Tax Reform Opponents Should Buy a Dictionary and Use It!
The opponents of the Missouri Taxpayer Relief Act (MTRA) continue to ignore even the most basic of facts. The reason for ignoring the facts is because they would lose most, if not all, of their major deception points against the MTRA if they acknowledged them! One of the areas about which they continue to deceive is healthcare. We’ve addressed this issue several times (most recently in Tax...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Interview with Senator Bob Dixon – Episode 47
The Missouri Minute - Interview with Senator Bob Dixon - Episode 47 [ 38:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (10) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live from the Missouri Capitol. Today: An interview with Senator Bob Dixon SB469 – Requiring a periodic review of all administrative rules and modifies provisions regarding the awarding of certain fees...
Read MoreOpportunity to Oppose Bigger Gov. in Missouri
It’s only natural that we usually focus on big-ticket items when we think about small versus big government. Just this year, we have focused on a state spending cap (check out The Missouri Minute – With Guest Rep Eric Burlison – Episode 43), the move to prohibit the governor and unelected bureaucrats from establishing the Obamacare Insurance Exchange on their own (see the Legislative...
Read MoreOpponents of Missouri Tax Reform Should Talk Amongst Themselves
The opponents of the tax reform proposal – Missouri Taxpayer Relief Act (MTRA) seem to have problems with consistency – factual consistency anyway. They are pretty consistent in their attempts to deceive their fellow Missourians! As we outlined in Tax Reform Opponents Seek to Deceive and Scare Seniors, the deceptions seem to know no end. The opponents attempt to scare seniors and...
Read MoreTax Reform Opponents Seek to Deceive and Scare Seniors
The military academies and war colleges try to prepare attendees for conducting a successful battle strategy. This preparation includes employing deceptive measures and techniques designed to throw the enemy off the trail of the truth. The opponents of the Missouri Taxpayer Relief Act (MTRA) tax reform proposal should apply for teaching the courses on deceptive techniques and their...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Interview with Senator Ridgeway – Episode 46
The Missouri Minute - Interview with Senator Ridgeway - Episode 46 [ 24:41 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (19) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live from the Missouri Capitol. Today: An interview with Senator Ridgeway on replacing Missouri’s income tax with a sales tax. You can contact the hosts by...
Read MoreFirst Place Trophies are Bigger!
The Wall Street Journal offers an excellent overview of the various tax reform measures going on in the Midwest (The Heartland Tax Rebellion). The editorial emphasizes what we have been saying – we are in a race with our neighbors (Kansas and Oklahoma) to create an environment through tax reform that will stimulate our economy and create jobs. We want the first place trophy! The Missouri...
Read MoreVoting Tomorrow? Beware!
Tomorrow, February 7, is the presidential primary in Missouri. The “winner” of the primary wins nothing. Both national party organizations made it clear that if Missouri’s primary for delegate selection was tomorrow, they would lose half their delegates to the national conventions. Missouri wasn’t the only state given this warning. It’s a ridiculous threat made to...
Read MoreMissouri leads the nation… in job loss
In December 2011, Missouri lead the nation for most jobs lost. Between November and December, 11,800 jobs disappeared in Missouri – either eliminated or moved to another state. It’s easy to fixate on unemployment and be encouraged to see Missouri’s rate has fallen – but unemployment only considers those who are actively seeking a job in Missouri. Many people who want to be employed have...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Episode 45
The Missouri Minute - Episode 45 [ 20:43 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (11) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. Today: Education Reform and an update from the Missouri Capitol. You can contact the hosts by emailing missouriminute@unitedformissouri.org or by sending us a message on twitter @United4MO or @Senator32 or...
Read MoreDo You Deserve to Know Your Tax Dollars are Paying Lobbyist?
“I thought about you when I saw Schoeller’s bill!” was a greeting I received from one of the most influential lobbyists in Jefferson City last night. ”Schoeller’s bill” he was referring to is House Bill 1494 sponsored by Representative Shane Schoeller, R-139 that requires public entities to disclose who they hire to lobby and how much they spend doing so....
