at those facilities.

And many more generators are on the way. Rainford said the state is purchasing close to 600 generators which will arrive sometime tomorrow. The mayor has requested that the governor send some National Guardsmen to help set up those generators and to help provide primary medical care, just as they did this summer.

Slay praised city workers for helping to clear the streets early this morning. "The Streets Department has done an outstanding job in clearing the arterials and many of the secondary roads," the mayor said on KSDK at noon. He said their work enables Ameren and emergency workers to get where they need to go.

If anyone needs assistance, they are asked to call 1-800-427-4626. This number is operated by the United Way and only for people needing help, not to ask Ameren when power is coming back on. Please be safe and take care of your neighbors.

Warming Centers in the City of St. Louis:

Township Hall (2060 Delmar)
St. Louis Senior Center (5602 Arsenal)
Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church (5544 Dr. Martin Luther King)
Wohl Recreation Center (1515 N. Kingshighway)

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VIDEO: Blunt on O'Reilly

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 7:35 AM

Gov. Matt Blunt appeared on Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor" Monday to discuss what he and host Bill O'Reilly called "activist judges".

Specifically, the two discussed a recent ruling by Lawrence County, Missouri Judge Larry Meyer, who sentenced 50 year-old Kenneth Slaght to probation after he was convicted of raping his 9 year-old step-granddaughter.

"This is a great example of why we need to take discretion away from judges," said Blunt. "We need to have strict mandatory sentences, and that's what we'll have in the future in Missouri."

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Blunt, Martin Make Some Changes

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, October 16, 2006 at 3:42 PM

Just a few weeks on the job and Gov. Matt Blunt's new chief of staff, Ed Martin, is making some changes.

The Governor's Communications Director Spence Jackson has moved to the Department of Economic Development where he will serve as a deputy director.

State Rep. Todd Smith, of Sedalia, resigned today from the State House to replace Chuck Pryor as Director of Legislative Affairs.

Pryor is now the new Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Legislation.

Brian Hauswirth will be the new interim Communications Director. He currently works as the Communications Director for the Missouri Department of Corrections and previously worked at KTRS in St. Louis.

"I am pleased to announce these appointments and believe they will enhance our ongoing mission to bring real and positive change to Missouri state government," Blunt said in a statement released today.

"We are honoring our charge from Missourians to improve service while being responsible stewards of their hard-earned tax dollars and this will continue to be our focus."

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Blunt Pushed for MOHELA Chief Firing, May Have Violated Law in Doing So

By Antonio D. French

Gov. Matt Blunt wanted MOHELA's executive director fired after criticizing his plan to sell off the agency's assets. And according to a report in yesterday's Columbia Daily Tribune, he quickly got what he wanted.

"In a telephone conference call earlier this year with two members of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority board, Gov. Matt Blunt said he wanted the agency’s executive director replaced," wrote Terry Ganey, former Post-Dispatch reporter and current Tribune staffer.

"The telephone call took place Jan. 24, hours before the board met and fired Executive Director Mike Cummins. But Cummins was not replaced with the man Blunt wanted - Rick Fouts, a former controller at MOHELA."

Ganey got his information from court depositions in Attorney General Jay Nixon's lawsuit against the agency. Click here to read the full story.

According to the Tribune, MOHELA board member James Mauze, a central figure in the firing, said he felt strongly that Cummins should be terminated as executive director for making statements to lawmakers opposing Blunt’s plan to sell MOHELA.

Some Democrats are saying Blunt and Mauze's actions amount to seeking retribution against a whisteblower -- which is illegal. State law clearly states:

"No supervisor or appointing authority of any state agency shall prohibit any employee of the agency from discussing the operations of the agency, either specifically or generally, with any member of the legislature, state auditor, attorney general, or any state official or body charged with investigating such alleged misconduct."

Developing...

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Reeves Appointed to MOHELA Board

By Antonio D. French

Filed Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 8:17 AM

Gov. Matt Blunt has appointed former Downtown Now! director and current Pulaski Bank president Tom Reeves to fill one three suddenly open seats on the seven-member board of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA).

The board is scheduled to vote Sept. 27 on Blunt's $350 million plan to divert funds liquidate assets from the college loan system to pay for construction projects at universities around the state.

Reeves is also a member of the special committee created by Mayor Francis Slay to examine the proposal to allow BJC Hospital to expand its use of a portion of Forest Park land.

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No Special Session this Year

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, September 05, 2006 at 11:41 AM

The Associated Press is reporting that Gov. Matt Blunt will not be calling a special session for the Missouri legislature this year. From the AP:

Blunt said in July that he would call a special session if lawmakers could reach consensus on a pair of Medicaid bills - one addressing fraud by medical providers, the other restoring coverage to some disabled workers. Any special session likely would have begun next week.

