Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Election Results

The big story of yesterday’s election might be the ballot snafu in St. Louis County.  See the Post-Dispatch article here.

Pull Quote:  A voting debacle in St. Louis County left residents in more than 60 precincts unable to cast ballots Tuesday, leading the St. Louis County Council and Secretary of State Jason Kander to announce separate investigations.  Gov. Jay Nixon called the problems “inexcusable,” adding: “The St. Louis County Board of Elections, and particularly its two directors, must rectify these mistakes, explain how they occurred, and be held accountable for this unacceptable failure.”

“I’m outraged by this and by that standpoint, we have to do something,” said Mark Harder, the West County Republican council member who asked that County Election Directors Eric Fey and Gary Fuhr be called to account…

Appointments to the election board are made by the governor. The board in turn selects the Republican and Democratic directors who in effect lead the agency. The lead director, Fey in this case, is an appointee of the party holding the governor’s office.

Stenger noted that neither he nor the council controls the election board. “County governance has nothing to do with the operation of the state-run board,” he said….

And

Andy Blunt jumped on the problems to attack secretary of state Jason Kander.  See his tweets here.  For example: .@JasonKander watched #NatlChampionship yesterday but couldn't ensure Missourians had ballots. #DoYourJob http://bit.ly/1qsWC27  #MOSEN

Earning Tax Wins Big

The earnings tax was re-approved by wide margins in both Kansas City and the City of St. Louis.

In KC, over ¾ voters voted yes as it hit 77.4% approval.  In St. Louis, 72.3% in favor and 27.7% against, a still massive 45 point margin.

And this is after Rex Sinquefield spent $2 million trying to convince residents of the cities about the tax’s ill effects.

Mayoral Races

In St. Peters, Rep. Ron Hicks was defeated in his mayoral bid, taking 41.7% of the vote.

In Columbia mayoral race lobbyist Brian Treece prevailed in a tight race winning with 52.1% of the vote.

In Berkeley Mayor Ted Hoskins survived a challenge pulling in 42% of the vote, enough to stave off Babatunde Deinbo’s 38.5%

And in Kirkwood, Scott Stream, brother of Rick Stream, lost his mayoral race.  He took  24.8% of the vote in a three-way.

NYT: Ferguson Vote Mixed

New York Times reports on the Ferguson vote which approved one tax increase, but rejected another. See it here.

Pull Quote: Residents of Ferguson, Mo., the St. Louis suburb that became known two years ago as a focal point of racial upheaval, voted on Tuesday to reject part of a tax increase package that city leaders had described as essential for carrying out a legal settlement with the Justice Department. The voters turned down a proposed property tax increase, but they also voted to raise the sales tax, leaving city officials with a mixed, uncertain result… Mayor James Knowles III has said the tax increases are needed if the city is to carry out all its promises of added training, oversight and data analysis of the police and the courts. Ferguson officials have said meeting the terms of the federal settlement may cost as much as $1.5 million in the first year, as much as $880,000 in a second year and as much as $750,000 in a third year…

Busy Arnie Dienoff

Arnie Dienoff, who is running for the Republican Lieutenant Governor nomination, ran for a few offices yesterday as well.  Perhaps like a fighter who keeps in shape with a few warm-up bouts?? Dienoff was on the ballot yesterday for St. Charles Community College Trustee (lost, 7.9%); St. Charles Ambulance District Board (lost, 19.9%); and O’Fallon Ward 1 Council Member (lost, 8.5%).

Alsos

Former (and possibly future) state representative Kenny Biermann won a seat on the Orchard Farm School Board.

Lobbyist David Jackson lost his bid to join the Lake St. Luis Fire District Board, taking 37.8% of the vote in a three-way race.

The Foristell Prop F (one cent gas tax) passed with 69.2% of the vote.

And that huge $85 million bond issue for the Ladue School District passed.  It grabbed 64% of the vote, more than the 57% needed for passage.

In the Building

Yesterday the Senate debated the controversial Voter ID proposal for a few hours before laying the bill on the informal calendar.  Sen. Jamilah Nasheed spearheaded the Democratic resistance, speaking against the bill.

The House continued its workaholic ways.  Of note yesterday was the perfection of a bill to define the sports fantasy industry in a way which keeps it from being labeled as gambling.  This industry has been under greater scrutiny across the country and was singled out by Governor Jay Nixon in his state of the state speech as needing regulation.

