Politically Speaking

On the latest Politically Speaking weekly roundup, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Julie O'Donoghue dive into how an unreleased audit of Josh Hawley's tenure as attorney general is getting state legislative attention. O'Donoghue talks about how an oversight committee that monitors the St. Louis County's jail is not happy with transparency at the facility. Rosenbaum and O'Donoghue also talked with St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann about St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner's lawsuit — and her political future. And Rosenbaum and O'Donoghue talk about whether Missouri's state lawmakers make enough money.

St. Louis County Councilman Mark Harder is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum talked with the Ballwin Republican about a multitude of issues, including the ongoing saga of the Loop Trolley. Harder represents the council’s 7th District, which takes in most of western St. Louis County. He is the council’s longest serving member after Hazel Erby resigned to take a post in St. Louis County Executive Sam Page’s administration. Since he’s not up for election this year, Harder could run in a special election for St. Louis County executive as a Republican and not give up his council seat. He said he hasn’t made a decision on whether he will run.

On the latest edition of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum take a look at some of the local, state and national stories that made news this week. That includes the unsuccessful proposal from the head of the Bi-State Development Agency to revive the Loop Trolley, which shut down after a string of financial difficulties. Here's what else is touched on during the show: - O’Donoghue and Rosenbaum talked about how the St. Louis County Council is trying to retool its vagrancy laws. - The Kansas City Star’s Bryan Lowry returns to the program to talk about how Missouri Sens. Josh Hawley and Roy Blunt are maneuvering through President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial. - And for the final segment, Rosenbaum and O’Donoghue discuss legislation spurred on by Drag Queen Story Hours at libraries throughout the state.

Sen. Dan Hegeman returns to Politically Speaking to talk with St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum about Missouri’s finances and his proposal to change state legislative redistricting. The Cosby Republican represents Missouri’s 12th Senate District, which takes in a huge swath of northwest Missouri. He represents the largest Senate district in the state of Missouri.

On the first Politically Speaking round-up show of 2020, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum, Julie O’Donoghue and Jaclyn Driscoll recap Gov. Mike Parson’s State of the State address. During Parson’s speech, the GOP chief executive focused on the effort to get a handle on violent crime in Missouri’s biggest cities — and discussed how his administration is managing the state’s Medicaid program. Here’s what else was discussed on this week’s show: -St. Louis Public Radio’s Rachel Lippmann joined the program to discuss what Alderwoman Cara Spencer’s entry into the 2021 St. Louis mayor’s contest means for Mayor Lyda Krewson’s re-election chances. -St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Jack Suntrup discussed a Missouri Ethics Commission decision that led an unsuccessful medical marijuana campaign to publicize its formerly secret donors. -Rosenbaum touched on how a documentary about former St. Louis state Rep. Bruce Franks was nominated for an Academy Award this week.

State Rep. Cody Smith is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast. The Carthage Republican spoke with St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue about his role as House budget chairman — and his thoughts on overhauling Missouri’s criminal justice system. Smith was first elected to the Missouri House in 2016 to a seat encompassing parts of Jasper County in southwest Missouri. He became House budget chairman after his predecessor, Scott Fitzpatrick, was appointed as state treasurer.

Missouri House Rep. Rasheen Aldridge represents the 78th district in St. Louis, which includes Hyde Park, Old North St. Louis, Carr Square, downtown, Soulard, Benton Park and LaSalle. At 25, he's one of the youngest elected officials in the statehouse.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio's Julie O'Donoghue, Jaclyn Driscoll and Jason Rosenbaum take a look at the big issues Missouri lawmakers may take on during the 2020 session. Some of the topics could include overhauling a recently-enacted change to Missouri state legislative redistricting, as well as measures to curb gun violence and expand gambling.

State Rep. Jim Murphy is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. The south St. Louis County Republican joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Julie O’Donoghue to talk about what to expect in the 2020 legislative session.
 
