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Jefferson City mayor describes Gold Star monument location at Capitol as solemn area (AUDIO)

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Jefferson City’s mayor says the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument being built on the Missouri Capitol grounds is one of just five monuments located at state capitols nationwide.

Members of Lincoln University’s ROTC presented the flags at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Jefferson City (November 11, 2020 photo by Brian Hauswirth)

Mayor Carrie Tergin spoke at this week’s Veterans Day groundbreaking ceremony, describing the spot as a perfect location.

“This is a place here on the beautiful Capitol grounds where thousands of people are going to be convening. So this very spot right here is going to have a lot of visibility,” Tergin says.

The monument is being built next to the Missouri Veterans Memorial and next to the Bicentennial bridge entrance. It will have four panels with themes of homeland, family, patriot and sacrifice.

“It’s a solemn area,” says Tergin. “It’s a place where many students come so they can learn the stories, learn what this is about and why this is so important that we always remember our Gold Star families.”

Fundraising efforts are continuing for the monument.

Gold Star families, veterans, state lawmakers and Jefferson City business leaders are leading the fundraising effort, and they’ve already raised about $30,000. It will cost $75,000 for the monument and granite benches.

The benches are being designed to give visitors an opportunity to reflect on the meanings of the four panels.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s interview with Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin, which was recorded on Veterans Day 2020 on the Missouri Capitol grounds:

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Missouri House Ethics Committee meets in closed session for 50 minutes

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House Ethics Committee Chairman J. Eggleston, R-Maysville, speaks on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on May 15, 2020 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The Missouri House Ethics Committee met in closed session Tuesday afternoon in Jefferson City, but what they discussed is unknown.

The committee gaveled-in at about 12:30 p.m. for a roll call, before immediately voting to go into a closed session.

A Missourinet reporter waited outside the Capitol hearing room during the 50-minute closed session, and didn’t see any state lawmakers who aren’t on the committee enter the room.

Committee Chairman State Rep. J. Eggleston, R-Maysville, spoke to Missourinet after the closed hearing, saying that confidentiality rules prohibit him from commenting on these matters.

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‘Political trailblazer for women’ inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians

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America’s first female county clerk has been inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians. A bronze bust of Annie White Baxter of southwest Missouri’s Carthage joins 47 others in the esteemed hall already showcasing journalist Walter Cronkite, radio host Rush Limbaugh, and the 33rd U.S. President – Harry Truman. They line the third floor of the Missouri Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City to pay tribute to the legacy they have left.

Bronze bust of Annie White Baxter unveiled on August 26, 2020 (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, House Communications)

As House Speaker, Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, gets the final say on who is inducted into the hall. During a ceremony today in the Missouri House of Representatives, White Baxter was remembered as one of the state’s best county clerks and a political trailblazer.

In 1890, she defeated her opponent by about 400 votes to become the Jasper County Clerk during a time when women did not have the right to vote. White Baxter, a Democrat, later served as state registrar of lands and financial secretary of the Missouri Constitutional Convention.

Her induction coincides with today being Women’s Equality Day to commemorate the 1920 adoption of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – prohibiting government from denying the right of American citizens to vote based on gender. Women of color were not guaranteed the right to vote until later.

Rep. Peggy McGaugh, R-Carrollton, led today’s opening prayer. She is a former Carroll County clerk.

“Thank you for allowing her to pave the way for the 85 female county clerks and personal friends serving throughout the 114 counties in Missouri today,” she said.

The Pledge of Allegiance was then flawlessly led by Haahr’s three daughters.

Former state Rep. Charlie Davis, the current Jasper County Clerk, said White Baxter blazed the trail for women – not only in Missouri but in America. He notes the county auditor, assessor, circuit clerk, public administrator, prosecuting attorney, recorder of deeds and treasurer in Jasper County are all women.

“It’s amazing that half of our elected officials in Jasper County are women,” he said. “That kind of shows the importance that women place on our society, but especially our community of Jasper County.”

Davis said the second female Jasper County Clerk was elected 100 years later. Out of the last 30 years, he said 20 years were served by female Jasper County clerks.

According to Davis, a bust of White Baxter will also be placed in the Jasper County Courthouse.

