A Who’s-Who of state legislators for and against Missouri’s Historic Tax Credit program:

The following state senators and representatives are in support of the Historic Tax Credit program:

Senator Jeff Smith (D-4)

Senator Jane Cunningham (R-7)

Senator Tom Dempsey (R-23)

Senator David Pearce (R-31)

Senator Eric Schmitt (R-15)

Senator Wright-Jones (D-5)

Senator Jolie Justus (D-10)

Senator Rita Heard Days (D-14)

Senator Yvonne Wilson (D-9)

Senator Wes Shoemyer (D-18)

Representative Ron Richard (R-129) (Speaker of the House)

The following 6 senators, lead by Senator Lager, constitute the group of legislators who would place limitations on the Historic Tax Credit:

Senator Brad Lager (R-12)

Senator Jim Lembke (R-1)

Senator Jason Crowell (R-27)

Senator Matt Bartle (R-8)

Senator Luann Ridgeway (R-17)

Senator Chuck Purgason (R-33)

The following legislators are on-the-fence regarding the proposed limitations on Historic Tax Credits:

Senator Griesheimer (R-26) (Chair of Senate Economic Development Committee)

Representative Timothy Flook (R-34) (Chair of House Economic Development Committee)

Note: At this time, the majority of the House remains on the fence in relation to this issue.

FYI:

Map: Missouri Senatorial Districts

Map: Missouri House of Representatives Districts

***Find out who your Legislators are!

State Rep. Robin Wright-Jones held a press conference Tuesday at her campaign headquarters about her support of an eminent domain initiative petition. Outside, a group passed out a flier (click here to download) showing she indeed voted for both the eminent domain reform legislation and the Land Assemblage Tax Credit, which one of her vocal supporters, Jim Roos, attacked her opponent, State Rep. Rodney Hubbard*, for supporting.

Wright-Jones appeared caught off guard by the flier and instead of explaining her votes, she told the handful of people in attendance that they could call her later and she’d tell them why she voted for the bills.

Wright-Jones briefly said she voted for the bill “before it was radically changed”, but the record shows she, in fact, voted in favor of the final version of the Land Assemblage bill, which passed 125-19.

*Rodney Hubbard’s state senate campaign is being managed by Antonio French, publisher of PubDef.net.

Rodney Hubbard’s state Senate campaign delivered a blow to his opponent’s political base last night by winning the endorsement of Robin Wright-Jones‘ own ward.

6TH WARD ENDORSES HUBBARD FOR STATE SENATE
Rodney Wins Backing of Wright-Jones’Home Ward

(St. Louis) – Today, the 6th Ward Democratic Organization endorsed Rodney Hubbard’s campaign for State Senate. The endorsement, an open selection of the organization’s full membership, is remarkable as it comes from the ward in which Rep. Robin Wright-Jones, Hubbard’s opponent for the Senate seat, calls home.

In addition to the ward organization, Hubbard also has the support of the alderman, Kacie Starr Triplett, and her immediate predecessor, President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed.

UPDATE: Triplett issued the following statement today about her ward’s endorsement:

Today, Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett (6th-Ward) thanked Representatives Rodney Hubbard and Robin Wright-Jones for attending the 6th Ward Democratic Organization’s endorsement meeting and lauded both candidates’ impressive campaigns. Last night, both 5th District Candidates spoke to the Ward’s general membership.

“I’d like to express the ward’s gratitude to Representatives Wright-Jones and Hubbard for attending last night’s meeting. Both candidates really connected with the audience,” said Triplett. “It was a difficult decision in the end. Our membership was very impressed by Rodney’s strong history of getting things done in Jefferson City. His hard work has earned him support throughout the city.”

“However, many of us have also substantially benefited from Robin’s great service in Jefferson City during the past few years. Robin is one of the 6th Ward’s terrific elected officials,” Triplett said – noting that Wright-Jones, President of the Board of Alderman Lewis Reed and herself all live within its boundaries.

“Either candidate will represent Saint Louis effectively in Jefferson City, but the 6th Ward will help all of our endorsed candidates – like Representative Hubbard. I look forward to working with him to make sure he is the next senator of the 5th District.”

The Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, just issued its decision in the case of Robin Wright-Jones v. Connie L. Johnson, an appeal from the city of St. Louis involving a challenge to the validity of Rep. Johnson’s candidacy for the senate.

In a 3-0 decision, the Eastern District affirmed the trial court’s decision in favor of Rep. Wright-Jones.

*Wright-Jones is running against Rodney Hubbard, a client of PubDef.net publisher Antonio D. French