Politics / Govt Archives

Rep. Bruce Franks resigns July 31, to leave Missouri

July 19, 2019 By Ashley Byrd

St. Louis Representative Bruce Franks officially resigns at the end of this month. The black activist leader who emerged out of Ferguson protests says his mental health is at stake.

“Battling anxiety, depression, mental health issues, especially in the black community, that’s something that’s been a stigma and it’s been frowned upon in our communities to seek help,” Franks told Missourinet and fellow lawmakers.

Not only is Franks leaving the legislature, but he says he is leaving Missouri.

He spoke with Missourinet when he announced his resignation. Read, listen to his interview here.

“I knew what I was signing up for when I came, it’s just everything stacked on top of each other is really what aided to my mental health deteriorating the way that it did.

He said he will continue to work between different communities.

“To kind of bridge a gap between urban and rural areas, Republican and Democrat, because I think it’s important. I think it’s important to build those bridges even if nobody walks across them, somebody eventually will,” Franks said.

Franks said on Facebook, “I love my city but I can’t heal from trauma and survive in the epicenter any longer,” “I’m not running away from it I’m choosing to change my environment to be the best version of me. ”

Franks, who was first elected in 2016, is in his second House term. He was the only Democrat to chair a Missouri House committee this session.

State Rep. Bruce Franks, D-St. Louis, briefs Capitol reporters about criminal justice reform efforts on February 11, 2019, as House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, (right) listens (photo courtesy of Benjamin Peters at House Communications)

KFVS: Juden says upcoming Missouri state audit is a targeted attack on his reputation

July 19, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Former Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Drew Juden says the state auditor’s office will be releasing an audit soon about the DPS director’s office.

Former Missouri DPS Director Drew Juden (file photo courtesy of DPS)

In an exclusive interview with Missourinet Cape Girardeau television partner KFVS, Juden describes the audit as a targeted attack on his reputation.

KFVS also spoke exclusively to former Governor Eric Greitens, who defended Juden during an on-camera interview, calling him “one of the best people I know.”

In November, Missouri Governor Mike Parson (R) requested that State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D) audit the DPS director’s office. Parson appointed former Missouri State Highway Patrol Colonel Sandy Karsten as DPS Director last August. After she was appointed, Karsten requested that the Office of Administration (OA) conduct an initial review of the DPS director’s office.

“Our initial review raised concerns that warranted a more in-depth examination of past public safety administration practices,” Karsten said in a November news release. “The previous state audit of the DPS Director’s office was completed nearly five years ago. A state audit is the appropriate next step to ensure the DPS Director’s office is fulfilling its obligations to the people of Missouri.”

DPS includes the Highway Patrol, the Missouri National Guard, Capitol Police, the Missouri Veterans Commission, the Missouri Gaming Commission and the State Fire Marshal’s office.

Juden provided KFVS with two draft audits from Auditor Galloway’s office.

You can find the entire KFVS report and interviews with Juden and former Governor Greitens here.

DHSS: Heat is especially dangerous for Missouri’s elderly and small children (AUDIO)

July 19, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri health officials are urging you to stay hydrated and cool during this excessive heat. State Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Bureau of Epidemiology Chief Jeff Wenzel says knowing the signs of heat exhaustion is key.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) logo (image courtesy of DHSS)

“You’re looking at heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness and weakness, dizziness and fainting,” Wenzel says.

Health officials recommend that you wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and stay cool indoors.

With heat indices expected well over 100 degrees in much of Missouri again Friday, state health officials recommend remaining vigilant about the dangers of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wenzel says people experiencing heat exhaustion should move to a cool place.

“Give them some water or cold gatorade and seek medical attention if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour,” says Wenzel.

He says 19 Missourians died from heat-related illness in 2018, while there were 17 deaths in 2017.

DHSS encourages residents to call the state’s toll-free abuse and neglect hotline to report seniors and the disabled who are suffering from heat and need assistance.

That number is 1-800-392-0210.

State health officials say elderly residents are more vulnerable to heat and humidity because they perspire less. Wenzel urges you make sure your elderly neighbors and family members are cool and hydrated.

“They also may be on medication that would make them react differently to the heat,” Wenzel says.

He also says excessive heat can be especially dangerous to small children and the chronically ill.

You can find a link to all of the state’s cooling centers here.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with DHSS Bureau of Epidemiology Chief Jeff Wenzel, which was recorded on July 18, 2019:

In Kansas City, presidential candidate Buttigieg praises Veterans Community Project, says country is still struggling to support the troops (AUDIO)

July 18, 2019 By Ashley Byrd

Democrat for President Pete Buttigieg joined Jason Kander in Kansas City to learn more about the city’s Veterans Community Project (VCP) . Kander, a Democrat and veterans’ activist, is now working on taking the service for homeless former service members nationwide.