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – With Senator Dempsey and Munzlinger and Rep. Smith – Episode 44
The Missouri Minute - With Senator Dempsey and Munzlinger and Rep. Jason Smith - Episode 44 [ 31:29 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (26) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live – Episode 44. Today: Interviews with Senator Tom Dempsey, Senator Brian Muzlinger, and Representative Jason Smith. You can contact the hosts by...
Read MoreToo Much to Ask for: A Pres. that Knows About Taxes and Why His Plan Won’t Work!
The President misleads on almost everything. Tonight’s State of the Union address was an example of deception and even outright fabrication. He and his cronies have changed the rules to make it look like the rich are getting richer. They have changed how income is reported or counted making it look much worse than it really is simple by changing how it is reported. It is important you...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – With Guest Rep Eric Burlison – Episode 43
The Missouri Minute - With Guest Rep Eric Burlison - Episode 43 [ 42:35 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (11) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live – with special guest Rep Eric Burlison. Today: HJR43, out of control spending, and more from the Missouri state capitol. You can contact the hosts by...
Read MoreLegislative Update, Week 3
The past week saw two important issues our members have weighed in move forward in the General Assembly. The first issue was Senate Bill 464 which prohibits the Governor and unelected bureaucrats from establishing the Obamacare health insurance exchange unless the legislature or vote of the people have authorized it. We covered the issue in Episode 42 of the Missouri Minute where we interviewed...
Read MoreIdeas in Action
National attention on tax reform efforts across the country. Missouri is featured in this episode of Ideas in Action.
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The Missouri Minute – With Guest Senator Rob Schaaf – Episode 42
The Missouri Minute - With Guest Senator Rob Schaaf - Episode 42 [ 32:43 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (8) CLICK HERE to email your senator! This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live – with special guest Senator Rob Schaaf. Today: Transparency, Healthcare and a new legislative session. You can contact the hosts by...
Read MoreQuick Start on Solid Issues
The second regular session of the 96th General Assembly began last week. I am pleased to see a quick start on important issues – this might have something to do with the inspiration and encouragement from the attendees of the Consent of the Governed Rally! The Senate Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee conducted a hearing on Senate Bill 464 prohibiting the establishment of an...
Read MoreMissouri Health Insurance Exchange Back in the News!
The debate over implementation of the healthcare exchange “required” by Obamacare continues to rage here in Missouri. The jury is still out whether it’s a checkers game or chess match. Since the World Chess Hall of Fame is located in Missouri, let’s go with chess! We’ve written about the various attempts Governor Nixon and/or the unelected bureaucrats working for him...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – March in January Episode 41
The Missouri Minute - March in January - Episode 41 [ 33:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (8) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. Today: Feels like March in January, new legislative session, and education. Skype had some audio issues early on in the podcast (pops), it gets much better a few minutes in. You can contact the hosts by...
Read MoreGreat States Grow!
An excellent video from our friends at Let Voters Decide showing why the Missouri Taxpayer Relief Act is needed to make Missouri’s economic future brighter! Happy New Year!
Read MoreStart the New Year and New Session Out Right!
Here is an opportunity for you to start the New Year’s activities to take back our state and country on the right foot. Several have worked diligently to put on the “Consent of the Governed” Rally tomorrow in Jefferson City. The details are below. Hope to see you there wearing something red! (note: links in graphic are not...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Using cash makes you a terrorist! – Episode 40
The Missouri Minute - Episode 40 [ 35:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (23) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. Today: US Government says that using cash makes you a terrorist, KC prison woes, and Merry Christmas! You can contact the hosts by emailing missouriminute@unitedformissouri.org or by sending us a message on...
Read MoreJust the Facts Ma’am – Part II
Just as many people think Sergeant Joe Friday always said, “Just the facts, ma’am” – although he never said it – opponents of the tax reform measure the Missouri Taxpayer Relief Act use phrases and information that “sound” like they ought to be so but really aren’t. We recapped a few of those in Just the Facts Ma’am – Part I. I mentioned...
