Push to Sell State Property Wins National Recognition MoDOT Marketing More Parcels April 26-30

MoDOT News Release   For more information, contact Jorma Duran at 573- 751-9257 or Greg Wood at 573-751-7716 or Community Relations at 573-751-2840. April 20, 2010 JEFFERSON CITY - To put more money into state highway projects, the Missouri Department of Transportation has been aggressively marketing property it no longer needs for the state highway system.  Now the department's Realty to Roads program is earning national praise as a property management model.  The Federal Highway Administration has given the program its 2010 Excellence in Right of Way award in the Technical Specialties category.  The award recognizes outstanding innovations in property management and honors those who excel in improving the property acquisition process. "State departments of transportation have traditionally been more geared toward buying right of way for highway projects than selling it," said Kelly Lucas, director of MoDOT's Right of Way Division, who accepted the award.  "We had to change the way we looked at property management and learn how to creatively move property we no longer needed." MoDOT has used innovative tools, such as statewide sales blitzes, to move excess property, and its website provides virtual tours of properties for sale.  The department also tracks property sales to gauge performance and ensure accountability. The results have been positive for the state's construction and maintenance programs.  In fiscal year 2009, the agency removed 228 parcels from its inventory, double the 112 pieces of property sold in 2008.  The fiscal year 2009 sales generated more than $4.2 million for state highway improvements. The department will attempt to sell 32 more pieces of prime real estate April 26-30 in a second Realty to Roads property blitz.  The parcels range in size from a quarter of an acre to 200 acres.  Some of the inventory will be conveyed by sealed bid, while other properties will be sold at public auction. Additional information about the property for sale can be found on MoDOT's website, www.modot.org/realtyforsale.

United Nations Commission on Population and Development Concludes Session with Adoption

16 April 2010 Economic and Social Council POP/984 Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York Commission on Population and Development Forty-third Session 9th Meeting (PM & Night) of Wide-Ranging Text on Health, Morbidity, Mortality and Development   Governments Asked to Scale Up Efforts to Ensure Access to HIV Treatment, Prevent Non-Communicable Diseases, Ensure 'Health-Enhancing' Behaviour among Adolescents Concerned that 9 million children under 5 years old died each year from largely preventable conditions, and that persistent health inequities, both among and within countries, were impeding improved health outcomes, the Commission on Population and Development today concluded its forty-third session by reaffirming the values of primary health care -– including universal access to services -- as the basis for strengthening health systems. After marathon negotiations, the Commission adopted by consensus an eight-page text on "Health, Morbidity, Mortality and Development", by which it noted with concern that the right of everyone to the highest attainable standard of health -- including through access to medicines, vaccines and commodities -- remained a distant goal.  It called on Governments to strengthen health systems, in part by focusing on health financing, and to reduce maternal mortality by ensuring that universal access to reproductive health, including family planning, was achieved by 2015. By other terms, the Commission reaffirmed its strong commitment to fully implementing the Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development.  Governments were called on to scale up efforts to ensure universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support; do more to prevent non-communicable diseases; and ensure that attention was paid to encouraging health-enhancing behaviour among adolescents, notably by providing information on sexual and reproductive health consistent with their evolving needs. The Commission also reaffirmed the right to fully use provisions in the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, among other accords, to promote access to medicines and encourage the provision of assistance to developing countries in that regard.  The international community was called on to make assistance, particularly external funding, more predictable and better aligned with national priorities, and to channel that assistance in ways that strengthened recipients' health systems. Immediately following adoption, several delegations underscored that the text should in no way be interpreted in a manner that affected the right to life, and registered their reservations on the use of terms including reproductive rights.  Other speakers reaffirmed that the text's interpretations of any positions taken on sexual and reproductive rights and services should be taken within the context of the International Conference on Population and Development. A representative of the Holy See said his delegation was committed to improving global health.  Reiterating reservations made at the International Conference on Population and Development, he stressed that nothing in the resolution created any new rights, including any recognition of the right to abortion. At the other end of the spectrum, Denmark's speaker, on behalf of the Nordic countries, as well as France and Germany, said her delegation strongly supported paragraphs on sexual and reproductive rights and services, as well as the inclusion of a reference to unsafe abortions, a major cause of maternal mortality.  It was unacceptable that women still died from preventable conditions. "The many hours of tough negotiations have paid off -– we have an agreed document," said Werner Haug, Director of the Technical Division at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), speaking on behalf of Executive Director Thoraya Obaid. He said that, while there had been many success stories pointing to declines in mortality rates and increases in life expectancy, the Commission also had heard that, in some countries, life expectancy had stagnated or even decreased due to AIDS prevalence.  Others faced the double burden of addressing infectious and non-communicable diseases.  Of all the Millennium Development Goals, Goal 5 on maternal health lagged the most.  "We must renew our commitment to mobilize sufficient resources to ensure full implementation of the Programme of Action," he said. Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs at the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Thomas Stelzer, reminded delegates that if they felt pressure mounting during this period of hard work, it would continue once they left the chamber.  "The risk of missing our targets is very real and there is no time to lose," he warned.  This week, the Commission had focused on the major health challenges facing countries where the diseases of poverty had receded.  When communicable diseases and maternal conditions no longer caused the most deaths, the disease burden shifted to non-communicable diseases, which accounted for the majority of deaths today and could be prevented by improving lifestyles. Prevention was not the whole answer, he said, sooner or later everyone would need health care and health-care systems must be shaped to respond to increasing demands for disease management in ageing populations.  Guidance emerging from the session would likely need revision in a few years as countries learned how best to adapt to their evolving demographic and epidemiological realities.  In sum, he commended the Commission for its work on how best to improve health and delay death. Also commending delegates for their efforts to provide guidance on actions that would improve global health, Hania Zlotnik, Director of the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said this year's theme had enriched the Commission's views about the diverse challenges that countries faced.  Clearly, life and death issues could not but generate passionate debate.  However, to develop strategies and fine tune approaches, cool heads and persistence were needed.  The Division stood ready to help assess how that persistence might pay off in lower numbers of deaths and longer, healthier lives for all. Chairperson Daniel Carmon (Israel) said the Commission had again proven it was a useful forum for discussing issues that mattered greatly for development.  This year's theme –- health, morbidity, mortality and development -- had been particularly relevant for the Commission's contribution to the high-level plenary meeting on the Millennium Development Goals in September.  It was important to remember that the session was just one small step towards reaching the health-related goals.  There was ample information on what had to be done.  "We need to redouble our efforts to do it," he said.  The session had shown it was possible to address daunting issues in a professional and goal-oriented manner.  Only by reaching common ground was progress possible. The Commission also adopted by consensus a draft decision determining that that the special theme for its forty-fifth session in 2012 would be "adolescents and youth". Before its adoption, Zambia's representative, speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, said that in the spirit of cooperation, his delegation had agreed to support the theme for 2012.  He reiterated the Group's proposed theme for 2013, namely "international migration and development". Mexico's delegate expressed support for that position. In other action, the Commission adopted the report of its forty-third session (document E/CN.9/2010/L.3), introduced by Vice-Chairperson and Rapporteur Agnieszka Klausa (Poland), as well as the draft provisional agenda of the forty-forth session in 2011 (document E/CN.9/2010/L.2/Rev.1), whose theme was "fertility, reproductive health and development". The Commission also took note of the Secretary-General's reports on Health, morbidity, mortality and development (document E/CN.9/2010/3); Monitoring of population programmes, focusing on health, morbidity, mortality and development (document E/CN.9/2010/4); Flow of financial resources for assisting in the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (document E/CN.9/2010/5); and on Programme implementation and progress of work in the field of population in 2009: Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (document E/CN.9/2010/6), as well as a note of the Secretary-General on the proposed strategic framework for the period 2010-2013: sub-programme 6, Population, of programme 7, Economic and Social Affairs (document E/CN.9/2010/7). Immediately following the closure of its forty-third session, the Commission opened its forty-fourth session, electing by acclamation Brian Bowler of Malawi as Chairperson, on the recommendation of the African Group.  The Commission also elected as Vice-Chairpersons: Suljuk Mustansar Tarar of Pakistan (Asian States); Easton Williams of Jamaica (Latin American and Caribbean States); Christophe de Bassompierre of Belgium (Western European and Other States).

Budget Crisis Requires Tough Decisions - Jack Goodman Capital Report

Like most states across the nation, Missouri has had to confront a historic budget crisis where funding is scarce, but demand for government programs and services remains high. As session has progressed, it has become increasingly clear that unprecedented revenue shortfalls, will force the Legislature to make some very difficult decisions to preserve the future economic stability of our state.   The Missouri General Assembly has the constitutionally mandated and critically important task of creating and passing a balanced, responsible, and realistic state budget each year by a certain deadline (this year's is May 7). The budget we completed this week was for fiscal year 2011, which begins July 1, 2010, and runs through June 30, 2011. As a starting point for determining our state budget, legislators considered the governor's budget proposal, which he submitted to the Legislature at the beginning of this year.   Unfortunately, the budget scenario we worked with just a few months ago no longer applies. Part of this problem was caused by overly optimistic revenue projections for the remainder of the current fiscal year as well as the upcoming fiscal year. The other part resulted from Governor Nixon's ill-advised dependence on an infusion of $300 million in additional federal funds into the state budget.  To date, no bill guaranteeing extra money has been signed into law by Congress, and quite frankly, it would be the height of irresponsibility for state lawmakers to continue relying on the federal bailouts as a legitimate funding source. The people of Missouri will not be served well in the long run if we expand government only to be unable to sustain its growth in future years.   Without the hypothetical $300 million the governor's original budget proposal, funding for state departments, programs and services has become especially tight. This situation has been further complicated by the recent announcement of a 13.3 percent revenue decline.  For the current FY 2010, state budget officials estimate that net general revenue collections will ultimately decline to $6.73 billion—a $700 million decrease from FY 2009 collections and the largest in state history. The governor has already cut or vetoed more than $850 million from the current budget, and more cuts are probably in store just to keep us balanced.   The FY 2011 budget— just passed by the Senate was reduced by $500 million from the budget proposal offered by the governor in January.  These cuts were required because, unlike the federal government, Missouri lawmakers are required by law to ensure that we do not spend beyond our means. The recession has left us with no choice but to reduce costs. As a lawmaker that was present for the last round of drastic budget cuts, I can assure any doubters that, regardless of party, it is gut-wrenching to consider cutting programs and services that people truly rely on. These are the types of decisions that were required of us this week.   The state budget will now continue through the legislative process.  It will be considered again by the House and most likely addressed again by a conference committee of House and Senate members before each chamber has one more opportunity  to approve or reject any changes.   Here in Missouri, we maintained our commitment to fiscal responsibility. Although budget cuts are painful, lawmakers must never forget our duty to thoroughly examine every single dollar our state government spends to determine if that expenditure is vital to Missourians. I feel fortunate to have so many like-minded colleagues who are committed to not raising job killing taxes on Missourians just to dig ourselves out of a hole, and who are willing to shoulder tough budget decisions to ensure our state's future prosperity.

