Recommended Candidate, Rep. John Wright to Host Town Hall Meeting Tomorrow!

Rep. John Wright is an incumbent for the 47th house district, and is recommended by MNEA.  Hope you can attend to support our recommended candidate.  You may wear your MNEA pin.

Rep. John Wright, Vice Chair of House Ethics Committee, to Host 

Town Hall Meeting at the Daniel Boone Regional Library on Wednesday, July 30, 2014, 7 pm

Rep. Wright to share findings on lobbyist gift practices in state government and discuss the need for reform to limit special interest influence

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. – Rep. John Wright, Vice Chair of the Missouri House Ethics Committee, will be hosting a town hall meeting in the Friends Room of the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia at 7 pm this Wednesday, July 30.  Rep. Wright will share his recent findings on lobbyist gift practices and lead a discussion of potential ways to limit the growth of special interest influence in state government. 

“Last year alone, Missouri State Legislators accepted nearly $1 million in personal gifts from lobbyists, including over $40,000 in Cardinals and Royals tickets, expensive steak dinners, golf outings, and concert tickets,” said Wright.  “Missouri is now the only state in America that has no legal limits on lobbyist gifts and no legal limits on campaign contributions, and the inflow of money into our political process is stacking the deck in favor of special interest groups at the expense of Missouri families.”

Rep. Wright cited a lobbyist-sponsored $5,000 steak dinner for the House Utilities Committee as an example of a growing pattern of behaviors that threaten to erode public confidence in the political process.  The House Utilities Committee helps oversee the rates that electric companies are legally allowed to charge Missouri households. 

The majority of lobbyist expenditures are funded by regulated industries, including utilities and telecom companies, and groups that receive state tax subsidies, including real estate developers in St. Louis and Kansas City.  State tax subsidies have increased six-fold over the past fifteen years and now account for more than the entire amount of the shortfall in Missouri’s public school funding formula. 

“Too many people in the Capitol building have a vested interest in the status quo,” said Wright, “That’s why we’re holding these town hall meetings to discuss this issue:  only by coming together as concerned citizens can we hope to improve the system.”

Things That Make You Go Hmmm...

Every now and then, I'll post something that will not only make us think, but find humor in what we fight so hard to achieve.  It may even help us make our point with those who don't understand unions and why we need them.  From the AFL-CIO website:

Support State Senate MNEA Candidate for the 24th District, Jill Schupp

Hello MNEA members!  Jill Schupp is a recommended candidate for State Senate.  She is hosting a fundraiser in Columbia.  If you have a moment, please stop by to show your support.  You may wear your NEA pin or T-shirt.

MNEA Supported Candidate Tom Pauley's Next Event!

Hello Everyone!  MNEA recommended candidate for the 44th Missouri House Seat, Tom Pauley is hosting an event.  Let's support Mr. Pauley by attending his fundraiser!  Because he is a recommended candidate, you may wear your NEA pin.

You are invited to

A NIGHT OF ROCK AND ROLL AND KARAOKE

to support

TOM PAULEY

CANDIDATE FOR MISSOURI HOUSE DISTRICT 44

Thursday, July 31^st

7:00 – 9:00 pm

At Whiskey Wild Saloon

2508 Paris Rd. Columbia, MO 65202

Stop by to help Tom kick his campaign off with a bang!

Your donation of $10, $25, $50, $100, or whatever you can afford

can make all of the difference

You can donate online at

https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/pauleyfor44th

Special Guest singers TBA

For questions or to RSVP, contact Tom@TomPauley.com

Checks Payable to Citizens for Tom Pauley

PO Box 382, Hallsville, MO 65203

Paid for by Friends of Tom Pauley, Elaine George, treasurer.  Printed in house with donated labor

Information About Proposition EPIC

From the Democratic email listserv.  This is to inform MNEA/CMNEA Boone County voters on this Aug. 5th Ballot issue: 

With different issues that arise, when possible, information is provided so you can learn more about the issue or find the places to ask questions. With that in mind, presented for your consideration is an issue coming up on the August ballot in Boone County: 
Proposition EPIC:  A small investment for EPIC returns

EPIC is not complicated at all.  It comes down to this: More money for parks, a much better fairground and great economic opportunities.  For 1/8th of a cent we will be able to improve parks all around the county,  develop the fairgrounds so it can handle and attract much larger events, and create a host of economic opportunities never possible before. 