But Ed Martin, Blunt's new chief of staff, said Tuesday that the governor has no intention of calling a special session.

"There doesn't seem to be consensus over what the issues should be," Martin said.

Click here
to read the full story.

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City Board Denied Intervention

By Antonio D. French

Filed Monday, August 21, 2006 at 3:09 PM

A Cole County Judge today denied the St. Louis City Board of Elections' request to be a part of the legal fight surrounding the controversial photo ID requirement passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Gov. Matt Blunt.

Mayor Francis Slay, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, and Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields joined the ACLU in the legal challenge. The election board -- composed of Democrat and Republican members appointed by Blunt -- had requested to join the suit in defense of the law.

The case is in progress...

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Political Briefs

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, August 18, 2006 at 6:22 AM

HAM MAKES IT OKAY - U.S. Senator Jim Talent and his Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill may not be each other's favorite people right now, but it was all smiles yesterday at the State Fair's annual ham breakfast.

About 900 people attended the event -- with nearly all of them clearly already supporting one candidate or the other with a t-shirt or sticker proudly planted on their chests. For their part, Talent and McCaskill bumped into each other a few times and spoke cordially about family, the weather, and of course, ham.

HOUSE OF CLAY - Congressman Lacy Clay is hosting a free conference on homeownership starting this weekend. "10 Weeks to Homeownership" is being held at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1444 S. Compton, in cooperation with FannieMae, CitiMortgage, New Day Realty and With Ownership Wealth (WOW).

Word on the street is Congressman Russ Carnahan may be needing those services as he packs up and moves to a newly purchased home in Washington D.C. [UPDATE: Joel Jennings, Carnahan's communications director, tells us that the Congressman has only secured a larger apartment "to better accommodate his family when in D.C." and not actually bought a house.]

CROSSING $2M BRIDGES - Gov. Matt Blunt told reporters this week that he has not decided yet whether he will be running for re-election in 2008. But there is one thing he (and now we) definitely does know: he is "absolutely not" interested in running for a seat in the U.S. House or Senate.

As for what he'll do with the nearly $2 million he has already raised should he decide not to run: "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," he told the Columbia Daily Tribune.

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Political Briefs

By Antonio D. French

Filed Sunday, August 06, 2006 at 8:23 AM

SLAY'S "EYE" IS WATCHING THE POST Apparently Mayor Francis Slay -- or at least his blogger, Richard Callow -- has joined the ranks of people who think The Post-Dispatch sucks.

"The P-D's spotty and often inaccurate coverage of local, state, national, and international news has made opening the hometown newspaper a chore fewer and fewer St. Louisans are willing to face each morning," said MayorSlay.com on Wednesday.

"The paper's current struggling fiscal health and demoralized voice are drags on our own civic renaissance," it continued.

The Mayor lists the surnames of a few local bigwigs (Roberts, Koplar, Kent, Steward, Sherberg, Cohen, Suggs, Vittert, Franklin) that might be willing to takeover the paper should Lee Enterprises decide to sell their flagship.

"I will be watching this closely," the blog post ends mysteriously.

THE CASE OF SLAY V. MAIDA Maybe it's the new, tougher Francis Slay or maybe it's just frustration at his recent loss of power -- not electricity, but over St. Louis Public Schools -- but whatever it is, St. Francis is losing his cool.

A source tells PUB DEF that State Sen. Maida Coleman was taken aback by a recent phone call from an angry and loud Mayor Slay. He was furious with Coleman -- who on many occasions has carried water for the mayor and his southside allies -- because of a letter she recently wrote to Gov. Matt Blunt.

In the letter, Coleman blasted Blunt for putting his nose into the SLPS superintendent swap. "The School Board made an administrative decision based upon what they thought was in the best interest of the children of the St. Louis Public Schools and I support their authority, which is derived from the citizens who elected them," she wrote.

"The only instability that you talk about in your press release that has occurred happened under the old majority school board, which the Mayor of St. Louis helped elect," said Coleman.

Speaking truth to power -- go 'head, Maida.

BLUNT, ELECTION BOARD UPGRADES When Ed Martin prepares to step down as chairman of the City's Election Board to try to help salvage the last two years of Gov. Matt Blunt's first term, it looks like he might be leaving behind a significant legacy here in St. Louis.

Besides the big switch to electronic voting machines, which happened under his watch, Martin will also be leaving behind a couple of other techno upgrades.

The first arrives this week much to the delight of the city's political journalists. We're told that the Board has adopted one of the ideas PUB DEF dropped in the suggestion box back in March: Wi-Fi on Election Night. That's right, reporters and bloggers will be able to relay results as soon as they are made available via their laptops. But maybe we won't even have to thanks to the other upgrade: a new website with up-to-date election results.

What?! This can't be. We're talking about the St. Louis City Board of Elections, right?