Chad Livengood Report on How to Fix Social Security

Congressional candidates debate how to fix Social Security By Chad Livengood • clivengood@news-leader.com • April 17, 201 ReddNewsvine Buzz u claycopolitics    @ChadLivengood Facist? I hate the Federal Dept. of Ed. and would end it, but facist? Who is this nut, Hunter? 8:23 PM Apr 16th via TweetDeck Retweeted by ChadLivengood Reply Retweet    My story in today's @SpringfieldNL: 'Joe the Plumber' paid to stump for Missouri auditor candidate @AllenIcet http://bit.ly/9LQ8gn #SGF 8:55 AM Apr 17th via web Reply Retweet    On my blog: 7th District congressional candidates debate how to fix Social Security http://bit.ly/c3gA64 #MO7 #SGF 8:52 AM Apr 17th via web Reply Retweet    @Springburg has provided a play-by-play account & commentary of this #MO7 candidates forum in Ozark. 8:46 PM Apr 16th via mobile web Reply Retweet    Fmr. Rep. Steve Hunter on "facist" gov't regulation: "Get the hell out and let them run their businesses and let them be profitable." #MO7 8:38 PM Apr 16th via txt Reply Retweet    Darrell Moore just came out against the #FairTax at federal level until spending is controled & economy rebounds. Scott Eckersley agrees. 8:23 PM Apr 16th via mobile web Reply Retweet       @FiredUpMissouri: Steve Hunter said regulation of businesses & the economy makes America a "facist" country. #MO7 7:51 PM Apr 16th via mobile web    Sen. Gary Nodler: "When you drive from here to Springfield or Branson, remember, you're riding on an earmark folks." #MO7 7:43 PM Apr 16th via txt    Greene County Prosecutor Darrell Moore says he supports Wisc. Rep. Paul Ryan's plans for cutting the federal budget & reforming entitlements 7:37 PM Apr 16th via     Gary Nodler (@Nodler2010) says Social Security & Medicare have both been "operated as Ponzi schemes" that make Bernie Madoff look good. #MO7 7:32 PM Apr 16th via mobile web    @TheUnablogger Yes, Scott Eckersley has filed, but he' got 'til mid-May to withdrawl in writing. He's not decided whether to do it. #MO7 7:25 PM Apr 16th via mobile web    Sen. Jack Goodman touted his effort to get the infamous 2007 "village law" repealed: "I think it shows that my convictions do not yield." 7:13 PM Apr 16th via mobile web    @auctnr1 Billy Long's trotting out his campaign one-liners about career politicians being addicted to "O.P.M. -- other people's money." #MO7 7:10 PM Apr 16th via mobile web    Fmr. state Rep. Steve Hunter, R-Joplin, on the American economy: "We live in a facist nation ... and it's radically advancing." #MO7 7:03 PM Apr 16th via mobile web    I just counted 76 people here at the #MO7 candidates forum in Ozark. That's less than 8 potential voters for each candidate. 6:54 PM Apr 16th via mobile web    Scott Eckersley, the ex-attorney to fmr. Gov. @MattBlunt, is in attendance. Says he's still "exploring" a bid for Congress. #MO7 6:45 PM Apr 16th via mobile web    At the Ozark Community Center, a #MO7 candidates forum is underway -- with 8 Republicans & 2 Democrats. 6:39 PM Apr 16th via mobile web OZARK — Eight Republicans and two Democrats running for Congress in Missouri's 7th District met Friday night for a sparsely-attended candidates forum at the Ozark Community Center. Former state Rep. Steve Hunter, a newcomer to the Republican primary field, was the only candidate to detail a specific economic policy proposal. Hunter, of Joplin, proposed Congress impose a two-year moratorium on collecting Social Security taxes from employers and employees as a way to jump start the economy. But later in the forum, Hunter denounced Congress for "raiding" the Social Security trust fund "to buy votes." The other Republican candidates include Jeff Wisdom, Gary Nodler, Bob Schanz, Mike Moon, Darrell Moore, Jack Goodman, Billy Long and Michael Wardell. Schanz did not attend the forum. About 80 people attended the forum, which was sponsored by the Ozark Chamber of Commerce. The forum also featured Democratic candidates Tim Davis of Branson and Scott Eckersley, a former attorney during Gov. Matt Blunt's administration who claims he was fired for raising concerns about e-mail deletion in the governor's office. Davis is an attorney in Branson and the author of a macro economics book. Eckersley, who now lives in Kimberling City, has not decided whether he will remain on the ballot for an August primary against Davis. So the focus of the forum was shifted to the Republican candidates battling for the GOP nomination. On the issue of how to save Social Security and Medicare from insolvency, the candidates had differing views. Moon, an Ash Grove farmer, said Social Security was never meant to be "a long-term stop-gap." "I believe we need to end this at some point," said Moon, who works in the marketing department at St. John's hospital. Noting there likely won't be enough workers to support the retiring Baby Boomer generation, Moon said since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision affirming a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy, "we've killed over 50 million taxpayers." "We've got to stop that atrocity," said Moon, who was the only candidate to bring up the issue of abortion throughout the forum. Wardell, a business owner from Nixa, said people should have the choice to invest their Social Security savings into the stock market. Goodman, a state senator from Mount Vernon, also denounced raiding Social Security "to fund other things." "It needs to be operated as a trust fund, so what goes in is made to grow," Goodman said. Long, a Springfield auctioneer, said the nation must "honor our commitment to our seniors" and fund retirement payments that people have been paying into the system for decades. Long also said he's willing to politically unpopular decisions about reforming Social Security. "I'm not even concerned about going up there making the tough decisions for the right reasons, doing the right thing for you people in the Ozarks," Long said. "We're going to have to make some tough decisions." Nodler, a state senator from Joplin, said Social Security and Medicare "have been operated as Ponzi schemes." "The sad truth is Bernie Madoff's investment bank was more financially sound than any of these plans," Nodler said. Nodler also said the government must keep its promises to seniors. "In order to do that, the rest of the fiscal irresponsibility has to stop," Nodler said of the bloated federal budget. "We have to generate surpluses in other places in government to sustain this system." Wisdom said he favors allowing younger workers to invest their Social Security payments into private investments. He also said Congress needs to cut "unconstitutional" programs to shore up the Social Security and Medicare funds. An Iraq war veteran, Wisdom teaches economics at Ozarks Technical Community College. Moore, the Greene County prosecutor, said he favors a plan by Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan to allow workers under 55 to take one third of their Social Security contribution and put it into a private investment. The nine Republicans are vying for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, who is running for the U.S. Senate this year. The 7th District in southwest Missouri is heavily Republican. Throughout the two-hour question and answer session, Hunter repeatedly claimed Americans are living under "fascism." "What type of government is it when you own your own business and the government sets rules and tells you how to run it? It's not communist, because the communists own it," Hunter said. "We live in a fascist nation … and it's radically advancing."

Billy Long Continues Robust Fundraising, Establishes Clear Momentum (Billy Long Press Release on 1st Q 2010 Financing Report) District 7 Congressional Run

(Springfield, MO) – Billy Long for Congress announced today that it had raised $88,906 in the First Quarter of 2010 which ended March 31st. The campaign's totalcash on hand grew to $506,851. After the last campaign reporting period, Long reported more cash on hand than all of the other candidates combined.    "It's becoming clear that Southwest Missouri does not want to send another career politician to Washington," said Billy Long. "I may not be the prettiest horse in the race, but I will bring common sense to Washington."   In addition to the robust fundraising report, former Congressman Mel Hancock, a prominent Missouri statesman and author of the Hancock Amendment, announced his support for Billy in March. Mr. Hancock and Billy share the goal of restraining both spending and taxation of the federal government.    "We have got to get spending under control in Washington," said Long. "Politicians keep telling us they are going to stop the spending, yet every year they spend more and more. I'm not going to just talk about it; I'm going to do it."   Billy Long is a conservative businessman and auctioneer running for U.S. Congress in the 7th District of Missouri in the Republican primary. For more information on Billy Long campaign, please visit www.BillyLongforCongress.com or call (417) 882-5664 if you have any questions.

Fair Tax Freedom Rally in Springfield - Posted by KSGF

Join News Talk KSGF at the Tax Freedom Rally on Thursday, April 15th at 5pm at Heffington Optical- 640 W. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield.  (West of the main post office) The rally will include specials speakers who were selected because of their intimate knowledge and understanding of the Constitution and the Fairtax issue in Missouri.  Speakers include: Darin Chappell, Rep. Ed Emory (District 126), Senator Chuck Purgason, and John Putnam the Missouri State Fairtax co-director.   Entertainment will be provided by Branson Performer- Barbara Fairchild who will perform patriotic songs as well as some of the songs that made her a country music star including "The Teddy Bear Song."  There will also be a special national anthem by a trumpet tro lead by Bryce Heffington who was selected for the army band, and the Hillcrest Color Guard will follow with a presentations of arms and present the flag for the pledge.  Buckingham's BBQ will be at the event for sale.  Drinks will be available thanks to McAllister's for a donation.  Chocolate chip cookies will also be available for sale to help raise money for Bob Heffinton's little league team which helps teach kids life long lessons in values, and will be use to create a scholarships for college.  Donations for the tea will be used to help fund the Tax Freedom Rally.        If you are traveling from out of town for the event contact Craig Chandler of Days Inn located at 3260 E. Montclaire St. (I-65 & Battlefield) by calling 417-882-9484.  There will be special rates for anyone who mentions they are attending the Tax Freedom Rally.

