Politically Speaking

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, 2nd Ward Alderman Tom Oldenburg discusses chairing a committee on red tape, finding common ground with the growing progressive bloc at City Hall, and plans for his political future.

Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Democrat from Kansas City, is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. Arthur speaks with St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about this year's session so far, as well as her opinions on the final week. A member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Arthur also speaks on what she liked about this year's budget and what she was disappointed in.

On a special edition of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum talks with Attorney General Andrew Bailey about whether his office, and regional prosecutors, can help stabilize the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's office. He also talked about why he's not ready to drop his quo warranto case against Kim Gardner, who announced her resignation earlier this week.

U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, of Illinois’ 12th District, recently returned to Washington, D.C. after a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border, where the border patrol is struggling with an uptick in agent suicide, he said.
 
 Many of those agents are veterans. As chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Bost said that’s concerning.
 
 More broadly, figuring out how to make the system at the border better is a tough subject, Bost said.

When an 84-year-old white man shot 16-year-old African-American Ralph Yarl in Kansas City earlier this month, people around the state and country were outraged. And now, Andrew Lester is facing felony charges.
 
 St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum talked with Saint Louis University Law School professor Anders Walker about how Missouri’s castle doctrine and stand your ground laws likely won’t help Lester.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg on the latest episode of Politically Speaking to talk about a host of issues confronting his office and the state.
 
 That includes Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s rules restricting gender-affirming care for minors and adults.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Democratic U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, whose 13th District includes a portion of the Metro East, reflects on her first 100 days in office.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, state Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern talks to St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about the state budgetary process — and how Missouri lawmakers should approach education policy.
 
 Nurrenbern represents Missouri’s 15th House District, which takes in a portion of Clay County. She was first elected in 2020 and then re-elected last year. The former teacher serves on the House Budget Committee and the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee.

Rep. Lane Roberts joins Politically Speaking for the first-time. The Joplin Republican speaks to St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about his legislation that Republicans say will reduce crime in Missouri. Included in the bill is language allowing for the governor to appoint a special prosecutor to handle violent crime cases in jurisdictions that exceed a specified murder case rate.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, outgoing 14th Ward Alderwoman Carol Howard discusses raising aldermanic pay, what it might take to lift a residency requirement for city employees, and how the digital age changed everything about being an alderperson.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking podcast, Annie Rice, the outgoing alderwoman of the 8th Ward, talks about setting up a charter commission, her political legacy, and what it was like to serve on the board.

Former Congressman Russ Carnahan was elected as Missouri Democratic Party chairman over the weekend. And the St. Louis Democrat talked with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum about the challenges and opportunities for a party that's been in an electoral slump since 2012.

Republican-led states all over the country are passing bill restricting transgender rights, particularly the ability for minors to access health care procedures like puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and gender reassignment surgeries. But Missouri may actually pass a less restrictive version of that idea, thanks to the fact that the Missouri Senate has a tradition of a strong filibuster. St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum talks with Democratic Sen. Greg Razer of Kansas City about how the filibuster can reshape the debate over bills affecting transgender people.

State Sen. Rusty Black, R-Chillicothe, joins St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg to talk about a multitude of issues during the 2023 legislative session. That includes bills that would curtail the purchase of farmland by some foreign corporations and efforts to extend Medicaid to postpartum mothers.

House Rep. David Tyson Smith makes his return on Politically Speaking. The Columbia Democrat joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to discuss the 2023 Legislative Session as it begins its third month. Smith sits on the House Elections and Elected Officials committee, meaning he has heard not only bills changing the election process but also numerous resolutions that would make it harder to amend Missouri's constitution.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner is facing the fight of her political life after a man on house arrested seriously injured a 17-year-old girl. Republicans and Democrats are calling for her to resign, contending she has neglected her duties in office. Gardner has refused to step aside, adding that St. Louis' judges bare responsibility for what happened to Janae Edmondson. Attorney General Andrew Bailey subsequently filed what's known as a quo warranto motion aimed at ousting her from office. This is not unprecedented. Back in 2009, Joe Dandurand played a major role in then-Attorney General Chris Koster's efforts to remove Dent County Prosecutor Jessica Sparks from office. Dandurand also was a Cass County judge when the Missouri Supreme Court decided a landmark quo warranto case known as Fuchs v. Foote. Dandurand talked with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum what the quo warranto process entails and why Gardner's fate could be hugely significant to the legal profession.

State Rep. Barbara Phifer, D-Kirkwood, joins St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg to talk about the contentious nature of the 2023 General Assembly session. Phifer represents portions of St. Louis County in the Missouri House. Prior to serving in the legislature, Phifer was a United Methodist pastor for more than 40 years.

