Senator Jack Goodman Files

BransonEdge: "What's the difference between an interrogation and an interview.

Sam Clanton: "A hot bulb, which can easily be replaced with the flash of a camera"

Journalism is a dangerous game. Once I covered a story about a fire in Hollister. The chief inspector called it arson, the homeowner called it an accident. I didn't have any backup and the woman was complaining because no one wanted to rent to her after the incident. Luckily, the investigator stood by the verbal comment. I didn't sleep that night.
I know senators who are scared out of their gourds to speak with the press...they studder and filter themselves to the nth degree. Why? They've been taken out of context and misquoted. New rule - If at all possible publish source documents. Its a matter of ethics and integrity.
Following my own advice, I'm publishing some of the audio files I've reported on over the last couple of years. Often, I'll pull a story from a series of four or five interviews. It's time consuming and a double edge sword but it can make all the difference in the world when it comes to a dispute.

Click on the links in this post to hear an interview with Senator Goodman

We cover Senate Bill 64 - Castle Doctrine - Parental Rights and more.

Branson School District to roll back taxes - Branson Missouri Hero of the Hour

The Taney County Times editor Kurt Lewis reported an increase in the Branson R4 School District valuation means a tax approved by voters in April will likely be rolled back. To stay competitive, the Branson area school district massively increased teacher salaries and levied a tax to keep Branson schools at the top of Missouri's list of best school districts.
The Branson R4 school district has long been recognized as one of the finest in the state. Funding from Branson bustling tourism economy makes this possible. Because Branson R4 schools receive more than 50% of their funding locally, they have no-fault status - which some speculated was the reason the tax increase was necessary.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts and low property valuations were cited as being problematic for the district. To Superintendent Dr. Hayter's surprise, valuation increase 22% from $522 million to $637 million.
In Lewis's article, Taney County Commissioner James Strahan was cited as telling Taney County Commissioners 11% was from an increase assessed valuation and the rest of the increase was from new construction.
Most school districts with minimal commercial withing their taxing zones have to pay higher personal property taxes. Residential property means more bodies and typically defines a deficit - that is, the taxes paid on a home for a family with three kids doesn't meet the financial burden of the school. In contrast, commercial property provides funding without creating an increased burden on classroom capacity.
The R4 school district receive 75.6% of funds from local sources in 2006 - 17.2% from the state and 7.3% from Federal sources.
The 45 cent levy increase will likely be rolled back by 15 cent per $100 assessed valuation from $3.90 to %3.75

Survivor - CBS to recruit in Branson Missouri

Local Southern Missouri CBS affilliate KOLR 10 will be hosting Survivor tryouts in Branson July 9th from 10AM to 4 PM at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater on the 76 strip. Those who want to take a shot at winning the $1,000,000 prize must have their applications ready when they arrive. The applications can be downloaded from the CBS website here.

Historic Downtown Branson Map

The Historic Downtown Branson Business Owners Association HDBBOW published 15,000 maps this week for distribution in their near lakefront business district.
The map is uniquely different from the DBMA in that it has no reference to the Branson Landing, whose membership in the DBMA has concerned some business owners. A commercial for Downtown Branson, to air on regional cable, was supposed to run over the holiday weekend, however, production delays have slowed the marketing push back a week. Over 900 spots were purchased to air on On Media's regional broadcast market. On Media sales rep. Brandon Williams closed the deal with the HDBBOA a month ago. Commercial filming was completed last week.

Branson Missouri Waterfront - Free Mini-Conerts

The Branson Landing has a lot of free entertainment starting this weekend. currently, the Hilton "Boutique Hotel" on the Waterfront is sold out. The town is pumping - really busy. It should be a good show tomorrow. Best of all, the concerts are free!

