State News
Missouri: State may have enough people to keep nine House seats
The Associated Press
ST. LOUIS — Missouri might be able to avoid losing a congressional seat after the 2010 Census, but that depends on how well the count is done in the state, analysts said this week.
New population figures released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau show Missouri is close to the number that could mean the difference between keeping nine congressional seats and dropping down to eight. Congressional seats are reapportioned based on population after each Census.
Election Data Services told the Kansas City Star for its Thursday edition that new data indicate Missouri could have just enough people to keep the congressional seat earlier population estimates suggested it would lose.
“Earlier estimates and studies had pointed to Missouri as potentially losing a congressional seat,” said a report by the political consulting firm that specializes in redistricting. “But the new data finds the state just barely keeping the district, with anywhere from 5,000 to 14,000 people to spare.”
The Census also can affect how much federal funding states get. To make sure everyone in Missouri gets counted, a bipartisan committee is already working to create public awareness of the Census’ importance.
The Complete Count Committee appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon plans to spread the word through businesses, community groups, churches and even the state lottery.
The population estimates released Wednesday were the last before the 2010 Census, which will determine how seats in the House of Representatives and the Electoral College are apportioned beginning with the 2012 election.
With longtime U.S. Sen. Kit Bond retiring next year, “you don’t want two junior senators and a lessened congressional delegation,” said Marvin Overby, a professor of political science at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
The new Census Bureau figures show Missouri’s population is growing at a slower rate than the national average. The bureau estimates the state gained 31,000 people between July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009. With a total population of almost 6 million people, that equates to a growth rate of 0.5 percent.
Nationally, the population grew by 0.86 percent during that time. The U.S. population is now about 307 million.
State demographer Matt Hesser said Missouri had a higher death rate and lower immigration rate than the nation as a whole. Missouri gained one person per 1,000, while the nation gained 2.8 people per 1,000.
“It’s an inability to attract people,” Hesser said. “We’re just not having as much in-migration in this state as in many Sun Belt states.”
Missouri last lost a seat after the 1980 Census, prompting a fight in the Legislature and courts over how to redraw district lines.
If Missouri loses a seat, Republicans may try to draw Democratic Reps. Lacy Clay and Russ Carnahan, both of St. Louis, into the same district. Democrats could try to combine the northwest and northeast Missouri districts of Republican Reps. Blaine Luetkemeyer of St. Elizabeth and Sam Graves of Tarkio.
Even if Missouri’s congressional seats remain in place, the Legislature will have to realign district boundaries to reflect population shifts within the state.
- State News
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Audit: $108,000 taken from Missouri Veterans Commission
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A former employee of the state auditor’s office embezzled nearly $108,000 while working as an accountant for the Missouri Veterans Commission, the state auditor alleged Monday.
Stacy Griffin-Lowery was fired by the Veterans Commission in March 2008 and pleaded guilty three months later to a misdemeanor theft charge. She repaid the state $17,665, the auditor’s office said.
But Missouri Auditor Susan Montee on Monday accused Griffin-Lowery of swiping an additional $90,192 by getting reimbursed for cash advances and purchases made on her personal credit card. -
Race in Kansas’ 2nd District could heat up for GOP incumbent
TOPEKA, Kan. — A conservative Kansas legislator said Monday he will announce in a few weeks whether he will challenge freshman U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins in the Republican primary.
State Sen. Dennis Pyle’s actions in recent months suggest the Hiawatha farmer, who’s served in the Legislature since 2001, is running against Jenkins in the Aug. 2 primary. He set up a campaign organization in November and has a Web site featuring a brief video of him on his farm, asking viewers for support. -
Oklahoma tea party leaders, lawmakers envision militia
OKLAHOMA CITY — Frustrated by recent political setbacks, tea party leaders and some conservative members of the Oklahoma Legislature say they would like to create a new volunteer militia to help defend against what they believe are improper federal infringements on state sovereignty.
Tea party movement leaders say they’ve discussed the idea with several supportive lawmakers and hope to get legislation next year to recognize a new volunteer force - Missouri: Senate panel cuts $500 million from proposed budget JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Senate committee declared Thursday that it has sliced more than $500 million from Missouri’s proposed budget for next year — meeting a target set by Gov. Jay Nixon to bring it in balance.
- Kansas: Wichita-area casino in doubt after governor’s decision TOPEKA, Kan. — A proposed casino south of Wichita was in doubt Thursday after Gov. Mark Parkinson refused to grant its developers a regulatory reprieve. Partners in the $225 million Chisholm Creek project wanted to delay a state board’s decision on their plans.
- Oklahoma: Groups oppose education spending initiative OKLAHOMA CITY — A coalition of business and labor groups said Thursday it will work to defeat a ballot initiative to dramatically increase spending on public education that coalition members said would devastate the budgets of many other state services and possibly force tax increases.
- Missouri: Gov. Nixon affirms support for tuition freeze COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has no plans to sit idly while lawmakers consider whether to preserve a tuition freeze deal he assembled before the state’s dire financial status was fully known.
- Kansas: Agency uses YouTube to illustrate road woes TOPEKA, Kan. — It’s one thing to hear about potholes and state budgets. It’s another to see how the two are connected. That’s part of the thinking behind a new video presentation on YouTube this week from the Kansas Department of Transportation.
- Oklahoma: Pathologist says girl’s throat might have been cut OKLAHOMA CITY — A 7-year-old girl who was found dead in Oklahoma near the body of her suspected kidnapper likely died after her throat was cut, an independent pathologist said Wednesday, the same day the child’s funeral attracted hundreds of mourners.
- Missouri: Court overturns Arrow Rock hog ruling JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Missouri appeals court on Tuesday overturned a ruling that blocked a proposed hog farm from expanding near Arrow Rock.
- More State News Headlines
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Audit: $108,000 taken from Missouri Veterans Commission
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A former employee of the state auditor’s office embezzled nearly $108,000 while working as an accountant for the Missouri Veterans Commission, the state auditor alleged Monday.
