Politically Speaking

State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where he talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about a ballot item that could bolster his office’s ability to invest the state’s money. Fitzpatrick is a Republican who was easily elected to a full four-year term last year. He was appointed to his post in 2019 after spending about six years in the Missouri House, including a lengthy stint as House Budget Committee chairman.

State Rep. David Tyson Smith talks with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum about how he received a crash course in the legislative process. The Columbia Democrat also discussed the recently completed FRA special session — and some of his key priorities in future sessions.

The Shelbina Republican talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Jonathan Ahl about how the Missouri Senate's women changed the course of a special session around a critical tax that funds Medicaid.

Rep. Phil Christofanelli of St. Charles County talks with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum about the passage of Empowerment Savings Accounts, new law surrounding HIV, and special sessions on the FRA and redistricting. This show was recorded on June 24, 2021 while the FRA special session was still going on in the Missouri Senate.

With more than a year to go before Republicans head to the polls to choose their nominee for the U.S. Senate, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum talks with The Kansas City Star's Jeanne Kuang and Jonathan Shorman about the current status of the field — and what dynamics could influence the outcome.

State Rep. Tracy McCreery of Olivette joins St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies on the special sessions over the federal reimbursement allowance and congressional redistricting. Note: This podcast was recorded before Gov. Mike Parson put down a deadline at noon on June 22, 2021, to come up with a FRA special session deal.

On this unusual episode of Politically Speaking, former state Rep. Stephen Webber steps in as host to talk with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum about what's changed in Missouri politics and journalism over the past 15 years. Rosenbaum and Webber have had a professional relationship since 2005 — when Rosenbaum interviewed Webber when he was signing a book about his experiences in Iraq. Webber served as a state representative from 2009 to 2017 and then as Missouri Democratic Party chairman after the 2016 election cycle. He's currently the political director of the Missouri AFL-CIO

House Majority Leader Dean Plocher talks with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum for a discussion about the twists and turns of the 2021 legislative session. Plocher's appearance on the definitive show about Missouri politics marks the 500th episode that's focused on interviewing a guest. That's an admittedly arbitrary milestone, since the show went over 500 episodes one or two years ago if you include "roundup" or "chat" shows.

The Steelville Republican talks about why Missourians should vote on a gas tax hike — and what could happen during multiple special sessions this year.

The latest episode of Politically Speaking takes a bit of a break from Missouri political happenings and instead looks at what's going on in Illinois with redistricting. STLPR's Eric Schmid and NPR Illinois' Hannah Meisel explain what's going into Illinois Democrats' thinking — and whether it chafes with national Democratic rhetoric on redistricting.

In an extensive interview with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum, the former Democratic senator from Missouri talks about her role at MSNBC, the state of the media, social media, the Jan. 6 insurrection and the way forward for Missouri Democrats. McCaskill recorded the interview at a Kirkwood St. Louis Bread Company, and the conversation came about after Rosenbaum lost a bet with her over Joe Biden's performance in St. Louis County.

Missouri's secretary of state explains why he wants a special session for election-related issues — including a requirement for a government-issued photo identification to vote.

St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum, Jonathan Ahl and Rachel Lippmann provide their takeaways of the 2021 legislative session, which was saw dramatic success and a lot of frustrations among lawmakers.

State Sen. Lauren Arthur returns to Politically Speaking to talk with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about the final week of the 2021 legislative session. Arthur is a Democrat who represents a portion of Clay County. She won a special election in 2018, bringing a traditionally Republican seat into the Democratic column. Arthur won election to a full term in 2020, and will get to serve through the end of 2024 when term limits will prevent her from running again.

Sen. Paul Wieland returns to Politically Speaking to talk with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about some of the big policy fights of the 2021 legislative session. Wieland represents Missouri’s 22nd Senatorial District, which takes in a portion of Jefferson County. He was first elected to his post in 2014 after serving in the Missouri House and re-elected in 2018. Wieland is one of the few Missouri lawmakers who served in the General Assembly when Democrats controlled the legislature, as he represented a Jefferson County-based House district in the 1990s.

Aviva Okeson-Haberman died earlier this week after being shot in her Kansas City apartment. Her death has left a tremendous void amongst her family and friends, as well as people who worked with her. St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum pays tribute to Aviva, who embodied the spirit of collaboration, tenacity and kindness that all of us should strive for in our lives. If you want to donate to a fund in Aviva's name that will go to help aspiring journalists, please click here: https://kcurwebdonate.umkc.edu/alleg/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=AOHEN&PAGETYPE=PLG&CHECK=labM9KtPxqPiQl%2byqVkEd4HJipnY8PNT

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, joined Politically Speaking, talking with St. Louis Public Radio’s Eric Schmid, Jia Lian Yang and Lauren Brown about her environmental justice legislation. Duckworth was first elected to the Senate in 2016, defeating incumbent Republican Mark Kirk in a landslide. Before becoming a senator, Duckworth served in the House for four years representing a suburban Chicago district. She’s up for re-election in 2022.

Jason Rosenbaum collaborates with We Live Here Host Jia Lian Yang and Lauren Brown to interview Congresswoman Cori Bush about some of her environmental legislation.

Lyda Krewson spent four eventful years as mayor of St. Louis. St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Rachel Lippmann sort out the Democratic chief executive's ups and downs in office.

State Rep. Ashley Bland Manlove is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where the Kansas City Democrat talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about election-related bills being considered in the Missouri General Assembly and other pressing issues to come in the last month of session. Bland Manlove is the chairwoman of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus. She was first elected to the Missouri House in 2018, easily winning a Democratic primary to succeed House Minority Leader Gail McCann Beatty. She was re-elected in 2020 without serious opposition.