Politically Speaking

The Politically Speaking crew welcomes its fourth statewide official to the show – state Treasurer Clint Zweifel. The north St. Louis County native is responsible for a host of financially related matters, including managing the state’s college saving program, overseeing the state's financial investments and returning unclaimed property to Missouri residents. He also sits on the Missouri Housing Development Commission, which doles out low-income housing tax credits to developers. Originally published on March 4, 2014.

U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Ballwin, joined the Politically Speaking crew on this week’s show. Before she was elected to represent the 2nd congressional district in 2012, Wagner had served as the head of the Missouri Republican Party, co-chair of the Republican National Committee and then as ambassador to Luxembourg under President George W. Bush. Originally published on Feb. 25, 2014.

This week, Chris McDaniel and Jo Mannies hosted state House Minority Leader Jake Hummel, a Democrat from St. Louis. Hummel, a union electrician, acknowledges that the 52 House Democrats have a tough task because they are outnumbered by more than 100 Republicans. Originally published on Feb. 19, 2014.

Jo Mannies hosts state House Budget chairman Rick Stream, a Republican from Kirkwood. She was joined by Marshall Griffin of St. Louis Public Radio’s Jefferson City bureau. Originally published on February 10, 2014

Green is the city's chief fiscal officer and one of the longest-serving comptrollers in modern history. Green discussed her unlikely transition into electoral politics (which Mannies detailed in a 2011 profile), her relationship with Mayor Francis Slay and Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed as well as some initiatives she’s launched recently. She also talked at length about her role as vice chair of the Missouri Democratic Party – and efforts to recruit African-American candidates to run for statewide office. Originally published on Feb. 4, 2014.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder becomes the third statewide official to appear on the podcast, following state Auditor Tom Schweich and Secretary of State Jason Kander. The Republican has been Missouri’s lieutenant governor since 2005; he also was the first GOP lawmaker in decades to become president pro tem of the Missouri Senate. Originally published on January 29, 2014.

Marshall Griffin joins the Politically Speaking crew to talk about Gov. Jay Nixon's State of the State speech and the latest developments involving Missouri's death penalty. Senate Minority Leader Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, joins Chris, Jo and Jason for the second part of the show. Originally published on January 22, 2014.

Jason and Jo discuss the roadblocks to getting “right to work” on the ballot and why upcoming campaign finance reports matter. For the rest of the show, the Politically Speaking crew talks with Rep. Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City. Originally published on January 15, 2014.

This week the Politically Speaking crew welcomes Secretary of State Jason Kander to the podcast. Kander, a Democrat from Kansas City, narrowly captured the statewide office in 2012 after a hard-fought contest with Republican Shane Schoeller. During the show, Kander discussed his push to alter Missouri’s campaign finance and lobbyist laws. He announced on the show that he’s throwing his support behind an ethics bill, to be introduced shortly by state Rep. Kevin McManus, D-Kansas City, that would bar lobbyist gifts, cap campaign contributions and force former lawmakers to wait before becoming lobbyists. Originally published on Jan. 7, 2014.

Ogilvie burst onto the local political scene in 2011 when he easily defeated former Alderman Tom Bauer to represent the southwest St. Louis ward. On the show, Ogilvie discussed Complete Streets legislation in St. Louis County, his bid to cap campaign donations for city elections and his opposition to a statewide transportation sales tax. Originally published on Dec. 23, 2013.

State Rep. Paul Curtman, R-Pacific, is this week’s guest on the Politically Speaking podcast, which this week features regulars Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies as hosts. Chris McDaniel is on assignment. Curtman, 32, is a second-term member of the Missouri House, with his district representing part of Franklin County. He’s also a former Marine, serving from 1999 to 2003 on active duty. Two of his close friends in the Marines died in Iraq, which Curtman says has affected his approach toward life and politics. Originally published on Dec. 19, 2013.