The night before, he entertained a thousand people at a campaign fundraiser in Kansas City and announced he has raised more than any other presidential candidate in his party in the second quarter — more than $25 million.

Buttigieg, in a press conference, praised the group formed and run by former service members, saying it’s services are necessary, “not as a gift but as the country’s way of keeping a promise. You’ve got Americans who pledged to put their life on the line, not necessarily even knowing what that would mean and many of whom now face challenges, some of them as a direct consequence of their service to the country.”

The services of VCP include providing tiny houses for homeless veterans and walk-in support services for “every type of veteran facing every type of problem.”

During his only stop in Missouri Wednesday, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, took questions about his candidacy and his plans to help veterans. He touted a community support group for veterans in his city that he says taps volunteers who are “experts in their own communities” to help.

“This does not have to be driven from Washington,”Buttigieg said. “The question is how can federal policy be a wind at their back.”

Listen to an excerpt of the press conference (9:50)

Thanks to KCUR for press conference audio.

Governor orders Missouri healthcare task force to be formed

July 17, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Gov. Mike Parson has signed today an executive order creating a statewide task force to address the rising costs of healthcare and increase access and competition in insurance markets.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson speaks to the Capitol Press Corps after being sworn-in as governor on June 1, 2018 in Jefferson City (file photo by Tim Bommel/UPI)

In a press release from Parson’s office, it says since 2011, Missourians have been faced with health insurance coverage premiums that have nearly tripled on the individual market. Currently, 101 Missouri counties have only one insurance carrier offering health insurance plans in the individual market.

Parson says it is imperative for the state to develop comprehensive and innovative ways to transform the health insurance market in order to meet the needs of all Missourians.

“Missouri knows best when it comes to taking care of our citizens, not Washington, D.C.,” Parson says. “Our health insurance market is not competitive, and there is no ‘one size fits all’ federal solution that addresses every issue of healthcare access and the rising cost of insurance premiums for Missourians.”

Parson is challenging the group to develop concepts that will improve access to affordable insurance options and healthcare services while reducing the state’s uninsured rates. The governor wants an emphasis on increasing access to healthcare in rural areas of the state.

The task force must submit its recommendations to the governor by January 31, 2020. Parson spokeswoman Kelli Jones says the panel is being formed and who will serve on the task force is unknown at this time.

Audit: northwest Missouri bookkeeper used embezzled money on cruises, credit cards

July 17, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s state auditor says the former bookkeeper for a northwest Missouri road district misappropriated more than $286,000.

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway briefs Capitol reporters on April 2, 2019 (file photo courtesy of Alisa Nelson)

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway says former Plattsburg Special Road District bookkeeper Ava Langner allegedly embezzled the money from 2011 to 2018.

Galloway’s office has released a scathing district audit, which says Langner used to money to pay credit cards and for travel on Carnival Cruise Lines. The audit also says Langner used the money for entertainment at locations like Silver Dollar City, the Starlight Theatre and Space Center Houston.

The audit says $76,000 was used to pay Langner’s personal credit card bills.

Langner served as the district’s secretary/treasurer, and was fired by the board in October.

Galloway spokeswoman Steph Deidrick tells Missourinet that Langner has not been charged yet, adding that the FBI and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are investigating.

The auditor’s 46-page report notes the Clinton County prosecutor referred the matter to both the Highway Patrol and the FBI.

The state auditor’s public corruption and fraud division released the audit today, giving the district a rating of “poor.”

“This was a brazen betrayal by an official entrusted with public funds, who then tried to cover her tracks by falsifying documents,” Galloway says in a statement. “Restoring public trust and confidence in the district may be a challenge going forward, but it is vitally important that it happen.”

Galloway says a whistleblower contacted her office last fall, regarding potential fraud in the district. Galloway says that after a preliminary investigation found the allegations credible, she asked for and received a request from district officials to conduct an independent audit.

Plattsburg, which is in Clinton County, is southeast of St. Joseph.

Missouri professor says U.S. must tackle China trade dispute, but doesn’t like Trump’s approach

July 17, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

A Missouri Western State University economics professor applauds the Trump Administration for taking a strong stand against China on trade, but doubts its tactic will work. Professor Reza Hamzaee says the United States has needed to get serious with China for some time, because China doesn’t play fair with its trading partners.

Dr. Reza Hamzaee, Professor
Missouri Western State University

“They have had tariffs on American products, which are already expensive when it is converted to Yuan, their currency,” Hamzaee tells St. Joseph affiliate KFEQ during an interview in his office. “So, it’s very hard to sell American products in the first place and then putting high tariffs is not a fair game.”

