269 DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY… 178 DAYS UNTIL THE AUGUST PRIMARY

2012 BUDGETING — ‘Cleaver: Budget’s ‘a nervous breakdown on paper,’” POLITICO: “Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, warned Monday that the federal government should be wary of slashing spending too drastically as he called President Barack Obama’s expected budget proposal a ‘nervous breakdown on paper.’ … While the president has put together a plan that addresses important issues such as education and job training, the Missouri congressman cautioned, ‘We are still in a recession. We’re still struggling. Unemployment is still too high in every major city in the country. People are struggling.’ … Still, the congressman emphasized that the most serious challenge for Obama’s budget will be withstanding a ‘dysfunctional’ Congress.” http://politi.co/wwRwGo

HEALTH CARE — ‘Nixon dismisses question on state health insurance exchanges,’ PoliticMo: “On Saturday, after an event in Columbia, Nixon was asked whether he would be willing to move to establish the exchanges if no action is taken by the state legislature. ‘Do you really think they’re on the cusp of passing a health care exchange bill down in Jefferson City?,’ Nixon asked. Nixon said while federal entities debate details of the law in court, his administration has had ‘a lot of other things ahead of that.’ … Last year, several state senators, along with the Lt. Governor, reacted swiftly when they said they heard Nixon’s administration was moving to implement exchanges by executive order. Nixon had not issued an executive order, but the episode did show how difficult it will be for the governor when he does, in fact, decide to implement the mandated exchanges. If the state does not act to set up the exchanges by next year, it could face even more involvement from the federal government.” http://bit.ly/xpUl8D

2012 LEGISLATING — REPEAT — ‘Missouri lawmakers revive vetoed bills,’ St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “Missouri Republican lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon appear headed for a repeat of their fight over changes to the state’s workplace discrimination laws and a requirement for voters to show a photo ID at the polls. The Legislature passed both measures last year, but Nixon vetoed them. Now, lawmakers rapidly are moving to approve similar bills, and Nixon says his mind has not changed. And so starts what could be a repeat performance: Republicans use their dominance in the House and Senate to pass bills that Nixon vetoes while trusting that House leaders won’t be able to pluck off the minimum of three Democratic votes necessary to override the veto. … In both instances, the legislation under consideration this year is similar to last year’s version. … 

“A clash between Republicans and Democrats over a voter photo ID requirement has become a regular occurrence at the state Capitol. Republican legislators in 2006 passed a photo ID requirement that was signed into law by Republican then-Gov. Matt Blunt. However, the Missouri Supreme Court later struck it down as unconstitutional. Meanwhile, Nixon made much of his opposition to the workplace discrimination legislation last year, announcing his veto at a rally in St. Louis instead of in a more typical statement. … At the same time, Republicans have criticized Nixon over economic development and job creation heading into the November elections.” http://bit.ly/AjZ4Gy

#MOSen — ‘McCaskill draws some Republican supporters,’ KC Star: “Two prominent Republicans were among three dozen civic and political supporters of Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill who met in Kansas City last Monday to hear her plans for re-election. Both are top officials at Kansas City Southern, where the meeting took place. One was company Chairman Michael Haverty. The other was the meeting’s host, KCS Executive Vice President Warren Erdman, who used to be chief of staff to former Republican Sen. Kit Bond. … Erdman, who supports Mitt Romney in the GOP presidential primary contest and backed former Sen. Jim Talent - now a Romney policy advisor - over McCaskill in 2006, said he normally votes Republican. But he was making ‘an exception’ this year, he said, because the atmosphere on Capitol Hill has become ‘too cable news-driven.’ … Erdman said that he appreciated McCaskill efforts to work across the aisle on issues. One of his particular concerns is reforming entitlement programs, like Social Security and Medicare. Erdman said that he and McCaskill agree that the solution has to include tax reform to generate revenue.” http://bit.ly/xYiWxB

CONTRACEPTIVES DEBATE — ‘McCaskill: New contraceptives deal a ‘win-win’,’ PoliticMo: “U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill…  said she covering contraceptives will save insurance companies money, and believes the new rule is a ‘compromise’ that addresses both religious and health care concerns. ‘I think it’s a win-win, and I don’t know why in the world everyone can’t come togather and acknowledge that,’ she said. McCaskill said she feels the issue is being used as a ‘political football,’ and challenged institutions supportive of reducing the number of abortions to back the new rule. ‘There is no other way to bring down the number of abortions in this country than available and affordable birth control for women who want it,’ McCaskill said.” http://bit.ly/yy5Vkl

INFOGRAPHIC worth a click: ‘Where Americans Most Depend on Government Benefits,’ from the New York Times. Take a look at southeast Missouri, in particular. http://nyti.ms/xiEa06

GOOD MONDAY MORNING, and (severely?) welcome to this Monday morning. Send your tips, comments, and scoops to eli@politicmo.com. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Brian Hook… 

SEN. ROY BLUNT addresses the Heritage Foundation this morning in Washington. Later in the day, he’ll join GOP Senators at a press conference reacting to President Obama’s budget. 

REP. RUSS CARNAHAN will be in Creve Coeur this afternoon to participate in a Legion of Honor Presentation to St. Louis WWII vets. 

FLOODING RECOVERY — A big day in Columbia this weekend, when top officials visited to discuss levee recovery across the state following last year’s floods: 

+ ‘Nixon announces $1.28 million for levee repair,’ PoliticMo: “Saturday, Nixon announced more than $1.28 million in community development block grants to help rebuild levees, roads, and drainage ditches along the river. … The funds will be distributed between six districts: $77,000 to the Atchison County Special Road District; $361,549 to the Phelps City Special Road District; $137,112 to the North Nishnabotna Drainage District; $74,237 to the Phelps City Dyke & Drainage District; $221,312 to the Holt County Levee District #9; and $414,907 to the Canon Drainage District. The governor’s office said the funds will help the districts cover the 20 percent local cost share required under the Army Corps of Engineers’ maintenance program, or the entire cost if the district is not receiving assistance form the Corps.” http://bit.ly/w7TbuH

+ ‘Blunt, Luetkemeyer concerned about Corps’ funding without earmarks,’ PoliticMo: “Due to a continuing moratorium in Congress, lawmakers may have a tougher time directing funds to their districts. Some lawmakers fear the biggest funding challenge will be appropriating money for projects by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, like the ones along the Missouri river following flooding last year. ‘Funding is going to be a problem,’ said U.S. Rep. Blaine Leuktemeyer, R-Columbia, to a group of Missouri River and levee stakeholders in Columbia. Before the ban, if a lawmaker wanted to direct funds to a Corps project, like several needing to happen along the Missouri river, they could simply add an amendment to an appropriations bill to do so. But now, under an extended ban on earmarks, the ability to fund projects is based on a competitive process. … 

“U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D., disagrees that earmarks should be needed to fund river projects. McCaskill, who has recently led the fight in Congress to ban earmarks permanently, said she feels the state will be better served in competing for federal funds, instead of the fund going to other states home to powerful appropriators. ‘Here’s the dirty little secret: If we did projects along the river based on need, last time I looked, Missouri had more than its share of rivers,’ she said in an interview. ‘Missouri is going to be just fine getting funding for our water projects if we do it on need, and we’ll quit funding projects that aren’t needed.’ … 

“While the group is split on earmarks, they are in agreement about what they feel the number one priority of the corp should be. Each lawmaker, in speeches to the association, said the corp should prioritize flood control in their efforts moving forward. McCaskill and Blunt established the Missouri River Working Group in congress, and are joined by every lawmaker from Missouri. Nixon has repeatedly met with a group of governors from river states. Both groups have reiterated their hope that the corps will focus on flood control.” http://bit.ly/yheJaN 