Taney Co. Commissioner Speaks Out About Prosecutor's Investigation - KSPR Joanna Small Reports

By KSPR News By Joanna Small Story Created: Apr 9, 2010 at 10:23 PM CDT Story Updated: Apr 9, 2010 at 10:23 PM CDT A criminal investigation underway in Taney County Friday night as accusations fly about the presiding commissioner. He is the only one willing to speak freely about an investigation he says is the result of a simple misunderstanding he attempted to fix, going as far as to dip into his own bank account. The Taney County commissioners sift through thousands of bills every month. Most get paid without problems. "The invoice at issue is $12,315.25." That's the amount of money Presiding Commissioner Chuck Pennel says the county owed an Arkansas-based engineering firm. "we owed the bill- there wasn't any question about it in my mind." Pennel says another commissioner wasn't so convinced. "Mr. Strafuss had an issue because he believes we overpaid them and we're in disagreement there- he asked that the bill be held out," Pennel tells us. A few weeks later the firm was requesting its money, and Pennel says Western Commissioner Jim Strafuss moved the bill back to the accounts payable pile, so pennel paid it- without another vote of the three commissioners. "We should have brought it back up and had a vote on it, so I did wrong, no two ways about it," Pennel explains. Pennel says he tried to do right by writing a check to the county treasury out of his own bank account, but that didn't seem to rectify the situation. He says he didn't realize the disagreement was so serious until he got a letter from the prosecuting attorney's office. It references a "situation" and an "investigation" but really nothing more specific. "I'm pretty confident that's what it's about." The letter also asked commissioners to refrain from commenting, which Strafuss did. When we called him to get his side of the story he read this statement over the phone: "The county commissioners have been requested in writing by the prosecuting attorney not to discuss this case because it is an ongoing investigation." Pennel says the commission is not happy with the engineering firm's work, but the county has a contract with the firm. He says that contract should be honored.

Branson Airport Says Dropping Service to Terre Haute Was a Must - Published by By Will Carter via KSPR

Story Created: Apr 8, 2010 at 4:47 PM CDT Story Updated: Apr 8, 2010 at 4:52 PM CDT Grounded before take-off. The Branson Airport said it will cancel flights to Terre Haute, Indiana...one of its newest destinations, announced just a couple of months ago. "We made the decision to terminate the route because we only had 35 people booked on the service," said Branson Airport's Executive Director Jeff Bourk. A number so low, the Branson Airport says it would have cost too much money to keep the route in service. "Every single market we go into may not respond exactly the way we want it to. Others may respond better than we anticipated," said Bourk. That's what he is hoping for by dropping the route to Terre Haute, IN. "We're learning a lot everyday. Things are progressing how we'd like them to with those routes, but to sit here and say we are not going to make mistakes, would be dishonest. We will make them," said Bourk. Branson Air Express is set to land in 6 new destinations beginning May 17th. The airport says by dropping Terre Haute, it was able to add a couple of new destinations to that list including Nashville, TN and Gulfport, MS. > We caught up with Kristi Bennett, from the Gulfport/Biloxi Airport, who says when connecting with other airports and cities, it has to be the right fit. "We have a really unique opportunity with Branson, given that we are both tourism destinations," said Bennett. But she says both airports have to keep that in mind, because airline fares come into play based on the location's draw. "Business travelers will pay a higher fare, but your families and those looking for a last minute opportunity to get away, they are looking for these lower fares like you will find on Branson Air Express," said Bennett. The Branson Airport says as the airport grows it will continue to learn what destinations best suit the market, but for now all things are a go for its new airline. "The bookings in all of our other cities are very strong, and we expect those flights to be flying come May 17th," said Bourk. The Branson Airport says ticket sales for Gulfport and Nashville already exceeded those for Terre Haute in their first week of sales. Terre Haute only sold 35 in 45 days of business. The Branson Airport says it will consider talks with Terre Haute again in the future., and all ticket sales for those flights will be refunded in full. In addition to Gulfport, MS and Nashville, TN four other destinations will take off in May. Those include Austin and Houston, TX, Des Moines, IA, and Shreveport, LA. The Branson Airport anticipates adding a couple of more destinations in the next couple of months and says if ticket sales support the current lineup, flight frequency will increase. For more on the Branson Airport's flight schedule you can visit their web page by clicking here. For more information on Gulfport or Nashville click the city's name.

Jack Goodman opens Joplin Office

*MEDIA ADVISORY* Jack Goodman Celebrates Grand Opening of Jasper-Newton-McDonald County Headquarters Who: Senator Jack Goodman, Representative Marilyn Ruestman, Representative Kevin Wilson, supporters and volunteers. What: Grand Opening of Jack Goodman's congressional campaign headquarters for Jasper, Newton and McDonald Counties. Press conference, photo opportunity Where: 1831 South Joplin Ave. Joplin, MO When: Saturday, April 10, 2002 11:30a - 1:00p

Nixa Voters Will Vote on Becoming a Home Rule City Tuesday - By Tara Muck Springfield News-Leader

Nixa -- On Tuesday, Nixa voters will get a chance to become the 41st city in Missouri to adopt a home rule charter. If approved, the city of Nixa will go from being a fourth-class city to a home rule city -- creating a structured government that gives more power to the residents. The system has become an alternative to the more popular city administrator plan, which Nixa and Ozark currently operate under. Home rule gives citizens greater self-government -- allowing them to make local decisions instead of relying on the state legislature, said Gary Markenson, executive director of the Missouri Municipal League. The state legislature establishes laws for specific class cities. But home rule cities can decide not to follow specific laws -- instead, creating and passing their own. For example, home rule cities can make their own ordinances regarding elected officials, such as their duties, the number of council members and the length of their terms. "The idea of a (home rule) charter is the people of the community can devise their structure of government better to fit Nixa than the state legislature can do to apply fourth-class cities all over the state," Markenson said. It appeals to some Nixa residents. "If that means the people have more choices on what's going on, I'm for that," said Vivian Hughes. Referendum A home rule charter offers residents many opportunities to have a say over what happens in their city. One of those is the initiative, referendum and recall article, which was drafted into Nixa's home rule charter. It's one issue Loren Winter, chairman of Nixa's home rule charter committee, said stands out to him. "(It's) the most empowering piece, in my opinion, in the whole document for the general citizens," he said. Under home rule, the initiative authority allows citizens to propose ordinances to the council, and if the council fails to consider or adopt the ordinance, the residents can send the ordinance to voters. The referendum authority allows residents to require the city council to reconsider any adopted ordinance, and if the council fails to repeal it, residents can ask voters to decide. Residents dissatisfied with elected or appointed officials can ask voters to remove them from office under recall authority. Elections would cost the city each time, though Winter said he wasn't sure how much. But it's the article's ability to provide more power to the city residents that concerns Nixa resident Lois Helderman. "I have mixed emotions about it," she said. "It all depends on how the people use that power. "It gives us more say, and I appreciate that. That's a very good thing. But I worry it will bring more trouble to the city," she said. Winter said he's not concerned that it could be abused. For an ordinance to be considered by voters, it would take the signatures of 7 percent of the total number of qualified voters registered to vote at the last regular municipal election. It would take 10 percent to sign a petition to recall an ordinance or removing an official. "As citizens, people need to educate themselves on whether or not those issues are important enough (to go to election) because there is going to be a city cost," Winter said. "Common sense, generally, is going to drive these issues, and most people are not going to be able to obtain enough signatures to get something on a citywide ballot that isn't going to have merit." Markenson said many times he sees cities opt for home rule charters because of the initiative and referendum powers. But there are other cases when the current structure is no longer suitable, mainly due to growth -- something Nixa has experienced in the last decade. "The structure that suited Nixa 20 years ago, is it still appropriate today? I don't know. That's what the community has to determine," Markenson said. "If it is appropriate still, the only way to keep it or not have it change (by state legislature) is to have it in the charter." Other proposed changes are: - Allow voters to ask that certain ordinances be adopted, rejected or reconsidered through a municipal election; - Allow voters to remove an elected official through a municipal election; - Allow city to determine local taxation; - Change "aldermen" to "council members" and "wards" to "districts;" and - Change mayor term length to three years and councilmen to staggered three-year terms

Terre Haute Press Release on Branson Airport Flight Canellations - Springfield News-Leader reports

The Branson Airport has cancelled flights to Terre Haute, Ind. that were scheduled to begin May 17. Dennis Wiss, director of the Terre Haute International Airport, said the Branson Airport notified Terre Haute on Monday that the flights would be cancelled Tuesday. He said no reason was given for the cancellation. Branson Airport officials have not returned phone calls requesting comment. Although no reason was given for the cancellations, Wiss said it was easy to speculate. "I don't know if it's a function of the economy, but bookings were terrible," he said. A press release from the Terre Haute airport said that less than 2 percent of the seatings were sold. He also said bookings for Branson AirExpress's other four destinations that were announced in February — Austin, Texas; Houston; Des Moines, Iowa; and Shreveport, La. — were also poor. "None of the cities are looking good," Wiss said. According to the press release, the two airports agreed to a 50/50 partnership in which they would share expenses and revenues. The Terre Haute Airport would contribute up to $45,000 towards the costs of the flights, similar to that of the Branson Airport. However, Branson Airport Executive Director Jeff Bourk asked the Terre Haute airport board to pay approximately $285,000 of the cost of the flights, with the Branson Airport contributing $20,000. Terre Haute declined. Wiss said that any customers who had purchased tickets should contact the Branson Airport for a full refund. Wiss said the Branson Airport had approached Terre Haute about the arrangement, claiming that research revealed that Branson had 60 people from the Terre Haute area on any given day. Branson AirExpress was a service announced back in February that would form partnerships with other airports to provide air service. The flights will be operated by ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. Recently, Branson AirExpress announced that it would begin two more flights — to Nashville, Tenn. and Gulfport, Miss. — beginning May 17

Springfield-Branson Airport Looking Good in 2010 - Story Written by Jay Scherder, KY3 News

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The economy has grounded many Midwest airports but the hub in Springfield has been the only one to show any growth. Not only did Springfield-Branson National Airport see a 4-percent growth in passenger numbers from 2008 to 2009, but officials also are optimistic about 2010 as well. So far, numbers of passengers arriving and departing in Springfield in January and February combined are up 5 percent from last year. The numbers for March aren't out just yet but officials with the airport expect the trend to continue. Some other exciting news is Allegiant Airlines will have more flights than ever this summer. Two years ago, Allegiant had 50 flights out of Springfield in July. This year, it's planning on more than 100. Meanwhile, Delta Airlines, which pulled flights out of Springfield because of the recession, announced flights will be restored to Detroit and Minneapolis. The Minneapolis flights will most likely be on a seasonal basis. Other airports across the Midwest took a hit from 2008-2009. Chicago O'Hare had 9-percent fewer passengers during the time period. St. Louiswas down 11 percent and Tulsa was down 11.5 percent. Omaha, Neb., fared better than most but still took a 3.5-percent hit.

Senate committee axes funding for higher education by Chad Livengood SNL April 6, 2010

Deal to freeze tuition in jeopardy JEFFERSON CITY — The Senate Appropriations Committee today agreed to cut $14.8 million from the operating budgets for public universities and community colleges, putting Gov. Jay Nixon's tuition freeze deal in jeopardy. The proposed cut would reduce overall funding for universities and community colleges by $64.8 million — $14.8 million more than Nixon and the schools agreed to last fall in exchange for holding the line on tuition rates next fall. Any cut beyond $50 million — or 5.2 percent — would break the deal and allow universities and community colleges to raise tuition up to the rate of inflation, which is projected to be 2.9 percent. In effort to preserve the tuition deal, Nixon is willing to cut Access Missouri college scholarships or school bus transportation funding, according to budget director Linda Luebbering. Senate Appropriations Chairman Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, initially proposed taking a vote on cutting the $14.8 million from higher education. But a vote was not taken after senators signaled they would go along with Mayer's recommendations and take the issue to conference committee negotiations with the House. "I would just ask the committee to go along with the chairman on this so we don't have to start taking votes," said Sen. Joan Bray, the ranking Democrat on the committee from St. Louis County. The Appropriations Committee also is considering eliminating the entire $37 million appropriated for Career Ladder, a program that awards teachers extra pay for taking on additional duties outside of the normal work day, such as after-school tutoring. "Under the circumstances, I felt we needed to eliminate this," Mayer told the committee. Sens. Frank Barnitz and Kurt Schaefer objected to eliminating Career Ladder, so the issue was laid over for another day. Career Ladder is a program in which school districts pay teachers for extra work performed beyond their contract and the state reimburses a portion after the fact. "Because that work's been done, we have an obligation to fund that standard," said Barnitz, a Dent County Democrat. Senate budget writers spent roughly three hours today getting through the two education funding bills for elementary and secondary schools and four-year and two-year universities and colleges. The senators also finalized plans to cut funding for the Parents as Teachers program by more than half of what the House funded it at, from $27.8 million to $13 million. Given the bleak budget outlook, Nixon agrees with the Senate's funding level, Luebbering said. Several of the education budget line-items were left open for further discussion later this week, much to the ire of some senators. "We can go through the budget again today and keep everything open," said Sen. Tim Green, a St. Louis County Democrat. "Sooner or later, we have to make cuts." Green added: "If we're just going to keep everything open, there's no reason to meet today." A list of potential cuts Some committee members also signaled they don't want to take all of the political heat for making tough budget cuts after the Republican-controlled House and Democratic governor sent them an unbalanced budget. Nixon has called on legislators to slash $500 million from the budget he proposed in January. Mayer told reporters Luebbering had given him a list last week of the governor's suggested cuts. But he declined to release it, claiming he had an agreement with the governor's office to keep it private. But he called on Nixon's office to release the document. During Tuesday's meeting, Schaefer asked Luebbering to produce her office's list. "We don't have that," Luebbering replied. "I don't have a list that shows the governor's cuts." Luebbering released the document Tuesday afternoon after the News-Leader and other news organizations requested a copy (see PDF attachment below). But the four-page list did not contain all suggested cuts from Nixon's office, as Mayer suggested. In fact, most of the deeper cuts were suggestions that came from the Senate Appropriations Committee and its staff, according to the document. Mayer has already dismissed some of Nixon's suggested cuts, such as slashing $50 million in Access Missouri scholarships for private school students. "I wouldn't accept that cut," Mayer told a reporter.

