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Missouri Bar President Steps Into Simmering Fight Over Missouri Plan

October 31, 2007 By

The Missouri Bar’s new president comes into his role during a simmering fight over the way appellate judges are chosen in this state.

Attorney Charlie Harris of Kansas City says Missouri’s Non-Partisan Court Plan has been unfairly attacked of late. Harris says the plan is far from broke. He says it has provided Missouri with fair, knowledgeable and impartial judges.

The Missouri Bar , which represents lawyers in the state, advocates for the Missouri Court Plan. It claims the Plan has kept politics to a minimum in judge selection for nearly three-quarters of a century. Several conservative groups have called for it to be modified or scrapped with the governor given more power to choose judges. Those groups argue that there is no way to keep politics out of the selection process.

Harris dismisses suggestions that he is stepping into the fire of controversy as he steps into his new role. Harris says he views the controversy as an opportunity to educate Missourians about the benefits of the Missouri Court Plan.

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (:60 MP3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Missouri’s Senators Still Hoping for Compromise on SCHIP Bill

October 31, 2007 By

Congressional leaders are still unable to come to an agreement on language that will allow for a veto-proof majority to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program – or SCHIP.

President Bush vetoed the original version of the bill sent to his desk, saying the cost was too high. Many Congressional Republicans now claim the newer version being considered would allow illegal aliens to benefit at taxpayer expense.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) says that is false because language in the new version prohibits extending the benefit to illegals. Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) wants to see more negotiation to come up with a bill that is acceptable to a large majority of lawmakers. As for the illegal immigrant issue, Bond says guarantees called for in the bill can easily be bypassed.

Opponents of the bill express concerns there is no value in setting up rules which might or might not be enforced by individual states.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With: , ,

John Mozeliak Is The New Cardinals GM

October 31, 2007 By

John Mozeliak has been announced as the new General Manager of the St. Louis Cardinal.  Mozeliak, or Moe as he is referred to, takes over as the permanent replacement to Walt Jocketty.  About four weeks ago, Moe was named the interim GM, but in the end he was the best choice.  His first job is going to be rebuilding this team through free agency and if the Cardinals are going to make a move, Moe says the Cards will need to be a serious player and up the ante if they want to play.

 

The full press conference is linked below.

 

Download/listen to Mozeliak Press Conference (15:00 mp3)

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: ,

Retired Supreme Court Judge Welliver Dies

October 31, 2007 By

Retired State Supreme Court Judge Warren Welliver has died at his home in Columbia at the age of 87.

Welliver served as a Supreme Coourt Judge from 1979 to 1989. A memorial service has been scheduled for Friday at Calvary Episcopal Church in Columbia.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts Tagged With:

Gov. Blunt Defends Firing of Deputy General Counsel

October 31, 2007 By

Governor Blunt defends the firing of Deputy General Counsel Scott Eckersley. Eckersley contends the governor fired him, because he disagreed with the administration’s stance on releasing e-mail correspondence to the public. Eckersley says he was let go for telling the governor’s office that e-mails are public documents and must be disclosed in accordance with the Sunshine Law, not deleted as is the practice in the governor’s office.

Blunt disputes Eckersley’s explanation. Blunt says Eckersley was fired due to a poor work performance and questionable practices involving his e-mails. The governor says Eckersley did private work on public time in the office. Officials with the Blunt Administration say Eckersley was also let go for some disturbing e-mails he sent and received while working in the office.

Eckersley calls the allegations character assassination. 

Download/listen Gov. Blunt on Eckersley firing (:14 MP3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With:
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