Politically Speaking

Latest Episodes:

Missouri Children’s Division head sees progress on St. Louis abuse and neglect case backlog Feb 15, 2024

Show notes

The leader of Missouri’s agency responsible for investigating child abuse and neglect says its St. Louis office is making progress in eliminating a massive case backlog. Last year, St. Louis Public Radio reported on the troubles in the Children’s Division office in St. Louis, which serves the city and St. Louis County. A combination of high turnover and inability to hire people created a backlog of 6,124 cases of abuse or neglect allegations that remained open after 45 days. And the staff’s 16 investigators had an average caseload of 150 — when federal guidelines say it should be closer to 10 to 12. In a wide-ranging interview on Wednesday, Children’s Division Director Darrell Missey said that increased hiring should play a major role in eliminating overdue cases over the next few months. Missey said the agency is close to reaching its goal of having 60 investigators to look into abuse and neglect claims in St. Louis and St. Louis County.

Mike Bost (2024) Feb 13, 2024

Show notes

Illinois U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, last faced a primary opponent in 2018 when the longtime lawmaker cruised to victory with nearly 84% of the vote. However, this year former GOP gubernatorial nominee and former state legislator, Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, is hoping to unseat Bost from the 12th Congressional District when voters go to the polls next month. “He says I'm a professional politician,” Bost said of Bailey on the Politically Speaking podcast. “Well, he's a professional candidate.”

Missouri prepares for possible vote on abortion — and the March presidential selection process Feb 13, 2024

Show notes

On the latest episode of The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum takes a closer look at two complex, but important civic events: The Democratic and Republican presidential contents in March and an effort to get voters to decide on the future of abortion access in the state. Rosenbaum also talked with St. Louis on the Air host Elaine Cha about her recent segments about the dearth of civic education in the state and the nation.

Darren Bailey Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

Darren Bailey, the former Republican Illinois gubernatorial candidate, is banking on his deeply conservative values and unwillingness to sacrifice them to propel him to victory against U.S. Rep. Mike Bost in the 12th District primary next month. “As a Republican — and as a conservative Republican — I cannot compromise my values,” Bailey said on the Politically Speaking podcast.

Kathy Steinhoff Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

Democratic state Rep. Kathy Steinhoff is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where she spoke to St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg about education legislation. The freshman lawmaker was first elected to her post in 2022, representing a district that includes a portion of the city of Columbia.

As Parson reflects on legacy, Missouri Democrats navigate troubled legislature Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

The latest episode of The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air is a first: It's the first ever episode of St. Louis on the Air to be recorded entirely in the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg interviewed Gov. Mike Parson and Democratic state Rep. Ashley Aune. The duo also broke down Parson's final State of the State speech — and the recent legislative dysfunction.

Jason Smith on bipartisan bill boosting child tax credit, business incentives Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

Missouri Congressman Jason Smith is hoping to inch his colleagues toward future bipartisan collaboration with a bill that increases the child tax credit and provides incentives for business research and development and low-income housing. The Salem Republican joined forces with Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden to put forward the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act. While Smith noted in an interview with St. Louis Public Radio that neither side of the political spectrum is completely happy with the bill, the agreement could provide some guidance for federal lawmakers struggling to come up with legislation around immigration or aid to Ukraine or Israel.

Mary Elizabeth Coleman (2024) Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where the Arnold Republican spoke about her decision to run for Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District contest. U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer announced his retirement earlier this month. The district includes parts of Jefferson, St. Charles, Cole, Boone, Callaway and Warren counties.

Blaine Luetkemeyer (2024) Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer threw a bit of a curve to Missouri’s already crowded primary season when he announced he wouldn’t run for another term. The St. Elizabeth Republican hasn’t been shy about expressing his disdain about high-profile infighting within his party, culminating in Kevin McCarthy’s ouster as speaker and a marathon melodrama to pick his replacement. But Luetkemeyer stressed his decision to retire after 16 years is based on a legitimate desire to stop working. “I’m going to be 72 years old in May. And so people ask me about my health … is that the reason I'm retiring? I say: ‘No, my health is good. That's why I'm retiring,’” Luetkemeyer said in a wide-ranging interview.

Schmitt says Congress needs to change spending mentality as another budget fight looms Jan 12, 2024

Show notes

U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt has more experience as a Missouri state senator than a U.S. senator, but after his first year in Washington, he says he’s seen a big difference with how Congress handles government funding. During a wide-ranging interview Friday on The Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, the Missouri Republican discussed the latest budget standoff. If Congress doesn’t act in the next week, there could be a government shutdown. Schmitt said he doesn’t like how his colleagues don’t vote on multiple bills funding the federal government, which is the standard for Missouri.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected