Missouri lawmakers began to mold next year’s debate Monday with their wish list of proposals.

The 2009 legislative session doesn’t start until Jan. 7, but lawmakers could begin shaping the subjects of their debates as early as today.
Today marks the start of pre-filing, the first day state representatives and senators can submit their bills for the first regular session of the 95th General Assembly.

The black cloud that’s hovering over the American economy could translate into a blue Christmas for many families.
Shoppers aren’t leaning toward giving lumps of coal, though.
Think more along the lines of toothbrushes.

Flocks of the waistline-conscious filed down St. Joseph’s Riverwalk Thursday morning with visions of cranberry sauce and yams dancing in their heads. With the fowl meal looming, local service organizations invited diners to wobble before they gobbled at the third annual Turkey Trot.

Thanksgiving travelers going over 802 of the state’s worst bridges this year will know it when they see fresh signs that read “Safe & Sound.”
The signs mark progress after more than a year of the project’s near standstill.
The initiative slated 157 of Northwest Missouri’s bridges for improvements, including 12 in Buchanan County.

Pre-filing legislative proposals in Jefferson City starts Dec. 1, but a St. Joseph representative already has released his wish list.
Among the bills Rep. Dr. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, said he intended to submit next week was a bill to reform to the state’s certificate of need process, which incoming hospitals and certain medical services must undergo before they can operate.
The inclusion of such reform aimed at increasing competition ruffled the feathers of the hospital community enough in 2008 to halt consideration of Gov. Matt Blunt’s Insure Missouri proposal to offer health insurance to more Missourians.
Interestingly enough, Dr. Schaaf said the reforms would make the process "less political."

A local doctor whom voters re-elected to the Missouri House of Representatives could receive different attention from the Legislature’s new leadership.
With one of Rep. Dr. Rob Schaaf’s biggest supporters, House Speaker Rod Jetton, term-limited and stepping down, even the St. Joseph Republican said he is unsure of his future status as a committee chairman and what momentum his hospital competition advocacy will have in 2009.
“I don’t know,” Dr. Schaaf said several times.

A special legislative session to hasten winter utility bill assistance remains on the table.

Missouri Senate Republicans have chosen a new leader from St. Joseph who likely will resist the governor-elect’s biggest campaign promise.
The GOP caucus tapped Sen. Charlie Shields to replace Sen. Mike Gibbons, of Kirkwood, as the new Senate president pro tem — a position referred to as the second most powerful in state politics.
“It’s very significant for St. Joseph to have him in that position. He is uniquely aware of issues that affect us up here,” said Mike Chester, president of the Northwest Missouri Republican Club. “It’s a bright spot after a rough election.”

As of 3:45 p.m., Missouri Senate Republicans have selected a St. Joseph man to serve as the next president pro tem. The Senate majority floor leader since 2005, Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, will replace Mike Gibbons, of Kirkwood.