Read MoreJust the Facts Ma’am – Part I
It was sad to hear of the passing of Harry Morgan. I really liked him as Colonel Potter, and I think I’ve seen some Pete and Gladys episodes somewhere. As far as my favorite character, I’m torn between Colonel Potter and Officer Bill Gannon of Dragnet. The Gannon role was a good balance to Sergeant Joe Friday (Jack Webb), but Gannonwas always in agreement with that famous phrase,...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Episode 39
The Missouri Minute - Episode 39 [ 31:33 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (9) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. Today: Snow on Woody’s birthday?, KC Mayor/KC Schools and MO Realtors using mis-information. You can contact the hosts by emailing missouriminute@unitedformissouri.org or by sending us a message on...
Read MoreUpdate: Missouri Association of REALTORS® Deceptive Campaign Against Tax Reform
I’ve written several blog postings about the deceptive campaign the opponents are running against the Missouri Taxpayer Relief Act, the ballot measure that is an important step toward tax reform. I’ve also written about the seemingly unlikely role that one of these anti-consumer groups, Missouri Association of REALTORS® (MAR), has played during the debate. MAR is the primary...
Read MoreSpecial Interests Oppose Needed Tax Reform!
The opponents of the tax reform measure known as the Missouri Taxpayer Relief Act are pulling out all the stops to create the illusion that the measure is bad for Missouri. What most do not realize is that when you look at the list of “opponents,” it is replete with those who either have an exemption already in the statute or benefit when government is unconstrained. Many in the media...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Episode 38
The Missouri Minute - Episode 38 [ 27:18 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (14) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. Today: Pheasants, HSUS Deceptions, Pearl Harbor, KC Mayor/KC Schools and Albert Pujols. You can contact the hosts by emailing missouriminute@unitedformissouri.org or by sending us a message on twitter @United4MO or @Senator32 or...
Read MoreThe Missouri Taxpayer Relief Act Means Real Growth for Our State
The Missouri Taxpayer Relief Act Tax Reform Measure Means Real Growth for Our State – Despite Opponents’ Desperate Deceptive Tactics. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Read MoreTax Reform Opponents Use Deceptive Tactics to Scare and Confuse: Part II
If you didn’t pay attention to the graphic accompanying this blog post, you should. Go ahead, I’ll wait for you… The graphic is a little dated when it comes to the state budget, which is approximately $23 billion today. However, it certainly represents the fact the opponents of the Missouri Taxpayer Relief Act love spending other people’s money. In fact, they enjoy that...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Episode 37
The Missouri Minute - Episode 37 [ 27:47 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (7) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. Today: KC Airport, Redistricting Oddities, and Sly and the KCMO Schools. You can contact the hosts by emailing missouriminute@unitedformissouri.org or by sending us a message on twitter @United4MO or @Senator32 or...
Read MoreTax Reform Opponents Use Deceptive Tactics to Scare and Confuse
Just when you think opponents of the Missouri Taxpayer Relief Act have used about every deceptive tactic possible, they keep coming up with more. With this post, we will begin a series exposing those deceptive, desperate tactics. Buckle up! I wrote about the distortions of one of the major opposition “members,” the Missourians for Fair Taxation, in Burnham’s Law – Missouri...
Read MoreKudos to St Charles County Council for Standing Against Tyranny of the Majority!
Last night the St Charles County Council voted 3-3 on placing a charter amendment on the ballot to ban smoking in St Charles County. The vote would have been 3-4 but Councilman Paul Wynn is working in Iraq and was unable to attend. The encouraging thing about the vote is that those in opposition got it! They got the fact that businesses that choose to allow smoking do so as a business decision....
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Episode 36
The Missouri Minute - Episode 36 [ 31:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (10) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. Today: Kansas City Judge Private Eye Woes, Missouri Broadcasters don’t know how to do research, and down with the Missouri income tax! You can contact the hosts by emailing missouriminute@unitedformissouri.org or by sending us...