Tea party: Much noise, but an impact in November? By RON FOURNIER (AP)

WASHINGTON — The tea party is making a lot of noise, but the angry-at-government movement has yet to establish itself as a force that can determine the outcome of November's congressional elections. The key could be forging alliances with GOP candidates, but tea partiers in nearly every state are leery of that if not downright opposed. "The day there's an organized tea party in Wisconsin," says Mark Block, who runs tea party rallies in the state, "is the day the tea party movement dies." The Associated Press reviewed tea party chapters across the country, interviewing dozens of local organizers as well as Democratic and Republican strategists to produce a portrait of the movement to date — and its prospects for tipping congressional elections this fall. Though it's far too early for any long-term verdict on the tea party — even defining what short-term success would be for its members can be a challenge — the AP found that: _The embryonic movement is not as much a force that drives public opinion as a reflection of it. _Local chapters are underfunded, loosely aligned and often at odds with one another. _The lack of a single leader, issue or strategic goal sets them apart from most politically potent movements. America's tea party is a hodgepodge of barely affiliated groups, a home to the politically homeless, a fast-growing swath of citizens who are frustrated with Washington, their own state capitals and both major political parties. Most describe themselves as conservatives or libertarians. They rarely identify themselves as Democrats. Last year's rise of the tea party closely tracked polls showing declining faith in government, confidence in the nation's future and approval of President Barack Obama and Congress. Government bailouts and Obama's trillion-dollar push to overhaul the U.S. health care system proved too much for people like Ralph Sprovier, a regional coordinator for Illinois Tea. "We're regular people who are p---ed off at our government — period, end of story," says Sprovier. "Defend us, don't spend more than we have, get the budget balanced and listen to what we say." But listening doesn't guarantee understanding. Tea party regulars back candidates who support debt reduction. Or free markets. Or states' rights. Or civil liberties. Or tort reform. Or term limits. Or abolishing federal agencies. They champion some of these issues — but not always all of them — and sometimes many more. Generalizing the movement is a fool's errand. This we know: Tea parties know how to produce crowds. In the footsteps of the Boston Tea Party more than two centuries ago, organizers use e-mail, social networking and other electronic tools to draw enormous numbers of disaffected Americans together. Some wear Revolutionary-era garb and carry signs bearing the language of 18th century patriots — "Don't tread on me!" is a popular one. But rally building is no big trick in the era of Twitter and Facebook, when people with cell phones can summon crowds for events as frivolous as snowball fights and bursts of song. Beyond rallies, the movement thins out. Too broke to buy a copy machine, a tea party group in Alaska plucked a copier from a landfill. A chapter in Kansas lost its only laptop, and with it the group's membership list. Unversed in media management, two local leaders suggested in a nationally broadcast interview that they favored abolishing Social Security. Democrats quickly assigned that view to the entire movement. The organization seems strongest in places where lobbyists and GOP party operatives like former House Majority Leader Dick Armey pull levers. Their involvement hardly squares with the anti-political sentiment that drives grass-roots activists like Bill Hennessy. "I'm not into politics," the Missouri rally organizer says. The tea party itself is not a political party — and there are no signs it ever will be. "That's the beauty of it," says George Burton, a Minnesota electrician and history buff who dressed in period garb for a rally he organized in Brainerd, "We don't take any orders from anybody." The tea party has no single issue around which people rally — taxes comes closest — and it has no clear leader who drives the organization's message, motivates followers and raises money. Indeed, the hundreds of tea party chapters and tens of thousands of its activists cannot agree on the most basic strategic goal: whether to try to influence the current political system or dismantle it. So what does that mean for November? With no candidates of the tea party's own, Republican strategists still hope tea party groups will align with the GOP to defeat Democrats. They want the movement to share its e-mail lists, raise money for the party and send its volunteers to the homes of likely Republican voters. That could make a difference in dozens of races. If the tea partiers stay apart? "The American experience is if you don't go through one of the two major parties or you don't home in on a single issue as a litmus test, it's very difficult to be impactful across the country," says Matt Schlapp, a White House political director in President George W. Bush's first term who currently advises congressional candidates. "We know who we are against," says Justin Holland, organizer for the North Alabama Patriot Tea Party. "We don't quite know who we are for yet." That is one of many differences between tea partiers and past movements that made a mark. In the 1990s, a period of voter disenchantment not unlike today, Ross Perot's supporters formed a third party. Perot lost, but he carried enough votes to influence two presidential races, and his positions on trade and deficit reduction remained in the political bloodstream. Perot's former running mate, Pat Choate, says the tea party is far from establishing itself as a lasting movement. "The real test, seems to me, is whether or not they decide to field candidates," he says. For many, that's a tough sell. "I've already been involved in party politics," says Gia Gallegos of Reno, Nevada, "I don't want another party." So far, tea party groups lack the galvanizing issue that made the anti-tax movement a success in California decades ago. "I understand what they're angry about because they're angry about some of the same things that I'm angry about," says Ken Khachigian, an aide to Republican presidents who is now a GOP consultant in California. "But it's a disparate force right now, and movements don't have an effect until they have some cohesion behind them." It pains Republicans like Khachigian to concede that the movement is not leading directly to GOP gains. Says Schlapp: "Republicans who assume this is a Republican effort or something playing right into the Republican playbook are making a big mistake." Despite its potential value, the movement worries GOP candidates, particularly out-of-touch incumbents, he says. "For many Republicans and Republican strategists, this is too organic and uncontrolled, and that's a little scary for them." The tea party gained political credibility after Republican Scott Brown's victory in Massachusetts' special Senate election. But activists were not key organizers in his race. The question is whether tea party-affiliated voters would have backed Brown anyway, given that many are conservatives. Upcoming GOP nomination contests will offer further tests. Republican strategists are keenly watching Senate GOP races in Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Kansas, Florida and Utah, where victories by tea party-backed candidates could tilt the party to the right. In Arizona, former presidential candidate John McCain turned to his former running mate — tea party favorite Sarah Palin — to help stave off a primary challenge from the right. In Florida, tea party darling Marco Rubio is making waves in his effort to upset Gov. Charlie Crist in the GOP Senate primary. But is that cause or effect? Republicans wonder whether the tea party is bringing new voters, new money and new volunteers to Rubio or simply stirring his conservative base.

