Cape Girardeau council approves three-month legislative consulting agreement with Wayne Wallingford

The Cape Girardeau City Council approved a resolution authorizing a three-month professional services agreement with Wayne Wallingford to monitor legislation and committee hearings in Jefferson City and report back to city staff and council.

City staff said the agreement is intended to give Cape Girardeau earlier, more specific information about bills and hearings that could affect the city. "Entering into this agreement in order to obtain services to monitor legislation and committee hearings and report to the city" was cited as a primary purpose of the contract.

Council members who spoke in favor described Wallingford's background in state government and said the arrangement is designed to coordinate with the city's elected representatives rather than replace them. One council member noted Wallingford's service in both chambers of the Missouri legislature and his recent role as director of the Department of Revenue, saying, "The man knows the state budget inside and out." Another emphasized the need for consistent communication and asked for regular reports from the consultant so council and staff can coordinate with state lawmakers.

City staff said the agreement is intended as a consulting relationship rather than hiring a registered lobbyist; the contract term shown in the meeting is three months with a later assessment to determine continuation. Council members requested that Wallingford coordinate with the city's elected officials and with staff so his work supplements existing advocacy rather than duplicates it.

The motion to approve Bill 25-23 carried on a voice vote; council members said "aye" and no opposition was recorded.

The council discussed follow-up steps including regular written reports from Wallingford and meetings with the city’s legislative delegation ahead of future legislative sessions.