On today's episode: It's a blast from the past as we start off the show by talking about Congressman Todd Akin's race (specifically hisNRSCfunding), then we move on to Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones' so-called Speaker Tour (or the Lt. Gov.'s Tour?), and we close it out with a discussion on the Arch Tax.

The first-term lawmaker made the transition this year from being a legislative staffer to representing portions of north, central and south St. Louis. In addition to discussing life in the legislature, Butler talked about Gov. Jay Nixon’s latest push for ethics reform, the recent special session to woo Boeing, controversy around state Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro and his desire to bring state funds for crime prevention. Originally published Dec. 12, 2013.

On today's episode: We discuss Representative Jo Ann Emerson's early departure, and who's on the short-list to replace her, where we stand on Medicaid expansion, and Senator Claire McCaskill's recent PR tour.

On this week's show, St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann joins us. Ehlmann talks about playing basketball with Governor Jay Nixon (he says he's a better shooter than Nixon, but that the governor "throws his weight around" on the inside). Originally published on Dec. 5, 2013.

On this week's episode: Nixon taking a stance on Medicaid expansion, Missouri Republican plans to cut taxes and St. Louis County's LGBT non-discrimination ordinance.

On this week's show, we're joined by the president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, Lewis Reed. After admitting his "deep, dark secret," Reed talks about how his race against Mayor Francis Slay changed the governing calculus at City Hall, and whether the balance of power is shifting in favor of the mayor. We conclude with the topic du jour - the renewed conversations around merging St. Louis city and St. Louis County. Originally published on Nov. 21, 2013.

On the table for this week: GOP dissent on health exchanges, the recent ruling on public employee's right to collective bargain and the new bipartisan debt group in Missouri. And, of course, some talk about Governor Jay Nixon's deer "harvesting" and Gobbles the Turkey.

On this week's show, we're joined by Missouri state representative Rick Stream. Stream is the budget chairman, and has also been serving on two important interim committees: "Medicaid Transformation" and Education. Stream shares his experience as budget chair, and goes into detail on the changes he's proposing to the school transfer process. We close it out by discussing the Medicaid hearings, and what the expectations should be for expansion. Originally published on Nov. 15, 2013.

On this week's podcast: After the GOP's lackluster performance in Missouri's statewide races, what can the party do going forward? It's early, but ballot initiatives are already in discussion for 2014. And leadership positions have now been divvied out in the Missouri legislature. How will the Republican leaders work with Democratic Governor Jay Nixon?

On this week's show, Mo. Senator Joe Keaveny joins us. Keaveny has been meeting with fellow senators on the school transfer situation, and fills us in on what preliminary changes could be possible. We also discuss the prospect of Medicaid expansion in this session or next, as well as what changes would have to be made to the program. Originally published on Nov. 7, 2013.

Former Mo. Senator Jane Cunningham joins us on this week's show. Cunningham discusses how her district was lost with redistricting, and what she's been up to since. She recently won a contentious race for the Monarch Fire Board, and tells us about her public fights with the local union. Originally published on Nov. 1, 2013

U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill joins us on this week's show. The Democratic senator tells us about her experience in the male-dominated Missouri Legislature, and gives us a preview of her upcoming book. We also discuss the government shutdown, Jason's cooking skills, and the future of the Affordable Care Act. Originally published on October 23, 2013.

Missouri Sen. Brian Nieves joins this week's show. Nieves tells us the story of his first time in the Missouri Capitol, and we discuss the role he now plays in the senate (he says he's a pit bull). We discuss the future of the bills he brought to the floor this year, including the Second Amendment Preservation Act - also referred to as the nullification bill - as well as the Agenda 21 bill. Nieves tells us his Second Amendment bill is like Freddy Krueger, and it'll be back next year. Originally published on Oct. 17, 2013.

On this week's show, Missouri Rep. Jill Schupp joins us. Schupp was one of the more outspoken Democrats during September's veto session. We talk to her about what she thinks the future of two bills she spoke out against: the income tax cut bill and the nullification bill. We touch on Medicaid expansion's chances in next session, and go into detail on her upcoming race for state senate. Originally published Oct. 11, 2013.

Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich joins us to discuss the results of his case against Governor Jay Nixon. Schweich had challenged Nixon's ability to withhold budgeted money, arguing that he could only do so if revenue actually came in lower than expected. We also discuss his audit of the St. Louis Public School system, which found students were being promoted in grade level even when they weren't at the right reading level requirements. Then we discuss his CPAC speech, as well as his 2014 re-election campaign. Originally published Oct. 3, 2013.

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay joins us to discuss a variety of issues. Slay gives us an update on the gun docket that was recently voted down by judges, and where the plan goes from here. We also discuss the prospect of the city re-entering the county, alleged "secret meetings," Northside development, and the mayor's fitness tips. Originally published Sept. 26, 2013.

Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey joins us to give a post-mortem of last week's veto session. The Republican goes into great detail on why he voted against the much-covered gun nullification bill, as well as what we can expect out of next year's session. Originally published September 19, 2013.

Jones discusses parking meters in the 21st century, as well as the upcoming veto session. We also get into last month's rodeo clown incident, and Jones discusses the backlash she received for speaking out against it. Originally published on Sept. 5, 2013.

Joining us on this week's show is former Mo. Speaker of the House Steve Tilley. The Republican-turned-lobbyist discusses his tenure in Jefferson City (including Rush Limbaugh's induction into the Hall of Famous Missourians and his Cairo comment). Tilley also discusses the upcoming veto session, tax credits, ethics reform and the revolving door of legislators to lobbyists. Originally published on August 29, 2013.

We've discussed next month's veto session at length, but most of the talk has centered on the House. What will the Senate's role in September be, should a bill come out of the House? Will Senate Democrats filibuster legislation? We also discuss the school transfer situation, as the Senator's district encompasses two of the receiving districts. Sifton has sponsored legislation that would cease all lobbyist gifts, so we close it out by discussing the possibility of serious ethics reform in the state legislature. Originally published on August 22, 2013.

Mo. House Majority Leader John Diehl joins us to discuss the vote count on the controversial income tax cut bill, as well as what veto session is shaping up to look like on a variety of other bills (Doe Run, the so-called gun nullification bill, and Agenda 21). We also discuss Diehl's race against fellow Republican Rep. Caleb Jones for the Speaker's gavel. Originally published on August 14, 2013.

Missouri Representative Mike Colona joins us to discuss the income tax bill's merits and chances of becoming law, as well as the nationally-covered gun nullification bill. We also discuss the Senate's movement on legislation to add sexual orientation and gender identity to anti-discrimination laws, and Colona shares a story of what it's like to be a gay man in a conservative legislature. Originally published on August 9, 2013.

Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones makes some news by announcing that the income tax bill is likely to not be brought up in next month's veto session. Jones discusses its future in next year's session, as well as the prospects of so-called "Right to Work" legislation and education reform. The Republican from Eureka also considers the prospect of a veto override on the much-reported gun nullification bill, as well as his political future. Originally published on July 30, 2013

Missouri Senator Gina Walsh's district encompasses the unaccredited Riverview Gardens School District, which will pay millions to bus students to Mehlville and another school. Walsh discusses the situation and what the state legislature can do next year. We also discuss the well-funded and publicized battle over an income tax cut, leading up to veto session in September. The Democrat also discusses her filibusters in the senate against so-called paycheck protection/paycheck deception. Originally published on July 25, 2013.

Missouri Senator Scott Rupp (R-Lincoln) joins the trio to discuss Normandy students busing to Francis Howell. Rupp was also an architect of the lauded Second Injury Fund fix, and talks about how it came to be. Originally published on July 19, 2013.