Wendy Doyle, the President and CEO of Women’s Foundation, said millions of people who visit the Missouri Capitol each year, including many students, will enjoy the symbol of inspiration that White Baxter represents.

“I’m thrilled she’s getting the recognition she finally deserves,” she said. “By writing women back into history, we can ensure that women can see themselves in the change makers and barrier breakers of the past.”

Women’s Foundation and its supporters, particularly generous Missourians from White Baxter’s home county, funded the project.

“It’s important to the Women’s Foundation that we are able to go back in time to preserve legacies and history so that we can see how far we’ve come but also for us to see who we could be, to show women that there is a path forward – that we are working toward equality,” she said. “We are demonstrating to Missouri women that we are making progress.”

The cost of the bust is in the neighborhood of $15,000.

Haahr said putting White Baxter in the hall was a no-brainer.

“There’s a lot of really talented people that are not yet in the Hall of Famous Missourians. I started thinking about Annie White Baxter back in 2018 when I first became Speaker. It made a lot of sense – it’s the 100th General Assembly, it’s the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote. So, it all kind of dovetails together,” said Haahr.

He hopes today’s event will serve as a learning experience for his three daughters.

“My mom was my first political advisor,” he said. “But having three daughters, they are going to grow up in a world where they are never going to worry about not being able to vote, not being able to hold office. And so for me, without having to go through that struggle to remind them of the people that did, I feel like is very important.”

The sculpture was crafted by E. Spencer Schubert of Kansas City.

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Protesters hit streets of Jefferson City to oppose governor’s special session crime bill

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Protesters marching down High Street in Jefferson City

Protesters marched the streets in the heart of Jefferson City today to voice their opposition to the governor’s crime package. They walked down High Street in front of the Missouri Capitol and made a pitstop at the Governor’s Mansion. Police were on the scene to try and keep protesters from blocking the streets.

Gov. Mike Parson’s special session crime plan would let judges choose whether children 14 to 18 years old should be tried as adults for certain weapons crimes. It would also allow the Missouri attorney general to prosecute some St. Louis murder cases. Parson says out of at least 161 St. Louis murders so far this year, 33 suspects have been charged.

Rep. Rasheen Aldridge

State Representative Rasheen Aldridge, D-St. Louis, participated in the protest.

“Charge them as an adult because that is how we are going to fix violence – by being tough on crime to individuals that have made a mistake and should be held accountable but you are charging our youngest babies,” says Aldridge. “When does we go to ten? When do we go to nine? What’s going to be next? Eight? Seven? Are we locking up literally babies and putting them in jail with serial killers?”

Missouri Congressional candidate Cori Bush

Cori Bush of North St. Louis County, who defeated longtime St. Louis Democratic Congressman Lacy Clay in this month’s primary election, was among the crowd of protesters. They marched to the Cole County Jail and Bush had a message for law enforcement.

“We are about saving lives,” she says. “And so if you think we want to destroy your property – we don’t. If you think that we want to just disrupt just to disrupt – we don’t. We’re disrupting because you won’t stand up and do the right thing and make sure your work is to save lives.”

The legislation would also scrap a requirement for St. Louis police officers to live within the city and would create a witness protection fund to compel more witnesses to come forward in crime cases.

The Missouri House of Representatives gets back to work next week on the legislation. Three committees have scheduled hearings for Monday afternoon.

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DHSS: Four have tested positive for COVID during special session testing at Missouri Capitol

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State health officials say four people have tested positive for the coronavirus, during recent testing events at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams briefs Capitol reporters in Jefferson City on August 5, 2020 (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

The testing has taken place during Missouri’s special legislative session on violent crime, a session that continues. Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Kansas City, called on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to provide testing to anyone working within the Capitol in conjunction with the special session.

DHSS Director Dr. Randall Williams responded to Senator Rizzo’s call, and there have been several days of testing. Missouri lawmakers, staff members and Capitol reporters have been eligible for the tests.

DHSS says of the 228 total individuals who have been tested at the Capitol, four tested positive. During a Capitol media briefing in Jefferson City today, Dr. Williams told Missourinet that he would brief legislative leaders about the numbers first, then would release them.

His office e-mailed the numbers to Missourinet about two hours later.

Leader Rizzo has praised the community testing events that DHSS has held with the Missouri National Guard, saying that testing events in the Capitol would help ensure the health and safety of those within the building.

