Before state Sen. Chris Koster’s shocking flip to the Democratic Party, he was the wonderboy for the Republicans. Last session, Koster jumped into the world of corporate farming by offering up SB 364. Better known as the “CAFO” bill, Koster’s bill threatened to take away control from every local government, insinuating they didn’t know what was best for their communities when it comes to large corporate farming operations.

If these stinking, asthma-forming, headache-causing, water polluting operations wanted to move close to a town near you, Koster didn’t want your local government to intervene; he preferred that the State decide.

Why? Because companies like Premium Standard Farms make large campaign contributions.

Koster defines his priorities, agenda, and “values” based on nothing but CASH. Cash that will further his own ambition, even if it comes at the detriment of Missourians.

But Missourians were on to him.

Koster thought he’d be warming up to the farming community when in reality he became a shill for the Farm Bureau. Independent farmers and local leaders showed up in droves to testify against the legislation last session. As a result of the bad publicity and the intense grassroots efforts of “local control” supporters, like the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, the bill died a quiet death.

At the same time Koster was upsetting the local farmer, he was warming up to the environmental crowd by pushing his Green Power Initiative. SB 54 passed with the intention of casting Missouri as a progressive environmental leader. But when you push past the hype, the bill had no teeth. Koster the Imposter was at it again.

The bill set voluntary targets for utility companies to use energy from renewable sources. While other states mandate the use of renewable energy sources to protect air and water quality, Koster and Governor Blunt thought a voluntary standard was best.

Is a law that you can choose to follow – or not follow – really a law?

Despite it’s green-friendly name, environmental groups did not support this bill. They mockingly called it the “Renewable Suggestions Bill”. SB 54 is the exact type of legislation that big donor utility companies like Ameren and KCP&L love.

Next time, don’t believe the spin. Wherever there’s cash, there’s Koster the Imposter.