Politically Speaking

The first part of the show breaks down the latest developments in the state budgetary process and the advancement of a sales tax increase to fund transportation projects. Capitol reporter Marshall Griffin fills in for the vacationing Jo Mannies.

For the second part of the show, Chris McDaniel and Jason Rosenbaum talk with LeVota. The Democrat from Independence previously served as minority leader in the Missouri House and is leading efforts this year to increase his party’s numbers in the Missouri Senate. Originally published on April 9, 2014.

For the first part of the show, the Politically Speaking crew breaks down the latest campaign finance numbers for Missouri's top mid-term election contests. They also discuss the fallout -- and the lobbying -- from the Missouri House's initial "right to work" vote.

State Sen. Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City, joins Mannies and Rosenbaum for the second part of the show. The former House Budget Committee chairman (and Rock Band fan) has proposed an alternative of sorts to "straighten up" Medicaid expansion. It may serve as a template (along with a House bill from Rep. Noel Torpey, R-Independence) for breaking the legislative impasse on the issue. Originally published April 16, 2014.

We discuss whether or not the 2014 elections are a bust, get into Medicaid expansion in Missouri, and explain what's going on with this year's nullification bill. Originally published on April 3, 2014.

Every week, St. Louis Public Radio's Chris McDaniel, Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum talk about the week’s politics. On this show, our guest is St. Louis County Councilman Steve Stenger, a Democrat from Affton who is challenging County Executive Charlie Dooley in this summer’s primary. Originally published on March 27, 2014.

This week the Politically Speaking crew (minus Chris McDaniel) welcomes U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer to the show. The St. Elizabeth Republican’s sprawling district extends into St. Charles, Franklin, Lincoln and Jefferson counties, as well as mid-Missouri outposts, such as Jefferson City and the Lake of the Ozarks.

Luetkemeyer’s elections have been relatively low-key since he won the wild 2008 election for the now abolished 9th congressional district. The former bank examiner is a member of the House Financial Services Committee, which regulates the nation’s banking and financial industries. Originally published on March 24, 2014.

The Politically Speaking crew's latest interview features St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, a Democrat who has held the powerful local office since late 2003.

Dooley is facing a stiff challenge in the August primary from fellow Democrat Steve Stenger, a county councilman from south St. Louis County.

Dooley says he is prepared to mount a vigorous campaign, contending that there’s still plenty of work to be done to increase economic opportunity throughout St. Louis County. Originally published on March 19, 2014.

U.S. Rep. John Shimkus is the first political figure from Illinois to be a guest on the podcast. The Collinsville Republican has represented large areas of southern Illinois since 1997 and plays a major role on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Shimkus is also a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, which provides legislators from Europe and the Americas input on the alliance’s direction. He’s also been outspoken against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine. Originally published on March 17, 2014.

This week's guest is Republican Catherine Hanaway, the former speaker of the Missouri House and former U.S. attorney for Missouri's eastern district. She's now running for governor in 2016. Originally published on March 13, 2014.

The Politically Speaking crew welcomes its fourth statewide official to the show – state Treasurer Clint Zweifel. The north St. Louis County native is responsible for a host of financially related matters, including managing the state’s college saving program, overseeing the state's financial investments and returning unclaimed property to Missouri residents. He also sits on the Missouri Housing Development Commission, which doles out low-income housing tax credits to developers. Originally published on March 4, 2014.

U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Ballwin, joined the Politically Speaking crew on this week’s show. Before she was elected to represent the 2nd congressional district in 2012, Wagner had served as the head of the Missouri Republican Party, co-chair of the Republican National Committee and then as ambassador to Luxembourg under President George W. Bush. Originally published on Feb. 25, 2014.