Fwd: Delivery Status Notification (Failure)

ISSUE 2010-13 *Weekly Digest* *Week of March 29 – April 2* ** *COMMISSION MEETINGS *The Commission did not hold an Executive Session or Open Meeting this week. Sunshine Act Notices for Executive Sessions are here<http://www.fec.gov/agenda/agendas.shtml#executive>. Agendas and related documents for Open Meetings are here.<http://www.fec.gov/agenda/agendas.shtml#meetings>Audio recordings for selected meetings, hearings and presentations are here <http://www.fec.gov/audio/audio.shtml>. *ADVISORY OPINIONS* *Request Received* *AOR 2010-05 (Starchannel Communications, Inc.).<http://saos.nictusa.com/aodocs/1116908.pdf> * On April 1, the Commission made public Advisory Opinion Request 2010-05<http://saos.nictusa.com/saos/searchao?SUBMIT=ao&AO=3047&START=1098740.pdf>. Starchannel Communications asks whether its plan to sell advertising time on television broadcast stations owned by a Mexican entity to Federal candidates would entail the making of an impermissible contribution or donation to those Federal candidates by a foreign national.  The Commission must issue a response no later than 60 days after receipt of the complete request, that is, by June 1, 2010. Advisory Opinions, Requests, Comments and Extensions are available here<http://saos.nictusa.com/saos/searchao?SUBMIT=ao&AO=2932&START=1064308.pdf> . *ADMINISTRATIVE FINES* The Commission made public six campaign finance enforcement matters that were resolved through its Administrative Fines (AF) program. For more information, see the case documents in the Enforcement Query System<http://eqs.nictusa.com/eqs/searcheqs> . AF 1913 <http://eqs.nictusa.com/eqs/searcheqs> – Charlie Stuart for Congress and Jeffrey S. Berger as Treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $10,000. AF 1973 <http://eqs.nictusa.com/eqs/searcheqs> – The Legacy Committee Political Action Committee and James V.

Jack Goodman Capital Report - Taking Practical Steps to Increase Healthcare Access

Everyone knows someone who has battled cancer. It is one of the most common afflictions of our time, and you would be hard-pressed to find a family that has not been affected by it. In 2009, roughly 30,000 Missourians were diagnosed with cancer. It knows no race, ethnicity or socio-economic class. This universal problem affects real people, which is why it is especially important that those suffering from cancer are able to access new and effective treatment options through their health insurance. Advances in treatment have made oral medication treatment plans a preferable alternative for many types of cancer. In fact, oral chemotherapies are now the most common cancer treatment for breast cancer and other women's cancers, and can have fewer side effects. For fifteen to twenty percent of new cancer patients, oral chemotherapy will be the only effective form of treatment, often because there is simply no intravenous equivalent. Perhaps most importantly, oral chemotherapy improves the quality of life for cancer patients by lessening the side effects of treatment and avoiding the need for transportation between appointments – an especially important consideration in rural areas where patients often travel long distances to receive IV chemotherapy. Unfortunately, some insurance plans do not cover oral drugs as they do intravenous drugs, eliminating the choice of treatment for people fighting the disease. This has led to legislative action on the part of some states and the federal government to establish insurance parity for cancer treatment. This week the Missouri Senate is advancing Senate Bill 786, a common-sense, cost-saving bill that requires health benefit plans to cover orally administered anti-cancer medications, just as they would provide intravenously administered anti-cancer medications. This bill establishes a much-needed consumer protection that allows cancer patients to have more choices for effective treatment. In terms of pure cost-effectiveness, oral medication treatment plans are the obvious choice. They are typically less expensive, because dispensing an oral medication requires less professional training than dispensing an intravenous medication. Also, because the product itself is not as costly and outcomes are often the same, it only makes sense to establish insurance parity for oral and intravenous anti-cancer drugs. Insurance companies should not be able to use a loophole to continue avoiding covering oral medication treatment plans. This week, I spoke to a large crowd at an American Cancer Society event in the capitol. It was encouraging to see so many people united for such an important purpose. While we work for a cure, we should continue taking practical steps like making multiple treatment options as accessible as possible. Senate Bill 786—which needs one more "yes" vote from the Senate before moving to the House—is another step in the right direction. As always, I welcome your ideas, questions and concerns about Missouri government. You may contact me at the State Capitol as follows:

Storm Ready Community? - Letter to Editor Written by David Rust

Editor, Taney County Times Forsyth, Mo. Dear Editor: I see where Forsyth is now a "Storm Ready Community". That's all well and good, but I didn't see anything in the article about a public shelter being available. I know in the past we have tried to get in the parking garage at the courthouse, only to find it unavailable. A call to the Sheriff's office only brings frustration. The dispatcher knew nothing about it being opened for a storm shelter. It's a sure thing you will find church basements locked. So, Mr. Potter, where is the shelter? If the Courthouse parking garage is available, someone needs to be there to open the gate. Its good to know when a tornado or violent weather is approaching, then what? David Rust Kirbyville, Mo.

Taking Practical Steps to Increase Healthcare Access - Jack Goodman Missouri Senate District 29 Capital Report

Everyone knows someone who has battled cancer. It is one of the most common afflictions of our time, and you would be hard-pressed to find a family that has not been affected by it. In 2009, roughly 30,000 Missourians were diagnosed with cancer. It knows no race, ethnicity or socio-economic class. This universal problem affects real people, which is why it is especially important that those suffering from cancer are able to access new and effective treatment options through their health insurance. Advances in treatment have made oral medication treatment plans a preferable alternative for many types of cancer. In fact, oral chemotherapies are now the most common cancer treatment for breast cancer and other women's cancers, and can have fewer side effects. For fifteen to twenty percent of new cancer patients, oral chemotherapy will be the only effective form of treatment, often because there is simply no intravenous equivalent. Perhaps most importantly, oral chemotherapy improves the quality of life for cancer patients by lessening the side effects of treatment and avoiding the need for transportation between appointments – an especially important consideration in rural areas where patients often travel long distances to receive IV chemotherapy. Unfortunately, some insurance plans do not cover oral drugs as they do intravenous drugs, eliminating the choice of treatment for people fighting the disease. This has led to legislative action on the part of some states and the federal government to establish insurance parity for cancer treatment. This week the Missouri Senate is advancing Senate Bill 786, a common-sense, cost-saving bill that requires health benefit plans to cover orally administered anti-cancer medications, just as they would provide intravenously administered anti-cancer medications. This bill establishes a much-needed consumer protection that allows cancer patients to have more choices for effective treatment. In terms of pure cost-effectiveness, oral medication treatment plans are the obvious choice. They are typically less expensive, because dispensing an oral medication requires less professional training than dispensing an intravenous medication. Also, because the product itself is not as costly and outcomes are often the same, it only makes sense to establish insurance parity for oral and intravenous anti-cancer drugs. Insurance companies should not be able to use a loophole to continue avoiding covering oral medication treatment plans. This week, I spoke to a large crowd at an American Cancer Society event in the capitol. It was encouraging to see so many people united for such an important purpose. While we work for a cure, we should continue taking practical steps like making multiple treatment options as accessible as possible. Senate Bill 786—which needs one more "yes" vote from the Senate before moving to the House—is another step in the right direction. http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

