Mel Hancock Enshrined In Hall of Famous Missourians May 15, 2014

— A southwestern Missouri man who led a petition effort to limit state revenue and local taxes was inducted Wednesday into the state Capitol’s Hall of Famous Missourians.
Mel Hancock was a businessman when he sought a Missouri constitutional amendment voters passed in 1980. Now known as the “Hancock Amendment,” the measure establishes a state revenue limit, bars state government from imposing unfunded mandates on local governments and requires voter approval for local tax increases.

When revenue exceeds the cap, tax refunds are triggered. It happened regularly from 1995 to 1999 when $972 million was refunded to taxpayers.

Hancock later served four terms in Congress and built a reputation as a fiscal and social conservative. He died in November 2011.

The Hall of Famous Missourians is a collection of bronze busts that honor people generally chosen by the House speaker that are displayed between the House and Senate chambers. Among those already included are President Harry Truman, Walt Disney, Mark Twain, George Washington Carver, Betty Grable and Ginger Rogers.

House Speaker Tim Jones selected Hancock for inclusion and said Hancock’s vision and leadership have helped put Missouri onto the right path.

Who Is Your Pick for Missouri’s Hall of Fame? August 22, 2013

So who do you think should be in Missouri’s Hall of Famous Missourians at the state capitol?
Missouri House Speaker says he’s opening up the nominating process for two of the next three inductees.
Two years ago, the inclusion of conservative radio commentator Rush Limbaugh, a Missouri native, touched on a controversy.
Former House Speaker Steve Tilley made that selection.
There are more than 40 bronze busts of well known Missourians placed in the halls of the Capitol. They include former President Harry Truman, Mark Twain and Walt Disney.
Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones says he wants too know who Missourians want to add to that list.
““During my time as a member of the Missouri House I have heard from citizens from all around this state who have strong opinions about great Missourians that should be included in the Hall,” Jones said in a statement.
Jones says Missourians can nominate someone online at http://www.house.mo.gov from now until September 13.
He says they will develop a Top 10 List for another vote.
The speaker expects to select two of the nominees off that list. The final voting will close on October 13.
He will make a decision on the third inductee.
The Speaker’s news release notes, “To visit the Hall of Famous Missourians inductee nomination page directly, please visit http://www.house.mo.gov/FamousMissourianSuggestions.aspx. Suggestions will be accepted until Friday, September 13. Voting will conclude Sunday, October 13”.

Limbaugh Bust Installed at Hall of Famous Missourians May 14, 2012

(AP) – Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh has been inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians.

Limbaugh, a native of Cape Girardeau, was honored Monday during a ceremony at the Missouri Capitol that was open to the media but not the general public.

As a member of the Hall of Famous Missourians, Limbaugh will have a bronze bust displayed in the Capitol alongside the likes of President Harry Truman, Mark Twain, Walt Disney, George Washington Carver and Stan Musial.

Republican Missouri House Speaker Steven Tilley selected Limbaugh for the honor but kept the timing of the ceremony secret until shortly before it was to start. Tilley has been trying to avoid a public spectacle for the event after Limbaugh’s selection was criticized by Democrats, some women’s groups and other political opponents.

35K Anti Rush Petitions Delivered to Speaker’s Office March 28, 2012

(AP) – Women’s rights groups say they’ve delivered petitions bearing 35,000 signatures to the speaker of the Missouri House opposing his plan to induct Rush Limbaugh into the Hall of Famous Missourians.

About 200 people from abortion rights and women’s groups rallied at the Capitol on Wednesday. The groups say talk radio host showed disrespect to women last month when he described a law student as a “slut” and “prostitute.” Limbaugh has since apologized for his language.

House Speaker Steven Tilley, a Republican from Perryville, confirmed earlier this month that he has commissioned a bronze bust of Limbaugh to be placed among other honorees inside the Capitol.

Tilley says Limbaugh is an important, if controversial, figure in Missouri’s history. Limbaugh is from Cape Girardeau.

Missouri Democrats Want to Change the Rules on Who Gets In Capitol Hall of Famous Missourians March 15, 2012

The fallout from the Rush Limbaugh bust controversy continues.
Today House Democrats in Jefferson City proposed changing the rules for who gets in to the ‘Hall of Famous Missourians’.
This developed because of the controversy over remarks made by Missouri native, conservative broadcaster Rush Limbaugh.
Now, it is up to the Speaker of the Missouri House to determine who gets in. The Democrats describe it as an institution that doesn’t legally exist. The House Speaker decides who is included. traditionally, the Speaker then raises the money to have a bust sculpted and placed in the state capitol.
Noteworthy Missourians with busts in the capitol include Mark Twain, Omar Bradley and former President Harry Truman.
Under the Democrat’s’ plan, the screening panel would be expanded. In order to achieve the honor, a nominee would have to get the votes of three of the four following officials; the Speaker; The Senate president pro tem; House minority leader and Senate minority leader.
Democrats say they’ll try to attach this plan to a bill already making its way the legislature.
Earlier, Democrats asked the state’s Office of Administration to deny providing space for any Limbaugh bust.