24thState

Indiana Enacts Right to Work; Why can't Missouri?

Congratulations to Indiana for doing something that seems beyond the Show Me State: pass right to work legislation:

Indiana officially became the 23rd state in the nation to enact a right to work law that allows employees working in union shops to opt out of joining and paying dues to the union. Gov. Mitch Daniels signed HB 1001 into law this afternoon after the Senate passed the legislation by a 28-22 vote.

Gov. Mitch Daniels issued a statement about the bill after signing it Wednesday. That statement reads in part:

Indiana will improve still further its recently earned reputation as one of America’s best places to do business, and we will see more jobs and opportunity for our young people and for all those looking for a better life.

As was noted at Advance Indiana, 23 states have adopted right to work legislation. Wouldn't it be apropos if Missouri, the 24th state to join the union, could be the 24th state to adopt a right to work bill?

The first step on that path is in Missouri's General Assembly. The Missouri Senate has taken action on right to work, but the Missouri House has let the legislation flounder. Speaker Steven Tilley needs to prioritize this reform.

There is a risk that Democrat Gov. Jay Nixon will veto right to work. In an election year, it is the job of a conservative legislature to force a liberal Governor like Nixon to take a stand on this crucial issue.

 

 

Ed Martin and Scott Eckersley

We've covered this ground before, but the St. Louis Post Disgrace has decided to throw their support behind Chris Koster with smears of Ed Martin that have already been debunked. Here's a convenient round up of our previous coverage:

Part 1: Memogate: A political stunt by Koster and Nixon

Part 2: Why is there no evidence showing Eckersley to be a whistleblower?

Part 3: Eckersley: condemn's himself as tardy, exhausted, and working for others

Part 4: Eckersley was also insubordinate

Apparently, the Post Disgrace is hoping to burnish Koster's image with North St. Louis by smearing Ed Martin as a racist. I think this will come back to haunt them:

"... every friggin' developer can figure out who is illegal," Mr. Martin said. "There's a bunch of Mexicans out there, I guess some of them are probably not legal."

Again, we reiterate his need for effective advertising here.

"See brown people. Round up brown people. Ed Martin. Tough on crime." That's quite a slogan.

Really? That's just amazing. The editorial board of the Post Disgrace has just kicked-off Black History Month with a February 1st racial smear of Ed Martin.

Gubernatorial Candidate Bill Randles on Governor Nixon's Speech

Because you probably won't see this candidate's response in any other media:

Randles Responds to Nixon's State-of-the-State Address

Liberty, Mo., January 18th, 2012 -- Bill Randles released a written statement today in response to Governor Jay Nixon's State of the State address given last night.

"Last night Jay Nixon delivered his fourth State of the State Address. It was simply more of the same failed policies that have placed Missouri near the bottom in every measure. His governorship has been one of failure in every category.

He claims Missouri is a business-friendly state, but a study released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2011 ranked us dead last in terms of regulatory burden and business-friendliness. Under Jay Nixon Missouri lost 90,000 jobs in 2010, the third worst performance in the country. Missouri is one of only three states that spends more than 30% of its state budget on Medicaid alone.

Under Jay Nixon, Missouri has lost a record number of jobs and businesses. His solutions? More bandaids in the form of government programs and crony capitalism. The same formula he has been pushing for three years and that has failed so miserably.

We heard not one word about any serious reform of the policies that led us here. He, of
course, said nothing about our broken tax code, dysfunctional judiciary, or outdated labor
policies. No, he once again has chosen to put the interests of trial lawyers, labor unions, and
crony capitalists ahead of the interests of ordinary Missourians.

His education policies are a disgrace. He makes excuses for the failures of the Kansas
City and St. Louis public schools. He mouths the teachers union line that more money will fix everything – ignoring the billions of wasted dollars already poured into them. He then has the audacity to attack charter schools and claim they need to be more accountable. But apparently this call for accountability does not apply to the public schools in our urban areas that have incinerated billions of dollars, dimmed the future prospects for generations of out more vulnerable children, and enjoyed a virtual monopoly for decades. No, Jay Nixon prefers to placate and reward the failed urban education monopoly and continue to trade our children’s futures for his political convenience.

