Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Michael Steelman to Catalyst
Michael Steelman is joining the Catalyst lobbying firm. The statement (below) notes his involvement in Eric Greitens’ campaign. It does not mention Steelman’s parents – David and Sarah Steelman – who have emerged this cycle as a bona fide power couple. Former treasurer Sarah Steelman is on Treasurer-elect Eric Schmitt’s transition team. David Steelman is a curator at the University of Missouri. And both are seen as top advisors in Governor-elect Eric Greitens’ inner circle.
Announcement
Catalyst today announced Michael Steelman will join its government relations team as the firm gears up for a busy 2017.
“We are excited to have Michael Steelman join our team here at Catalyst and are looking forward to the energy and perspective he will bring in service to our clients,” said Danny Pfeifer, Catalyst founder and managing principle. "Michael will be a valuable member of our team as we prepare for a busy 2017 helping Catalyst clients successfully navigate the legislative process at the national, state and local levels of government.”
Steelman most recently worked in the communications and events offices for Eric Greitens’ successful campaign for Missouri governor. Steelman cut his teeth in government relations representing the Associated Students of the University of Missouri. He has excelled while at the University of the Missouri earning a spot on the Dean’s List in 2015 and 2016.
Steelman joins Danny Pfeifer, Greg Porter, Alex Eaton and Becky Lohmann on the Catalyst government relations team.
Catalyst is a nationally recognized government relations firm specializing in government affairs, public affairs and corporate strategy. The firm counts Fortune 500 companies, industry disrupters and national trade associations among its diverse list of clients.
Mike Louis Files New IPs
Mike Louis, the president of the Missouri AFL-CIO, filed eight initiative petitions with the secretary of state’s office. They are all variations on the language below (see it here) which appear to be aimed at preventing the so-called “paycheck protection” legislation assumed to be on tap for this session.
This mark the opening of a new front in the battles over organized labor. If language can be added into the Missouri Constitution it will serve as the basis to challenge anti-labor laws passed by the legislature.
Sample IP Language
No existing or future law or ordinance of the state or its political subdivisions shall impair, restrict or limit the ability of employees to negotiate, enter into and enforce any collective bargained agreement with an employer that provides financial support for the representational services their collective bargaining representative performs.
MOHELA Downgraded
Fitch rating service downgraded Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri Series 2012-1 notes to ‘Asf’ from ‘AAAsf.’ With the downgrade they removed the negative rating watch. See it here.
Corlew’s Real ID Compromise
Rep. Kevin Corlew pre-filed a bill (HB 151) to work-around the Real ID controversy, allowing those who want the Real ID... drivers license to get them, and those who want the “freedom IDs” to get those instead.
The REAL ID Act was passed by the U.S. Congress in 2005 to enhance security procedures by establishing new minimum standards for driver’s licenses. Current state law, which was passed in 2009 to protect the private information of Missouri citizens, prohibits the Missouri Department of Revenue from complying with the federal act. Because the state has not complied with the requirements, Missouri licenses are no longer a valid form of identification at federal facilities and military bases and will no longer be valid at airports as proof of identity for domestic flights beginning in 2018…. HB 151 would require the state revenue department to issue Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards to those who want them.
Dogan Agenda
Rep Shamed Dogan announced his legislative agenda for the upcoming session…
Blue Alert System – We have seen far too much violence directed against the men and women who protect and serve our communities… I am introducing legislation to create a Blue Alert notification system to ensure law enforcement officials quickly receive the information they need to apprehend individuals who injure or kill peace officers.
Banning Lobbyist Gifts for Local Officials - If the House passes a ban on lobbyist gifts at the state level, as we did last year, it makes sense for us to ban lobbyist gifts at the local level as well. Currently, many gifts to local officials do not have to be disclosed, and the people who give the gifts do not even have to be registered as lobbyists. This practice is unacceptable.
Hair Braiding Freedom Act – In order to be licensed in Missouri, hair braiders have to spend thousands of dollars and thousands of hours of training that is not at all relevant to the practice of braiding… It is outrageous and unfair to require 1,500 hours of training for hair braiders, which is more than what is required to become a real estate agent (72 hours), an emergency medical technician (100 hours), and a dietician (900 hours), combined….
Krewson Crime Plan
St. Louis mayoral candidate Lyda Krewson released her plan for neighborhood safety and crime prevention. It’s a serious piece of work, promising to devote real resources to the problem…
The Krewson comprehensive neighborhood safety/crime prevention plan would cost $34 million.
More Police, More Pay, More Training, More Equipment – Krewson is proposing an additional $25 million investment in the police department. $10 million for 200 additional uniformed officers, $10 million for officer pay raises, and $5 million for additional technology, equipment, and tools.
