The Missouri House raised eyebrows last week with a surprise rejection of a $336 million federal stimulus bill, but hope remains for a chance at passenger rail service to St. Joseph.

The defeated stimulus bill would have included $328,169 for the construction of a solarium at a veterans home in Cameron.

However, Northwest Missouri saw some attention in a smaller stimulus bill the House endorsed last week.

HB 21 uses about $2.4 million in federal money. The proposal slates $100,000 for a feasibility study of an Amtrak line between Kansas City and Omaha, Neb. Missouri stops would include St. Joseph, Weston and Parkville.

Rep. Dr. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, successfully amended a prior budget bill to include the Amtrak study money, but that bill now is defunct. The new bill, HB 21, from House Budget Chairman Allen Icet, included the $100,000 as part of an $11 million item for the development of high-speed intercity rail projects.

Dr. Schaaf attempted to clear up some language and move the money to a different line item in case the specific mention of the Omaha-Kansas City study precludes the Missouri Department of Transportation from being eligible for the stimulus grant. But House members rejected his motions.

The bill moves to the Senate this week.

Weston woman

on MWSU board

of governors

As Missouri Western State University attempts a more regional pull, so will its board of governors.

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Gov. Jay Nixon's nomination of a Weston woman to the St. Joseph university's governing board.

Former Gov. Matt Blunt in December recommended Diza Eskridge, a 67-year-old Democrat, to the seat, but the Senate didn't confirm the nomination before the next administration. Mr. Nixon opted to stick with Mr. Blunt's pick, a former Platte County commissioner.

"It's important we have representation from Platte County," Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, told senators during her confirmation last week in the Capitol.

He said her presence would help in the university's overall goal to appeal to a broader student base.

After being defeated in a 2000 commissioner election, Ms. Eskridge worked for the city of Weston for three years, focusing on economic development.

"As we try to make that connection between higher education and economic development, she'll be a (tremendous) asset," Mr. Shields said.

Ms. Eskridge said she earned a business degree from the University of Missouri, but she attended summer teaching classes at Western in the 1970s, Her term ends Oct. 29, 2014.

Alyson E. Raletz covers the Legislature in Jefferson City for the News-Press. She can be reached at alysonraletz@npgco.com or (573) 636-2307.