On Sunday’s episode of This Week in Missouri Politics, the legendary former Missouri Governor and Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond joins host Scott Faughn to discuss the biggest problems facing the state, his opinion on Gov. Eric Greitens and the job he’s done so far, as well as some advice he might have for the first time public office holder.
“You’ve got to continue to listen to the people you’re serving, but you also need to work with the Legislature,” Bond says. “This is not a government where the governor lays out a budget and everybody adopts it. You’ve got to listen to the Legislature and find out what their priorities are. If you help them with their priorities, they’ll help you with yours.”
They also discuss the state’s infrastructure situation and his desire to raise the gas tax, Bond’s compliments and concerns with Donald Trump’s presidency, and advice for first-year legislators.
This week, former State Sen. Tim Green, Republican political consultant David Barklage, Rep. Bruce Franks, D-St. Louis, and Rep. Nick Schroer, R-St. Charles, join the opinion maker panel to talk about the big news out of the Legislature this week: the passage of the charter school bill. They talk about the impacts of the bill, whether the foundation formula will remain fully funded, and if charter schools are actually the answer.
“I think the bill that you saw passed is going to not only help families, but it’s also going to help the public schools in the state of Missouri,” Schroer said. “This is the first time that we’re going to hopefully see the public school plan fully funded.”
They also discuss the Senate labor bill debate including paycheck protection and recertification rules and whether or not the governor will support the bill if it continues to include firefighters and police unions.
“The governor has confused us a lot on where his priorities are as well as a lot of decisions he’s made, so it’s kind of hard for us to tell where the governor is on these certain issues,” Franks said.
The also discuss Greitens’ paid leave bill and if his unilateral action will sour his relationship with the Senate, especially during a difficult budget time.
This episode of TWMP will air at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Louis area on ABC 30 KDNL, in the Kansas City area on 38 the Spot at 10:00 a.m. and in mid-Missouri on KRCG at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 19. The show is available online at 11:00 a.m. at twmp.tv.
