New Governor Mike Kehoe (R) has unveiled a $130-million pay increase plan for state employees, which would increase pay for Jefferson City’s 14,000 state employees and state employees across Missouri. Governor Kehoe announced his plan during this week's State of the State address. He says his plan provides funding to support a one percent salary increase for every two years of service, up to ten percent for all state employees. The governor says state employees who work in 24/7 facilities like state prisons and state veterans homes who already have this time of service pay plan will receive a one percent cost of living adjustment. Governor Kehoe is proposing a $53-billion state operating budget. Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri". Chairman Hough is reviewing the pay plan and likes what he says. He also praises Governor Kehoe's emphasis on public safety. Guest co-host Marc Ellinger asked Chairman Hough about the Chiefs' stadium situation. Senator Hough tells listeners that he's met with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and that he believes there's a path forward to keep the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri:

Missouri’s new governor tells state lawmakers that his administration will be built on merit and that they will not support DEI programs in state government. Governor Mike Kehoe (R) made his comments during his first State of the State address on Tuesday in Jefferson City. The governor also addressed state employee pay. Governor Kehoe says the average turnover rate in state government is 20 percent, adding that makes it difficult for state departments and agencies to operate efficiently. He's unveiled a $130-million pay increase plan for state employees, which would increase pay for Jefferson City’s 14,000 state employees and state employees across Missouri. He says his plan provides funding to support a one percent salary increase for every two years of service, up to ten percent for all state employees. Governor Kehoe is also proposing more than $700,000 in additional support for Missouri’s child abuse and neglect hotline to reduce average call handling times and improve customer service. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri" to discuss State of State. She chairs the Missouri Senate Government Efficiency Committee. Senator Coleman tells listeners that Governor Kehoe is a strong leader and she likes his message. She says Missourians are having a difficult time reaching people when they call to try to find out information or sign up for food stamps and other state benefits. Senator Coleman also tells listeners that there has been a lack of stability in Missouri's Children's Division, noting they've had 11 directors in ten years. She also would like to see Amendment 3 overturned at the polls, saying the abortion issue should be placed backed on the ballot. Missourians approved Amendment Three in November by a 51-48 percent margin. The measure passed in seven of the state's largest counties and St. Louis city, while it failed in 107 counties. Senator Coleman says abortion-rights supporters outspent ballot opponents 10-1. Amendment Three supporters see it differently, saying Missourians have spoken at the ballot box:

A May 30, 2024 memo from Columbia Utilities director David Sorrell to city manager De’Carlon Seewood recommends proceeding with building a new transmission line connecting the Persche Creek and Grindstone substations along a path that follows Scott Boulevard, Vawter School road, Nifong and Grindstone Parkway. Columbia voters approved a $63-million bond issue to finance the project in April 2015, but the council paused it in 2016 due to complaints from south Columbia property owners. Those neighbors are concerned about the power line’s proximity to their property. Mr. Sorrell's memo says the transmission upgrades are needed now to ensure long-term reliability to customers. Former Columbia Utilities assistant manager Jim Windsor joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable" in late December. Fred says this conversation is especially relevant now with recent news about Henderson Branch sewer and the high-voltage power lines. Fred and Mr. Windsor also discussed the "electrification" of Columbia and the impact on infrastructure, especially electric vehicles:

Missouri’s new governor wants to expand school choice. Governor Mike Kehoe (R) made his comments during his inauguration address two weeks ago, and he's expected to provide more details during Tuesday afternoon's State of the State. "We will face entrenched special interests, a fear of change, and a culture that says we should keep doing things the way we’ve always done them. But Missourians did not send us here to do what’s comfortable. They expect results. They deserve results. And with my administration, they will get results," Kehoe told the crowd at his inauguration. State Sen. Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville) joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri". Brattin chairs the Senate Education Committee and this is national school choice week. Chairman Brattin tells listeners that he wants to give children an opportunity to get out of failing districts and into districts where they can receive a great education. Chairman Brattin also tells listeners that there is what he calls "woke indoctrination" happening at many public schools in Missouri, referencing the highly-publicized 2023 incident in Columbia involving three drag queens at the Columbia Values Diversity breakfast, with CPS students in the audience. Chairman Brattin also says the Freedom Caucus is focused on making Missouri healthy again. He says more and more people want to know what is going into our food and that people want to be more healthy:

Public safety, crime and education are expected to be some of the top priorities new Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe (R) emphasizes during his State of the State address Tuesday afternoon at 3 in Jefferson City. The governor emphasized all of them during this month's inauguration address. Governor Kehoe says securing Missouri’s future begins with public safety. He says says too many Missourians don’t feel safe and that because of that, they cannot be productive. The governor immediately signed six executive orders in his office after the inauguration ceremony, involving public safety. Governor Kehoe also emphasized expanding school choice and reducing taxes, in his inauguration address. "Missouri Times" publisher Scott Faughn joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri", telling listeners that he expects Governor Kehoe to call for state control of the St. Louis Police Department. Mr. Faughn also discussed the Kansas City Chiefs' 32-29 win over Buffalo in the AFC championship game. Scott predicts that the Chiefs will remain at Arrowhead Stadium, but that expensive renovations will be needed and that more luxury boxes will need to be built. Arrowhead Stadium was built in 1972:

