Monday, August 28, 2017
Cup of Civility
Post Dispatch’s Ashley Jost reports: National conservative mega donor Foster Friess grabbed coffee with controversial Missouri state Sen. Maria Chapelle-Nadal Sunday in an effort to "return to civility." The two popped into MoKaBe's, a coffee shop next to Tower Grove Park, after attending church in Ferguson together Sunday. Friess flew in earlier in the morning on his private plane for the occasion.
It's all part of Friess' “Return to Civility” campaign. The businessman urged his followers this week to "grab a cup of coffee with someone you don’t agree with."
What It Means: Perfect photo op for Chappelle-Nadal to show that she’s “civil” and can play nice with those on the right side of the ideological spectrum as she seeks to redefine her image. Unlikely to change her situation, but doesn’t hurt it either.
Meanwhile
One capitol veteran opines on whether Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal would lose her pension if she’s expelled. “If she thinks MOSERs is going to cut her a check I have some land for sale. ‘Any public official . . . who has been removed from office ... shall be disqualified from receiving any pension from the state of Missouri.’ She will have to hire an attorney and she will most likely lose…”
Martin Takes Dig at Hawley and Danforth
Ed Martin’s weekend tweet (see it here) sent shivers through Republican circles still suffering Akin-induced PTSD, and giggles through the Democratic circles. “If @HawleyMO can't denounce failed Danforth hit on @realDonaldTrump, he shouldn't run against @clairecmc. #mosen”
The big question: is this an ingratiating tweet to demonstrate his loyalty to Trump, or is it a prelude to Martin, himself, jumping into the race?
And
Jo Mannies mentions “Danforth had campaigned for @EagleEdMartin in his unsuccessful bid for Congress…”
Senate 30 Bits
One MOScout reader watching the Senate 30 jockeying offers two nuggets… First, a statement: Rep. Sonya Anderson is definitely running for that Senate seat. And second, a question: why am I writing about former Rep. Eric Burlison changing districts when the same case could be made for former Rep. Lincoln Hough to change districts? “More of Lincolns district was in the 30th than was Eric's, plus until recently, Lincoln actually listed his residence as one in the 30th (Commercial St). Additionally, Eric is widely known as more conservative and a better fit for the 20th. Lincoln is more moderate and a better fit for the 30th... “
Let the jockeying continue…
And
A different Senate 30 observer reminds me that the district is not totally out reach for Dems, depending how Republicans play it. This person concedes that the Dem bench is not particularly strong in the district, but says Rep. Crystal Quade or Craig Hosmer could make Republicans nervous.
Trump to Springfield
President Donald Trump is coming to Springfield on Wednesday as part of his public roll-out of tax reform.
KCStar reports that most of the state’s top Republicans will be at the appearance including Senator Roy Blunt, Governor Eric Greitens, Lieutenant Governor Mike Parson, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Speaker Todd Richardson. But “Attorney General Josh Hawley… will be on a week-long family vacation when Trump visits, according to his spokeswoman.”
Springfield Hearts Trump?
I haven’t polled Springfield lately, but a few weeks ago we did do a southwest Missouri poll (in Senate 32). President Donald Trump’s approval rating there was 77%, almost 30 points higher than his statewide approval numbers (48%) a week ago.
Transgender Candidate Against Hartzler
Columbia Tribune reports that a transgender woman, “Jenna Marie Bourgeois, of Lebanon organized a committee to raise money [to run against Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler] on July 31… Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, will be seeking her fifth term in 2018. In July, she narrowly lost a House vote to bar the Defense Department from paying for gender reassignment treatments. Trump picked up the issue and issued his directive reversing a policy allowing transgender people to openly serve that was implemented in 2016…” See it here.
The July 30 MOScout poll asked Missourians their opinion on the transgender issue. While the urban expressed positive support for allowing transgender individuals in the military, overall Missourians were slightly opposed.
Q: Do you support or oppose allowing transgender individuals to serve in the United States military?
Support: 43%
Oppose: 47%
Not sure: 10%
The Continuing PAC World Debate
MOScout reader replies on the issue of funneling contributions through PACs to exceed the contribution limits imposed by Amendment 2…
The person who responded on the pass through on campaign contribution makes a point but has missed an "or".
This is the language: No contribution shall be made or accepted, directly or indirectly, in a fictitious name, in the name of another person, or by or through another person in such a manner as to conceal the identity of the actual source of the contribution or the actual recipient. Any person who receives contributions for a committee shall disclose to that committee's treasurer, deputy treasurer or candidate the recipient's own name and address and the name and address of the actual source of each contribution such person has received for that committee.
