Politically Speaking

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.

On this week's show: Marshall fills us in on the Department of Revenue debate over conceal and carry documents, we talk about the lobbying money in Jefferson City, and Medicaid expansion's developments in the past week.

On this week's episode: we discuss the ebb and flow of Medicaid reform and expansion this week in the Missouri House, what the passage of Proposition P (the "Arch Tax) means and Ellisville's ongoing impeachment situation with its mayor.

On this week's episode: We discuss Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill's tumblr announcement, Proposition P, and the nonexistent St. Louis mayoral race.

On this week's episode: We discuss the conservatives on both sides of Prop. P, the court rulings while the Missouri legislature is on vacation, and Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill's new book.

Photo-baum's on mayoral flyers, Shane Schoeller as the new executive director of the Missouri GOP, and the back and forth between Senator Claire McCaskill and newly-elected Congresswoman Ann Wagner on the Violence Against Women Act. Originally published on February 28, 2013.

On this week's episode: mayoral shenanigans and talents, Lincoln Days speeches, Nixon's Medicaid tour and legislative trolling.

On this week's episode: we talk about the mayoral forum and (some) of the muck in the race, the official Republican nominee in the 8th Congressional district, and Missouri legislative action with voter I.D. and the 2nd Injury Fund.

On this week's show: We cover it all in the St. Louis mayoral race (even the diet and exercise of the candidates), we also touch on so-called "Right-to-Work" legislation that's being discussed in the Missouri House, and close it out with an update on Missouri's 8thCongressional district.

On this week's show: the state of the State of the State, the realities of campaign finance in Missouri -- and the likelihood of an attempt to change it, and finally, the mayoral debate and Slay's spending spree.

On this week's show: the special elections bill that's speeding through the statehouse, the early morning voter ID committee and the $6 million plane.
 
 Editor's note: after the recording, the voter ID committee was pushed back to 8 a.m.

On this week's episode: we look at the substantive mayoral race that's gone largely unnoticed until now, the festivities and frigidness of Missouri's inauguration, and the bill that would change how special elections are conducted in Missouri. Don't worry, we also talk about the color scheme of the new Secretary of State's website.

On today's episode: Ed Martin becomes the Missouri GOP's new chairman. How did it happen? Also, an update on the jockeying for Missouri's 8th Congressional seat. And then we close it out with a look toward the Missouri legislature.

St. Louis Public Radio's Chris McDaniel joins the St. Louis Beacon's Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum to discuss what's ahead in the rapidly approaching legislative session, who will be the Missouri GOP's next chairman and some personnel changes in the St. Louis mayoral race.

On today's episode: After the tragedy in Connecticut, many are looking to our elected officials to take action. The Politically Speaking Podcast takes a look at what is being proposed at the national and state level. Then we discuss the possibility of the special election for Missouri's 8th Congressional district being moved up, and we close it out with a discussion about Missouri's positive budget projection.