Insomnia 2009: a surprise filibuster

Little did I know that the interview I conducted with Sen. Wes Shoemyer (D-Clarence) would foreshadow the bulk of his arguments fueling his ongoing debate against Sen. Brad Lager (R-Savannah) concerning a doubling of funds for a land assemblage project in North St. Louis. Somehow this was tied into the Economic Development bill during the five-hour recess tonight that was hammered out in conference.

On several occasions Shoemyer has referenced Lager's support for the extra $10 million to a mention in a recent Post-Dispatch article, blasting Lager for siding with this project as opposed to farmers in his district.

Looks like we have a real battle of the Hickory Stick brewing between the two. Shoemyer is making firm his commitment to his roots and his constituents' livelihoods. Lager wants to get the bill passed. The clock sits at 14½ hours. We just might have a front runner for Mr. September.

At the capitol: Shoemyer's Grade Card

Final report of the night, and this one comes from the opposite aisle. With an opposite tone. (This interview was conducted just before the Senate adjourned for a conference committee to hash out a deal on the Economic Development Bill.) Senator Wes Shoemyer (D-Clarence) expressed dissatisfaction in this interview about the progress of key legislation and a general neglect toward agricultural issues in the state.

Senator Shoemyer's grade card of this session

The Senator did have two positive notes today. HB480, which he introduced to the Senate floor, passed with no issue in the Senate, allowing the governor to prepare a 100th birthday celebration for the State Capitol Building (already the longest-serving in Missouri's history—Missouri went through five in the span of 90 years, two territorial capital buildings in St. Louis and a temporary capitol in St. Charles. The first two buildings in Jefferson City both burned to the ground, first in 1837 and then in 1911). Right afterward, Senate Concurrent Resolution 21, which indicates Missouri's willingness to meet the "25 by '25" mandate where 25 percent of the States' energy comes from domestic, renewable sources, passed the Senate and now proceeds to the House.