Jay Nixon is a failed governor. Last night’s speech shows a tired product of a corrupt political machine uninterested in and unable to fix the serious structural problems in our state. He seems to believe his record of failure has earned him another four years. Missouri businesses, tax payers, and children cannot afford another four years of Jay Nixon."

--Bill Randles, Republican gubernatorial candidate

For more information on the Randles for Governor campaign, visit our website, Facebook fanpage, and Twitter feed.

Carnahan Cronies Want More Tax Payer Capital

The St. Joseph News-Press reports that the Carnahan family wind farm is fighting property taxes:

Touted as an innovation when it began, Lost Creek wind farm and its owners, Wind Capital Group, have entered into a legal battle with DeKalb County, wanting to pay about half of its assessed property taxes.

There's nothing new about this fight. Three years ago, this blog reported that Lost Creek and Wind Capital were engaged in the same effort to avoid property taxes.

Again we see the cronies of entrenched political families trying to secure for themselves tax payer capital. It's this sort of rampant, self-serving in the upper echelons of government and business that has fueled both the Tea Party and Occupy movements.

Graphs of Enterprise Contributions to Missouri Politicians

The only editorial I want to add to these graphs relates to the notion that Ed Martin was backed by Enterprise in the 2010 3rd Congressional District race versus Russ Carnahan - the numbers speak for themselves.

The first graph shows 2010 contributions, up to $90,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second graph compares the 2010 contributions with the 2012 contributions to Ann Wagner.

Arnold City Councilman Bill Moritz Votes Twice to Pass Prescription Pseudoephedrine Law

I received this report about last night's council meeting in Arnold from Councilwoman Doris Borgelt:

Last night, Mayor Ron Counts was not in attendance to the regular council meeting of the City of Arnold. Bill Moritz sat in as pro tem and presided over the meeting, which is his duty under Chapter 77. In his capacity as a councilman, he voted in favor of enacting an ordinance to make Sudafed and like products which are common over the counter medications, available only by prescription.  There was a four/four split on the voting and in order to break the tie, he voted in favor of enacting this law.  I protested more than once, that according to Robert's Rules of Order, the chair is not allowed to vote twice.   Robert Sweeney, the city attorney said there was case law allowing the action and he cited an Attorney General's opinion.

After reading that opinion and reviewing the statute cited, I still contend that what was done was improper and that this law was enacted illegally. The AG's opinion is based on Chapter 79 and pertains to fourth class cities. The pro tem in fourth class cities assume the responsibilites of the Mayor in his absence. The City of Arnold is a third class city and the pro tem is only granted the duty of presiding over the meeting. Links to the specific chapters and the Atty General's opinion follow: 

http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C000-099/0790000100.HTM

http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C000-099/0770000070.HTM

http://ago.mo.gov/opinions/1988/38-88.htm

As usual, please forward to those you think would be interested. I will continue to follow up on this and other actions taken by the City.

Tea Party activists in Jefferson County were overwhelmingly successful in the 2010 election, but clearly more victories are needed on the council.

Petty Politics and the Prerogative of Motherhood

The war between Republicans Ann Wagner and Ed Martin promises to be a messy one. The two candidates are vying to be the GOP nominee in Missouri's 2nd Congressional District (MO2). Wagner has racked up endorsement after endorsement from establishment politicians and the occasional bigwig Democrat fundraiser while Martin is relying on his near fifty percent name recognition in the district and strong grassroots ties.

Last month, New Jersey's Governor Chris Christie keynoted a fundraiser for Country Club Conservative Ann Wagner. The $1000 a plate event was unremarkable until last Thursday when the St. Louis Post Dispatch's Jake Wagman saw fit to reveal the contents of a letter to Governor Chris Christie from Ed Martin's mother, Virginia Martin, who happens to be one of Christie's constituents:

"Perhaps your staff was not made aware of the fact that Ed Martin Jr. is the other Republican candidate in that primary," the woman from Whitehouse Station, N.J. wrote in a letter to Christie.

She questioned why Christie would support Wagner when "Ed is a native born New Jerseyan," the product of Readington Township Public Schools and St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City.

The writer was in a position to know.

"Ed Martin, Jr.," she wrote, "happens to be my son."

While it's disappointing that Gov Christie's people released this letter to the Ann Wagner campaign, it is downright surprising that Wagner's high-paid consultants would pass it to the press. it's surprising because it provides an opportunity for her critics to reveal all of the petty tidbits that otherwise would go unmentioned.

