Missouri Times publisher Scott Faughn looks deep into the Stein of Knowledge to provide some more insight and updates concerning the governor and the players in the scandal.
COLUMN: Congressman Smith Capitol Report: He Is Risen
By Congressman Jason Smith During holy week, beyond decorating and hiding eggs and spending time with our family, we celebrate Jesus’ life, death and most importantly His resurrection. As I reflect on the importance of Easter, I think about how new beginnings have benefited us all. While the Friday of the crucifixion brought grief and loss to Jesus’ loved ones, Sunday brought joy when they found that the tomb was empty and Jesus had risen. […]
OPINION: Massive Political Spending by Ameren Pushes Double Digit Rate Increase
It is good to be a monopoly electric company. Ameren Missouri profits are high, its reliability statistics exceed those in neighboring states, and the Public Service Commission (PSC) has granted it several generous rate increases over the years with a 9.54% annual profit allowance. But apparently the utility does not think that is enough, as it is aggressively seeking bonus rate compensation through the state legislature. This anti-consumer measure would impose a new mechanism called […]
OPINION: Airline Regulations Will Only Raise Ticket Prices
So why is Congress still trying to push them through? By Senator Dave Schatz The cost of flying in the United States has reached record lows, but you wouldn’t know it. Just by listening to how people talk, it seems like complaining about the cost of flying is a national past time. Despite it’s bad reputation, the numbers tell us a different story; one where free market competition has driven down prices and improved safety […]
Updating the players in the Greitens investigation
As the varying criminal investigations continue and the path toward the Governor’s May trial unfolds, many of the players are the same from our initial update for a few weeks ago. However, as the investigations have moved forward, several other players have been brought into prominent roles. So we have an update for those following the cases. The key holdovers from the last update: Mark Bobak – Still the chairman of the board of the […]
Rep. English loved public service
I’ve had a bit of a heavy heart the past few days with the passing of former Rep. Keith English. Keith was a friend of mine. We talked politics countless times and raised a glass more than we probably needed to. It never mattered that we disagreed, I liked him and I respected him. The one thing I will always remember about Keith is that he loved being a state representative. Most people appreciate the […]
STL County Executive candidate and Greitens campaign donator, shuns governor after scandal
Mark Mantovani, one of the candidates primed to run for the St. Louis county executive position put out a statement Thursday regarding Governor Eric Greitens scandal. Mantovani, who is running as a Democrat, donated large sums to Gov. Greitens campaign in 2015 and 2016. Starting in June of 2015 through September of 2016, Mantovani and his wife, Patty, donated $20,241 to Greitens’ campaign, according to the Missouri Ethics Commission. “The revelation of reported actions by Governor […]
Missouri Farmers and Ranchers Optimistic Heading into 2018
By Eric Bohl, director of public affairs for Missouri Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization Missouri Farm Bureau’s second annual FARMometer survey showed a number of positive trends in the attitudes of our state’s farmers and ranchers. The 1,200-plus attendees at MFB’s Annual Meeting at Tan-Tar-A in early December were polled on a number of agriculture-related topics, with the questions identical to last year’s inaugural survey. Overall, more than 76 percent of respondents have an […]
OPINION: Policies St. Louis should consider to support the working class in 2018 & beyond
By Michael Benson Bankruptcy Attorney, A Bankruptcy Law Firm, LLC The foundation of St. Louis is the working class. In order for St. Louis to succeed, the working class must simultaneously succeed. The last decade has left blue-collar workers struggling to keep their heads above water. Factoring for inflation, statistics show that a 27-year-old worker in 2013 earns 31% less than a 27-year-old worker in 1969. Family budgets are tighter than ever and there seems to […]
Spire rate case could signal change in precedent at PSC
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Over the last 30 years, dating back to their days as Laclede Gas, Spire hasn’t litigated a rate case. However, after the Public Service Commission staff and Office of Public Counsel refused to settle on most all of the normally agreed to issues, leading to weeklong hearings in front of the commission. Many are seeing the treatment of Spire and the lengthy hearing process as a change in precedent towards more […]