Wednesday, February 15, 2017
More on COO Erdmann
Springfield News-Leader’s Will Schmitt reports that Drew Erdmann, Governor Eric Greitens’ pick for the new “COO” job, will start next Monday.
Two other bits from Schmitt’s report were interesting…
[Greitens spokesperson Parker] Briden also revealed that Erdmann would be paid $125,000 per year, with his salary spread out across the budgets of various departments.
"He will save the state of Missouri hundreds of millions of dollars by finding efficiencies," Briden said.
First, it's not clear that the Erdmann’s salary can be spread out across various departments. The Republican legislature, fed up with Nixon doing just that, put into law with each of its budget bills last year language to prevent that. “[N]o funds from these sections shall be expended for the purpose of costs associated with the travel or staffing of the offices of the Governor…”
Second, one building denizen pointed to the “hundreds of millions of dollars” in savings line and said “that’s the bar now.” It’s a pretty high bar, and one assumes it will require some major restructuring. Buckle in folks….
Lant Relents
Rep. Bill Lant didn’t outright apologize for his treatment of Rod Chapel, but actions speak louder than words and Lant announced that he is having a do-over of his bungled hearing on the discrimination bills.
Lant Statement: "As a committee chairman, it is my responsibility to keep the discussion in our hearings focused on the bill under consideration. At the same time, it's vitally important that our public hearings provide a forum for a free and open dialogue on the issues. In my effort to keep discussion in our Monday hearing germane to the bill, I prevented the exchange of ideas and viewpoints that is essential to our legislative process. I believe strongly that everyone should have the opportunity to be heard on this, or any other, issue. My committee will hold a second public hearing to ensure all sides are able to voice their opinions."
And
One building walker thinks that the gavel may soon no longer be in Lant’s grip, citing a number of missteps the chair has made recently.
New Curators Coming?
On Twitter, Post reporter Ashley Jost says that Jeanne Sinquefield may have let the cat out of the bag about new appointees Governor Eric Greitens will be making to the Mizzou Board of Curators. See it here. Jeanne Sinquefield knows something no one else does. She just told everyone that @EricGreitens appointed 3 @umcurators who aren't lawyers.
PDMP Gets Momentum?
Rep. Holly Rehder’s PDMP legislation passed out of committee 11-0. One supporter says, “[It included] some representatives that voted ‘no’ last year... we are seeing a lot of folks switch their votes to the affirmative. More than 50 percent of Missourians are now under a patchwork of county PDMPs…”
Ashcroft’s Voter ID Power Move
There’s a divided opinion about Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s public pouting that the governor didn’t put enough money in the budget for him to implement Voter ID.
Some think it was amateur hour. They say that Ashcroft will be “the first witness” called to the stand when there’s a constitutional challenge, and they will point to his public comments as proof that the implementation has not been equitable.
Other think this is exactly why Ashcroft made the public statement and why it was a brilliant power move. His budget demands are now absolutely necessary.
Either way the governor’s office is probably not thrilled with Ashcroft…
New Greitens Picks
Press releases: Governor Eric Greitens announced that Joel Walters, a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, will be his choice for the new head of Missouri's Department of Revenue…
Greitens announced his pick for the head of the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration, Chlora Lindley-Myers… Chlora Lindley-Myers has served in several senior positions in the legislative, judicial and executive branches of government. She has also been a leader in regulatory and insurance industries, as well as within the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)… Chlora also served as the Property and Casualty Section Chief for the Missouri Department of Insurance, where she was responsible for regulating all of the property and casualty insurance forms, rates, filings and policies issued in the state….
Greitens Orders Flags To Half-Staff
The press release: Gov. Greitens orders flags to half-staff on Wednesday to honor KCFD Battalion Chief who died in line of duty
Today, Governor Eric Greitens ordered that the flags of the United States and the State of Missouri at all state government buildings in Jackson County, Clay County, Platte County, and Cass County be flown at half-staff on Wednesday (Feb. 15) in honor of Battalion Chief Thomas G. Byrne, of the Kansas City Fire Department. Battalion Chief Byrne, age 51, died on Feb. 11 while serving the citizens of Kansas City.
He was a 30 year veteran of the Kansas City Fire Department and retired as a Battalion Chief. Throughout his career on the fire department he was dedicated to the safety of the public and his fire department family. He joined the Brotherhood Instructors, LLC, which allowed him to travel the United States and Canada teaching fire safety tactics…
The family would like to thank all of Tom's doctors and nurses at the various hospitals and clinics where he received treatment. We extend a special thank you to the ICU nursing staff at St. Luke's East Hospital who helped him to be comfortable in his final hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested to Healing NET Foundation, 200 Hill Avenue, Suite 4, Nashville, TN 37210 or at www.thehealingnet.org. The Healing NET Foundation's mission is to support education and awareness of neuroendocrine cancer…
Bits
Leon Black, the co-founder of the Apollo hedge fund which pillaged Noranda and left it for dead last year, had a good year. He made $142 million last year…
Congressman Jason Smith was among the 23 Republican members of the Ways and Means Committee who voted to not President Donald Trump’s tax returns from the Treasury Department.
Springfield Business Journal is trying to find the real Eric Greitens. Read it here.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Dinner – Capitol Plaza Hotel – 5PM.
Missouri Podiatric Medical Association Legislative Day & Reception – Bone’s – 5PM.
Lobbyists Registrations
James Gwinner added Missouri Century Foundation.
Scott Woodruff added Home School Legal Defense Association.
Heidi Lucas added Missouri Nurses Association.
Andy Blunt, Jay Reichard, Noel Torpey, Chris Moody, Mark Schwartz, and Angela Schulte added National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Angela Schulte, Mark Schwartz and Chris Moody added John Bardgett & Associates.
Andy Blunt added Bayer Corporation.
Brad Bates added MO Association of Beer Wholesalers; and deleted Missouri Association of Physicians and Surgeons, and Missouri Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Winston Morris added Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
$5K+ Contributions
Lyda Krewson for Mayor - $25,000 from I.U.O.E. Local 513 Political & Educational Fund.
Progress KC PAC - $15,000 from Polsinelli.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Hannah Kelly, and former Rep. Tim Flook (the big 5-0).