The Sarah Sisters will be officially unveiled on Thursday, October 2^nd.  Go to www.SarahSisters.com to sign the pledge.  The web site is being constructed and updated, and founders will be seeking suggestions for a nationally recognized Democrat woman office holder who has demonstrated the same courageous characteristics to be the Democrat image of the 'sisterhood'.  "This is about courage and leadership, not about party or ideology," added Cunningham.  The organization is open to women holding any publicly elected office in the United States.  Cunningham and Wang will be at the Sarah Palin rally at Chaifetz Arena on Thursday to help spread the news about the launch.

Here's their press release following the recount:

* * * FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE * * *

September 9, 2008

Trout Confirmed Primary Winner
Recount of primary over, and James Trout
will be the Democrat’s candidate for the 15th state senate seat

St. Louis County has completed its recount of last month’s primary contest for the Missouri state senate’s 15th district, and James Trout has been declared the official winner. The vote recount request by Steve Eagleton’s campaign only changed the vote by one – in Trout’s favor.

“I’m honored to be the nominee for state senate, and I look forward to Steve’s support,” Trout said. “He and his volunteers worked hard, and I look forward to their help in the final leg of this important campaign.”

Trout, with the full support of the State’s Democratic Party as well as local organizations, wasted no time in launching a general election campaign within a day of the primary, and the campaign has already been running full steam for weeks. Sean Barry, who successfully managed Steve Brown to a primary victory in the 73rd district state representative contest, has been named his campaign manager.

“I'm anxious to begin the work of meeting with voters, listening to their concerns, and building on my ideas of how we can turn this state around,” Trout said. “I believe we’ll do it by making our community more attractive to businesses, addressing the need for health care for our neighbors, and making our area schools even better.”

James Trout is a father, design/build consultant, and community leader. Currently he is directing the first major “green” housing project in the Midwest, which includes 100% geothermal-fueled heating and cooling and a two-thirds reduction in their carbon footprint. He has proven success in collaborating on strategic planning with new businesses. From neighborhoods to private-public partnerships, Trout has built coalitions that make projects succeed. He’s crafted improvements to Missouri’s first eminent domain law, and successfully fought for campaign finance reform in the courts. For more information, see www.votetrout.com.

 

Terry Frank, running in the Republican primary in the 82nd District (Sam Page), says this ad will be up on television soon.

It's here.

From Mayor Slay.com: I neither know nor believe that Joe Mokwa has done anything wrong; I have just come to believe that his ability to do his job effectively was seriously impaired by the events.

The Board agreed it was time for a change. I strongly commend the members of the Board for making the tough decision to accept the Chief’s retirement.

I do not, however, agree with the Board’s decision to offer a severance package.
I think it was the wrong thing to do at a time when the department is struggling for resources, and its rank and file officers are hoping for higher salaries or stronger benefits. I think the majority did what they thought was best. I respect them for that, but I disagree with the decision.

UPDATE: And here is Lewis Reed's statement.

Women's Political Organizations Endorse Brown in 73rd

June 12, St. Louis
 
Steve Brown's campaign for 73^rd District State Representative garnered two very significant endorsements today.  Both the Missouri Women's Leadership Coalition and the Missouri ERA Political Action Committee have offered their support for his candidacy.
 
Brown's campaign has emphasized his commitment to carry on the legacy of Sue Shear, his late aunt and a celebrated matriarch of progressive politics, and he says he is very gratified and humbled by the endorsements.  "I recognize that these groups usually focus their support behind women candidates, so for them to back me says a lot.  I may not look like the typical champion of women's issues at first glance, but I am deeply committed to helping create a world where the genders of my son and daughter do not unfairly advantage or hinder their full development.  I am honored and touched that these groups have invited me to fight side-by-side with them in that effort."

Brown remarked further, "It is high time all of us recognize that so-called "women's issues" like women's rights, equal pay for equal work, and access to a full array of women's health options are really people issues that affect us all.  Such issues cannot remain invisible to or misunderstood by lawmakers in Jefferson City."

The Missouri Women's Leadership Coalition was founded in early 2001 to recruit and train women for leadership positions in the public and private sectors.  After some very successful years, the coalition of seven different MO women's groups – including the American Association of University Women, Business and Professional Women, Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus, Missouri Women's Network, Missourians for Choice, Missouri NOW, and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Kansas and Mid-Missouri - launched the Missouri ERA Political Action Committee to expand their political influence. 

The groups have also endorsed Steve Brown's competitor, Stacey Newman, reflecting their confidence that either candidates would serve as an effective champion for women's issues in Jefferson City.

Here's the press release:

For Immediate Release

9^th Ward Democratic Committee Endorses Robin Wright-Jones for Senate

Robin Wright-Jones for Senate

Contact:  Glenn Burleigh

                314-258-4149

Last night, the 9^th Ward Democratic Committee endorsed  Rep. Robin Wright-Jones for the 5^th Senate District. 