She/he is focusing on: No contribution shall be made or accepted . . . as to conceal the identity of the actual source of the contribution or the actual recipient…
When she/he should be focusing on: No contribution shall be made or accepted . . . as to conceal the identity of the actual source of the contribution or the actual recipient…
If you are setting up these PACs to launder money that is concealing the actual recipient when you give it to a PAC with the intention to just pass it through.
Clay County Throwdown
Former Rep. Jerry Nolte and former Sen. Luann Ridgeway are commissioners in Clay County. And they don’t get along.
Here’s an abridged version from Nolte’s recent Facebook post: This Monday’s meeting is one of Commissioner Ridgeway’s infamous “Combined Sessions”, where she bulldozes changes in law before you the citizens know what happened. She will introduce 2017-ORD-30 which eliminates the ability for any Commissioner to place an item on the agenda. She bestows almost unlimited power to the unelected County Administrator going forward. This is the same as not allowing your State Representatives or Senators to introduce legislation without permission of the bureaucracy… Commissioner Ridgeway’s powerplay can only happen if you, The People, let it happen. Our democratic process only works if citizens are engaged by attending meetings, writing letters or e-mails and calling… It is just another step toward a Jackson County Style Charter form of government, but without a vote or discussion by the people…
Calzone Suits Updates
Non-registered lobbyist Ron Calzone filed lawsuits just before summer asking the courts to overturn various separate legislative actions. Calzone’s targets are: 2016’s SB 665, 2016’s SB638, and SCR4 from the most recent regular session. It looks like these are moving forward slowly.
From Casenet last week: “Defendant by Atty Welch. AAG Atty Lewis. Ronald Calzone Acting Pro-Se. 1st motion due in 60 days. Reply brief due in 30 days. Either party may reply in 15 days. Parties present argument and the case is taken under advisement. Case set for status review 12/1/2017 at 9 am. This is a law day docket only and not a day on which trials and hearings will be conducted…”
Bits
Former Rep. Connie Johnson reports on Facebook that she’s coming back to St. Louis to work for Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones.
Did Russians try to hack Missouri? We don’t know, maybe won’t ever know... Read it here. The federal government has not notified U.S. state election officials if their voting systems were targeted by suspected Russian hackers during the 2016 presidential campaign, and the information will likely never be made public, a top state election chief told Reuters… The lack of information-sharing on the election breaches reflects the difficulty state and federal officials have had in working together to protect U.S. voting from cyber threats. All U.S. elections are run by state and local governments, which have varying degrees of technical competence. DHS told Congress in June that 21 states were targeted during the 2016 presidential race, and that while a small number were breached, there was no evidence any votes were manipulated...
St. Louis City’s minimum wage get knocked back down today. See the story here. “[E]mployers face the uncomfortable choice of keeping a higher payroll or cutting employee wages back to a lower minimum. Some do plan to reduce wages, but many are planning to keep the raise for the time being…”
New Committees
Citizens For Porter was formed. It’s a candidate committee for Katee Porter, running for recorder of deeds in Clay County as a Republican.
Help Wanted
The St. Louis Regional Chamber seeks Manager, Advocacy & Member Engagement. “The primary purpose of the Manager Advocacy and Member Engagement position is to help inform, energize, engage and mobilize St. Louis Regional Chamber members regarding the Chamber’s public policy and advocacy activities. This position will support the Chamber’s active involvement in public policy discussions and advocacy campaigns that affect the regional business and civic community…” See it here.
St. Louis Community College seeks Executive Director of Strategic Plan Initiatives & Government & Community Relations. “Serves as a member of the Leadership Team. Responsible for administering and interpreting the policies and procedures of the College as they relate to the execution of Strategic Plan Initiatives, federal and state grants, and governmental relations at the state and local levels… Provides leadership for Governmental Affairs at the State and local levels. Coordinates such activities with the Chancellor and MCCA officials as applicable. Works with the state legislature during the legislative session to formulate, track and support legislation favorable to the community college and to secure funding and support. Apprises College leadership of significant legislation affecting higher education. Maintains and encourages campus contact with legislators and members of congress on a year-round basis and develops strategies to support ongoing college contact….” See it here.
Lobbyists Registrations
Adam Davis added Missouri Association of Realtors.
Kathryn Reichard added Mo Coalition For Community Behavioral Healthcare; and deleted Missouri Dental Association.
$5K+ Contributions
Property Casualty Insurers Association of America Political Account - $41,479 from Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.
New Approach Missouri - $16,500 from Missouri Essentials LLC.
Midwest Region Laborers’ Political League Education Fund - $7,570 from Laborers Supplemental Dues Fund.
House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from Fitzpatrick for House.
House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $5,130 from Friends of Glen Kolkmeyer.
House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $15,000 from The Doe Run Company.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Shamed Dogan, former speaker John Diehl, and Percy Green.