Government

Kansas City, MO –
For the second time this week a member of the Kansas legislature has announced his resignation. Republican Wichita Representative Jason Watkins has said he'll leave the legislature effective later this week.

Lawrence, KS – U.S. Senator Sam Brownback says the Pentagon shouldn't revise the bidding process for a multibillion dollar aircraft contract. Both Boeing and a partnership between Northrop Grumman and European aircraft maker Airbus are seeking the contract to build Air Force refueling tankers. Northrop Grumman and Airbus want the bidding requirements to be changed and is threatening not to bid if they aren't. Brownback says there's a process in place for contracts like this.

Kansas City, MO – The Kansas City city council will vote today on a finalized contract with Motorola to provide a new emergency responder radio system.

The Finance and Audit Committee approved the contract yesterday.

Assistant City Manager Rich Noll provided a timetable for the upgrade.

Jefferson City, MO – An environmental advocate is calling on Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster to return a campaign contribution made last year from a company that owns eleven hog farms in the northern part of the state.

Premium Standard Farms is under a court order to make improvements to its operations.

Ken Midkiff with the Missouri Clean Water Campaign says Koster accepted a $2500 donation from Smithfield Foods, which owns Premium Standard Farms, just days before the 2008 Democratic Party primary:

Topeka, KS – A new report puts the total economic impact from the military in Kansas at nearly $8 billion. The Governor's Military Council released the report. It says nearly 170,000 jobs in 2006 were driven by military installations in the state and defense contracts awarded in Kansas. John Armbrust is director of the Governor's Military Council. Armbrust says the impact in Kansas has likely grown in recent years because of more military presence in the state.

Jefferson City, MO – Bills addressing campaign finance reform in Missouri have been pre-filed, just over a month before the start of the 2010 legislative session

One bill would restore campaign contribution limits that were removed in 2007, restored by the Missouri Supreme Court later that same year, and then removed again by GOP lawmakers and former Governor Matt Blunt in 2008. The proposal to again restore limits is sponsored by Democratic Floor Leader Paul LeVota: