The federal inquiry into allegations of wrongdoing involving the awarding of contracts for Missouri fee offices has ended. And, the conclusion is that there was no wrongdoing. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas says that while a U.S. Attorney’s Office usually does not comment on or even confirm the existence of an investigation unless formal charges result, this matter has received substantial publicity. U.S. Attorney Bud Cummins says it is important to disclose that at no time were indictments sought or returned. Furthermore, Governor Matt Blunt was at no time a target, subject, or witness in the investigation. Blunt’s spokesman Spence Jackson calls the allegations and the ensuing probe a witchhunt and suggests the whole thing was politically motivated.
Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Tobacco Tax Initiative Case
The State Supreme Court has heard oral arguments in the challenge to the tobacco tax initiative being on the November ballot. Attorney Marc Ellinger, representing Missourians Against Tax Abuse – which wants the issue off the ballot – argued many of the people who signed the petition were not eligible to do so, and the signatures should not count. Ellinger further argued that even if the signatures were valid, allowing appropriation by initiative would force an unpaid mandate on the state, which he says is unacceptable.
Attorney Robert Hess, representing the Committee for a Healthy Future – the group that spearheaded the petition initiative – argued the required number of signatures was collected, even though there were delays in ascertaining that fact, so the issue should be on the November ballot. The group counters the unfunded mandate claim by saying the administrative costs would come from the revenues collected. The Secretary of State initially rejected the initiative because of a lack of valid signatures from the 5th Congressional District in Kansas City. Supporters of the initiative found additional signatures and launched a legal challenge to that order. A Cole County Circuit Judge overturned the order, which was challenged by opponents and ended up in the Supreme Court. No word on when the judges will rule.
Supreme Court Weighs Arguments in Voter Photo ID Law
State Supreme Court judges hear arguments about whether a law requiring Missouirans to display a photo ID to vote should be in effect next month. Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan struck down the law earlier, saying it was an infringement on the fundamental right to vote. The case before the court combines two lawsuits. One argues that the law would disinfranchise the more than 200,000 Missourians who don’t have a driver’s license. The other argues that the law enforces an unfunded mandate by requiring election authorities to deal with added costs without added compensation.
Retired Supreme Court Judge Charles Blackmar sat in for a judge who recused himself and pressed Attorney Thor Hearne on the cost of the Voter Photo ID law, which would require some to buy documents to obtain a free ID from the state, saying it smacked of a poll tax. Hearne flatly rejected such a characterization. Even if it isn’t a poll tax, opposing Attorney Don Downing argued it would require some to pay to vote, because some without proper ID would have to buy a birth certificate or other documents to obtain one of the free identification cards the state is issuing. A ruling is expected quickly to settle the issue well before the election.
Cardinals Eplode Into October
After rumbling, stumbling, bumbling into the playoffs, the Cardinals look to have regained their balance. Albert Pujols belted a two-run homer and Chris Carpenter returned to his dominant form in a 5-1 win in San Diego.
Pujols’ blast in the fourth inning started the scoring for a Cardinals team that needed a jump start after its September struggles. A Preston Wilson sacrifice fly later in the inning gave the Redbirds a 3-0 lead after four innings.
St. Louis added single runs in the fifth and sixth to cap a 5-1 lead that stood for the rest of the game.
Carpenter, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, gave up one run on five hits and struck out seven in 6.1 innings. The biggest story of the game might have been the Cardinals bullpen that was leaky towards the end of the regular. Relievers Tyler Johnson and Adam Wainright combined to hold the Padres scoreless over 2.1 innings giving up just one hit and striking out four.
St. Louis now holds a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-five series. They’ve wrestled away home field advantage from a San Diego team that was swept by the Birds in the same round of last year’s playoffs.
David Wells is set to pitch for the Padres in Thursday’s Game 2. Jeff Weaver is the scheduled starter for the Cardinals.
Related web sites:
Cardinals Official Website
Chiefs To Return To Wisconsin
It is a no go for the community of St. Joseph, MO and Missouri Western University who were trying to pry the Chiefs away from Wisconsin during training camp.
St. Joe thought it would be a good idea for the team to stay in Missouri for the grueling camp. Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson decided against the move and will have the team return to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls next summer. Kansas City holds camp up north to escape the heat and humidity of the Midwest. Missouri Western offered the team an indoor practice facility, but apparently, Peterson did no think that was enough.
The Chiefs have three one-year options left on its contract, but will continue to listen to other interested parties for 2008. Kansas City has had winning records in 12 of the 16 years they have held camp in Wisconsin.
