Elections
Crime vs. COVID: Parson, Galloway make closing arguments in Missouri governor’s race
In their final push to election day, Republican Gov. Mike Parson and his Democratic challenger, State Auditor Nicole Galloway, aim to turn out base voters and win over undecided Missourians by linking their opponent to unpopular policies of others. For Parson, that means an emphasis on supporting law enforcement over protesters demanding police reforms and […]
Handful of Missouri legislative races will determine fate of GOP super majorities
First things first, there’s one thing that’s absolutely certain: Missouri Republicans are in no danger of losing their legislative majorities. When the 101st Missouri General Assembly convenes in January, the GOP will still dominate both the House and Senate. But the outcome of Tuesday’s legislative elections around the state could still have long-lasting consequences. If […]
Missouri FOP revokes endorsement of Republican whose children say he abused them
The Missouri Fraternal Order of Police has rescinded its endorsement of Rick Roeber, a Republican candidate for the Missouri House accused by his two adult children of physically and sexually abusing them when they were young. In a letter from Missouri FOP President Rick Inglima to Roeber obtained by The Independent, Roeber was informed that […]
Missouri AG’s office denies allegations it broke law in medical marijuana lawsuit
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office dismissed accusations that his office and the state department of health illegally concealed records and violated the Sunshine Law during the course of a medical marijuana lawsuit, calling the charges “frivolous” and “baseless.” The accusation arose last week in a motion seeking sanctions against Schmitt’s office and the Missouri […]
Missouri Politics in 2020: How did we get here?
I sat down to write this on the 20th anniversary of Gov. Mel Carnahan’s tragic plane crash. Much has changed for me since then, but far more has changed in Missouri politics. Twenty years ago, I’d just come off my first real campaign gig, a failed effort to elect Missouri native Bill Bradley to the […]
Trump in final debate slams pandemic aid as a ‘big bailout’ for blue cities and states
WASHINGTON — Asked during Thursday’s final presidential debate about why another round of economic relief hasn’t been approved to aid unemployed Americans and struggling local governments, President Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, pointed fingers at opposite ends of the U.S. Capitol. Trump blamed House Democrats for the stalemate over another coronavirus stimulus […]
Medical marijuana lawsuit: Missouri health department illegally concealed documents
A Missouri family that sued after being denied a medical marijuana license is alleging the state department of health and Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office illegally concealed documents and violated open records laws in order to undercut their lawsuit. The allegations — which are included in a 28-page motion seeking sanctions against the state that […]
Capitol Perspectives: The better angels of our nature
Before proceeding with this column, I want you to think about what you’ve read, seen or heard from the candidates running for state office during this campaign season. How often have you heard detailed proposals to deal with the major issues facing our state like COVID-19 including steps to reduce infection, addressing complications of reopening […]
Missouri Medicaid expansion: Will it bust the budget or pay for itself?
When Missouri voters approved Medicaid expansion in August, they were told by the ballot language that the price tag was unknown, with possible costs at $200 million stated alongside $1 billion in potential savings. What is known for certain is that about 250,000 Missourians will become eligible for coverage next year — and the next […]
Want to vote by mail in Missouri? The deadline to apply is today
Election Day is only 13 days away. But if Missourians want to vote from home, they have until 5 p.m. today (Oct. 21) to request an absentee or mail-in ballot. To help answer voters’ questions, The Missouri Independent held a Q&A on Twitter with three local election officials: Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller, Boone County […]
As COVID spreads in Missouri, Parson and Galloway differ starkly on state’s response
September was Missouri’s deadliest month since the coronavirus outbreak began, and there have been more than 400 deaths reported since the beginning of October. Missouri’s veterans homes saw 56 residents die in just September and early October. Daily hospitalizations routinely reach record highs, with Cox Health in Southwest Missouri last week reporting that it was […]
Missouri Attorney General candidates divided on key criminal justice reform
St. Louis-native Lamar Johnson has spent 26 years in prison praying that someone would hear his case. In August 2019, that day almost came. “I finally got taken back to St. Louis, and freedom is just right there,” Johnson said in a phone call with The Independent from Jefferson City Correctional Center. “And it was […]