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KBIA's coverage of all the elections going on in mid-Missouri and the nation for 2012.

Arguments heard in health care exchange debate on ballot language

Arguments were heard Friday on whether a temporary restraining order should be issued against Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan over language she approved for a ballot initiative regarding health care exchanges. Lt. Governor Peter Kinder and Republican lawmakers say the initiative is designed to block the governor from creating an exchange by executive order.

The wording approved by Carnahan asks, in part, whether the law should, quote, “deny individuals, families and small businesses the ability to access affordable health care.” Attorney Jeremiah Morgan argued for Carnahan that the language is accurate: “There’s no question that efforts are being made to undermine the federal Affordable health Care Act, and whether we, as a policy matter or a political matter, we agree with or do not agree with (it), this summary is attempting to do that.”

An attorney for the plaintiffs argued that a restraining order is needed to block Carnahan from certifying the ballot summary before a full hearing on the merits of the case can be held. That hearing is scheduled August 28th, the same day the Secretary of State is scheduled to order Missouri’s ballots printed for the November general election. Judge Daniel Green was expected to issue a ruling Friday, but he did not.

Missouri Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a proud alumnus of the University of Mississippi (a.k.a., Ole Miss), and has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off the old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Mason, and their cat, Honey.
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