Check EPIC out.  The more you know about EPIC, the more you will understand it simply makes good fiscal sense, an 1/8th of a cent to be exact.  And after 6 years it will be retired.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Proposition-EPIC/485458544933459?fref=nf

http://www.propositionepic.com

 

What is on the August 5th Ballot?

This post is to inform CMNEA/MNEA members about the issues that will be on the Aug. 5th ballot.  CMNEA/MNEA has made NO recommendations on these issues.  There is information that you may read and forums you may attend to help you learn more about the issues in order to help you make your decision before voting.  The information will be included within this post as well.

Again, for state office races, MNEA makes recommendations based on the candidate's support for public education and support of our legislative platform.

Constitutional Amendments:

• Constitutional Amendments: This is not a preliminary vote. These amendments need a simple majority to pass.
  
• Constitutional Amendment No. 1
  "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to ensure that the right of Missouri citizens to engage in agricultural production and ranching practices shall not be infringed?
  The potential costs or savings to governmental entities are unknown, but likely limited unless the resolution leads to increased litigation costs and/or the loss of federal funding."
  YES
  NO
• Constitutional Amendment No. 5
  "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to include a declaration that the right to keep and bear arms is a unalienable right and that the state government is obligated to uphold that right?
  State and local governmental entities should have no direct costs or savings from this proposal. However, the proposal’s passage will likely lead to increased litigation and criminal justice related costs. The total potential costs are unknown, but could be significant."
  YES
  NO
• Constitutional Amendment No. 7
  "Should the Missouri Constitution be changed to enact a temporary sales tax of three-quarters of one percent to be used solely to fund state and local highways, roads, bridges and transportation projects for ten years, with priority given to repairing unsafe roads and bridges?
  This change is expected to produce $480 million annually to the state's Transportation Safety and Job Creation Fund and $54 million for local governments. Increases in the gas tax will be prohibited. This revenue shall only be used for transportation purposes and cannot be diverted for other uses."
  YES
  NO
• Constitutional Amendment No. 8
  "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to create a “Veterans Lottery Ticket” and to use the revenue from the sale of these tickets for projects and services related to veterans?
  The annual cost or savings to state and local governmental entities is unknown, but likely minimal. If sales of a veterans lottery ticket game decrease existing lottery ticket sales, the profits of which fund education, there could be a small annual shift in funding from education to veterans’ programs."
  YES
  NO
• Constitutional Amendment No. 9
  "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended so that the people shall be secure in their electronic communications and data from unreasonable searches and seizures as they are now likewise secure in their persons, homes, papers and effects?
  State and local governmental entities expect no significant costs or savings."
  YES
  NO

Boone County Election:

U.S. Representative District 4- No MNEA recommendation made at this time.

• Nate Irvin-Democratic
• Vicky Hartzler-Republican
• John Webb-Republican
• Randall(R) Langkraehr-Libertarian
• Herschel L. Young-Libertarian

The following offices are Boone County primaries on the Democratic and Republican side.  MNEA/CMNEA does not make recommendations for these races.  We encourage our members to learn about the candidates before voting by checking out their websites or Facebook pages.  If possible, attend their political events or forums to learn about their positions on issues important to you as a voter.

Recorder of Deeds

• Nora Dietzel
• Lois Miller

Division 5 Associate Circuit Judge

• Robert Fleming
• Finley Gibbs
• Kimberly Shaw
• Michael Whitworth
• Doug Shull

Ballot Proposal for Boone County:

• Proposition EPIC
  "Shall Boone County, Missouri, impose a new county-wide sales tax at a rate of one-eighth of one percent for the purposes of providing funding for parks, recreation, and economic development, including the Central Missouri Events Center at the Boone County Fairgrounds, to include the acquisition, improvement, construction, and equipping of facilities for said purposes and operating the same? The authorization for this sales tax shall expire on December 31, 2020."
  YES
  NO

League of Women Voters Sponsors Two Forums About Aug. 5th Ballot:

Candidate ForumTuesday, July 22
6:30 p.m. (refreshments at 6:00 p.m.)
Columbia Public Library – Friends Room

This forum will feature primary candidates in the August election in races for 47th District Representative, Boone County Recorder of Deeds, and Division 5 Associate Judge.
Candidates running unopposed for county offices and the state legislature will not be included in the forum. Again, MNEA/CMNEA does not make recommendations in these races.

