My, my, there’s a lot of news going on pertaining to Missouri and Kansas City and the city’s two major sports franchises.
Let’s jump right in…
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:: A Cole County Circuit Court judge ruled today that the Medicaid expansion plan that voters approved last August was unconstitutional, basically because, as proposed, the constitutional amendment did not provide for how the state would pay for the cost of expansion.
This is the second setback this year, the first, of course, being the General (Republican) Assembly’s failure to implement expansion.
Even though voters said they clearly wanted it, our head-in-sand political leaders are bent on defying the mandate.
And in the case of today’s ruling, the politicians are getting a boost from Judge Jon Beetem, who, no surprise, also flies under the GOP banner.
Not that you’d find his political affiliation noted in any news stories because, you know, it’s just not fair to question those guys and gals in those hot, intimidating black robes…is it, now?
But here it is: Beetem was first elected (as a Republican) in 2006 and re-elected (as a Republican) to new, six-year terms in 2012 and 2018. (Cole County is not one of five Missouri counties where judges are appointed as part of Missouri’s nonpartisan court plan.)
Today’s ruling is not the end of the case, though, because Chuck Hatfield, an attorney for the plaintiffs said he would file an appeal. “As all observers predicted, the issues around Medicaid expansion will be decided in the Court of Appeals,” Hatfield said. “We are disappointed in today’s ruling, but believe the Court of Appeals will disagree.”
Let’s hope the appellate court puts more weight on the will of the people than a technicality over how to fund expansion…How would the state pay for the expansion? Why, out of the state budget! And, if necessary, how about a tax increase to cover the cost? Oh, I apologize, that’s anathema to our “fiscally conservative” legislative majority.
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:: I wish the failure to expand Medicaid was the only outrage taking place at the state level, but, of course, it’s not. Before the General (Republican) Assembly adjourned last month, it failed to approve a routine bill to renew taxes that finance a large portion of the state’s current, narrow Medicaid program.
The taxes, known as the federal reimbursement allowance (FRA), are assessed on hospitals, nursing homes and other health-care providers. In the budget year starting July 1, the taxes were projected to generate $591 million for the state and $1.5 billion in federal matching funds.
Here’s the crime: During the legislative session, efforts to extend the taxes bogged down when anti-abortion lawmakers argued over proposed amendments limiting contraceptives and tying the hands of Planned Parenthood.
So, on Tuesday, “Farmer” Mike Parson, our esteemed governor who hails from Bolivar (population 11,000), called a special legislative session, which started Wednesday. And now all the hicks from podunk towns like Bolivar packed their bags dragged their asses back to Jeff City to try to pass a routine tax that should never have been in jeopardy.
What a state…
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:: Closer to home — well farther away if you take it literally — KC Chiefs’ defensive lineman Frank Clark set an amazing example for local youths when he was arrested in California Sunday for having a concealed Uzi submachine gun in his vehicle. Get this: It was the second time this year he’s been arrested for driving around and illegally concealing a weapon. The Star reported that Clark was arrested for a similar violation in March, the only difference being the first time officers found a rifle and a handgun. (A rich football star driving fancy cars and wearing lots of jewelry can’t be too careful, you know!)

Clark was booked on a felony charge after each incident and released on bond.
In an editorial published today, The Star said that “if he’s charged and convicted in the case, or pleads guilty to a lesser charge, the Chiefs should release him from the team.”
If the Chiefs had any sense, they would have released him already, but we know nothing — NOTHING — comes ahead of putting the strongest, fastest and most versatile players on the field, regardless of how they conduct themselves off.
I mean, how else can you explain Tyreek “You-need-to-be-terrified-of me-too-bitch” Hill still being on the team?
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:: Oh, God, the Royals. What a sad sack of a team. Their two biggest power hitters, Jorge Soler and Hunter Dozier, are hitting .181 and .159 respectively, and yet both remain in the starting lineup.
Above and beyond his pitiful numbers, Soler looks like he doesn’t care. In addition, in my opinion, he disrespects the uniform by insisting on keeping his left-side back pocket turned inside out. I’ve heard that some players do that to indicate they are not pinching snuff. But I don’t care what the message is supposed to be, it’s a cornball look.
If I was the ump, I’d say, “You’re outta here!”
…And if I was John Sherman, I’d be seriously considering firing General Manager Dayton Moore. What a pathetic hand Moore has dealt Manager Mike Metheny.
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I’m sorry I don’t have anything good to report today — like a cat plucked from a tall tree or a puppy rescued from a storm drain — but that’s the way it is this June 23, 2021.
Conservatives in Kansas have complained about the selection process for judges at both the state and county levels, but the reality, as KU law professor Stephen Ware has demonstrated, is that the selection method is virtually irrelevant since the big firms find ways to influence the selection process regardless.
Lawyers are one of the most highly stratified occupations out there. Where you start out is usually where you wind up and the only real mobility is downward if you fail to produce.
As for Frank, had he lived in any dozens of states there would be no weapons charges, but no, he had to do it, not once, but twice, in loony California where only criminals are allowed to carry firearms. His real crime is stupidity (and probably a healthy dose of arrogance).
As for the Royals, you watch baseball?
Watching right now, John…Royals lead the Yanks 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth. One out. Holland pitching.
Yanks just tied it on a homer to left.
A base hit, a wild pitch and a double off the wall in left field, and there’s your game…Yankee 6, Royals 5.
This is your announcer, Jim Fitzpatrick, sending you back to your local station…
The sad part is that was more interesting than watching the game (and a hell of a lot funnier).
I guess I’ll now have to do Royals Live Postgame and interview Holland and see what the hell he has to say…(Thank you for staying tuned.)
The best part of the evening was watching a rookie catcher who has never had a base hit get a 4 pitch walk from a guy who is probably the highest paid reliever in baseball!
That was great, Bill…I’ve never seen a player so excited to draw a walk. He gave a big fist pump and let out a yell…
Not only a 4 pitch walk but Rivero got his first ML RBI. Chapman was apoplectic!
Political Missouri judges, incompetent governor, indecent sporting incidents. BUT: Good news: So far neither Bishop Johnston nor Archbishop Naumann has gone to Washington to assassinate Cardinal Gregory for allowing Biden to take communion. Sure, bad things happen, but lots of bad things don’t happen, too! Gotta cheer up.
Very good, Vern…You pierced the cloud cover I was obsessed with.
And one more thing…THOSE KIDS NEED TO GET OFF YOUR LAWN!
I just got out my AR-15 and scared the crap out of ’em!
Mark McClosky’s got nothing on me.