And former Speaker Tim Jones was walking the halls, introducing a national Club for Growth representative to folks.  Jones is the chair of the Missouri Club for Growth.

Candidate Withdrawals

Mike McCaffree, a Democrat, withdrew from the Senate 31 race (Sen. Ed Emery’s district).

Roger Lake, a Democrat, withdrew from the House 33 race.  This is Rep. Donna Pfautsch’s district.  There are two other Dems running.

Court Bits

Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 10.28(d), the commission releases the following information relating to applicants for the circuit judge vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Margaret Neill: Deborah M. Bird, Timothy J. Boyer, Paula P. Bryant, Francisco J. Carretero, Thomas C. Clark, II, Michael J. Colona, Theresa Counts Burke, Anne-Marie Clarke, Matthew J. Devoti, Katherine M. Fowler, Bridget L. Halquist, Richard A. Harper, Heather J. Hays, Craig K. Higgins, Joseph P. Keaveny, Teneil L. Kellerman, Jessica W. Kennedy, James J. Leightner, Jennifer E. Matthew, David A. Roither, Calea F. Stovall-Reid, and Michael L. Walton.

The Twenty-First Circuit Judicial Commission announced the panel of three nominees to be submitted to Governor Jay Nixon to fill the circuit judge vacancy in St. Louis County created by the retirement of Judge Thomas J. Prebil.  Those nominated by the commission are: Judge Joseph S. Dueker; Thomas J. Plunkert; and Judge Mary B. Schroeder… Pursuant to Supreme Court of Missouri Rule 10.29, the commission reports the final votes received by each nominee were: Dueker received four votes, Plunkert received four votes, and Schroeder received four votes.

And the Supreme Court yesterday handed down a case (see it here) concerning whether gun seller can be liable for negligence.  Reading the case is like watching a slow-motion horror movie...  Appellant telephoned Odessa Gun & Pawn and asked Mr. Dady, the store manager, to refrain from selling a gun to her daughter, Colby Weathers.  Appellant told Mr. Dady that Ms. Weathers was severely mentally ill and should not have a gun.  Appellant also told Mr. Dady that Ms. Weathers had purchased a gun at Odessa Gun & Pawn the previous month and attempted to commit suicide. Appellant informed Mr. Dady of Ms. Weathers’ full name, social security number and birthdate and told him that Ms. Weathers would likely attempt to purchase another gun after receiving her social security disability payment.  Appellant told Mr. Dady, “I’m begging you.  I’m begging you as a mother, if she comes in, please don’t sell her a gun.”  Two days after Appellant begged Mr. Dady to refrain from selling a gun to Ms. Weathers, Mr. Dady sold Ms. Weathers a gun and ammunition.  Within an hour of the sale, Ms. Weathers shot and killed Tex Delana – her father and Appellant’s husband – with the gun she had just purchased from Respondents…. Mr. Dady testified that he had “a little bit” of training regarding gun sales.  Mr. Doleshal testified that this training included instructing his employees to never deny a sale to someone who, like Ms. Weathers, passed the required background check….

Help Wanted

Missouri Coalition of Children's Agencies seeks Engagement and Policy Specialist. “Maintain relationships with coalition partners and other stakeholders and develop new relationships…   Conduct a variety of outreach activities to further the mission of MCCA… Conduct research and analysis on the impact of public policy issues and sector practice standards…”

eMailbag: The Forth and Back and Back and Forth on SJR 39

The MO Chamber had copies of the initial religious freedom amendment language in early December. They knew who the sponsors would be and were asked for feedback. Anyone who suggests that SJR39 was sprung on the business community/chamber of commerce is either uninformed or not telling the truth…

Today’s Events

Powered by Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:

Rep. Bob Burns Reception – 400 W. Main, Ste. D – JC – 6PM.

Lobbyists Registrations

Jim Cooper added Jefferson County.

Brandon VerVelde deleted Asian American Hotel Owners Association.

$5K+ Contributions

Taxpayer Protection PAC - $35,000 from American Democracy Alliance.

Greitens for Missouri - $50,000 from Michael Lukacs.

Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from Kelley Silvey.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $40,000 from Onder for Missouri.

Koster for Missouri - $5,720 from Colleen Millstone.

New Approach Missouri - $50,000 from Drug Policy Action.

Birthdays

Happy birthday Rep. John McCaherty, Craig Overfelt, and Mark Jones (the big 4-0).