KSGF names successor to departed Jericho

Jeremy Elwood Web Editor Springfield talk radio station KSGF has found a new host to fill the morning spot left vacant by the sudden, unexplained departure of Vincent David Jericho. Nick Reed will fill the 6–9 a.m. time slot for the Journal Broadcast Group station beginning April 5. Reed spent the last two years as host for WISN-AM and WOKY-AM in Milwaukee, where Journal has its base of operations. Reed started his career with Columbia-based Zimmer Radio Group. "Nick has been the exclusive fill-in host for some of the biggest names in talk radio in the Milwaukee market," Springfield Operations Vice President and General Manager Rex Hansen said in a news release. "We're excited to bring that caliber and quality to the listeners in Springfield." While KSGF has filled its morning opening, Jericho also has moved on. The polarizing host, who spent seven years with the Journal station, launched an Internet-only show, dubbed "Jericho Only," on March 1. The four-hour show features a widened scope from his previous offering. The first hour focuses on events in southwest Missouri, with subsequent hours looking at events with a statewide, national and global perspective. Global listeners are encouraged to call in and offer viewpoints and comments via Skype. Jericho remains tight-lipped on the circumstances behind his late December departure. He did point to comments by former KY3 reporter David Catanese to the KY3 Political Notebook, saying he had talked with Republican leaders who intimated that Jericho's comments about Republican leaders may have led in part to the abrupt change. The post has since been removed from KY3's blog, but Fired Up Missouri has excerpts. "They're hinting that this definitely had to do with his constant barrage of attacks on Congressman Roy Blunt and Mavis Busiek, the 7th District [Congressional Republican Committee] executive director," Catanese said, according to the left-leaning political blog. "They're not saying that Roy Blunt got somebody fired, but they're saying that there was a build up there and that had to do something with him leaving." Jericho says his new show is focused on creating a community among Christian conservatives, adding that the Internet format gives him more freedom. "Certainly I'm a lot freer to express my ideas," he said. "I'm not encumbered from sharing my faith more and integrating my faith with conservative ideas." Another unique aspect of the show is free advertising for businesses that, as Jericho says, are new or struggling. "If we can create an opportunity for small businesses to survive and ultimately thrive in southwest Missouri, that will help everyone," he said. "When you take into account the multiplier effect of a small business, the impact is profound. Obviously that's something we couldn't have done working for a publicly traded company." The free advertising idea is part of the community-building concept, an idea he says is important considering that more Americans are unsure about the country's future stability. "I think if we can build a local fabric where we really do work together and are more dependent on each other and encourage each other, people in southwest Missouri can overcome any challenge," he said.

Nixon supports broadband expansion proposals

SBJ Staff A dozen proposals to expand broadband Internet access in underserved parts of Missouri are getting support from Gov. Jay Nixon. The proposals are part of MoBroadbandNow, a five-year program launched last summer that coordinates funding efforts from the federal departments of Agriculture and Commerce, both of which have set aside stimulus money for broadband expansion. Local proposals on the list of supported projects: • Marshfield-based Sho-Me Technologies plans to build a middle-mile network in central and south-central Missouri; • SpringNet, a division of City Utilities of Springfield, would expand its broadband offerings to customers in the metropolitan Springfield area; and • Finally Broadband of Seymour would provide broadband to households and businesses in south-central Missouri. Nixon also supported a proposal from the Missouri Department of Higher Education to create 23 public computing centers at seven community colleges, including Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield. Those centers would provide access to technology staff and offer courses in basic digital literacy, along with training for tech careers. "These proposals were closely reviewed, and we identified the ones we believe are most likely to receive federal funding and most closely aligned with the vision of MissouriBroadbandNow," Nixon said in a news release. "This public–private cooperation will carry lasting benefits in bringing high-speed communication to Missourians across the state." The supported projects' applications now go to the federal government for potential funding.

US Attorney General's Office Press Release regarding charges against Branson Business for tax evasion

Carl Roger Davis, 74, and his wife, Jo Elaine Davis, 60, both of Branson, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr this afternoon to the charges contained in an April 4, 2008, federal indictment. Carl Davis was an owner of Bottom Line Employee Services of Missouri, Inc. Employees of Bottom Line worked at the Farmhouse Restaurant in Branson. His son, co-defendant Jeffery Davis, 47, of Branson, was an employee of Bottom Line and the general manager of the Farmhouse Restaurant. Jeffery Davis pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Oct. 23, 2009, to one year and one day in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Jeffery Davis to pay $62,508 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. By pleading guilty today, Carl Davis admitted that, from 2000 to Jan. 31, 2005, he participated in a conspiracy to defraud the government by impeding the function of the IRS to collect federal employment and income taxes from his employees. During this time, a portion of some Bottom Line employees' compensation for work at the Farmhouse Restaurant was paid in cash and not reported to the IRS. The understated amount of taxes for the years 2001 through 2004 totals $53,514. False payroll information, which omitted the cash compensation, was transmitted to a bookkeeper who initially prepared payroll checks and federal employment tax returns for Bottom Line. Carl Davis then filed false Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Returns for Bottom Line with the IRS that omitted the cash compensation from total wages, tips and other compensation, and thereby understated the amount of federal employment taxes due from Bottom Line to the United States. Carl Davis pleaded guilty today to filing false Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Returns. Carl Davis also admitted that his relevant conduct in this case includes filing false individual income tax returns for 2000 through 2004. The tax loss attributable to these false filings totals more than $130,000. Jo Davis pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return for 2005. Jo Davis admitted that when she filed her tax return, she omitted $68,664 in compensation that she received from Arbonne International, Inc. The tax loss attributable to her omission is more than $5,000 and potentially more than $19,000. Jo Davis also admitted that her relevant conduct in this case includes filing a false individual income tax return in 2004 in which she omitted $6,279 in compensation from Arbonne. The tax loss attributable to this false filing is more than $800. Under federal statutes, Carl Davis is subject to a sentence of up to eight years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $500,000 plus the costs of prosecution and an order of restitution. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. Under federal statutes, Jo Davis is subject to a sentence of up to three years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000 plus the costs of prosecution and an order of restitution. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas C. Bunch. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.