MD PoliBlog

Read committee, floor action reports

Read committee, floor action reports: "

Are you tired of political jargon and legalese? As part of the Iowa Senate’s commitment to transparency and good government, we are working to make state government information more accessible and user-friendly. This is where you’ll find explanations of legislation written by real people, in understandable ‘plain language’ everyone can understand.  Can’t find what you need? Submit a Plain Language Translation request.

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(Via Iowa Senate Democrats.)

Prop A coverage roundup

Proposition A comes up for a vote tomorrow. The measure, if approved by St. Louis County voters, would increase the sales tax in the county by .5 percent and trigger a .25 percent increase in the city. Metro says without the increase, service will be cut drastically and future expansion is off the table. Opponents say Metro mismanages money and riders should pay their own way. To help you make your choice, here's a roundup of Beacon coverage.

Read more...

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(Via St. Louis Beacon.)

One-fifth of county voters likely to turn out

According to a tally by Democratic elections director Joe Donahue, 85 municipalities, 16 school districts and a handful of fire districts, junior college districts and one lighting district have at least one contest or tax issue at stake on Tuesday. But the big issue is Proposition A, the sales tax for Metro. Even so, Donahue predicts a turnout of no more than 20 percent, and likely less.

Read more...

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(Via St. Louis Beacon.)

Budget estimate shortfall declines

Budget estimate shortfall declines: "Kansas' projected budget shortfall shrank Monday, and officials said they hoped it was a sign state finances are stabilizing after months of disappointing tax collections.

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(Via Topeka Capital-Journal - Legislature.)

City weighing plans for water utility

City weighing plans for water utility: "

The city got three qualified proposals from firms to provide interim management for Wichita's financially strapped Water Utilities Department and re-evaluate its massive aquifer recharge project, City Manager Robert Layton said.

City officials are mum on which firm they'll recommend and how much it might cost, but they've completed their review of proposals.

The City Council was poised to vote on one Tuesday. But Layton said he pushed that vote back one week to give council members and the public, upon request, time to review proposal documents.

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(Via Kansas.com: Local Government.)

BREAKING: Sinquefield drops another $750,000 on anti E-tax campaign

BREAKING: Sinquefield drops another $750,000 on anti E-tax campaign: "

  On Friday, Missouri Ethics Commission reports show.

  His total contribution to Let Voters Decide: $1.75 million.

  Petitions to force a vote on changes in Missouris earnings tax law are due May 2.

  A statement from Marc Ellinger of the committee:

  'Some politicians, bureaucrats and big corporate and union interests want to prevent a public vote on local earnings taxes. And, they have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on a paid harassment effort to try to block voters from signing our petitions.

    'But thanks to the strong voter support we’re receiving, we are confident that we’ll have more than enough signatures to qualify the Let Voters Decide Initiative for the November 2010 state ballot. And, thanks to the continuing financial support from retired Missouri philanthropist Rex Sinquefield, we’ll keep moving forward with our campaign to pass the initiative.'

read more

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(Via KansasCity.com Prime Buzz - Today's political intelligence and insight.)

Rahn shares his view of MoDOTs future

Rahn shares his view of MoDOT's future: By Elisa Crouch and Ken Leiser JEFFERSON CITY — Pete Rahn was asked very early on what his plan was to restore the Missouri Department of Transportations ...
See all stories on this topic"

(Via Google Alerts - "Missouri Department of Transportation".)

Legislative session length varies

Legislative session length varies: "Here is a comparison of how long the Kansas Legislature's annual sessions have lasted over the past two decades.

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(Via Topeka Capital-Journal - Legislature.)

O'Neal: Two years and out?

O'Neal: Two years and out?: "

Republican House Speaker Mike O'Neal survived an unprecedented legislative investigation but may yet experience fallout from questions about his political judgment.

read more

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(Via Topeka Capital-Journal - Legislature.)

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! KANSAS CITY WATER DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR BERNARDO GARCIA SUSPENDED WITH PAY!!!

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! KANSAS CITY WATER DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR BERNARDO GARCIA SUSPENDED WITH PAY!!!: "

Yesterday, there was a big dust up at City Hall that has heretofore been unreported.

ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON KANSAS CITY WATER DEPARTMENT HEAD BERNARDO GARCIA WAS SUSPENDED WITH PAY!!!

The most AWESOME TKC TIPSTERS tell us that the Garcia suspension was over a personnel issue.

It's common knowledge/perception that Director of the Water Services Department Garcia just doesn't get along well with people. I have a bit of first hand knowledge of this fact given that there was an effort to reach out to Garcia from the local Latino community that just didn't take.

Now his suspension pending a further investigation is one of the biggest developments at the upper echelon of local government still in flux after the departure of Former City Manager Wayne Cauthen.

A rather brilliant TKC Reader notes: 'This latest happening is just proof of the caliber of people Wayne hired. Without Wayne to cover for them, they are imploding.'

With more layoffs pending, I expect that some people will call this a house cleaning . . . And because this is related to personnel don't expect to get too many details from mainstream media. Nevertheless, the VERY BEST TKC TIPSTERS have told us about this shake up at City Hall before local politicos had a chance to spin. Natch.

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(Via Tony's Kansas City.)