Friday, October 23, 2015
Wasinger Watch
Tipster: It looks like David Wasinger (who represented clients in the two largest Wall Street whistleblower cases and reportedly made millions) is inching closer to running for a statewide office. In recent weeks, Wasinger has traveled to the western side of the state, attended the Camden County Republican chili supper, talked with people in Springfield, and made calls to people in Cape Girardeau.
It’s unclear exactly which office he has his eye on. The best guess is either either Secretary of State or Lieutenant Governor.
As the rumors have become more prevalent, he is being bombarded by Republican consultants who are seeking to encourage him to run for offices where they do not currently have a conflict, with the hope of snapping up a self-funder (and another paycheck)...
Burke to Graves
According to her LinkedIn profile, Ashley Burke is now Field Representative for Congressman Sam Graves. Previously Burke was legislative assistant to Sen. Jeanie Riddle, and before that she staffed Rep. Jeff Grisamore.
Ratliff to Barklage & Knodell
Yesterday’s press release: Barklage & Knodell is pleased to announce the addition of Jonathan Ratliff to their firm as the new Vice-President of Political Operations. Ratliff brings years of experience working on everything from legislative to presidential campaigns. His unique background in digital and data management will be a key addition to the firm’s arsenal…
Evans for House 113
Mike Evans started a committee to run for House 113 as a Democrat. The current incumbent is Republican Rep. Dan Shaul. Evans is serving his second term on the MNEA Executive PAC.
Cleaver Hearts Earmarks
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver makes the case for earmarks. Politico has the story. See it here.
Pull Quote: Cleaver of Missouri sent a letter to Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster on Wednesday, arguing that lawmakers' decision to ban earmarks has only caused gridlock in Congress.
The move comes as Speaker John Boehner — long the loudest opponent of earmarks — is set to leave Congress at the end of the month. Proponents of earmarks have been quietly discussing a way to restart the practice with the departure of the Ohio Republican — though it would face serious objections from many in the GOP…
Republicans did away with earmarks, essentially small appropriations of money for specific districts and projects, when they took over as the majority in 2010. It's caused problems for leaders since. Historically, the threat of funding drying up keep rebellious members in line — and eased the process of whipping votes…
"The Constitution delegated to Congress the power of the purse, and yet in recent years we have delegated that authority to the executive branch. By ending the practice of congressionally directed spending, we have not reduced the size of the federal budget 'pie,'" Cleaver said. "We have just given the whole pie to the executive branch."
PSC Rejects AUE’s MEEIA Plan
The Public Service Commission’s press release: The Missouri Public Service Commission has determined that a Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act (MEEIA) plan proposed by Ameren Missouri for the next three year period failed to meet the requirements under Missouri law. As a result, the Commission voted unanimously (5-0) to not accept Ameren Missouri's proposal. It is the Commission's hope that Ameren Missouri will consider the Commission's decision and present a new MEEIA plan that all parties and the Commission can support...
The Ameren Missouri MEEIA plan considered in this case would cover the years 2016-2018 and would cost ratepayers upwards of $250 to $300 million over the three years. The Commission determined the plan did not have adequate mechanisms in place to verify that, in fact, all ratepayers were benefitting from the MEEIA programs and not just those ratepayers participating in the programs…
And here we go again…
CNBC's Reem Nasr: The U.S. Treasury on Thursday postponed the 2-year note auction scheduled for Tuesday due to debt-ceiling constraints. It said it also may have to postpone the Nov. 2 auction of 2-year notes. Two other auctions scheduled for next week will continue as scheduled. 'The current debt limit impasse is also now adversely affecting the operation of government financing, increasing federal government borrowing costs, reducing the Treasury bill supply, and increasing the operational risk associated with holding a lower cash balance,' the department said. See it here.
Help Wanted
Missouri Department of Social Services, Division of Legal Services seeks Managing Attorney.
“The Managing Attorney will be responsible for managing the provision of legal advice and representation for the Missouri Department of Social Services in the central region of Missouri. The manager will be responsible for his/her own case load and for supervising the work of 5 full time staff attorneys and 2 part time contract attorneys…. Annual starting salary range for this position will be $47,000 through $55,000 depending on experience….” See it here.
$5K+ Contributions
Laborers Union Local #42 Voluntary Political Fund - $11,000 from Laborers' Local Union No. 42.
Friends of Rory Rowland - $7,270 from Missouri Democratic State Committee.
Property Casualty Insurers Association of America Political Account - $7,195 from Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,741 from Mark and Patty Mantovani.
Koster for Missouri - $25,000 from UAW-V-CAP.
Citizens for Shane Roden - $5,001 from CHIPP Political Account.
MO Democratic State Committee - $50,000 from Koster for Missouri.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to former Reps. Rebecca McClanahan and Bryan Pratt, and Kenny Murdock.
Saturday: Sen. Jay Wasson, Chuck Hatfield, Brian Wahby (50), Jon Galloway, and Craig Stevenson.