Read MoreGone With the Wind and the Missouri Broadcasters Association
What do the Missouri Broadcasters’ Association (MBA) radio ads regarding the tax reform proposal known as the Missouri Taxpayer Relief Act (MTRA) and Gone With the Wind have in common? Well, for starters, they are both works of fiction. Gone with the Wind was based on events immediately prior to, during and immediately following the Civil War. The book and the movie were certainly based on...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – STL Valedictorian Blues – Episode 35
The Missouri Minute - STL Valedictorian Blues - Episode 35 [ 37:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. Today: Saint Louis School failings, Kansas City construction woes, and the MO income tax. You can contact the hosts by emailing missouriminute@unitedformissouri.org or by sending us a message on...
Read MoreIt’s Easy to Create Fear But Not so Easy to Tell Truth for Some
I couldn’t help but notice while I was taking some time off the creation of another group opposing giving Missourian’s control over their taxation. They sounded authoritative, almost like they knew something the rest of us don’t know about tax reform. Hoping to learn something, I read their missives, er, I mean their press release and interviews only to find it to be deja vu all...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Episode 34
Standard Podcast [ 36:59 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. Today: KC School failings and the KS and MO income taxes. You can contact the hosts by emailing missouriminute@unitedformissouri.org or by sending us a message on twitter @United4MO or @Senator32 or by visiting http://www.cozadcompany.com/ or...
Read MoreAn Inauspicious End to a Not-So-Special Session
The leaders of the Senate finally delivered what many thought should have happened a long time ago: the death of the not so special session. The House will meet tomorrow, presumably to put their finishing touches on the session, but with the Senate’s Sine Die action yesterday, what the House does at this point is irrelevant. As a former Speaker Pro Tem, that’s not easy to write...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Episode 33
The Missouri Minute - Episode 33 [ 29:33 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. Today: Income Tax, World Series, and Kansas City! You can contact the hosts by emailing missouriminute@unitedformissouri.org or by sending us a message on twitter @United4MO or @Senator32 or...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Episode 32
Standard Podcast [ 25:59 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. You can contact the hosts by emailing missouriminute@unitedformissouri.org or by sending us a message on twitter @United4MO or @Senator32 or by visiting http://www.cozadcompany.com/ or...
Read MoreTax Reform Can Transform Missouri to be the Economic Engine of the Midwest!
The folks at Let Voters Decide are hosting a free reception featuring Dr. Art Laffer to discuss how the proposed tax reform measure, the Missouri Taxpayer Relief Act, will transform Missouri’s economy. You can RSVP to this free event...
Read MoreKZRG – Missouri Taxpayer Relief Act
KZRG October 12, 2011 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (24) Thanks to Josh Marsh and Chad Elliott for having me on to discuss the Missouri Taxpayer Relief Act for tax reform!
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Going to Nashville – Episode 31
Going to Nashville [ 30:13 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (15) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. Today’s topics include: Going to Nashville, the Missouri state income tax, and jobs! You can contact the hosts by emailing missouriminute@unitedformissouri.org or by sending us a message on twitter @United4MO or @Senator32 or...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Episode 30
The Missouri Minute - Episode 30 [ 32:16 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (12) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. Today’s topics include: The Special Session, Obama, and Earnings Taxes. You can contact the hosts by emailing missouriminute@unitedformissouri.org or by sending us a message on twitter @United4MO or @Senator32 or...
Read MorePresident Obama Collects on Stimulus Friends and Family Plan
Update for Mid-MO: A bus will be departing from the East side of the Hearnes Center at 3pm. Expected return time around 9pm. For more information, Facebook users click here.Otherwise, click here.The stimulus package benefited many Democrat donors. On Tuesday, October 4th, Barack Obama will attend a $25,000-per person fundraiser at the home of Tom Carnahan on Lindell...
