MOScout Daily Update: Kolky for Accounts? - Farm Bureau for Prop D - New Ads - Kav Confirm Sinking CMC? and more...
Start with the rumors of course…
The Talk: Kolky for Accounts
Rumor is that Rep. Glen Kolkmeyer will be tapped as the new chair of the Administration and Accounts. He’ll take the place of Rep. Mike Bernskoetter, soon to be Sen. Bernskoetter.
More Talk: Justus to Run for Mayor
A good Kansas City source tells me that it’s likely Jolie Justus will be hopping back in. “Announcement next week…”
Is SCOTUS Process Sinking CMC?
From this morning’s Axios…
Top Republicans tell Jonathan Swan and me that they're seeing a surprising and widespread surge in GOP voter enthusiasm, powered largely by support for Brett Kavanaugh and his Supreme Court nomination. "The Kavanaugh debate has dropped a political grenade into the middle of an electorate that had been largely locked in Democrats' favor for the past six months," said Josh Holmes, a former top aide to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell… Missouri Rising Action, a super PAC backing Republican Josh Hawley, yesterday got back numbers from pollster Jim McLaughlin showing Hawley leading Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) by 52-44.
Hawley Launches Ad Pressing Kav Line of Attack
Hawley’s new ad is simple. He speaks to the camera in front of a black backdrop. “I’m Josh Hawley and I will fight for the Supreme Court. It’s the last line of defense for our values. It’s worth the battle.” See it here.
And
Hotline reports “OUTSIDE GROUPS: Senate Leadership Fund launched a $6.7 million ad buy across five states on TV, radio, and digital platforms Tuesday targeting Sens. Joe Donnelly (D-IN) ($1.6 million), Claire McCaskill (D-MO) ($1.9 million), Joe Manchin (D-WV) ($1 million), and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) ($350,000) as well as former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) ($1.8 million)…”
But Dems try to Talk Preexisting Conditions
This morning’s Washington Post story (see it here) focuses on McCaskill and other Dems making the preexisting conditions provision of the Affordable Care Act a centerpiece to their campaign. “After being a drag on Democratic candidates for several election cycles, President Barack Obama’s 2010 health care law is now threatening Republicans who have spent years railing against it and seeking its repeal. Hawley is one of many Republicans in key races scrambling to square their opposition to the health care overhaul with voters’ strong support for one of its most popular provisions…”
And
Cort VanOstran gets some ink in the article too. “[When he]canvassed a leafy neighborhood in upper-middle-class Glendale last week in his increasingly competitive bid to unseat three-term Republican Rep. Ann Wagner, several conservative-leaning independent and Republican voters said they would consider backing a Democrat because of the issue.”
Meanwhile
Congresswoman Ann Wagner released a new ad (see it here) that focuses on treatment of veterans.
Farm Bureau Backs Prop D, Opposes Others
Here are excerpts from the Farm Bureau press release on its ballot question endorsements. (No word on Bingo).
Amendment 1 (“Clean Missouri” redistricting and ethics changes) – OPPOSE
Proponents of Amendment 1 claim it will rein in corruption in Jefferson City and make every district competitive in redistricting for state legislature elections. Unfortunately, in practice the ethics reforms are minimal and easily skirted, while the redistricting proposal would make Missouri the most gerrymandered state in the nation…
Amendment 2, Amendment 3, and Proposition C (Medical Marijuana legalization) – OPPOSE
Three November ballot issues would legalize marijuana use in Missouri for medical purposes. Marijuana usage remains illegal under federal law, so legalizing its use under Missouri state law would put our state at odds with federal law and cause unnecessary legal problems. Missouri Farm Bureau’s members also believe that drug abuse is a significant problem in Missouri and across the United States. Increasing the supply of unregulated drugs to our society would have detrimental impacts, so our members oppose these three measures.
Proposition B (Minimum Wage increase) – OPPOSE
Mandating wage increases of 53 percent will have a huge detrimental impact on small employers and farms. It will ultimately hurt those it was intended to help, as employers will be forced to lay off workers or automate jobs due to excessive labor costs. Our members oppose Proposition B.
Proposition D (Transportation Funding) – SUPPORT
Missouri Farm Bureau members have long supported addressing the funding shortfalls for our roads and bridges. Funding for roads and bridges has not been increased in over 22 years. In that time, the value of that money has been cut in more than half by inflation and increased cost of construction materials. We now have the seventh-largest road system in the nation but are 46th in funding per mile… Whether it is for getting goods to market or our children to school, Missouri Farm Bureau members recognize the need for additional funding for Missouri’s transportation system, and are in support of Proposition D.
$175M Convention Center Rehab
From the St. Louis Business Journal: St. Louis officials on Wednesday unveiled a sweeping, $175 million plan to remake the downtown convention facility known as America’s Center, saying that upgrades in competing cities have made the move necessary… The plan, backed by St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson and St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, would see the city and county each contribute some $6 million annually in bond payments over 40 years, using funds from a 3.5 percent hotel tax passed decades ago… The state of Missouri is not involved in the plan unveiled Wednesday, though it too pays on Dome debt and may be asked to help pay for eventual renovations to that facility and the east side of America’s Center….
Follow-Up on MCM for NA MMJ Amendment
Springfield News-Leader reported that “Senator Claire McCaskill supports two of the medical marijuana issues (New Approach Missouri and Missourians for Patient Care) but does not support the For the Cures initiative backed by Springfield physician-attorney Brad Bradshaw…”
Meanwhile
New Approach dings Bradshaw’s proposal for its high tax rate… “If passed in November, Amendment 3, almost entirely funded by personal-injury attorney, Brad Bradshaw, would set the highest medical marijuana tax on patients in the entire country. In fact, Bradshaw’s proposed 15% medical marijuana sales tax is more than double that of the next highest medical marijuana sales tax of 7.25% in California…”
New Committees
Cindy Stein formed a candidate committee (Stein For Auditor) to run for Greene County Auditor as a Republican.
Lobbyists Registrations
Jerry Burch added JAG-Missouri Inc; and deleted Kincaid Communications LLC.
Zach Brunnert, Richard McIntosh, Franc Flotron, and David McCracken deleted Cisco Systems Inc.
Miles Ross deleted Missourians for a Balanced Energy Future, and Greater Springfield Home Builders Association.
$5K+ Contributions
CLEAN Missouri - $300,000 from Action Now Initiative (Houston, TX).
Yes For Our Parks - $7,500 from Open Space Council.
MO Soybean Association State PAC - $10,721 from Missouri Cattlemens Association.
A Better Missouri Political Committee - $25,800 from Anheuser-Busch Cos.
Freedom to Work - $18,379 from Liberty Alliance.
Middle Class Missouri PAC - $10,000 from Robert Blitz.
New Approach Missouri - $25,000 from Seven Points LLC.
New Approach Missouri - $8,419 from Seven Points LLC.
Raise Up Missouri - $90,000 from UFCW Local 655.
Find the Cures - $35,000 from Bradley Bradshaw.
Raise Up Missouri - $12,431 from Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to former Reps. Randy Asbury (the big 6-0) and Jerry Nolte, and John Scott.