Prevention - The most important thing we can do for our community is to prevent crime from
happening in the first place which is why we need common sense gun regulations. Krewson has already introduced two bills at the Board of Aldermen to address common sense gun regulation. The first bill would ban assault weapons in the City of St. Louis. The second bill would require guns that are left unattended in cars be secured in a locked box that is permanently affixed to the vehicle.
Recreation and Education Programs for youth - Krewson will double the City’s investment in kids and will budget an additional $2 million for recreation and education programs for kids.
Anti-violence conflict-resolution initiatives – Krewson will budget $1 million per year for
expansion of community-based anti-violence programs.
Alternatives to prosecution and incarceration - Krewson doesn’t believe we arrest our way out of the City’s crime problem which is why she will provide $2 million for a challenge grant to city prosecutors. The funds will be available for programs that prosecutors choose to implement that 1) create alternatives to incarceration and felony convictions for youthful, non-violent offenders or 2) expand the use of drug-courts or provide opportunities for individuals…
Protecting our most vulnerable citizens – Homeless citizens are frequent victims of crime, and without a place to live… Krewson will fund $1 million per year in initiatives grounded in the “housing first” model…
Vacant buildings – Vacant buildings and unkempt vacant lots… create anxiety in neighborhoods and interfere with residents’ ability to feel safe and secure. Krewson will commitment an additional $2 million per year to transfer, demolish, and or maintain these properties will be recommended.
Bits
Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander today certified the results of the November 8, 2016, general election at his Capitol office in Jefferson City, Mo. More than 2.8 million registered Missouri voters turned out to the polls to cast a ballot.
To view official election results, visit http://enr.sos.mo.gov/EnrNet/.
LA Times looks at the budget mess in Kansas. See it here.
The emails keep coming in the fight over who owns the legacy (and organizations) of Phyllis Schlafly. The latest blast from Ed Martin contains this reminder at the end: The Eagle design is a registered trademark of Eagle Trust Fund for publications and may not be used without permission and similarly "Phyllis Schlafly" is a trademark of the Phyllis Schlafly Revocable Trust.
eMailbag on Galloway’s Lawsuits Payout Audit
Nicole Galloway’s audit of the state Legal Defense Fund may raise awareness of this large pot of money. Her stated purpose of the audit "is to provide a clear picture of the liability created by employee lawsuits throughout the state workforce…” However, determining the dollar amounts without context about why there are settlements doesn't add clarity. There are settlements for a couple of reasons.
First, the complaining party has enough evidence of bad actions or wrongdoing to convince a jury and leave the financial punishment at the unpredictable discretion of jurors. To avoid this uncertainty, the state settles.
Second, perhaps more importantly, it's to suppress bad public relations. Settlements include gag orders to prevent complainants from complaining. This matters to a lame-duck like Jay Nixon in terms of avoiding his legacy being seen as one of mistreatment of state employees.
It may be too late for Nixon, however. The Pat Rowe Kerr verdict and multimillion-dollar penalty, the Gracia Backer settlement, the other cases listed by The Star and Karen Dillon's expose' in The Pitch about the massive Department of Corrections settlements make it clear his administration was populated by non-stop bad actors.
It remains to be seen if Galloway will call out the bad actors in addition to offering a total toll on the state Legal Defense Fund.
For example, will she note that the alleged harasser in Backer's case, former Labor Department Director Larry Rebman, got from Nixon and still holds a taxpayer-paid administrative
judgeship in Kansas City? Or that Nixon rewarded his anti-Backer loyalist Jeff Harris with a judgeship in Boone County, where Harris and Galloway are part of the same local Democratic clique?
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar
Sen. Kiki Curls Holiday Party – Watkins Cultural Heritage Center – KC – 5:30PM.
Lobbyists Registrations
Aaron Baker and Kristin Starner deleted Cheyenne International, Missouri Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, and Xcaliber International, Ltd., LLC.
Brent Hemphill added Missouri Speech-Language Association.
Susan Henderson Moore, Rodney Gray and Tami Holliday deleted American Royal Association.
Susan Henderson Moore and Tami Holliday deleted Treanor Architects P.A.
$5K+ Contributions
Campaign for Children, Youth and Families - $36,500 from Chldren’s Services Fund Coalition.
Campaign for Children, Youth, and Families - $75,000 from Synergy Services.
MO Republican Attorneys for Civil Justice PAC - $70,860 from Missouri Freedom.
Curtis for MO - $25,000 from David Humphreys.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Dan Shaul, former Reps. Gary Fuhr and Curt Dougherty, and Jennae Neustadt.