Lobbying Missouri

Monday’s decision overturns a ruling last year by U.S. District Court Judge Douglas Harpool, who upheld the ban as a way to prevent corruption, noting public officials are fully aware that accepting a taxpayer-supported job also includes accepting restrictions on speech.

Missouri House Speaker John Diehl, R-Town and Country, has banned all committee hearings and legislative meetings held at country clubs and restaurants,…

The 2014 legislative session was historically one of the most expensive sessions. At least for lobbyists.In the first six months of this year, lobbyists…

Through the first six months of the year, Missouri lawmakers accepted $675,000 in gifts from lobbyists.On Monday, we'll be taking a look at some of the…

Lobbyists spend nearly $1 million each year on gifts for Missouri lawmakers. The types of gifts vary greatly -- from expensive meals and drinks to tickets…

The Missouri House could debate a bill this week that would enact some changes to how lobbying is conducted and disclosed in Jefferson City.Currently,…

Almost 300 bills were prefiled in the Missouri Senate and Missouri House before the legislative session even opened. Now that the legislative session is…

This week the Politically Speaking crew welcomes Secretary of State Jason Kander to the podcast. Kander, a Democrat from Kansas City, narrowly captured the statewide office in 2012 after a hard-fought contest with Republican Shane Schoeller.During the show, Kander discussed his push to alter Missouri’s campaign finance and lobbyist laws. He announced on the show that he’s throwing his support behind an ethics bill, to be introduced shortly by state Rep. Kevin McManus, D-Kansas City, that would bar lobbyist gifts, cap campaign contributions and force former lawmakers to wait before becoming lobbyists.

Updated 7:19 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is once again pressing for ethics reform in state government, and for the resurrection of…

Companies and other organizations with an interest in Missouri state government hire lobbyists to influence policy in Jefferson City. State law requires…