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August 10th groundbreaking set for major Bicentennial bridge project in Jefferson City

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A well-known Jefferson City family is donating $75,000 to a bridge project that will link the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City to the riverfront. It’s a project that’s been discussed in Jefferson City for more than 25 years.

This is an artist’s rendering of part of the planned $3.75 million Bicentennial bridge project in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of bicentennialbridge.org

The Naught family from Naught-Naught Insurance Agency made the contribution.

Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin tells Missourinet that a groundbreaking ceremony for the $3.75 million project is set for Monday August 10 at 8:30 a.m. It will take place at the State Capitol.

Mayor Tergin describes the project as a “game changer,” as well as an amazing legacy gift for Missouri’s Bicentennial in 2021. She has said it’s the most exciting news that that’s ever announced as mayor.

The project will provide a pedestrian and bike linkage from the Capitol to the Missouri River, an area known as Adrian’s Island. Tom Naught says the Bicentennial bridge will enhance the Capitol grounds, and will bring more tourists to Jefferson City. The 12-foot wide pedestrian and bicycle bridge will connect the Capitol complex to a 30-acre parkland located north of the Union Pacific Railroad.

The island will have trails that allow visitors to hike through the wooded area. Click here to view artist renderings of the project, and also a video.

“The entrance to the bridge will honor our veterans and when the Naught family learned of this, they knew they wanted to be a part of it. Thank you to the Naught’s for having a place in your heart for the Bicentennial Bridge and for veterans, and we deeply appreciate your support of this project,” Mayor Tergin says, in a statement.

Mayor Tergin tells Missourinet that she expects construction to begin in late summer or this fall, and for clearing work to begin in September. The project is expected to be done in August 2021. The mayor says the 830-feet bridge will span over railroad tracks.

Bridge supporters note more than 400,000 people visit the Missouri Capitol Complex annually, and that there’s no current way to access the riverfront without crossing Union Pacific’s railroad tracks.

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Protesters arrested in Jefferson City march about Missouri crime bill

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Eight protesters have been arrested during a demonstration today in Jefferson City. They marched from the Missouri Capitol to the Governor’s Mansion and along a main street in the city’s downtown to rally against a crime bill at the center of the state Legislature’s special session.

The demonstration was made up of about 40 participants, including state Representative Rasheen Aldridge, D-St. Louis. Protesters were seen on video blocking a roadway. Several police officers were on the scene to direct the crowd and some reportedly used pepper spray on protesters.

The governor wants lawmakers to pass a plan to fight the state’s increasing violent crime rate, including provisions that could prosecute some children as adults for certain crimes, create a witness protection fund and remove a residency requirement to help recruit more St. Louis police officers.

Protesters says Gov. Mike Parson’s efforts will further criminalize the community. They say the governor is “intentionally ignoring” the root issues of crime and the legislature should be focused on providing more funding to address mental health problems.

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DHSS: Missouri’s coronavirus cases increase 1,138 from Monday’s total

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Missouri’s coronavirus cases have increased by more than 1,000 in the past 24 hours.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams briefs Capitol reporters on July 14, 2020 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) says Missouri now has 34,762 confirmed coronavirus cases, an increase of 1,138 from Monday’s number of 33,624.

Missouri had 22,830 cases, as of July 3.

DHSS Director Dr. Randall Williams will brief Capitol reporters Wednesday afternoon at the Statehouse in Jefferson City, along with Governor Mike Parson. The governor told reporters last week that 60 percent of the new cases have been in three main regions: the St. Louis area, Kansas City area and southwest Missouri

Governor Parson has also noted that more younger people are testing positive in Missouri, adding that the average diagnosed patient’s age continues to drop.

Dr. Williams has been urging Missourians to wear a mask, to practice social distancing and to wash their hands frequently.

DHSS says there have been 1,143 COVID deaths in Missouri.

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Missouri Capitol makeover expected to finish later this year

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A $45 million project to spruce up the Missouri Capitol is on track to finish in November or December. As the first major construction work of the building assembled in 1917, it is addressing deteriorating stonework on its facades, dome and drum, overall appearance and stabilizing the structure. Upon completion, the project will extend the life of the building and ensure the historic structure is properly preserved for decades to come.

Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City

The project includes two phases. The first phase began in 2016 to address the substructure of the building, including waterproofing and repairs to major leakage into the basement. It also refurbished the outside Capitol grand staircase, which is 30 feet wide and extends from ground level to the third floor.

The current phase is focused on the stonework and terraces. Project Manager Mike Qutami with the Office of Administration says most of the stone is in good shape but there are some problem spots being fixed.

“Basically, every square foot of that building was assessed and will receive some kind of treatment – that being repair of the stone, reshaping of the stone and definitely cleaning all the stone,” he says. “The south entrance – there was a huge chunk of stone, about 4,000 maybe 5,000 pounds that could have come down any time. Now throughout the building, there was some pieces that could have fallen from the upper part of the perimeter of the Capitol façade.”

The stone being used in the repair work is from Willard in southwest Missouri.

“The actual stone replacement was approximately 5% of the stone in the building,” he says. “And that total is approximately 4,565,000 pounds.”

Other repair work is at the structure’s north plaza where sidewalks and walkways have buckled. In addition, all the bronze monuments in the capital complex are being conserved. Chief among them is the statue that had been perched 260 feet high atop the capitol dome for 95 years. The sculpture of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, was lowered to the ground in 2018. She was shipped off to a Chicago spa for laser treatment to restore Ceres to her natural beauty.

In 2014, the Missouri Legislature approved bonding for the renovations.

Approving budget is top priority for Missouri’s governor, Schatz and Haahr (AUDIO)

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Missouri’s governor wants lawmakers to focus on the state operating budget during the final few weeks of the 2020 session, and GOP legislative leaders in both chambers say that is their top priority.

Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, at podium, and House Majority Leader Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, speak at a virtual press briefing on April 8, 2020 in Jefferson City (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

During a media briefing last week, Missourinet asked Governor Mike Parson (R) what issues lawmakers should focus on, when they return to the Capitol in Jefferson City on Monday.

“They come here (to the Statehouse) to do the budget by May 8th, that’s what they’re coming back here for, that’s their main objective, my understanding of that, and that’s the one thing that we really need to focus on,” Parson says.

Under the state Constitution, Missouri lawmakers are required to approve a balanced state operating budget by May 8. That’s less than two weeks away.

While time will be a factor, Missouri’s Senate leader believes lawmakers will send a balanced budget to the governor’s desk by the May 8th constitutional deadline. Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, expects the House to give final budget approval on Wednesday.

“We believe that we (the Senate) can begin the process that week after the (April) 29th, work possibly through the weekend to get our budget markup done,” says Schatz.

Schatz knows the House and Senate budgets will have differences, and he’s allotting time for House and Senate budget writers to negotiate those differences in a conference committee. The conference committee work would take place next week.

The budget is also the top priority for House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield.

The House gavels-in Monday at noon, and House Majority Floor Leader Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, says the House has scheduled six hours of budget debate for Monday. House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, expects the House to give initial approval to the budget on Monday. He expects final House approval on Wednesday. The budget would then head to the Senate.

Chairman Smith agrees with Governor Parson, that lawmakers may return to the Capitol this summer for a special session on another supplemental budget.

The Senate will gavel-in Monday afternoon at 4, although two Senate committees will meet before session begins.

Lawmakers have lost four to five weeks of session time because of the COVID-19 outbreak. The last day of the 2020 legislative session is Friday, May 15. Pro Tem Schatz tells Missourinet that many bills will die, in the session’s final three weeks.

“I would say probably more than has ever in the past, because there’s probably going to be a very, very minimal number of bills that will make it across the finish line,” Schatz says.

While he’s keeping his expectations low on policy issues, Pro Tem Schatz remains hopeful that lawmakers can approve a bipartisan prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) and a legislative redistricting plan. The redistricting proposal has been a priority for Republicans, but Democrats oppose it, saying Missourians overwhelmingly passed the 2018 “Clean Missouri” proposal.

As for PDMP, Missouri is the only state in the nation without one.

Missouri House Chief Clerk Dana Rademan Miller tells Missourinet they have supplied all House members and staff with cloth masks, which are cotton and washable. She says all are encouraged, but not required, to wear them and to continue to practice social distancing protocols when they return to the Capitol on Monday.

Click here to listen to the full six-minute interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, which was recorded on April 24, 2020:

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