State Rep. Phil Christofanelli is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast, where he talked about his legislative priorities and key issues of the 2023 session.
 
 Christofanelli represents Missouri’s 104th House District, which takes in a portion of St. Charles County. He was first elected to his post in 2016, and will be unable to run again for the House after 2024 due to term limits. Christofanelli announced he’s running for a Missouri Senate seat that’s currently held by Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, in 2024.

State Rep. Donna Baringer is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where she talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about legislation around St. Louis’ ability to fight crime.
 
 Baringer is a Democrat who represents Missouri’s 82nd District in the Missouri House. After redistricting, that district takes in a number of neighborhoods in southwest St. Louis.

Missouri Congressman Sam Graves Graves talked to St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum about his goals and expectations as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Tarkio Republican represents Missouri's 6th Congressional District.

Gov. Mike Parson won plaudits from an unlikely group of people: Missouri legislative Democrats. To break down why, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg look at some of the highlights of his 2023 speech — and what the GOP chief executive's legacy in office could be.

Richard Brown, Assistant House Minority Floor Leader, is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. The Kansas City Democrat joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about the priorities for House Democrats during the 2023 legislative session, which includes childcare, tax policies that support working families and gun control measures.

House Majority Leader Jon Patterson is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum about the start of the 2023 legislative session.
 
 Patterson is a Republican from Lee’s Summit who was recently elected as majority floor leader. He first won election to the 30th District House seat in 2018, and was subsequently re-elected in 2020 and 2022. His district includes a portion of Jackson County.

Missouri politics in 2022 featured a little bit of everything: High-stakes elections, nasty legislative fights and landmark court decisions.
 
 And all of the storylines that defined 2022 stoked enough contention and conflict to likely affect events in 2023 and beyond. So as we always do this time of year, the STLPR politics team counts down the stories that defined the last 12 months.

Sen. Doug Beck is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. The south St. Louis County Democrat talked about what to expect in the 2023 session and some of his priority legislation.
 
 Beck represents the 1st Senate District, which takes in most of unincorporated south St. Louis County and municipalities like Webster Groves and Crestwood. He will be up for reelection for a second term in 2024.

After close to 50 years in public life, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt is heading into retirement. He leaves behind a substantial political and policy legacy in Missouri — much of what the Republican attributes to working with Democrats on major issues. St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum talked with the two-term senator about the big takeaways from his life and career.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Sen. Denny Hoskins talks with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about an issue that’s bedeviled lawmakers over the past few years: Legalizing sports betting — and allowing for businesses to have video lottery terminals.
 
 Hoskins is a Republican from Warrensburg who was first elected to represent Missouri’s 21st Senatorial District in 2016. He was re-elected to his post in 2020.

Current Missouri House Representative and incoming State Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to discuss her legislative goals ahead of the 2023 state session. Other topics discussed include the possibility of a constitutional challenge to Missouri's abortion ban, the dynamics of the Missouri Senate and how Coleman feels Republicans fared this past election cycle.

State Rep. Marlene Terry is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. The Democrat from Bellefontaine Neighbors talked about her pathway to the Missouri House and her goals as chairwoman of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus.

Rep. Emily Weber joins Politically Speaking as a first-time guest. The Kansas City Democrat joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to discuss House Democrats' success at picking up three new seats this past election. Weber also speaks on the work House Democrats are doing to build their party and what some of their priorities may be for the upcoming session.

St. Louis County Councilman-elect Dennis Hancock is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. The Fenton Republican talked about his win in this month’s 3rd District County Council race and his expectations for when he takes office in 2023.
 
 Hancock will represent the council’s 3rd District, which includes municipalities like Fenton, Kirkwood, Valley Park and Manchester. He defeated Democrat Vicki Englund in what was the most competitive county council race of 2022.
 
 Hancock will succeed Tim Fitch, a Republican who chose not to run for another term after his residence was drawn out of the 3rd District.

Missouri Republicans won the two statewide races on the ballot yesterday. But calling the 2022 election cycle a disaster for Missouri Democrats would be a stretch — even though the party still has a lot of work to do to win statewide elections.

Congresswoman Ann Wagner is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where she talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about her re-election campaign in Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District.
 
 Wagner has represented the 2nd District since 2013. The district changed after redistricting, and now contains parts of St. Louis, St. Charles and Warren Counties — as well as all of Franklin County.
 
 For the past few years, Wagner has served on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. She serves as the vice ranking members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee — and she could gain influence if she wins re-election and the GOP takes control of the House.

On the latest edition of the Politically Speaking podcast, Megan Green, 15th Ward St. Louis alderwoman, talks about getting asked by the mayor to run for board president, setting a new tone at the board, and getting it ready to be a body of 14, rather than 28.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is the latest guest on the Politically Speaking podcast, where he talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about Missouri’s new law that requires a government-issued photo ID to vote.
 
 Ashcroft also talked about his proposed rule on state library funding, which would include oversight of the material in libraries.

Marilyn McLeod is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. The President of the League of Women Voters of Missouri joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg on why the League joined the Missouri NAACP in suing against Missouri's new election law. In addition to the barriers McLeod says the new photo-ID requirement creates for voters, she also speaks on how the law's new language on voter registration and absentee ballots is already impacting the League's work.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Seventh Ward Alderman Jack Coatar explains why he is the best person to fill a leadership vacuum left by indictment and resignations.

John Payne is with Legal Missouri 2022, the group trying to legalizing marijuana for adult use. He talked with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about the ins and out of Amendment 3 — and whether Missourians want to legalize cannabis products.

Democratic Rep. Ashley Bland Manlove is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. She joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to discuss the reasons why, despite being a co-sponsor of the Cannabis Freedom Act this past legislative session, she is against Amendment 3, which would legalize adult-use of marijuana in Missouri.

Lisa McCarthy is running for the open 122nd District House seat. She talked with St. Louis Public Radio's Jonathan Ahl about running as a Democrat in territory that's become increasingly GOP-friendly. McCarthy is running against Republican Tara Peters, who also recorded an episode of Politically Speaking.

Politically Speaking takes a close look at a race for the 122nd House District, which takes in parts of Phelps County. St. Louis Public Radio's Jonathan Ahl talks with GOP nominee Tara Peters about her bid for the seat. Democratic nominee Lisa McCarthy's episode will be posted later this week.

Republican state auditor nominee Scott Fitzpatrick is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he talked about his plans for the office if he prevails in November.
 
 Fitzpatrick won a hotly-contested GOP primary earlier this year against Republican state Rep. David Gregory. He’s facing off against Democrat Alan Green on Nov. 8. Green served in the MIssouri House from 2014 through the end of 2020.

With a special session on income tax cuts and agricultural tax credits still ongoing, state Rep. LaKeySha Bosley returned to Politically Speaking and talked about why she feels the debate thus far has been a “disaster.”
 
 Bosley represents Missouri’s 79th District, which takes in a portion of St. Louis. She is running unopposed in November for her seat – which means she will serve in her third term since getting elected to the Missouri House in 2018.

Mark Mantovani ran twice for St. Louis County executive as a Democrat. But now the retired businessman is the GOP nominee under unusual circumstances. He talks about his return to electoral politics — and his views on a wide range of pertinent issues.

St. Louis-based author Sarah Kendzior spoke with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum earlier this week about her new book They Knew: How a Culture of Conspiracy Keeps America Complacent. Rosenbaum and Kendzior spoke in front of a live audience at the Ethical Society in Ladue. The event was organized by Left Bank Books

Republican George Hruza is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about his bid for the 24th state Senate district.
 
 Hruza is seeking to represent the St. Louis County-based district that includes Fenton, Maryland Heights and Kirkwood. He’s running against Rep. Tracy McCreery, an Olivette Democrat who has served in the Missouri House for roughly nine years.

Lis Smith is the author of the best-selling book "Any Given Tuesday: A Political Love Story." Much of it talks about her life and career around political communications work, including her tenure with Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign. But she also spent time in Missouri working for Democratic heavyweights like Claire McCaskill and Chris Koster. Smith spoke extensively with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum about her time in the Show Me State — and other major points in the best-selling book.

Democratic Rep. Tracy McCreery is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. She joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about not only the upcoming special session, but her candidacy to be the state Senator for Missouri's 24th District, which is considered to be the most competitive Senate race this election cycle.

Democratic state Auditor nominee Alan Green is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he discussed his campaign for state auditor with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg.
 
 Green served as a member of the state House from 2014 through the beginning of 2021. He is squaring off against state Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick in November. Fitzpatrick is planning on appearing on an episode of Politically Speaking at a later date.

Republican Sen. Lincoln Hough of Springfield joins St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum to talk about a litany of topics, including the upcoming special session dealing with tax cuts and credits. Hough, vice-chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee says he wants to pass an income tax cut Missouri can afford in the years to come. Hough also spoke on the August 2nd Primary, the upcoming November election and how he thinks the Missouri Senate may function after the dissolution of the Conservative Caucus.