Missouri’s newest commission, the nine-member Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission to Preserve Defense Missions in Missouri, has held its first meeting in Jefferson City. Missouri stands to lose 3,600 military and civilian jobs if the latest Pentagon proposal of base closings goes through unchanged. David Pearce is a State Representative from Warrensburg and serves on the Commission. He says while they are looking to stop the cuts now, they also want to head off any future cuts. Pearce is suggesting changes such as zoning laws more friendly to military operations, and making into law, in-state tuition for dependents of military members serving in Missouri.
Summer Tourism Season off to Good Start
May 31, 2005 By
It appears the tourist season is off to a good start. State Tourism Director John Robinson is quick to point out the numbers haven’t come in yet, but what he saw this weekend in trips to family gatherings in Hannibal and at the Lake of the Ozarks indicates the crowds were big and the business brisk. He says it doesn’t appear high gas prices have hurt. Robinson says tourism has changed drastically since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, with people staying closer to home and shortening the time-frame by which they decide where to go. And, even as the state keeps advertising for tourists this summer, it has begun trying to lure people to the state this fall. Robinson likes to quote Mark Twain who said if you want to see Missouri at its most beautiful, visit it in the fall.
"Deep Throat" Has KC Connection
May 31, 2005 By
A secret that has been kept for more than three decades has now been revealed. W. Mark Felt has identified himself at “Deep Throat” from the Watergate era. He was an FBI official who provided Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein with the information needed to expose what had happened. Felt has a Kansas City connection, having headed the FBI office in that city in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Bill Quinn, a retired FBI agent served directly under Felt between 1958 and 1962. He says Felt is a stand up guy. Quinn stayed in touch with Felt from time to time and said they never discussed Watergate.
Traffic Stop Data Indicate Racial Disparity Continues
May 31, 2005 By
The fifth annual report on Missouri traffic stops has been sent to the Governor. And, a racial disparity in stops and searches is still evident. A 2000 law on racial profiling requires law enforcement agencies to provide the State with information on traffic stops. Attorney General Jay Nixon says 603 agencies submitted information, detailing more than 1.3-Million stops. The data show Blacks were stopped at a rate 34 percent higher than expected based solely on their proportion of the driving-age population. Nixon says the information opens the door to discussion on allegations of racial profiling. Discrepancies aside, Nixon says indications are law enforcement agencies are doing good work. 70 agencies have not provided the data. Governor Matt Blunt will have the option of withholding funding from those agencies.
Related web sites:
2004 Report on Traffic Stops
Governor Claims Policies Saving Taxpayer Dollars
May 31, 2005 By
The Blunt Administration claims its policy of cracking down on wasteful spending is starting to pay dividends. Mike Keathly, Commisioner of the Office of Administration, says the savings for the current fiscal year have already reached more than $1-Million. Some of that comes from the fact there are fewer government workers than there were previously. Another is consolidation of work space brought about by reorganization of government agencies. It’s been discovered that while space is being leased on non-government buildings, there are vacancies in government buildings. Keathley says it makes no sense to waste these taxpayer dollars.