Read MoreSpecial Session or Not? We Have Our Answer
When I posted Special Session or Not? I admit I had rather low expectations of much good coming from the Governor’s call for a special session. So far, unfortunately, those expectations have been met. I’m actually surprised that here we are, nearly one month later, and the legislature is still in special session. The initial media reports echoed a common refrain: that there was...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Facebook, Special Session, and Nixon – Episode 29
The Missouri Minute - Facebook, Special Session, and Nixon - Episode 29 [ 31:21 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (18) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. Today’s topics include: Facebook, Special Session, and Nixon! You can contact the hosts by emailing missouriminute@unitedformissouri.org or by sending us a message on...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Episode 28
The Missouri Minute - Episode 28 [ 24:16 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (12) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. Today’s topics include: The Special Session, the Aerotropolis, The State Income Tax, and More! You can contact the hosts by emailing missouriminute@unitedformissouri.org or by sending us a message on...
Read MoreBackdoor Health Insurance Exchange Update
Late last week, there was an attempt by the Missouri Health Insurance Pool (MHIP) to accept a $21 million grant to establish the Obamacare mandated health insurance exchange. Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder reported on the Dana Show about the activities that took place, and he references an executive order by the Governor to complete the action. Listen for the discussion at about...
Read MoreURGENT – Stop Obamacare in Missouri!
UPDATE: Callers should be aware the Governor’s office is now telling people the Governor was never going to sign an executive order. After the debacle yesterday where he was apparently going to rely on the actions of an “independent” commission, I would say he probably isn’t going to do it now either! Keep calling! Here is the action alert we just sent out to...
Read MoreBurnham’s Law – Missouri Association of REALTORS®
“Eventually, any large organization comes to serve the interests of its permanent staff.” – The Managerial Revolution by James Burnham (paraphrased) Yesterday, we wrote about those “Henny Pennys” (you know, the ones who shout, “The sky is falling!” when presented with any new idea) who support not only a big government trough but also an expansion of the trough. Today...
Read MoreOpponents of Tax Reform Running Out of Bottles of Beer on the Wall
While most people’s attention seems to have been diverted to the Special Session of the General Assembly, many other activities are still taking place. One of those is a quest to make Missouri the economic engine of the Midwest! The folks at Let Voters Decide (LVD) have submitted four new versions of the initiative petitions to repeal the income tax and replace it with a consumer-driven...
Read MoreSpecial Session or Not?
The House and Senate have officially begun the special session called by Governor Jay Nixon. There are a few things that should happen in the special session but not most of the ones for which it was called. Yesterday, the St Louis Post Dispatch listed a summary of the items to be considered during the special session. While it glosses over some of the points within the various items, it is a...
Read MoreThe Fallacy of Government “Job Creation ” Bills
Everyone’s aware of the hullabaloo surrounding President Obama’s “jobs” speech next week. The last time he gave a speech and had a plan, it cost nearly a trillion dollars and unemployment went way up. The country can’t take many more of these kinds of plans! We don’t have to go to D.C. to find “good” government ideas about job creation. All of us...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute – Episode 26
The Missouri Minute - Episode 26 [ 26:22 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (7) This week on the Missouri Minute: Carl Bearden and Woody Cozad record live. Today’s topics include: The Special Session, the Kansas City School Board, and More! You can contact the hosts by emailing missouriminute@unitedformissouri.org or by sending us a message on twitter @United4MO or @Senator32 or...
Read MoreHow will Tax Reform for Brighten Missouri’s Future? Come Find Out Tonight!
Tonight, August 30, 2011 the second forum on the tax reform proposal will be held at the Frontenac Hilton. If you are curious, concerned or have been misled by detractors of the proposal come out and get the straight skinny! You can RSVP here. We will have a very special guest Tennessee, Senator Brian Kelsey. Senator Kelsey will give you first hand experience about how the Tennessee model is...
Read MoreA Bright Future for Missouri
The tax reform proposals contained in the initiative petitions currently being processed by the Secretary of State’s office represent a bright future for Missouri. On Tuesday night, hear firsthand experience with a similar model that has been operating successfully in Tennessee by attending our Two Forums – ONE Vision event! As with most things that challenge the...
Read MoreThe Missouri Minute Radio Show
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