EDUCATION — ‘MSA Senate supports Missouri bill that would raise cigarette tax, use revenue for higher education,’ Mizzou’s Maneater: “The Missouri Students Association Senate passed a bill Wednesday in support of a higher cigarette tax in Missouri. The bill supported using the funds from the higher tax for state education. The MSA bill supports legislation in the Missouri House of Representatives that would increase the state cigarette tax from 17 cents to 89 cents, generating $400 million in revenue that would go to Missouri education. … The bill’s author David Vaughn spoke first, highlighting statistics included in the legislation. Missouri currently has the lowest tobacco tax in the country at 17 cents, well below the national average of $1.46. … The increased cigarette tax would put Missouri right in the middle of cigarette taxes of bordering states. Of the eight states that border Missouri, four would have a higher cigarette tax and four would have a lower cigarette tax.” http://bit.ly/yaZrud

— OPTICS: ‘Mo. system upgrades HQ as campus repairs on hold,’ AP: “The University of Missouri system is renovating its administrative headquarters at the same time officials cite nearly $37 million in critical campus repairs. The Columbia Daily Tribune … reports that the four-campus system is tapping savings for the $1.5 million worth of University Hall renovations. The repairs include asbestos removal, new carpet, new ceilings and a teleconference center. A university spokesman says the project’s primary goal is to make improvements necessary under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The project also includes a security camera installation and other upgraded safety measures.” http://apne.ws/wQW1dF

‘WELCOME HOME’ — ‘Calls grow for ticker-tape parade to honor veterans from Iraq War,’ The Hill: “A ticker-tape parade for the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants on Tuesday has helped spark a growing national debate over how veterans coming back from the Iraq War should be honored. … New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that New York isn’t holding a parade at this time because Pentagon officials told the city they don’t want to have one with troops still fighting in Afghanistan.

“But a parade for veterans held two weeks ago in St. Louis, which drew tens of thousands of people, has launched a movement for more parades across the country. Craig Schneider and Tom Appelbaum, two St. Louis men who had not served in the military, organized the St. Louis parade after posting the idea on a Facebook group and growing support there. Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.), who represents St. Louis and attended the parade, called it “a stunning display of patriotism and gratitude for our returning troops from Iraq. … Appelbaum said that since the parade, he’s received inquiries from citizens and officials in 20 cities across the country, from Tucson to Philadelphia to San Antonio, to hold parades of their own. He thinks New York should also hold one.” http://bit.ly/xVU2gb

EDITORIALs — 

+ ‘Earmark ban deserves passage,’ Kansas City Star: “Missouri congressman Todd Akin got $3.3 million in federal earmarks for improvements to a highway near nine acres in suburban St. Louis that he’s planning to develop. Now, there may be nothing wrong with this. After all, it’s inevitable that with 535 members of Congress, some will occasionally suggest projects that might look to be of personal benefit. … But it looks bad. And it looks particularly bad when the funding is obtained outside the normal checks and balances of an established government formula, outside established priorities. … 

“The people have a right to expect that their tax dollars will be wisely and prudently spent and not appear to be handed out as favors or for personal gain. Earmarks, even when directed at worthy causes, always look as if they fail to meet those standards. The solution? Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri is seeking 11 more votes to pass a permanent ban she’s co-sponsoring on federal earmarks. It’s time Congress end this questionable and unwise earmark process and back her bill.” http://bit.ly/zMXZrE

+ Jasper County GOP Chair John Putnam sent out a press release Friday afternoon hoping to “send a message” to the Missouri GOP: “There have been mixed messages about what Republican voters nationwide and in Missouri want from the 2012 Presidential selection process.  But the voters in Jasper County have made one thing abundantly clear: Regardless of the current leader in the polls, the state Republican Party organization in Missouri and our high elected officials who have been aggressively championing the candidacy of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney are clearly out of touch with the grassroots party base.  I believe that Republican’s nationwide will unite behind the Party nominee because of the failed record of Barak Obama.  However, if the Party wants an energetic, aggressive Get-Out-The-Vote effort from their grassroots base, Mitt Romney is clearly not that guy.  I have grave concerns that if Mitt Romney is our nominee, he could become the next John McCain or Bob Dole and lead us to defeat.”