 Murphy represents Missouri’s 94th House District, which includes places like Mehlville and Green Park. It is one of the most competitive House seats in the state, as it famously flipped between Democrat Vicki Englund and Republican Cloria Brown for roughly a decade.

The 2010s brought about immense change to the world of Missouri politics. At the beginning of the decade, the Show Me State was a competitive electoral battleground where both political parties had a chance to make significant gains. By 2019, Republicans took near complete control of state government and key federal posts. So how did we get here? On the last episode of Politically Speaking of the 2010s, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue, Rachel Lippmann and Jo Mannies join me to break down the 10 stories that defined the decade.

State Rep. Dan Shaul joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum on the latest edition of Politically Speaking. The Imperial Republican represents the 113th District in the Missouri House. That takes in a portion of northern Jefferson County, particularly parts of Arnold, Imperial and Barnhart. Shaul is the chairman of the Special Interim Committee on Gaming. That committee held hearings over the summer on the proliferation of gaming machines in truck stops and gas station — and the expansion of sports betting.

There was some pretty big news that dropped right after our weekly round up show hit the Internet: St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson announced on St. Louis Public Radio's St. Louis on the Air that a bid to bring a private operator to run St. Louis Lambert Airport was dead. We felt this was big enough news to create a mini-episode where St. Louis Public Radio's Julie O'Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum talk with Corinne Ruff, who had been closely following airport privatization for months.

On the final Politically Speaking roundup show of 2019, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum look at some of the headlines that made an impact in the waning days of the year. O’Donoghue talked with St. Louis Public Radio reporter Eric Schmid about impending legalization of marijuana in Illinois. It’s a move that will have a profound impact on towns in the Metro East — and on neighboring states like Missouri.

State Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Lee’s Summit, joins public radio political reporters Julie O’Donoghue, Jason Rosenbaum and Aviva Okeson-Haberman to talk about her first year in office and what she expects in the upcoming 2020 legislative session. 
 
 Ingle has a background in social work and has investigated child abuse and neglect. She won election in 2018 in a district outside Kansas City. She flipped her House seat from Republican to Democrat.

The latest episode of Politically Speaking features St. Louis Public Radio's Julie O'Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum talking with Kae Petrin about red light cameras.
 
 This show also features The Kansas City Star's Bryan Lowry talking about the impending impeachment of President Donald Trump — and how MIssouri's congressional delegation is reacting.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, former Missouri Supreme Court Judge Ray Price talks with St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum about his legal career and his new role as chairman of the St. Louis County Board of Police Commissioners. St. Louis County Executive Sam Page appointed Price to the board that oversees the county police department earlier this fall. Page has now appointed four out of the five members — and could potentially replace former county executive Steve Stenger’s final appointee at any time.

On the latest edition of Politically Speaking's Friday round up show, St. Louis Public Radio's Julie O'Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum talk about Missouri's 2nd Congressional District race. O'Donoghue also talks with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Kurt Erickson about how Missouri is handling Medicaid waivers. And we also discuss the turmoil in Missouri's public defender system with The Kansas City Star's Katie Moore.

State Rep.-elect Trish Gunby is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. The St. Louis County Democrat talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jo Mannies about her victory in the 99th House District special election that flipped the seat. Gunby defeated Republican Lee Ann Pitman to serve out an unexpired term in a district that takes in Valley Park, Manchester, Twin Oaks and unincorporated St. Louis County.

St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Rachel Lippmann chat with St. Louis Alderwoman Christine Ingrassia, of the 6th Ward, about airport privatization, MetroLink and the city's new soccer stadium.

St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum, Jaclyn Driscoll and Julie O'Donoghue discuss vaping, St. Louis police residency requirements and General Motors' tax incentives. Associated Press reporter Summer Ballentine also appears in this episode.

State Rep. Becky Ruth joins St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum on the latest episode of Politically Speaking. Ruth represents a portion of eastern Jefferson County, which includes cities like Festus, Herculaneum, Pevely and Hematite. The Festus Republican is the first woman to ever lead the House Transportation Committee.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue, Jason Rosenbaum and Jacyln Driscoll review some of the week’s biggest stories in state and local politics. One of the big topics on the show is the first meeting of the Board of Freeholders, which can propose consolidating services in St. Louis and St. Louis County — or even combining city and county governments.

