Missouri - Missouri’s Secretary of State, Jason Kander, has put a brilliant plan into action within the last couple of weeks. With the creation of TheMissouriChannel.com, the Secretary of State website offers information that was not available to the public for quite some time.
With this new program up and running, Missouri citizens have the power to access the website and watch video clips, listen to audio tapes, and read an assortment of articles right there on their very own laptop or computer. Debates and discussions are now able to be easily accessed, which were previously not available at all. Aside from the debates, there are also journals that are available on Kander’s newest website.
Kander is currently in charge of keeping tabs on the historical and current state government records and wants the public to have the opportunity to see these documents or records. This website gives the Missouri people more than just an inward look on what is going on in our state government, but also gives them insight about the actual discussions and debates that are taking place.
Our Secretary of State’s newest idea will surely be a big hit. Currently, the website contains information about the House and Senate Debates, which took place on February 18th (both audio and journals are included). On February 19th, another House Debate took place and the website holds both audio and journals. On the same day, there was a two part Senate Debate and the audio and journals that were written and record are both available. The latest debates that took place on February 20th are also available. Live debates from both the Senate and House of Representatives will not be found on TheMissouriChannel.com but can be found on their respective websites.
Another great thing about this recently launched website is that it was completely free of charge to the taxpayers and contains information that isn’t always publicly broadcasted.
"One of my major goals as secretary of state is to make government more transparent and accessible, and this project will go a long way to achieve that," Kander stated. "Even better, this initiative comes at no additional cost to the taxpayers, because it's using systems already in place."
If you are looking forward to checking out our state’s newest website, make sure it is not between the times of 6:00pm and 6:30pm today (Thursday, February 28th). The website will be down during that time due to maintenance and new material being downloaded.
Missouri - Shane Schoeeler, the former Missouri State Representative who ran unsuccessfully for secretary of state in 2012, has been named as executive director of the Missouri Republican Party.
In a statement, Schoeller, vowed to build on the party’s majorities in the state legislature and in its congressional delegation, and to “restore Republican leadership in Missouri’s statewide offices.”
“We must effectively communicate to all Missourians that our best days are ahead by electing Republicans committed to economic growth and prosperity for our state, and our nation,” Schoeller said in the statement.
Below is a letter from Ed Martin, Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party.
Montauk State Park near Salem, Missouri has a lot to offer. With its crystal clear spring water, a humungous trophy pond, a large fish hatchery, and great camping sites, it is a go-to place for people of all ages. In fact, even Missouri’s Governor, Jay Nixon, is thrilled to be spending this Friday, March 1st, at Montauk.
There are many great things about the park, but its premier attraction is trout fishing. The clear waters and heartily stocked trout fish bring fishermen and vacationers from all over. Governor Nixon will be shooting off the starting pistol at 6:30am on the bridge at Montauk State Park to indicate the beginning of this year’s trout season. Fishermen will be anxiously awaiting that sound of gun fire in the bright and early morning as they are waist deep in the cool spring water.
Trout season has officially been declared from March 1st until October 31st. There is a catch and release pond offered at Montauk year round. Licenses and tags are required and can be purchased at the State Park shop in the center of the park. Trout fishing will start around 6:00am to around 7:30am and will end near 7:00pm or 8:00pm. The daily limit of fish caught at Montauk is four and these fish can be cleaned at one of the cleaning stations near the banks of the river.
Governor Nixon will be one to participate in this annual event and is excited to jump into a pair of waders, grab his fly fishing pole, and wade into Current River this Friday with the other Missouri fishermen attending. After a few hours of great fishing at Montauk State Park, Governor Nixon will arrive at Bennett Springs State Park near Lebanon to begin his fly-fishing adventure.
“One of the pleasures of living in Missouri is trying to land a trout on opening day,” Governor Nixon stated. “I’m delighted to be at two of our trout parks on Friday to join in one of the generations-old traditions that make Missouri State Parks such great places to visit.”
Governor Nixon will be available to talk to the media at Montauk State Park after firing the starting pistol around 6:30am. When he arrives in Lebanon, he will also speak to the media around 11:30am before continuing his day of fishing.
If you are interesting in other great trout fishing locations aside from Montauk and Bennett Springs, fishermen can kick off this year’s season at Roaring River State Park (near Cassville) and Maramec Spring Park (near St. James).
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Jefferson City, Missouri - As we anticipate the arrival of Spring and the plans and items we look forward to doing - your Missouri House of Representatives was busy with the task of moving Missouri forward.
HJR 14 – which relates to Funding for Higher Education, Improvements, Construction, and Transportation Infrastructure –will provide the funding necessary to accomplish the task we have at hand; repairing our broken infrastructure. The resolution creates the Fifth State Building Fund for the payment of the bonds and any interest earned.
On Thursday, February 14 the House Third Read and Passed HCS HB 48 & 216 and HCS HJRs 5 & 12, this legislation requires a person to submit a specified form of photo identification in order to vote in a public election. This is submitted on a ballot initiative for approval of the people while being added to the Missouri constitution.
The goal of these bills is to protect the sanctity and integrity of the election process, not to restrict anyone from voting. Acceptable forms of identification under these measures include: non-expired Missouri driver’s or non-driver’s license; a document issued by the federal or state government that contains the individual’s name, signature, photograph and expiration date; or a photo ID issued by the National Guard, US Armed Forces or US Department of Veterans Affairs. There are also provisions in the bills that would help Missourians who might not have or be able to afford an ID to obtain a proper form of identification at no cost to the voter or vote by provisional ballot. Thus, allowing everyone to partake in the democratic process while safeguarding against voter fraud.
As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House. If you would like to discuss any issue, please call 573-751-3629. you can also email me at Kent.Hampton@house.mo.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Listening Posts are intended for Missourians to share their questions and concerns during meetings with members of Senator Blunt's staff.
Senator Blunt's Jefferson City office also extends one-on-one service to all Missourians who have an issue with a federal agency or need additional assistance.
To reach the Senator's Office of Constituent Services, please call 573-634-2488 or send a letter to 308 E. High Street, Suit 202, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101.
What: Senator Blunt's Staff Hosts Listening Post Meeting
When: Wednesday, February 20th from 11:00 a.m. - noon CTS.
Where: Bootheel Regional Planning Commission,
105 E. North Main in Dexter, Missouri.