It's also a bit of a tell--despite great fund raising, Wagner's campaign is frightened by the grassroots support that Martin has in MO2 and her own lack of traction. 

As one tipster pointed out, Wagner's fund raising helps to gild the lavish tastes she developed as Ambassador to Luxembourg. Those tastes were on display in the 2010 election cycle. During that campaign, Wagner maintained an opulent and oft-empty corner suite in the MOGOP headquarters on Watson Rd.

Such is the luxury that an insider like Wagner has come to expect. Having once served as Chairman of the Missouri GOP she still has allies within the party. As another tipster pointed out, it was not Wagner's campaign that paid to bring Governor Christie to Missouri for her campaign fund raiser, but the state GOP (MOGOP) that picked up the tab. Why not bill it as a Christie-MOGOP event and broaden the appeal across the GOP base? Wagner's influence within the party allowed her team to wrest control and brand it a Wagner-Christie event, but did she really benefit from that?

My tipster also alleged that Christie was led to believe that Wagner was running unopposed. Since the state GOP had indicated months ago that it intended to remain neutral, the party is clearly playing unfairly in this primary now. The cheater inside MOGOP responsible for arranging Christie's visit should be ashamed of himself.

A thousand dollars a plate is a lot of money, but it should not be a barrier to a draw like Christie. I was told by a third tipster that Wagner had trouble filling the event and had to hold a fire-sale just days before Christie arrived. Those supporters that ponied up $1000 may be disappointed to learn that some groups and individuals were offered tickets for only a tenth of that.  Maybe if it was billed as the GOP event it was supposed to be instead of a Wagner fundraising opportunity, those seats wouldn't have been discounted.  Such is the price of hijacking a Garden State potentate in a primary run.

As a mother herself, I'm sure that Ann Wagner understands that it's her right always and everywhere to defend her children from injustice. That is the prerogative of motherhood that Virginia Martin was exercising. It demeans both the Christie administration and the Wagner campaign to attack that prerogative.

Ann, if you're going to pay Jeff Roe $14,000 a month you should demand better opposition research. That's a lot of money to spend to uncover the fact that Ed Martin's mother loves him. More importantly, is family really on the table in this primary? Really?

If you have news or information to share, please email me: 24thPM@gmail.com

 

Red Flags for RINOs

On Tuesday morning, September 13th, St. Louis Mayor Slay testified in support of local control of the of the St. Louis Police department. I testified against local control on behalf of the St. Louis Tea Party. Senate Bill #1 turned over control to the City of St. Louis and was scheduled in front of Committee Chairman Senator Kevin Engler, (R-Farmington).

In the 15 years I have testified in front of various committees both for and against legislation, Senator Engler was the rudest Missouri legislator I have ever encountered. He interrupted me on 5 separate occasions and obviously did not support the Tea Party position. When I advised that the Tea Party objected to the fiscal responsibility aspect and cost involved in the special session that is when he advised that the cost of the hearing was ZERO dollars. He then castigated me regarding my lack of knowledge on the costs to taxpayers in regard to the special session.

At the hearing I wore my Tea Party Express tee shirt and I was advised by a Senator after the hearing that Senator Engler is a RINO and hates the Tea Party. Engler blames the Tea Party for not being President Pro-Tem of the Missouri Senate and credits Ron Hamby, Ron Calzone and the Missouri Leadership Project for the demise of his leadership position.

A google search gave me insights into Senator Engler’s distain for Tea Party beliefs. Senator Engler’s son Andrew Engler is a paid lobbyist for American Traffic Solutions, which is the firm behind the red light cameras throughout the St. Louis area. St. Louis City has over 25 locations implemented by ATS designed to generate revenue for Mayor Francis Slay and the City of St. Louis. It does not take a detective to connect the dots between ATS and Senator Engler’s relationship with Mayor Slay.

Also, on the Jefferson County Tea Party website there is an article exposing lobbyist Andrew Engler and his father Senator Engler outlining their support for red light cameras, which is opposite Tea Party view points. The article “Wolves in our Midst” explains why wearing a Tea Party logo shirt was like waiving a red flag in front of a bull.

Jefferson City's Backroom Deals

Tuesday in Jefferson City the K and N Patriots held a rally against Aerotropolis in the rotunda of the State Capitol. I attended to show my support and then lobby legislators in an attempt to defeat the bill.

