News in Brief

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Great Southern Bancorp announces 2-for-1 split|ret||ret||tab|

Great Southern Bancorp Inc., the holding company of Great Southern Bank, announced a two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100 percent stock dividend payable June 1 to shareholders of record as of May 17.|ret||ret||tab|

Great Southern shareholders received a dividend of one share of stock for every share held on the record date, and fractional shares were paid in cash. The dividend was paid in authorized, but unissued, shares of the company's common stock.|ret||ret||tab|

"This stock split underscores the board's confidence that our strong performance will continue," said Great Southern President and CEO Joseph W. Turner, in a news release. "It also makes our stock more attractive and affordable for individual investors, which will broaden the ownership base of our company and potentially provide more liquidity for our stock."|ret||ret||tab|

Par value of Great Southern stock remains at 1 cent. The number of shares outstanding at the time of the split increased from about 6.85 million to about 13.7 million.|ret||ret||tab|

Great Southern Bancorp's stock has split two other times since going public in 1989. A three-for-one stock split was declared July 1, 1994, when GSBC stock was trading for $44.75 per share, and a two-for-one stock split was announced Oct. 1, 1996, when it was trading for $30 per share. |ret||ret||tab|

In 1989, at the time of its initial public offering, GSBC stock traded for $9 per share. GSBC stock closed May 26 at $55.40 per share.|ret||ret||tab|

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Rockaway Beach gambling issue set for Aug. 3 ballot|ret||ret||tab|

Secretary of State Matt Blunt on May 24 certified the Rockaway Beach initiative petition that would authorize a vote on the issue of locating floating gambling facilities on the White River. |ret||ret||tab|

Gov. Bob Holden has called a special election for Aug. 3 in which voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution to allow gambling at Rockaway Beach. |ret||ret||tab|

The ballot language is as follows: |ret||ret||tab|

"Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to authorize floating gambling facilities on or adjacent to the White River in Rockaway Beach, Missouri, to be licensed and regulated consistent with all other floating facilities in the state of Missouri, with 50 percent of the state revenues generated in the current year to be used for uniform salary supplement grants to all high quality teachers employed in priority schools, and the remaining state revenues generated in the current year to be distributed to all priority school districts on a per pupil basis for capital improvements to education facilities? |ret||ret||tab|

"This constitutional amendment will generate annual direct gaming revenue ranging from $39.9 to $49 million for the state and $10.2 to $12.4 million for the local government, subject to local voter approval and licensing by the State Gaming Commission. The amount of indirect revenue or expense, if any, is unknown."|ret||ret||tab|

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Lathrop & Gage expands governmental relations|ret||ret||tab|

The law firm of Lathrop & Gage LC is launching an expanded government relations practice group, leveraging its experience and expertise with federal, state and local governments.|ret||ret||tab|

As part of this initiative, the firm has bolstered its presence in Washington, D.C., and assumed lead sponsorship of the Missouri-Kansas Forum. The forum holds regular breakfasts in Washington, bringing Missouri and Kansas businesspeople to meet their federal representatives.|ret||ret||tab|

Earlier this year, Lathrop & Gage merged with Craft Fridkin & Rhyne, which added high-profile government relations attorneys to its roster.|ret||ret||tab|

The government relations practice group provides counsel in five key areas: congressional relations, administration and regulatory affairs, government contracting, election law and political advocacy, and state and local representation.|ret||ret||tab|

"Government relations expedites problem solving, not only for our clients, but also our communities through jobs, safety and business," said Jack Craft, head of the practice group, in a news release.|ret||ret||tab|

The government relations team comprises 35 attorneys from the firm's seven offices, among them former lobbyists, speechwriters, political consultants and city attorneys, as well as two current Kansas state senators. Local attorneys in governmental relations are Kristoffer Barefield, Tamara F. de Wild, Frank M. Evans III, M. Douglas Harpool and Randell D. Wallace.|ret||ret||tab|

Overall, members of the group have worked in a variety of government agencies, including U.S. Tax Court, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Environmental Protection Agency, Missouri Attorney General's Office, Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Kansas City Planned Industrial Authority. |ret||ret||tab|

Lathrop & Gage LC is a full-service law firm with offices in Kansas City, St. Louis, Jefferson City, Springfield, Overland Park, Kan., Boulder, Colo., and Washington, D.C.|ret||ret||tab|

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