Tagged: Steven Tilley

(Click on the link to hear Marshall Griffin's exclusive interview with Tilley)

The only major Republican contender in the Missouri Lt. Governor’s race has dropped out.

Steven Tilley of Perryville made the surprise announcement today (Thursday) to fellow House Republicans and to the media.  He says he made the decision after realizing that he wants to be a normal person again.

“It wasn’t in my heart to do it, I just didn’t have the fire in the belly," Tilley said.  "I started out because I wanted to do it, but I’ve sacrificed a lot to myself financially and to my family, and I’m comfortable…it’s a load off my shoulders and I’m excited to move into a new chapter.”

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has signed legislation directing state money to help new companies doing business in science or technology fields.

The measure signed Friday creates a fund to offer incentives to companies that conduct research or make products related to agricultural biotechnology, veterinary medicine, biochemistry, forestry, homeland security, information technology and pharmaceuticals. The fund would be overseen by the Missouri Technology Corp.

The head of the Missouri Senate has announced he’s going to pull the plug on the special legislative session next week.

President Pro-tem Rob Mayer (R, Dexter) believes it’s too late to pass any kind of economic development bill before the session expires in two weeks.  Despite Thursday’s move by the Missouri House to appoint lawmakers to negotiate a final version of the wide-ranging tax credit bill, Mayer says any agreement must include 7-year expiration dates, or sunsets, on historic preservation and low income housing tax credits.