St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jaclyn Driscoll welcome state Rep. LaDonna Appelbaum to Politically Speaking for the first time. The discussion includes her effort to improve health care. Appelbaum represents Missouri’s 71st House District, which takes in portions of Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, Olivette, Overland and unincorporated St. Louis County. She was first elected in 2018.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum, Julie O'Donoghue and others talk about the St. Louis airport privatization efforts, sports betting and the ongoing controversy over Paul McKee's city development plans.

Blake Strode, executive director of ArchCity Defenders, and Jacki Langum, the organization’s advocacy director, talk about the group’s 10th anniversary on the latest edition of Politically Speaking.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum take a closer look at some of the biggest political stories of the week. Topping the headlines was turmoil in the St. Louis County Police Department after a jury awarded a nearly $20 million verdict to Sgt. Keith Wildhaber in his discrimination suit. That decision is prompting calls for sweeping change in one of Missouri’s largest local law enforcement agencies.

Baringer talks with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about the need to regulate vaping and other topics during this episode of Politically Speaking.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue, Jason Rosenbaum, Rachel Lippmann and others talk about efforts to curb surveillance in St. Louis, how legislators adapt to lobbyist descriptions and efforts to merge the city and the county.

State Rep. Shamed Dogan returns to Politically Speaking to talk with St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum about his efforts to change how Missouri handles criminal justice. The Ballwin Republican represents the 98th House District, which includes parts of Ellisville, Fenton, and Wildwood.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue, Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll break down some of the week’s biggest stories in federal, state and local politics.
 
 Of particular interest for many St. Louis area residents is the financial peril surrounding the Loop Trolley.

St. Louis Alderwoman Sarah Martin returns to Politically Speaking to talk about some of the big issues percolating in city government. That includes bringing crime under control and an impending debate on having a private operator run St. Louis Lambert Airport.

The latest episode looks at how U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt is reacting to the potential impeachment of President Donald Trump. The Politically Speaking team also examines a hearing where lawmakers asked sharp questions about gambling devices that are showing up around Missouri. We also talked with The Kansas City Star's Jason Hancock about his story showcasing how much money that state's spent on defending a lawsuit over self-destructing texts. You can read that story here: https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article235795407.html

Tim McBride is a professor at Washington University’s Brown School, where he focuses on health care policy. He’s also served on a board that oversees Missouri’s Medicaid program — so he has a lot to say about the possibility of expanding the health care program. McBride joins St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jaclyn Driscoll on the latest episode of Politically Speaking, so let’s hit the music.

St. Louis Public Radio's Julie O'Donoghue, Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll talk about the news that matter during the week of Sept. 30, 2019. We also talked with St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Jeremy Kohler on his latest story about St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson conversed with a Centene business executive about fighting crime.

Sen. Bill Eigel is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum, Julie O’Donoghue and Jaclyn Driscoll about the future of the Conservative Caucus in the Missouri legislature. The St. Charles County Republican is a member of a six-person Senate faction which has questioned GOP proposals involving transportation spending and economic development.

Former Secretary of State John Kerry spokes with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum ahead of his Oct. 1, 2019, speech in St. Louis. Kerry is taking part in Maryville University's St. Louis Speakers Series.

Missouri House Rep. Ian Mackey is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast. The Democrat from Richmond Heights talked to St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum. Mackey won his first election to the state house in 2018. His district includes Richmond Heights, Clayton and University City.

The latest edition of Politically Speaking takes a closer look at what’s historically known as the Board of Freeholders, a 19-person body that could present a plan merging St. Louis and St. Louis County to local voters. Earlier this week, the Municipal League of Metro St. Louis submitted its last batches of signatures in St. Louis and St. Louis County to jumpstart the freeholders process. St. Louis County Board of Elections Democratic director Eric Fey said the county’s signatures will likely be certified on Monday.