The new STLElections.com is loaded with a bunch of bells and whistles, including "election alerts" to get reminded of upcoming elections and, best of all, to get election results automatically delivered to your inbox. Flippin' Sweet!

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VIDEO: Blunt snubs some locals

By Antonio D. French

Filed Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 4:52 PM

Yesterday's storm-related press conference and photo op at the Wohl Recreation Center [see our earlier story] brought out many state and local elected officials. Governor Matt Blunt; Sen. Jim Talent; St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley; Mayor Francis Slay; Fire Chief Sherman George; State Rep. Amber Boykins and her husband Shaun Simms; Aldermen Terry Kennedy and Jeffrey Boyd were all present.

But some officials were noticeably absent, including Congressman Lacy Clay whose district Wohl serves. Sources in Clay's office say the Congressman was more than a little peeved that he was not invited to the event. And as it turns out, even several of the officials who were at the event were not officially notified, but rather just heard about it minutes before.

Ald. Kennedy let Ed Rhode, the mayor's communications director, know that he was not happy that he didn't get a call. "We just found out about it. They just called us," Rhode answered.



Kennedy told PUB DEF that despite the pats on the backs from Blunt and the bunch about working together during this time of crisis, they failed to involve those people on the front lines.

The governor's office did not respond to a request for comment today.

UPDATE: A spokesperson from Blunt's office called to say they rarely notify federal or local representatives of the Governor's visits. She said Slay and Dooley were only notified because their offices were the ones through which state aid was being directed.

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Political Briefs

By Antonio D. French

Filed Saturday, July 22, 2006 at 12:00 PM

COLEMAN GETTING CANNED? The Source, a Republican blog, claims that a battle is brewing between Minority Floor Leader Maida Coleman and fellow Democrat, State Senator Tim Green. The Source says Senator Chuck Graham, the Assistant Minority Floor Leader, is attempting to replace Maida with Tim. Stay tuned...

BOND TO BUSH: BRING THE BUCKS U.S. Senators Kit Bond and Jim Talent have asked President Bush to quickly approve Governor Matt Blunt’s request for a major disaster declaration for Missouri in response to this week's storms. They requested financial assistance for St. Louis City and Dent, Iron, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. Louis and Washington Counties. The AP reports about 440,000 homes and businesses in the St. Louis area were still without electricity Saturday morning, but about 130,000 had been restored over the previous 24 hours.

BIONDI BACK FROM BEIRUT AFTER BOMBING After surviving the bombing of Beirut, Father Lawrence Biondi, President of Saint Louis University, made it back home yesterday from Lebanon.

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Send in the Troops

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 3:30 PM

KSDK is reporting that Mayor Francis Slay has asked Gov. Matt Blunt to send National Guard troops to the city. No, not to assume control of the city schools (yet), but to aid in the recovery from last night's storms.

Speaking on NewsChannel 5 at Noon, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay says he has asked Missouri Governor Matt Blunt to call in the National Guard and declare a "State of Emergency." Mayor Slay said he expects National Guard troops to begin arriving Thursday evening.

Ameren says the storm was the worst in its history. Click here to get the latest information about outages from the company's website.

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Wal-Bank banned

By Antonio D. French

Filed Thursday, July 13, 2006 at 6:01 AM

Gov. Matt Blunt has signed a new law that effectively bans Wal-Mart from opening a bank in Missouri.

The bill bars industrial loan companies from having any deposit or loan office or bank branches in Missouri. Wal-Mart recently applied to run an industrial bank in Utah. Instead of opening branch banks or granting loans to consumers, Wal-Mart executives have said the mega-company wants to charter a bank just to handle the $140 million credit, debit and electronic check payments that the company processes yearly, which could save it millions of dollars in fees.

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Blunt starts running new ads

By Antonio D. French

Filed Friday, June 09, 2006 at 11:28 AM

Supporters of Gov. Matt Blunt have started running a new ad on Missouri radio stations to help save the governor's dismal approval rating; at 35% as of last month.

The ad describes a gloomy situation for Missouri before Blunt became governor. "What a difference a year and a half makes," the ad says. An announcer says Blunt "got it right" with his spending cuts and education formula change.

On their webpage, where you can also listen to the ad and give money to help keep it on the air, Missourians for Matt Blunt, Inc. says "liberal media bias" is responsible for the public's negative view of Blunt.

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Feds investigating State Gov't

By Antonio D. French

Filed Sunday, April 16, 2006 at 5:09 PM

The Kansas City Star is reporting that federal authorities are investigating Missouri’s network of license fee offices and how they were awarded to political supporters of Gov. Matt Blunt.

One Republican appointment that attracted attention last year was a busy south St. Louis office going to Garrett Lott, who had been fined two years earlier for violating campaign finance laws.

According to the Star, FBI agents also have begun interviews involving lobbying practices in the state Capitol.

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