Hamzaee lays out a case against Chinese trade practices.

He says China manipulates its currency, making its products cheaper when sold abroad, undercutting domestic competition. It might give a little when a country complains, but China continues to play with the value of the Yuan in violation of international trade norms.

Intellectual property has long been a sticking point between the two countries. The United States accuses China of stealing its intellectual property and using it to manufacture cheap electronics, such as computers, which it sells in America.

U.S. officials further complain China keeps such tight controls on what can be imported into the country, it makes it difficult for American businesses to sell products to Chinese consumers.

While Hamzaee says the complaints are for the most part legitimate, he doesn’t believe President Trump’s threatened tariffs will prove effective. He says increasing tariffs on Chinese imports will do little to change Chinese trade policies, but will increase prices for American consumers, businesses, and farmers.

“He is taking a wrong approach, a wrong style of tackling a right issue,” according to Hamzaee.

Much is at stake.

The United States imported $539 billion from China last year. China purchases from the United States as well, but mostly confines those purchases to agricultural goods, such as soybeans. China imported $9 billion in soybeans from China last year. In fact, Hamzaee says agricultural goods are the United States’ only net surplus in trade with China. China does import some American transportation equipment, computers, and electronics.

Hamzaee believes something has to give.

“I think it will be resolved, partially resolved, during the next few months, in my opinion, not necessarily to an ideal situation.”

Hamzaee says the Trump Administration would be better off by returning to negotiations with China, and might well benefit from having other countries participate.

By Brent Martin of Missourinet affiliate KFEQ in St. Joseph

How did Missouri’s U.S. House members vote on resolution to scold Trump for ‘squad’ tweet?

July 17, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

The Democratic-led U.S. House has voted 240-187 to publicly discipline President Donald Trump for telling four Congresswomen of color to leave and calling them anti-America and anti-Israel. Of the four members, three were born in the U.S. A resounding criticism of the president’s tweet is that the message was racist, even though Trump fired back on Twitter that he doesn’t have a racist bone in his body.

Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver

Tuesday evening’s House vote was mostly along party lines with four Republicans and one Independent from other states supporting the resolution. Democrats Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City and Lacy Clay of St. Louis supported the resolution and Missouri’s Republican members opposed it.

During debate, Cleaver stormed off and let a different member preside because he says the House would rather fight, instead of conduct themselves in a civil and respectful way.

“We don’t ever, ever want to pass up, it seems, an opportunity to escalate. That’s what this is,” says Cleaver. “We want to just fight. I abandon the chair.”

Cleaver, whose district is primarily Kansas City, also represents three GOP-leaning counties – Lafayette, Ray and Saline.

In a statement from U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, he does not condemn Trump’s comment, but says the focus should be about how destructive House Democrats’ policies would be for the economy, health care system and security. He says just because the so-called squad “constantly insults and attacks the president” is not a reason to adopt their “unacceptable tactics”.

According to national media reports, the resolution passed carries no legal consequences.

Parson praises Bayer’s decision to bring 500 new jobs to Missouri

July 17, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor announced Tuesday that Bayer will be relocating its North American Crop Science Division to the St. Louis suburb of Creve Coeur, bringing hundreds of new jobs.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson makes the Bayer announcement in Jefferson City on July 16, 2019, joined by Bayer’s Lisa Safarian (left), St. Louis County Executive Sam Page (right) and DED Director Rob Dixon (Brian Hauswirth photo)

Governor Mike Parson (R) briefed Capitol reporters at the Statehouse in Jefferson City, where he was joined by Bayer executives and other leaders.

“The salaries (for the new jobs) will average $110,000 a year, with a capital investment of over $164 million,” Parson says.

Parson also says Bayer has made a commitment to retain about 4,400 current jobs in Creve Coeur and Chesterfield, which are both in St. Louis County.

Bayer completed the acquisition of Monsanto in 2018.

The jobs announcement follows the governor’s recent trade mission to Europe. Parson says the new jobs will benefit the entire state, not just Creve Coeur.

“You know what it does, it benefits some kid in rural Missouri the opportunity to go to work for Bayer, gives them the opportunity to go to St. Louis County to be productive citizens up there,” says Parson.

Parson says it’s important for all of Missouri to do well, adding that this investment will enhance the state’s already successful ag-tech industry.

It’s unclear when the jobs will move to Creve Coeur. Bayer executives tell Missourinet some of the jobs will come from North Carolina, while others will be hired in Creve Coeur.

Parson was joined at the press conference by Bayer Commercial Operations North America President Lisa Safarian, State Department of Economic Development (DED) Director Rob Dixon and St. Louis County Executive Sam Page.

