Thursday, October 15, 2015
Driving the Day: LG at PSC this AM
9AM this morning, at the Public Service Commission, a hearing on Laclede Gas’ application to change its Infrastructure System Replacement Surcharge (ISRS)….
Dems Urge Action on Capitol Culture
Minority Leader Jake Hummel sent a letter to Speaker Todd Richardson yesterday urging him to take more action regarding the scandals that hit the capitol last year.
From the letter:
Five months ago, your predecessor was forced to resign in disgrace after his inappropriate relationship with a teenage intern became public…
Since the former speaker departed, a state senators likewise was forced to resign amid allegations he sexually harassed an intern… This is a serious problem that requires serious and immediate attention…
However, other than a vague outline of possible policy changes informally distributed a few months ago, no action has been taken on this matter.
By contrast, just two days after the Post-Dispatch reported about a plan to build a 2,500-acre state park in Oregon County that is opposed by some local officials and residents, you established the Interim Committee to Investigate State Park Creation, which will hold hearings in the coming weeks. The launching of an immediate and thorough investigation over the building of a new state park appears to elevate its importance over the sexual harassment of young women by lawmakers…
Therefore, we respectfully request that an interim committee be appointed to hold public hearings aimed at eradicating sexual harassment from the Capitol work environment or allow an existing standing committee to do so.
One building denizen: Hummel is exactly right. They haven’t done enough on this front…
Missouri Promise Polling?
Sounds Missouri Promise supporters were in the field last night.
Tipster says the script went something like this:
Do you support raising cigarette tax?
Have you heard of Missouri Promise?
Do you support Missouri Promise?
Do you think…
-eligibility should be 3.0+ grade point average?
-should fund public universities, or private universities or both?
-should fund public universities and private non-profit universities?
Does existence of A+/Bright flight programs make you more/less likely to support Missouri Promise?
Does that it’s merit based and would fund scholarships irrespective of the student’s family income make you more/less likely to support?
Is a robust network of Missouri private non-profit schools good/bad for Missouri?
Should scholarship funding to public or private non-profit scholarships should be equal?
Should scholarship funding exclude private schools?
Demographics: Vote for Obama/Romney/Other; gender; party, ethnicity; age; you or someone close to you attended a private school; smoked cigarettes in the last week.
Danforth for Hawley?
In the large contributions (see below), former US Senator Jack Danforth sent $10K to Republican attorney general candidate Josh Hawley. It’s an intriguing donation because Danforth has made many speechifications about sorry state of politics these days and the need for statesmanship. Hawley has been a prominent anti-ObamaCare advocate and cherishes his National Review endorsement. It’s an odd pairing to say the least.
Furthermore, the mighty Jason Rosenbaum noted on Twitter that Danforth had helped Sen. Kurt Schaefer in his previous election. See it here.
Judge Rules Against STL Minimum Wage
Circuit Judge Steven Ohmer ruled that the City of St. Louis’ minimum wage law conflicted with state law. See the ruling here.
Mayor Francis Slay tweeted: We will appeal the ruling with the hope that higher courts will affirm the city's authority to adopt its own minimum wage. #fgs
Guns Resurface as Election Year Issue?
Washington Post reports that Democrats seem “determined: to make gun ownership reform an election year issue. See it here.
Pull Quote: After years of deadly mass shootings across the country, and with President Obama voicing deep frustration with inaction by Republicans in Congress, the Democratic candidates led by Hillary Rodham Clinton vowed in a debate here Tuesday night to toughen restrictions on gun owners and gun manufacturers. Most seemed not merely willing but determined and eager to lead the push for gun control into next year’s general election and effectively declared war on the National Rifle Association.
Former Rep. Bringer Others Seek Appellate Judgeship
Pursuant to Rule 10.28(d), the Appellate Judicial Commission announces the following demographic information relating to applicants for the vacancy on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, created by the August 2015 retirement of Judge Clifford H.
Ahrens…
Also pursuant to Rule 10.28(d), the commission announces it will interview
all 14 applicants: Joel D. Ferber, Richard A. Gartner, Carter Collins Law, Benjamin A. Lipman, Henry F. Luepke, James R. McAdams, Shawn R. McCarver, Lisa Page, Rachel L. (Bringer) Shepherd, Erwin O. Switzer, Joan M. Tanner, David Lee Vincent III, Kenneth K. Vuylsteke, and Stanley J. Wallach.
The commission will conduct interviews from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday,
November 12 at the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District….
Quarter Deadline Today
While I’ll have a full run-down tomorrow of the October quarters for 2016 candidates, what might be most interesting is the committees of those who are no longer candidates. For example, will we see any indications from John Diehl ($230K) or Tom Dempsey ($140K) what will become of their large cash balances.
Hampel to Stenger
The Post-Dispatch has the story on its former reporter. See it here.
Pull Quote: Veteran Post-Dispatch journalist Paul Hampel has moved from reporting on government and other news-making events to a position with the administration of St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger. Hampel, 54, began his new job on Monday. His salary is $77,500. He will serve as a legislative analyst, a liaison between Stenger and county departments, and an adviser on special projects… Hampel is the third journalist hired by Stenger. Former reporters Cordell Whitlock of KSDK (Channel 5) and Allison Blood of KMOX radio form the county executive's communications team.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Rep. Bryan Spencer Dinner – Bandanas – Wentzville – 6PM.
$5K+ Contributions
Democratic Governors Association Missouri - $10,000 from Democratic Governors Association.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Gary Metzger.
Slay for Mayor - $12,000 from Citizens to Elect Jamilah Nasheed.
Bradshaw for Missouri - $5,200 from The Gorny Law Firm LC.
Hawley for Missouri - $10,000 from John Danforth.
Citizens for Jim Arnott - $6,000 from SRC Holdings.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Rep. Chrissy Sommer.