State Sen. John Rizzo is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast. The Democrat from Independence talked to St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jaclyn Driscoll. Rizzo has been a state senator since 2017 and previously served as a House member from 2011 to 2017. His district includes parts of Kansas City.

On the latest edition of the Politically Speaking podcast, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll and The Kansas City Star’s Crystal Thomas review this past week’s special session. Gov. Mike Parson wanted lawmakers to deal with a vehicle sales tax technicality as they gathered for veto session. Legislators ended up following through on that request without too much trouble.

Sen. Lincoln Hough is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast. The Springfield Republican talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll about the upcoming special session — and what to expect when lawmakers come back to Jefferson City in January. Hough represents Missouri’s 30th Senatorial District, which takes in a big chunk of Springfield and Greene County. He was sworn into office in early January for a four-year term.

St. Louis County Councilwoman Kelli Dunaway is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast. The Chesterfield Democrat talked to St. Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Julie O’Donoghue about her childhood in rural Illinois and her first month in office. 
 
 Dunaway’s district includes Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, Overland and Hazelwood. She joined the St. Louis County Council in after a special election to replace Sam Page in August.

The latest episode of Politically Speaking takes stock of how political and community leaders are responding to St. Louis children getting killed in an outbreak of gun violence this summer. St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum, Julie O’Donoghue, Rachel Lippmann, Chad Davis and Andrea Henderson look into how city and state leaders are feeling the pressure to act — especially when it comes to implementing more stringent gun laws.

State Rep. Hannah Kelly is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast. The Mountain Grove Republican talked to St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Julie O’Donoghue about some of the important issues for her rural Missouri district. Kelly represents portions of Wright and Webster Counties. She has served in the Missouri House since 2017.

The latest episode of Politically Speaking explores the state of the Missouri Democratic Party — and what some of the party’s leadership feels needs to be done to reverse its decline.
 
 St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum, Jo Mannies, Julie O’Donoghue and Jaclyn Driscoll chart out why Missouri Democrats went from dominating the state’s politics to being nearly completely out of power. Many Democrats believe that state Auditor Nicole Galloway’s 2020 gubernatorial bid is the first big step towards engineering a comeback.

St. Louis County Councilman Mark Harder is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Julie O’Donoghue about the titanic changes in county government. Harder represents the council’s 7th District, which includes Ballwin, Chesterfield, Ellisville and Wildwood. With recent departures of council members, the Ballwin Republican is now the most senior member of the council.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis County Councilwoman-elect Rita Days talks with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Julie O’Donoghue about her impending service on the St. Louis County Council. Days was elected to fill out the rest of Hazel Erby’s term in the 1st District, which takes in more than 40 cities in central and north St. Louis County. The Bel Nor Democrat’s term goes until the end of 2022.

On this edition of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue, Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum reflect on the rise and fall of former St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger.
 
 The Democratic official was sentenced to 46 months in prison last week for his role in a pay-to-play scheme. He’s been the subject to public scorn after a sentencing memo detailed vulgar and boorish comments about his political enemies.
 
 But there’s more to Stenger’s story than just his rapid departure from office. A number of interest groups, such as organized labor, business leaders and top elected officials, played a key role in his rise to power. After entering office with the power to radically change St. Louis County government, most of Stenger’s tenure devolved into heated confrontations with the St. Louis County Council.

On the latest edition of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum, Julie O’Donoghue and Rachel Lippmann take a look at how politics and policy has changed in five years since Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson. This show looks at how the slow progress picked up last year with the election of Wesley Bell as St. Louis County prosecutor. That ushered in a new political coalition that’s affecting other parts of county government. But progress has been slower in state and national politics.

St. Louis Alderman Bret Narayan is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he talked to St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about his first few months on the Board of Aldermen.
 
 The 24th Ward Democrat represents the neighborhoods that encompass Dogtown in southwest St. Louis. He won election to the seat earlier this year.