Politically Speaking

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.

State Rep, Dan Shaul, R-Imperial, talks extensively about election administration and redistricting policy with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum.

On this episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum and Rachel Lippmann break down Tishaura Jones' historic win as the first Black woman to become St. Louis' mayor.

Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz returns to Politically Speaking to talk with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll about a host of issues the Missouri General Assembly could take up in the second half of the 2021 session.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, House Budget Chairman Cody Smith talks with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jaclyn Driscoll about this year’s budget process — which has drawn more attention than usual because of the battle over expanding Medicaid. Smith represents Missouri’s 163rd District, which takes in parts of Jasper County. The Cartharge Republican has served as chairman of the powerful Budget Committee since the 2019 legislative session.

The Vice President of the United States talks with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum about the mass vaccination site in St. Louis — and why Missouri should expand Medicaid.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Collector of Revenue Gregory F.X. Daly talks with St. Louis Public Radio’s Rachel Lippmann, Corrine Ruff and Jason Rosenbaum about the campaign to preserve the city’s earnings tax. Daly, who was first elected collector of revenue in 2006, has provided $50,000 from his campaign bank account to help keep the earnings tax. Every five years, St. Louis voters have to decide on whether to renew the 1% tax on income for people who either live or work in the city.

The Kansas City Democrat talks about her thought on the 2021 session, including a bid to remove the residency requirement for the Kansas City Police Department.

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt talked about his decision to not seek re-election with St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum.