TheChat: Gov. Jay Nixon urges more work on ethics

Good morning.

▪  “Let’s not dislocate our arms by patting ourselves too much on the back for this effort. There’s more to be done.” — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon commenting on progress made on improved Statehouse ethics this session.

Nixon, a Democrat, continues to call for caps on campaign contributions, a move that many Republicans resist. The governor, meantime, acknowledges that some small steps were taken.

▪ “That’s the only pot of money left.” — Kansas state Sen. Jim Denning, an Overland Park Republican, predicting that Gov. Sam Brownback would cut reimbursement rates for medical providers who serve Medicaid patients to balance the state’s budget.

That’s exactly what happened. Critics of the idea suggested that such a move would result in reduce patient access to care because some doctors will stop serving Medicaid patients.

▪ “One sexual assault on one college campus would be unacceptable – but we’re facing an epidemic of sexual violence on campuses.” — Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill on an issue she’s championed in Congress.

A Democrat, McCaskill was urging supporters to sign an online petition to pass a bill she’s sponsoring aimed at cracking down on the issue.

▪ “Once a vaccine is available, this is a very different environment to deal with.” — Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt, a Republican, speaking about the battle to fight the Zika virus.

Blunt co-sponsored the Senate version of a funding bill aimed at combating the virus. The House proposes spending less, leading to a congressional showdown as the virus spreads. Blunt said the funding measure he backs would allow the government to battle Zika until September 2017 when a vaccine will probably be available. (link via johncombest.com).

This story was originally published May 19, 2016 at 6:15 AM.