The proposed 1/8 cent county sales tax for the fairgrounds will also be covered.

David Lile from KFRU will moderate the forum and it will be broadcast live on KFRU radio.

****************
Ballot Issues Forum
Thursday, July 24
6:30 p.m. (refreshments at 6:00 p.m.)
Columbia Public Library – Friends Room

The August primary ballot will include five proposed constitutional amendments:
–the so-called “Right to Farm” measure;
–an amendment that concerns the people’s “Right to be secure in their electronic communications and data from unreasonable searches and seizures”;
–an amendment that creates a “Veterans Lottery Ticket” to raise funds for projects and services related to veterans;
–an amendment that would declare the right to keep and bear arms as an unalienable right that the state must uphold; and
–a three-quarters of a cent sales tax to fund state and local highways, roads and bridges.

We will try to find pro and con speakers on all issues; if we cannot find speakers, we will provide pro and con information.

Both forums are cosponsored by the Columbia Public Library.

Muleskinners (Democratic Club) Sponsors Discussion on Right to Farm Issue:

Muleskinners' Presents

Friday, July 25, Noon

“Right to Farm” Amendment Discussion
The opposition speaker will be either
Former Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell or former State Sen. Wes Shoemeyer

at

Columbia Country Club 
Old Rte. 63 North at 2210 North Country Club Drive
EVERYONE is welcome!.

Muleskinners' Speakers Schedule for July

Aug. 1: The County Commission explains the need for the ⅛ cent, six-year sales tax—an issue on the Aug. 5th ballot.

There is an optional buffet lunch available for $11. Students will receive a discount. Lunch with start at 11:30 and the meeting starts at noon. 

If you have questions, please contact Scott Cristal at (573) 999-3871.

Muleskinners is supported, in part, by a small difference between what we pay for the meals and what we charge. However, the main source of funds to Muleskinners is the membership. 

Please, consider joining Muleskinners to support the important part we play in maintaining the Democratic social network in Boone County and in continuing to keep Democrats informed and engaged in political dialogue. Membership forms can be found at the Treasurers table when you attend a meeting and the forms run each month in the Boone County Democrat or just visit: http://www.boonecountydems.org/?page_id=33 

Important Dates for August 5th Voting

Our August 5th voting will be here before you know it!  Below are important dates to remember.  Although registering to vote has passed, those of you with vacation plans will need to note when absentee voting can take place:

Official Election Day: August 5, 2014

Style of Election: Primary Election

Last Day to Register to Vote: July 9, 2014

Saturday Hours: July 5, 2014 & August 2, 2014

Application Deadline for Absentee Ballots to be Mailed to Voter: July 30, 2014

Deadline for Absentee Voting in Person in the County Clerk's Office: August 4, 2014

The address for the Boone County Clerk's Office is:

Boone County Government Center
801 E. Walnut, Rm 236
Columbia, MO 65201-7731

Office (573) 886-4375

In my last post, I put who MNEA is recommending for the 2014 Missouri House races.  The recommended candidates in Boone county DO NOT have primaries in August, so you will NOT vote for them in the August primary on Aug. 5th.  Boone county will vote in the November general election for House seats.  Our candidates each have races then with their opponents.  I will post the issues that Boone County will vote for in the August 5th elections very soon.,

Recommended Candidates For Our Area

       

2014 is a mid-term election year, and MNEA PAC met to make the following recommendations of support to the following candidates:

Stephen Webber- D
Incumbent
District 47

Tom Pauley- D
New Candidate
District 44

Stephen Webber- D
Incumbent
District 46

______________________________________________________________________________________________

The following candidate was not challenged in the election for Missouri House seat 45.  He will replace retiring Representative Chris Kelley in January, 2015:

                                                                  Don't forget to vote August 5th!

         Kip Kendrick- D

     New Representative

        House District 45