Director Dixon describes Bayer’s decision as a “monumental investment” in Missouri. Dixon tells reporters the decision also signifies Bayer’s confidence in Missouri as a place to do business.

“Missouri is the global ag-tech leader, undisputed global ag-tech leader,” Dixon says. “St. Louis County is the epicenter of our ag-tech economy.”

Dixon says Missouri is using about $37 million in incentives for the project.

Page, a former Democratic State Representative from Creve Coeur, also joined the GOP Governor, highlighting bipartisanship.

“Bayer’s investment here is a testament to St. Louis County’s talented workforce and our status as the global epicenter of plant science and agriculture technology,” says Page.

Ms. Safarian tells reporters Bayer also has a manufacturing plant in Kansas City, along with the headquarters in St. Louis.

Governor Parson says Missouri’s $88 billion agricultural industry employs more than 378,000 people.

Missouri requests federal disaster declaration to include additional counties

July 16, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Today, the state of Missouri requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) expand last week’s federal disaster declaration for the state in two ways. In a press release from Governor Mike Parson’s office, it says the state wants FEMA to consider making assistance available to residents and businesses in 21 additional counties and provide help to public agencies in 68 counties with repairs to roads, bridges, and other damaged infrastructure.

A view of the flooding damage in northwest Missouri (March 15, 2019 photo courtesy of Governor Parson’s office)

In the request, SEMA said that joint FEMA, SEMA, and local damage assessment teams had identified more than $26 million in infrastructure damage and emergency response costs experienced by local jurisdictions. SEMA also said the state of Missouri had damage and expenses totaling more than $23 million due to the flooding and storms.

“Many Missouri communities have been hit hard this year by flooding and severe storms that have damaged and destroyed homes and businesses. Public agencies have also been impacted by severe damage to roads, bridges, and public buildings,” Parson said. “Expanding the disaster declaration is warranted due to the extent of the damage across these additional counties and the high cost of repairs.”

The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) today requested that FEMA consider extending President Trump’s July 9 individual assistance disaster declaration for Missouri to include residents and businesses in Adair, Barton, Callaway, Christian, Clark, Cooper, Dallas, Douglas, Gasconade, Grundy, Harrison, Hickory, Howard, Jefferson, Laclede, Lewis, Macon, Polk, Saline, St. Louis, and Ste. Genevieve counties.

SEMA said that while the 21 counties requested today were denied assistance in the July 9 federal disaster declaration, additional information gathered as floodwaters receded increased the need for support. SEMA said earlier assessments, conducted by helicopter due to the flooding, did not capture all of the damage to homes. SEMA asked that FEMA re-evaluate the new damage information and that damage assessors revisit Clark, Callaway, Cooper, Gasconade, Howard, Lewis, Saline, St. Louis and Ste. Genevieve counties.

SEMA also requested that joint damage assessments for individual assistance be conducted for the first time related to this disaster in four counties: Cape Girardeau, Marion, Newton and McDonald counties. According to Parson’s office, this move is being done with the expectation that SEMA will later request for these counties to also be included in the disaster declaration.

Individual assistance would allow eligible residents to seek federal help for temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other qualifying expenses as a result of this year’s severe flooding and storms.

Also today, SEMA requested that FEMA expand the July 9 disaster declaration to provide public assistance for repairs to damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure along with emergency response costs in a total of 68 counties: Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Barry, Barton, Bates, Bollinger, Buchanan, Caldwell, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Clark, Cole, Dade, Dallas, Daviess, Douglas, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Holt, Howell, Jackson, Jasper, Knox, Laclede, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Maries, Marion, McDonald, Mercer, Miller, Mississippi, Monroe, Montgomery, New Madrid, Newton, Nodaway, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Pike, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Ray, Ste. Genevieve, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shannon, Shelby, Stoddard, Sullivan, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Wayne, Webster, and Wright.

The press release says additional counties may be considered for public help as floodwaters recede and more information is gathered locally.

President Trump’s July 9 disaster declaration was for flooding and severe storms and made the federal Individual Assistance program available to eligible residents in Andrew, Atchison, Boone, Buchanan, Carroll, Chariton, Cole, Greene, Holt, Jackson, Jasper, Lafayette, Lincoln, Livingston, Miller, Osage, Pike, Platte, Pulaski, and St. Charles counties.

As of July 15, FEMA has approved more than 300 households for individual assistance grants and provided more than $1.6 million directly to survivors to support with recovery.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program has paid more than $18 million to Missouri policyholders for flood claims filed since March.

To register for FEMA assistance, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or register by phone by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). Telephone registration is available 7 a.m. – 10 p.m., seven days a week.