February 22, 2012

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Lt. Gov. asks state to sign on to lawsuit fighting healthcare overhaul (video)

March 23, 2010 By

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, the only republican to hold a top office in Missouri, says he intends to join officials from 13 other states in taking legal action against the federal health-care bill.

“This health-care directive will pose a huge financial burden for our state,” Kinder said. “Tennessee’s Governor, a Democrat, even called this bill ‘the mother of all unfunded mandates.’ The true cost to Missouri taxpayers remains to be seen.”

Kinder says he’s written letters opposing the measure to Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Gov. Nixon, also a democrat, to join him in opposition to the health-care bill. Kinder followed those requests by asking Attorney General Chris Koster, a democrat, to conduct a thorough legal review of the legislation to determine what provisions might violate the Constitution of the United States or the State of Missouri. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Politics & Government Tagged With:

Kinder pushes for Tour of Missouri to return

September 14, 2009 By

The Tour of Missouri professional bicycle race has concluded and supporter Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder says the event both boosts the state’s tourism industry and showcases what Missouri has to offer.

He’s been a driving force behind the tour, which kicked off last weekend in St. Louis and ended Sunday in Kansas City. Kinder says the bicyclists and spectators see Missouri’s natural beauty off the beaten path.

He says there was a big race in Spain going on at the same time, and many well-known and accomplished racers chose to do the Missouri tour instead. All of the top riders were right here in Missouri, he says.

Kinder says the race also spreads a good message to our youth about fitness in a time when obesity and diabetes are on the incline.

It looked like months ago that the race might be in trouble when Governor Nixon pulled funding for it. Kinder is urging Nixon to recognize the economic boost the race brings to the state and asking him to sign another three-year contract to host the event. He’s asking Missourians to e-mail Nixon and do the same. This year’s race was the third annual Tour of Missouri, ending the current contract.


Jessica Machetta reports [Download/listen MP3]

Filed Under: Human Interest Tagged With:

Missouri campaigning to reduce falls among elderly

July 27, 2009 By

Too many elderly Missourians suffer nasty falls and the state’s official senior citizen advocate wants to prevent them.

The statistics as related by Lt. Governor Peter Kinder spokesman Gary McElyea are grim.

"Falls in Missouri actually cause a number of injuries and are the leading cause of death from injury among people 65 years of age and older," says McElyea. "And, also, falls remain the leading cause of traumatic brain injury among people 65 years of age and older."

The Lt. Governor is the official senior citizen advocate in Missouri. He has joined with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Citizens to launch the Show Me Falls Free Missouri.

A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that nearly 50,000 senior citizens are hospitalized each year from falls while using canes and walkers. The study reported that 90% of walking aid injuries involved walkers.

McElyea says strategies to prevent falls include regular exercise, annual eye exams, improved lighting in the home as well as reducing the hazards in the home.

"Often loose carpets and lack of bathroom safety equipment such as hand rails, or even slippery surfaces can normally cause falls," according to McElyea.

For more information about the Show Me Falls Free Missouri program visit,

http://www.dhss.mo.gov/showmefallsfreemissouri/

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (:60 MP3)

Filed Under: Health & Medicine Tagged With: , ,

Kinder celebrates release of funds for Tour of Missouri

July 14, 2009 By

The 2009 Tour of Missouri bicycle race will go on this year as Governor Jay Nixon has reversed a recommendation from the Department of Economic Development that $1.5 million for the race be cut from the Division of Tourism budget.

2008 Tour of Missouri Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, who has championed the Tour of Missouri since its inception, is pleased that the event will not be scuttled. And, during a hastily called telephone conference call, he made that clear to reporters listening in.

“I am delighted by the news today,” said the Lieutenant Governor. “That Governor Nixon has, approximately two hours ago, released the funds and that we will be able, without any doubt, to go ahead and execute this race.”

Kinder then took advantage of the opportunity to needle Governor Nixon.

“I am especially delighted to be able to welcome Governor Jay Nixon to the ranks of supporters of this race, of this wonderful event for our state,” said Kinder. “Today is the first day we have ever had any indication from Governor Nixon that he is supportive of our efforts. And I repeat – I am thrilled and delighted to welcome Governor Nixon to the ranks of supporters of Missouri and backers of this wonderful event.”

Kinder then thanked those who contacted the Governor’s Office when word came down that the race might be cancelled.

“The outpouring and the e-mails and the telephone calls to the Governor have been remarkable,” said Kinder. “And I believe it is you – supporters of this race, this is not my victory, it is your victory and it is a victory for the State of Missouri – that you have earned this outcome.”

The 2009 Tour of Missouri runs from September 7th to 13th, beginning in St. Louis and ending in Kansas City, with stops in Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, Farmington, Rolla, St. James, Jefferson City, Sedalia, Chillicothe, and St. Joseph.

Download/Listen: Lieutenant Governor’s conference call (12:00 MP3)
Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With: ,

Concerns expressed over funding for health care education program

June 8, 2009 By

Budget concerns are being raised over funding of the Caring for Missourians program, which aims to expand health care educational opportunities at the state’s four-year and two-year colleges and universities. Those concerns were expressed by Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder (R-MO) and Missouri House Budget Chairman Allen Icet (R-Wildwood) during a Monday afternoon media conference call.

"We are not against this program," said Kinder. "I supported it when Governor Blunt rolled it out and support it now. Rather, we want the universities to be keenly aware that these funds may not be available next year to continue the ongoing program."

Those thoughts were echoed by Representative Icet, who made clear his view Missouri and the country are not out of the economic doldrums.

"It is not a good time to create a new program, said Icet. "It’s not a good time to use one-time funds to create an ongoing program because for 2010 and beyond I think the state will face some significant challenges. So, really, it’s time to batten down the hatches now and get us through this storm."

Governor Jay Nixon has suggested the Caring for Missourians program would benefit the state buy training people for health care opportunities. Close to $40-million was put into the budget to to go colleges and universities, with the understanding that money could be used for Caring for Missourians.

Lieutenant Governor Kinder suggested, during the conference call, that Nixon might "forcing" universities into the program, though the Lieutenant Governor offered no proof for that.

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

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With: ,
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