“I deeply appreciate the 9^th Ward Democratic Committee's endorsement. The 9th ward has many diverse neighborhoods and in many ways resembles the 5^th Senate district as a whole. Their recognition of my progressive vote record and my honest representation of  working families speaks to that diversity,” said Wright-Jones.

This endorsement keeps the momentum going in the Wright-Jones campaign, following the recent endorsements by the AFL-CIO, ACORN, and the Women’s Political Caucus.

###

The pivot from healthcare to gay marriage is comical.

Gov. Blunt Statement on Jay Nixon's Plan for Massive Tax Increase

          JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Matt Blunt today issued the following statement on Attorney General Jay Nixon’s comments on the governor’s health care record:
          "Attorney General Jay Nixon today again called for a plan that would require hundreds of millions of dollars in new taxes and spending to go back to the old, broken Medicaid system that was bankrupting our state with widespread abuse by providers and ineligible recipients of funds that should have been used for Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens.  The old system that Jay Nixon wants to return to with a massive tax increase was even wasting money on nonsense like Viagra for registered sex offenders.  The decisions we made in 2005 saved Medicaid and the changes we enacted with the creation of Mo HealthNet will for the first time focus on the health and wellness of the vulnerable instead of only sickness.  Jay Nixon also opposed the lawsuit reforms that were vital to keep doctors in Missouri.  It would be a mistake to go back to the old way that Jay Nixon has proposed, which would require hundreds of millions of dollars in new taxes on Missourians.
          "Jay Nixon is issuing statements on my health care record but he has been silent on the California Supreme Court decision to strike down their state’s same-sex marriage ban, and he has yet to answer my call for him to join with ten attorneys general from across the country who want the people, not the courts to decide on traditional marriage.  Jay Nixon should do his job so that Missouri is represented with other states’ attorneys general in support of traditional marriage."

Press release:

Tilley replaces Speaker Jetton in his new role

One of the worst kept secrets in the Capitol was announced last week when Rep. Steve
Tilley was named the Chairman of the House Republican Campaign Committee.  “I am
proud of the changes we have made in Missouri in the last four years.  I intend to
maintain the Republican Majority in Missouri in my new role, and I am 100% committed
to keeping the Majority in the next election cycle,” Tilley said.

Tilley will head the recruiting and training of candidates for office, and will help
them with any campaign organization questions they may have.  Rep. Rod Jetton,
Marble Hill, the current Speaker of the House, was the past Chairman.

Tilley is believed to have the best knowledge of House districts, across the state,
of any Republican, second to only Rod Jetton who chaired the Committee for the last
six years and is credited with taking the Majority back from the Democrats in 2002.

Tilley represents part of Perry, St. Genevieve and St. Francois Counties and was
elected in 2004 to the Missouri House of Representatives.  In 2007, he was elected
the House Majority Floor Leader.  He lives in Perryville with his wife, Kellie and
their two daughters: Kourtney and Korrin.

Here's the press release. Press conference tomorrow.

The latest from Mike Evans:

Mike Evans has issued the following statement regarding the "swift boat"
style attacks by rogue democratic activist, Mary Crawford "Retta":

"I am deeply saddened that Retta Crawford has engaged in a conscience and
deliberate effort of smearing my military record of service. This situation
is reminiscent of the "Swift Boat" attacks John Kerry faced in 2004 and is
unacceptable. As a democratic Veteran of the state of Missouri, I frown on
this shameful behavior and call on the Missouri Democratic Party to stand
with our Veterans and repudiate Retta Crawford immediately"

*Evans enlisted in the U.S. Army while still in high school and went to
basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. Stationed at Fort Huachuca,
Arizona and Fort Meade, Maryland, he served as an intelligence analyst in
the 742nd Army Battalion and was awarded the Army Service Medal and
Exemplary Unit award for his battalion. Mike Evans received his honorable
discharge from the U.S. Army on August 14, 1998. Evans currently serves as
Missouri's appointed representative on the Veterans and Military Families
Advisory Committee at the Democratic National Committee. Evans' teaches in a
Jefferson County public school and is running for Missouri Lt. Governor to
restore balance and integrity to the state's second-highest office.

Beginning Tuesday, August 28, applicants for marriage licenses issued by
Missouri's county recorders of deeds are no longer subject to a three-day
waiting period between application and pick-up of license.

    "Customers benefit the most from this change. They won't have to make two trips
to the marriage license office. It also makes things less complicated for brides
and grooms who travel here for their ceremonies, such as military personnel,"
said Sharon Quigley Carpenter, St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds & Vital Records
Registrar.

    "The circuit courts also benefit. Eliminating the need for waiting period waiver
requests reduces their workload," said Carpenter.

    "Our marriage license records preservation project benefits from a one-trip
marriage license. The staff time spent on the second trip, document retrieval,
can now be spent scanning more documents and indexing data entry."

    Repeal of the three-day waiting period comes about from an amendment to Senate
Bill 22 in the most recent regular session of the Missouri Legislature. The
change takes effect next Tuesday.

