An attorney representing Missourians Against Tax Abuse, the group opposing the tobacco tax initiative, raises concerns about the future of the initiative petition process in the wake of this week’s State Supreme Court ruling. Marc Ellinger’s argument throughout the legal process has been that supporters of the initiative made a lot of mistakes in collecting the signatures needed to get the issue on the November ballot. Despite the problems, a lower court and then the Supreme Court agreed voters should decide the matter next month. Ellinger says the Court has decided that anything goes when it comes to the initiative process. He says the process has gotten to the point where rules and guidelines must be enforced. He says that by ignoring the rules and the guidelines the Court has indicated it will bend over backwards to allow these initiatives to appear on ballots, regardless of the errors made by those collecting signatures.
President and First Lady Visit St. Louis
President Bush has paid a visit to St. Louis to address those attending the Advancing Renewable Energy Conference. In a speech to the gathering, the President warned against complacency over supporting alternative sources of energy. He says lower pump prices could convince some Americans that there’s no need to pursue alternative energy sources. Bush says that while he’s pleased with lower gas prices, America must look away from oil. The President wasn’t the only member of the First Family in St. Louis today. First Lady Laura Bush attended a tree planting in Forest Park, then headed to a fundraiser for Senator Jim Talent. Her final St. Louis event: Taking part in a ceremony to illuminate the Arch with pink floodlights in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Charges Filed Against Father of Joplin School Shooting Suspect
The father of the teenager accused in Monday’s shooting at Memorial Middle School in Joplin has been charged in federal court with illegally possessing several firearms. Gregory Lynn White of Joplin is charged with being in possession of eight guns in violation of laws which prevent anyone convicted of a felony of being in possession of any firearm or ammunition. White has a 1988 criminal felony conviction for possession of methamphetamine in the State of California and a 1980 criminal felony conviction for burglary in the State of Florida. Nobody was hurt in this week’s school shooting.
Mizzou Falls Short To Huskers
The Missouri Tigers volleyball team fell to 0-9 all-time against No. 1 teams as they lost to top-ranked Nebraska last night. The Huskers swept the 15th ranked Tigers (30-25, 30-22, 31-29), winning for the 22nd straight time in Columbia.
Nebraska (16-0, 8-0) remained unbeaten and atop the Big 12 standings while snapping Mizzou’s 11 match home winning streak and seven-match overall winning streak. The loss dropped the Tigers to third place in the conference.
Sarah Pavan led the way for the Huskers with a match-high 16 kills. This week’s Big 12 volleyball Player of the Week, Jordan Larson, recorded 14 kills and 14 digs.
Mizzou will try to rebound from its first home loss of the season at Oklahoma next Wednesday.
Rams Reward LB
Scott Linehan is still in his first season with the Rams, but that has not stopped the first-year head coach from dishing out some praise. Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa received the highest of praises this week.
The praise came in the form of a five-year contract extension good through the 2011 season. The contract has $10 million in bonuses and guarantees, with an overall value of just under $25 million.
