Political Rewind: Municipal elections, gay rights and Medicaid expansion

Politically Speaking: McCaskill's 'Evolution' On Same-Sex Marriage and Tuesday's Election

St. Louis Public Radio’s Chris McDaniel joins Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum of the St. Louis Beacon to discuss Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill's announcement on same-sex marriage, Proposition P, and the municipal elections. Listen to the podcast.

Cutting-edge approach needed to revamp flood insurance, flood risk analysis

With the price of flood insurance on the rise and climate change likely to worsen Midwest flooding, a scientific panel wants federal emergency officials to modernize the outmoded tools used to analyze the probability and impact of floods.

Jones promises House action if Koster fails to appeal ruling on conscience law

Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka, announced today that the House will pass a resolution next week urging Attorney General Koster to appeal a judge’s ruling that tossed out a law allowing employers to exclude insurance coverage for birth control.

Should Supreme Court spur social change or follow it?

Historic Supreme Court cases, like last year’s health-care decision and this year’s same-sex marriage cases, raise fundamental and enduring questions about the proper role of the court in interpreting the Constitution and influencing social change.

Breaking Down The 'Arch Tax'

Next Tuesday, you’ll have a chance to decide on Proposition P: a 3/16th of a cent sales tax increase which amounts to about two cents on a $10 purchase. The measure is often referred to as “the Arch Tax,” but the nickname doesn’t tell the whole story. Chris McDaniel of St. Louis Public Radio breaks down the numbers.

Mayoral hopefuls vie for open seat in Fenton, Valley Park but challenge incumbent in Normandy

Dozens of contests are on area ballots Tuesday, including school board and fire district elections, proposed bond issues, and numerous municipal offices. Several of St. Louis County's communities -- including Fenton, Normandy and Valley Park –  have spirited mayoral battles to elect mayors. 

Gay rights supporters push bills to eliminate bias

Gov. Jay Nixon brushed off questions yesterday about gay marriage, an issue that’s receiving increased attention since it went before the U.S. Supreme Court. But he did express support for adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the state's non-discrimination statutes.

Numerous contests for mayor among suburban offices up for grabs next Tuesday

Dozens of contests are on area ballots next Tuesday, including school board and fire district elections, proposed bond issues, and a number of battles for municipal offices. Some of St. Louis County's largest communities -- including Clayton and Chesterfield – are embroiled in battles to elect new mayors. 

Nixon nominates John Maupin to GOP spot on St. Louis County Election Board

John W. Maupin, a lawyer from Creve Coeur, has been tapped by Gov. Jay Nixon to hold one of the Republican seats on the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners. The nomination requires confirmation of the state Senate.

Mo. House Endorses State Budget, 3 Attempts To Expand Medicaid Fail, And Dept. of Revenue Targeted

The Missouri House has given first-round approval to the state budget for Fiscal Year 2014, while House Republicans beat back three attempts to expand Medicaid. Also, the Department of Revenue was targeted during Tuesday’s budget debates in the Missouri House over its practice of scanning documents for driver’s license and conceal-carry applications.

Nixon Focuses on Medicaid, Holds Comments on Same-Sex Marriage

A GOP plan for Medicaid expansion in the Missouri House would add fewer adults to the plan than the one Governor Jay Nixon has proposed. But during a stop in Kirkwood Tuesday, the Democrat praised the progress in the Republican-controlled House. Nixon also refrained from commenting on the topic of same-sex marriage, instead asking to focus on Medicaid. 

Kander recalls past GOP support in efforts to win early voting in Missouri

Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander, a Democrat, is bringing up the GOP leadership’s past support for early voting as he steps up his effort to persuade Republican legislative leaders to consider the idea this session. 

When it comes to 'sequester,' at least one thing is clear: All budget cuts are not equal

Federal agencies continue to wrangle with finding ways to trim $85 billion from their budgets, despite outcries from public employees and special interest groups. One analyst suggests that negative public perceptions about federal workers have made them low hanging fruit and popular targets for budget cuts.

Proposition P backers rely on San Francisco firm for much of campaign

Backers of Proposition P, also known as the "Arch Tax,'' still have $425,000 in the bank for their final pitch to voters for the April 2 election. Overall, the campaign has raised close to $1 million, with the bulk of its spending going to a San Francisco campaign firm specializing in land conservation ballot issues. 

Blunt is sticking with sequester cuts, but seeking tweaks to soften impact

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.,  says he continues to support the overall aim of the sequester cuts to reduce federal spending. But he stopped by a St. Louis meat-producing plant Monday to highlight his efforts to tweak the mandated across-the-board cuts so they don't affect certain federal workers.

More than just the Arch: Proposition P could spruce up regional parks and trails

Proposition P is perhaps getting the most attention for providing local funding to pay for improvements on the Arch grounds. But local parks will likely benefit too, since nearly 70 percent of the proceeds from the sales tax increase go to St. Louis and St. Louis County parks and trails.

Checking the score on Mo. legislature at half time

Missouri lawmakers are set to return from their mid-year break on Monday. And they're prepping for what could be a busy second half of the legislative session. Here's a review of how the session has gone so far.