July 4th - 7pm - FEATURING, SIX, ISLAND FIRE & HURRY SUNDOWN!
July 7th - 8pm - SPECIAL CONCERT BY "SIX"
July 14th - 8pm - BEST OF MOTOWN
July 18th - 2pm - 95TH DIVISION ARMY BAND
July 21st - 8pm - THE TIFFANY CHRISTOPHER BAND
July 27th - 8pm - FRIDAY Night Concert with BIG SMITH!
August 4th - 8pm - JAKE SIMPSON - 2004 WINNER OF STAR SEARCH!
August 11th - 8pm - THE THUNDERING RED ROCKETS
August 18th - 8pm - TBA
September 2nd - 6-10pm - MDA CONCERT (M-DOCK & GUESTS MILE ZERO, CARNEY & GUINN AND WALKER BOLDMAN)
September 3rd - 10am- Noon - BRANSON LANDING'S YOUNG TALENT SHOWCASE SPONSORED BY ARVEST BANK
September 9th - 6-7:30pm - SPRINGFIELD SYMPHONY WITH SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY ANDY WILLIAMS!

Matt Blunt addresses TIF Issue - (Branson Missouri and Kansas City Connection)

(Branson Missouri Rec Plex Photo Click image for full view)
Gov. Matt Blunt signed an initiative to protect Missourians from TIF's today. Tax Increment Financing = developer subsidies. Taxes are deferred to pay for the cost of infrastructure development.
Branson City Administrator Terry Dody has brought up the Kansas City situation as an example of how TIF's helped Wyandotte County Kansas and Jackson County Missouri got screwed (again).
Apparently, Wyandotte offered a TIF and Jackson County didn't. In the end, the severely depressed Kansas side of the border scored a few million in infrastructure. Soon, perhaps weeks, a casino will open on the Kansas City side of the border.
At the Lake of the Ozarks, Hammons promised to pull out of a development deal if the city refused to support a TIF.
In Branson, Rick Huffman and HCW have snagged a couple really good TIF's. They pulled a one up. Today, during a planning session, Huffman offered some property adjoining the Rec-Plex at over 100 times what it cost just years ago. The Rec-Plex is a state-of-the-art recreational facility in Branson. The city invested millions and a few hundred thousand more for roads. They had to build a road to get to the facility right? The infrastructure cost was paid through tax dollars. Next, Huffman got blighted status on this prime piece of property. Citizens benefited by getting a Wal-Mart ... yeah, lots of people upset over this one. As you can see from the photo above, which was used in a presentation today at Branson City Hall, the area was pristine. Justification for the TIF was furry animals could drink out of the natural ponds (housing vermin). Oh yeah, their were no lights in the forest...(yeah, I know). After the infrastructure was funded and the mini-Disneyland was placed on the property, a plan to build a "Senior Living Facility" was unsuccessfully put in motion. The idea didn't pan out as well as the developer might have liked. The Rec-Plex wants to expand and Huffman wants to sell the acres adjoining the Rec-Plex (see the discolored plot next to the Rec-Plex above) for a whopping 11.2 million dollars.
TIF's were initially a way to boost Missouri cities plagued by displaced industry but the legislation created a loophole that has become a carrot for developers. A lot of the time, knowing they can get it elsewhere, they won't invest in a project without one. Under the guidelines, any forest or park could be considered "blighted."
Imagine how the National Rifle Association would feel if all hunting land was marked in this manner - thus the legislation.

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Background: Kansas City, Missouri getting screwed by Kansans is a fact of nature. TIF or no TIF - KCMO would get the raw end of the deal. It happens every time.

Branson Gas Prices 4th of July Weekend - Link to Best Prices

The price of gas is a major issue in our mostly drive-to destination. Public opinion varies on the topic. Some say, including Silver Dollar City's guru of commerce that high gas prices could actually stimulate the Branson economy - Reason: the proximity of a dense population within a short distance could be encouraged to take a regional vacation instead of traveling outside the area.
If your driving to Branson this weekend you'll pay $2.34 to $3.00 a gallon. Click here to find out where the best gas prices are this weekend.