The Tea Party friendly Senators all related a common theme that they were unsure what agreements had been worked out between Governor Nixon and republican leadership in the Senate and the House. All thought it was a waste of taxpayer money and the only issue of utmost importance worthy of a special session was Joplin relief. It was obvious the tea party Senators were not in agreement that the special session was necessary and were alarmed at the backroom deals and secrecy of the negotiations.

The hearing times were all subject to change and any type of schedule to testify against bills detrimental to tea party beliefs were in flux and designed so that those in opposition to the republican leadership's agenda would be in disarray. Ron Calzone did an excellent job rallying members of the tea party from across the state to fight the tax giveaways and to quote Ron “Stop Crony Capitalism” in the form of tax credits.

The bills were all being filed with different variations and the Aerotropolis bill was up to 350 plus pages before the day’s end. The state representatives were reading these bills and, unlike Nancy Pelosi and the national health care bill, the representatives wanted to read the legislation before passing it to discover what was in it.

The local control bill which has nothing to do with jobs was also included in the special session. A number of versions regarding local control were discussed behind closed doors and one version of local control changed the funding process of the police pension.

Senator Jason Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau) was the champion of the day and battled President Pro Tem of the Senate Rob Mayer on the secret agreement between Governor Nixon and republican leadership on the necessity of the special session. These issues need citizen influence, committee involvement and legislative debate. The backroom deals to appease Rex Sinquefield and Paul McKee need to be stopped.

I attempted to meet with the sponsors of Aerotropolis, Senator Eric Schmitt and State Representative Caleb Jones. Both were too busy to meet with a citizen lobbyist and both ducked my attempts to meet and discuss the issue of Aerotropolis. The special session and the backroom deals and lies in regards to the issue of JOBS is really about special interests. That is what gives patriots across the state distain for government.

The more government meets the more government inflicts burdens upon the citizenry.

McKee-tropolis

While lobbying in Jefferson City for the tea party ideals of Fiscal Responsibility and Constitutional Principals I observed the movement of the Aerotropolis bill during this year’s legislative session.

The Aerotropolis bill is a joint venture between Democrat Mayor Slay of St. Louis and Republican Speaker of the Missouri House Steven Tilley (R-Perryville) with the benefit of the tax credits going to developer Paul McKee. The area to receive the tax credits is a corridor running along highway 70 from St. Charles to downtown St. Louis--an area with 18 million square feet of available warehouse space. Trade with China is the incentive and the carrot to attract legislative support.

The bill passed easily in the House of Representatives because it was a priority for Republican leadership and especially Speaker Tilley. The only opposition I observed was voiced in debate on the House Floor by Representative Jeanette Mott Oxford (D-St. Louis). From the gallery I observed Mott Oxford question the soundness of tax credits to be issued to one man during these tough economic times when balancing a budget is tough with the unknown of future revenue collection. If Aerotropolis passed, the state would have to slash other services to meet the tax credit payouts. When Mott Oxford specifically mentioned that the Aerotropolis bill was designed for developer Paul McKee, she was gaveled out of order for mentioning Mr. McKee’s name, discussion was then ended and the bill was overwhelmingly passed out of the House of Representatives.

It was later that tea party friendly legislators began voicing their displeasure at how quickly the bill was pushed through the house of representatives and many voiced displeasure at the veiled threats by Speaker Tilley to intimidate republican legislators. Republicans opposed to the Aerotropolis bill were afraid of removal from choice committees and the death of bills important to their individual constituency groups back in their home districts. Some state representatives voiced displeasure at the amount of tax subsidies directed to the St. Louis area, to the detriment of their represented areas and the state as a whole.

The Senate addressed the Aerotropolis bill the last week of session and a battle developed between Speaker Tilley, who refused to make concessions and fiscally responsible Senators. A number of Senators requested St. LouisTea Party support to defeat Aerotropolis because of the lack of sunsets, lack of caps on spending, and timetables that the subsidies would be paid out to developer McKee. One Senator advised me Aerotropolis in the present condition would blow up any future budget predictions.

The Aerotropolis bill never received a final fiscal note and died at the conclusion of the session this year. It's possible that Governor Jay Nixon (D) could call a special session for Aerotropolis.