    Most states no longer have waiting periods for issuance of marriage licenses
explained Carpenter. In Illinois, the license is issued at the time of
application but is not effective for 24 hours ( cannot be used for a valid
ceremony for 24 hours).

    "The buyer beware for applying and receiving the marriage license on same day is
that you have to use it for a ceremony in Missouri within thirty days. You have
6 months to pick up the license after you apply. However, once you walk out with
it, you have to use in thirty days or return it to us unused. The fee is
nonrefundable," warns Carpenter.

    The fees vary in Missouri from county to county: Jefferson County $51, St. Louis
City $48, St. Charles County $48, Franklin County $46, St. Louis County $45.

    In Illinois, county clerks issue marriage licenses and the fees vary from county
to county. In both Illinois and Missouri, payment for marriage license
applications is cash only.

    Unlike Missouri, which permits its marriage licenses to be used for ceremonies
in any Missouri county, a license issued in Illinois may only be used for a
ceremony in the county issuing the license.

IKEA, the giant Swedish retailer, is sponsoring a video contest called Main Street Makeover.  Of the dozens of entrees from across America, a group of Maplewoodians is in the final ten selected and is the only Missouri entry. Top prize will be a $50,000 IKEA Makeover plus $5,000 cash. 

            The video, produced and directed by Lori Dowd of Ignite Communications, features several Maplewood business people in a lighthearted look at Maplewood’s artistic energy, diversity and renaissance.  Featured in the 3 minute video are Black Cat Theatre, Tiendo Centro Americana, Ulcer City Studio, Yokley’s Hair Studio, Roman Communications, and Doug Kassabaum, artist and architect. 

            Online voting will make up 30 percent of the scoring and so everyone is encouraged to log on and vote.  You can only vote once, so spread the word to friends and neighbors and let’s put Maplewood on IKEA’s map! 

Go to this site and watch the video.                    http://ikea.shycast.com/contestant/168/

Click the blue bar that says “Vote for this”

On the next page register as a non member, click the “Register Now” gray bar in the black box that says “Join the Contest”.

You have to submit an email, password, and a contest nickname to vote.  Once you make those submissions, you will get a confirmation email allowing you to vote. 

Scroll down the videos to find “St. Louis County:  The Midcoast”. 

On the next page, click the blue bar again that says “Vote for This”.  You will be asked if you are sure you want to vote for it.  Click “Yes”. 

Thank you for your vote………….

Missouri State Representative Rodney Hubbard (District 58) was honored as the 2007 “Legislator of the Year” by his peers at the 34th Annual Meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in Philadelphia on Friday, July 27.

This award goes to state legislators who are ALEC members who and have distinguished themselves by advancing, introducing and/or enacting good policy solutions based on the principles of free markets, limited government, and individual liberty.

 "Representative Hubbard is a true 'profile in courage'.  As a Democrat representing an urban district in the City of St. Louis he has remained sensitive to the needs of his constituents in standing against special interests to do what is right for his community and the state,” said ALEC Missouri State Chairman, Rep. Ed Emery.

McMillan, Daly Host 1st Annual Licensing and Business Resource Fairs

License Collector Michael McMillan and Collector of Revenue Gregory F.X. Daly have teamed up to continue to bring government closer to the community.  They are sponsoring three business license and resource fairs throughout the City.   Several economic development assistance agencies will be present along with financial institutions to assist companies in maintaining and expanding their business opportunities in the City. 

McMillan and Daly plan to hold these fairs on an annual basis in an attempt to grow and promote business in the City.  The events will include representatives of the St. Louis Development Corporation, the City's BusinessAssistanceCenter and Building Division, the MissouriSmallBusinessDevelopmentCenter, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Bank of America, Commerce Bank, Gateway National Bank, Pulaski Bank, Regions Bank, Royal Bank and U.S. Bank.

JEFFERSON CITY — Senator Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City) today challenged the estimated cost of the abortion bill, HB 1055.  Known as a fiscal note, the cost of the legislation shows up with an annual price tag of less than $130,306.  The bill, however, would shut down every provider of reproductive choice, including doctor’s offices, if they are not an ambulatory surgical center.  The bill also allows schools to teach that abstinence is the only form of STD protection and birth control.  Further, the bill sets up the “Alternatives to Abortion Program,” which would pay for the medical care, food, clothing, housing, utilities, job training and other benefits to qualified women.  The Program includes an advertising campaign.

Justus pointed out that a fiscal note addressing the entire bill is required by law (23.140, RSMo).  She noted that the fiscal note seemed almost utopian, “They list an advertising bid average of $555,000, but a total cost of $130,000”, Sen. Justus said.

Today, the Missouri Immigrant & Refugee Advocates coalition called on Representative Brian Nieves to change his name to Brian Snows.  Nieve, the Spanish word for snow, may not be allowed in official proceedings if HJR7 is passed by the Missouri Senate.