We are joined by Democratic Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal. She discusses the Normandy School District busing students to Francis Howell, as well as guns and gangs in St. Louis. During the show, libertarian billionaire Rex Sinquefield disclosed a whopping $1.3 million donation to a group pressuring lawmakers to over-ride Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of an income tax bill. Chappelle-Nadal discusses her view of Missouri's biggest campaign contributor, and the story of how she met him. Originally published on July 11, 2013.

On this week's 4th of July show: the gang discusses Governor Nixon's move to hold $400 million from the budget, his numerous vetoes, the Department of Revenue document scanning developments, and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley's six-figure donation from libertarian Rex Sinquefield.

: Missouri Senator John Lamping (R) joins as a guest, and discusses how he got into politics (and went to college with Michelle Obama). Lamping also discusses his filibuster against the transportation sales tax, his plans for ethics reform next session, and the prospect of him running for his seat again. Originally published June 27, 2013.

Missouri Senator JamilahNasheed (D-St. Louis) joins as a guest, and makes an announcement on campaign finance. Then we turn to school accreditation in Missouri, as well as the prospects for Medicaid expansion in upcoming years. Originally published on June 19, 2013.

Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale) joins as a guest to have a "free-wheeling and fun conversation" on the income tax bill the governor vetoed. Then we run through some news: the auditor's finding on the Hancock Amendment, as well as the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. Originally published on June 13, 2013.

On this week's episode: a "feisty" Governor Jay Nixon vetoes two pieces of legislation, and we discuss the chances of an override. Then we turn to the Eighth district to sum up the recently concluded election, and what the future holds for newly-elected Congressman Jason Smith.

On this week's episode: we recap the new finding in the income tax cut bill, which inadvertently would cause a sales tax increase. Then we discuss the chances of an upset in the 8th Congressional race. We finally close it out with a discussion about Democrat JillSchupp announcing her run for Senator John Lamping's seat.

In our first Politically Speaking before a live audience, Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum of the St. Louis Beacon join St. Louis Public Radio's Marshall Griffin and Chris McDaniel to discuss everything Missouri legislature related.
 
 In part one of our show, we discuss our key takeaways from the 2013 session, and what we predict will be contentious issues come September's veto-session.
 
 In part two, we open it up to audience questions, discussing everything from education committee reassignments to energy to ethics changes.

In our first Politically Speaking before a live audience, Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum of the St. Louis Beacon join St. Louis Public Radio's Marshall Griffin and Chris McDaniel to discuss everything Missouri legislature related.
 
 In part one of our show, we discuss our key takeaways from the 2013 session, and what we predict will be contentious issues come September's veto-session.

Jo calls in from Jefferson City to give us a preview of what is going on in the final week of legislative session, and then we all talk about the reaction from Senators Claire McCaskill and Dick Durbin to the IRS profiling tea party groups. We also discuss the role 501(c)(4)s, and compare the federal campaign finance rules to Missouri's no-limits system. Originally published on May 14, 2013.

On this week's episode: Jason reports from Jefferson City about possible layoffs at the DMV, the Governor's press statement, the possibility of a veto-override of tax cuts, and fast food strikes in St. Louis.

On this week's episode: Jo recaps her week in Jefferson City, including the budget surplus and the so-called "Alcohol Wars." Then Jason sums up the theatrics surrounding the Ellisville impeachment.

On this week's episode: The happenings in the Missouri legislature, Reed and Slay's renewed back-and-forth, the possibility of an #AkinComeback, and McCaskill's involvement in a South Carolina race.

Jo Mannies is out this week, so we have St. Louis Public Radio's Marshall Griffin filling in. Marshall joins Jason Rosenbaum of the St. Louis Beacon and Chris McDaniel of St. Louis Public Radio to discuss the week in politics.
 
 On this week's show: Marshall fills us in on the developments in the Department of Revenue "kerfuffle", we talk about the gun and Medicaid rallies in Jefferson City, and Slay's inaugural announcement.