Love Columbia says one in five Columbia residents live in poverty and that many others struggle to make ends meet and find livable wage jobs. The nonprofit organization says there is not enough affordable rental housing here, adding that few income-based public housing units have been built in the city in the past 45 years. The group also says increases in wages have not kept pace with the cost of rent. Love Columbia says they serve anyone locally who struggles to provide for their basic needs and who wants to help create a path forward. Love Columbia co-founder and executive director Jane Williams joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour this weekend on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” She grew up in western Missouri’s Platte City and earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Mizzou in Columbia. She tells listeners that she loved Columbia so much that she never left. Years ago, she and Pamela Ingram would go door-to-door in the public housing around Columbia’s Douglass park area and pray with residents and children. Ms. Ingram, who founded Granny’s House, has passed away. Ms. Williams says Love Columbia’s three main buckets are financial coaching, housing coaching and career coaching. Love Columbia served more than three-thousand people in 2024. Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick is praising the work Love Columbia is doing to help residents facing homelessness. He and more than 100 others attended last fall’s groundbreaking ceremony for new transitional housing on East Ash, near College Avenue. Boone County awarded the project $1-million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, while the city of Columbia awarded $600,000 in ARPA money to Love Columbia for transitional housing. Prost Builders is building the project. Commissioner Kendrick tells 939 the Eagle News what stood out to commissioners is that this project is focused on families and children. During the one-hour weekend interview with Fred, Ms. Williams also addressed child care issues in the city, along with inflation issues and increasing insurance costs and property taxes:

Legislation involving schools and cell phones has been filed by State Rep. Jamie Gragg (R-Ozark), who represents southwest Missouri's Christian County. His bill would require school districts across Missouri to adopt a written policy on electronic telecommunication devices starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Representative Gragg's House Bill 408 would prohibit student use of cell phones and smart watches during regularly-scheduled instructional activities. Exceptions are included for students with documented needs and for health reasons. Rep. Gragg joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri." He is also an outspoken supporter of school choice:

The family of former Mizzou student Danny Santulli says he is unable to walk, talk or see after a hazing incident in Columbia in October 2021. Santulli's family says Danny will need care for life due to a severe, permanent brain injury. State Sen. Curtis Trent (R-Springfield) has filed anti-hazing legislation again this year aimed at preventing an incident like this from happening again. Senator Trent's bill would prevent someone from being convicted of hazing if they’re the first to call 911 or campus security to report a need for medical assistance. Danny Santulli was forced to drink vodka to the point that he lost consciousness, before being thrown on a couch. Senator Trent joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri", telling listeners that he is hopeful about the bill passing. Senator Trent also discussed his bipartisan bill to raise jury pay, saying that under current law, jurors essentially are volunteering their time:

Jefferson City's mayor is praising Monday's inauguration of President Donald Trump (R), describing it as an exciting day for the United States and for the world. Mayor Ron Fitzwater, a Republican, joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri", telling listeners that President Trump did a great job Monday of outlining his vision for the country. Mayor Fitzwater is also pleased that U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) and Jason Smith (R-Salem) will chair the House Transportation Committee and the Ways and Means Committee this year, respectively. We also discussed Jefferson City's aging tri-level during the interview. Mayor Fitzwater tells listeners that the tri-level remains a priority, adding that Chairman Graves is well aware of the problems with it. The mayor is hopeful that Jefferson City can get some federal funding for it. The state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) says it would cost about $93-million to rebuild the tri-level and the Rex Whitton Expressway. MoDOT tells 939 the Eagle that about 86,000 vehicles a day come through the tri-level area, with three major highways converging in the same area. MoDOT says the tri-level bridges were built in 1964 and that the “flyover” bridges were built in 1991:

The state’s largest business association wants to see Missouri be a top-ten state in manufacturing. Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Kara Corches tells 939 the Eagle that the Show-Me State currently ranks 28th in manufacturing competitiveness. She says manufacturing in Missouri employs about 287,000 people, contributing $50-billion annually to the state’s gross domestic product. The Chamber wants to see that number be higher. The Missouri Chamber Foundation is making seven recommendations. They include expanding the workforce pipeline for manufacturing careers and providing incentives and technical assistance to increase capital investment. "Missouri Times" publisher Scott Faughn joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri", telling listeners that he's optimistic Missouri will see more growth under new Governor Mike Kehoe (R). But Mr. Faughn is candid, saying Republicans have controlled both chambers for 22 years and that Missouri has seen little growth. According to Mr. Faughn, Missouri saw more growth under former Speaker Bob Griffin (D-Cameron) than it did under former Speaker Dean Plocher (R-Des Peres), who left office in January: