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Michael A. Rodemeyer from Hartsburg Mo on 5/28/2023 6:36:37 PM:

Did anyone notice that our beloved Mo Farm Bureau got the $70 million dollars pulled for development of this trail?

Anonymous on 5/29/2023 8:39:32 AM:

As Paul Harvey would have said, "Now for the rest of the story."

From MO Bike Fed article May 27, 2023:

AND WHAT WENT WRONG
The short and simple answer is: Senate Appropriations Chair Lincoln Hough of Springfield.

Both in 2022 and 2023, Senator Lincoln Hough of Springfield has been the key opponent of Rock Island Trail funding. In 2022, Hough was vice-chair of the Appropriations Committee and had the ear of the committee chair. In 2023, Hough was named chair of the committee, where is voice is even stronger.

Hough is personal friends with members of the key family who opposes development of Rock Island Trail State Park, and members of the family have made campaign contributions to Hough's campaign committee. If you search the July 15, 2022 "Friends Of Lincoln Hough campaign committee contributions report (local copy), it is pretty clear exactly who the family is.

THE GOOD NEWS: OPPOSITION FROM A FEW WEALTHY, POWERFUL INDIVIDUALS IS UNFORTUNATE, BUT HAVING LITTLE LONG-TERM AFFECT ON ROCK ISLAND TRAIL PLANS AND DEVELOPMENT

The good news is, the Rock Island Trail corridor is still owned by State Parks and that will not be changing any time soon.
The dynamic that is going on right now is that a few very wealthy and influential property owners along the corridor are throwing their weight around by giving significant contributions to key budget leaders and hiring lobbyists to throw a monkey wrench into progress for the trail whenever they can.

And the Missouri Farm Bureau - which earlier on opposed the trail but was keeping a low profile about it - has gained new leadership that has recently become far more active in their opposition to the trail.

Anomalous from U.S. on 5/30/2023 8:40:02 AM:

Hello,

I tried to google to find this story and nothing was found and nothing on the Missouri Farm Bureau site.

Thanks!

Anonymous on 5/30/2023 9:25:17 AM:

The article is on the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation website.

mobikefed.org

In the news...

27 May 2023: Rock Island Trail: What happened in Jefferson City this legislative session - What was lost, what was gained, what's next?

Michael A. Rodemeyer from Hartsburg Mo on 5/31/2023 11:05:19 AM:

Unfortunately big money $$$$$$$$$$$$$ now controls everything in Missouri.
The poor and politicals out of office have no say, or chance of ever being heard.

Anonymous on 5/31/2023 4:42:22 PM:

Yep....look at the money Ted Jones invested in the Katy Trail!

Douin from KT on 6/13/2023 1:48:48 PM:

Does anyone know the politics of the Hoffmans from Augusta? They bought the two bike stores and now are Kickstands. I would think pro-Rock Island trail politicians would be a good source for soliciting campaign donations from them since their businesses are benefitting somewhat from the KT now.

Reply to Rock Island Trail