Photos from the Day at the Capitol

Here’s a look at what happened at the MPA/AP Day at the Capitol, Feb. 9-10.

On Wednesday evening, Feb. 9, MPA held a reception for its members and legislators in the DoubleTree Hotel in Jefferson City. A good number of legislators, officeholders and other guests attended the 5-7 p.m. affair. MPA members had the opportunity to tell the legislators about the issues they are interested in.

Jack Whitaker, left, publisher of the Hannibal Courier-Post; Doug Crews, Executive Director of the Missouri Press Association; and Vicki Russell, right, publisher of the Columbia Daily Tribune, visit with Ron Berry, Director of Policy and Governmental Affairs for the Secretary of State’s Office. They were discussing possible ways to fund printing of the State Manual — the Blue Book.

State Budget Director Linda Leubbering and Deputy Commissioner Ron Lankford, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, speak during the morning session in the Senate Lounge at Day at the Capitol.

Jean Maneke, standing in the back, asks a question during the morning session of Day at the Capitol in the third floor Senate Lounge. Maneke is Missouri Press Association’s Legal Hotline counselor.

Rep. Shane Schoeller, left, R-Willard, Speaker Pro Tem of the Missouri House of Representatives, visits with AP Capitol Correspondent Chris Blank at Day at the Capitol.

State Treasurer Clint Zweifel spoke to the gathering in the Senate Lounge during the morning session of Day at the Capitol.

State Auditor Tom Schweich spoke first in the morning session of Day at the Capitol in the Senate Lounge. Schweich won the election for state auditor in November and took office several weeks ago.

Bill Miller Sr. of the Washington Missourian and Harry Gallagher visit in the hall before the morning session in the Senate Lounge. Gallagher has represented MPA interests in the Capitol for many years.

Reporter Rebecca Berg, left, of the St. Louis-Post Dispatch; reporter Rudi Keller and managing editor Jim Robertson of the Columbia Daily Tribune; and reporter/columnist Jeff Fox of the Independence Examiner listen to the governor’s remarks at Day at the Capitol.

Guests at Day at the Capitol have lunch in the Governor’s Mansion. Seated at the table at left in the foreground is Kia Breaux, left, Chief of Bureau of the AP’s Missouri/Kansas Bureau.

Guests at Day at the Capitol have lunch in the Governor’s Mansion.

Gov. Nixon shares a story during lunch in the mansion on Day at the Capitol. The governor’s wife, Georganne, is to the governor’s right. Seated with Missouri’s First Couple are MPA President Joe May and his wife, Phyllis, Mexico; Bill Miller Sr., Washington; Betty Spaar, Odessa; Vicki Russell, Columbia; and Dave Bradley, St. Joseph. Spaar, Miller, Bradley and Russell are Past Presidents of MPA.

Gov. Jay Nixon speaks in the foyer of the Governor’s Mansion during Day at the Capitol. For many years, Missouri’s governor has invited Missouri Press and AP members into the mansion early in the legislative session for lunch and a discussion of current issues.

Gov. Nixon made opening remarks before answering questions from the audience at Day at the Capitol.

MPA President Joe May listens to remarks during the afternoon session with legislative leaders in the Governor’s Mansion.

After lunch, a crowd of reporters and editors listened to comments by the governor and some of the legislative leaders from both parties.

Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, Assistant Minority Floor Leader, takes her turn at the lecturn after lunch in the Governor’s Mansion. Other House and Senate leaders who participated were, from the left: Rep. Mike Colona, D-St. Louis City, Minority Whip; Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, President Pro Tem; and Rep. Shane Schoeller, R-Willard, Speaker Pro Tem.