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'We have to play hardball'

Little has gotten done in the Missouri Senate since the start of the session except for a long and heated debate over the state's redistricting plans. Who are the conservative lawmakers fighting against Republican leadership to eliminate a Democratic congressional seat?

An intra-party conflict among Missouri Senate Republicans has exploded into angry recriminations both on and off the Senate floor, including an epic 36-hour session that dragged on from Monday evening to after midnight Wednesday morning.

The conflict is roiling a party that has super-majority control of both legislative chambers, as well as the governor’s mansion. Across the divide from the Senate leadership is a group of eight GOP colleagues called the "Conservative Caucus," who are demanding that Missouri pass a 7-1 Republican-dominated map.

"We have to play hardball too in Missouri," says state Sen. Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg.

KCUR's Brian Ellison spoke with Hoskins about redistricting and the turmoil among Republicans affecting this year’s legislative session.

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Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Byron Love with Trevor Grandin and edited by Gabe Rosenberg & Lisa Rodriguez.

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As a host and contributor at KCUR, I seek to create a more informed citizenry and richer community. I want to enlighten and inspire our audience by delivering the information they need with accuracy and urgency, clarifying what’s complicated and teasing out the complexities of what seems simple. I work to craft conversations that reveal realities in our midst and model civil discourse in a divided world. Follow me on Twitter @ptsbrian or email me at brian@kcur.org.
As an on-demand producer, I am focused on using my skills and experiences across multiple digital applications, platforms and media fields to create community focused audio, video and on-demand products for KCUR Studios. The media that I produce aims to inform, entertain and connect with the Kansas City metro area as we continue to learn from each other. Email me at byronlove@kcur.org.
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