Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Intern Dress Code
The suggestion that changing the attire of interns should be part of the solution of sexual harassment in the Capitol was widely derided. It provoked a sharp letter from Senator Claire McCaskill. See it here.
Politico ran a story on it, and it feels like it’s on the cusp of going viral. We’ll see…
Plocher Tapped in House 89
Dean Plocher won the Republican nomination for the special election in House 89. It is a safe Republican seat. There is speculation that former Rep. Cole McNary could launch an Independent candidacy – or run as a Republican against Plocher in 2016. We’ll see…
See Jo Mannies’ story here.
Audit: Joplin Management “Poor”
Auditor Nicole Galloway issued an audit critical of the City of Joplin. It received a “poor” rating from the auditor, and the problems uncovered were wide-ranging including mismanagement in their redevelopment efforts, but also gaps in basic processes. See the audit here. See the New York Times article about it here.
RYH4K Punches “Cheap Cigs”
In their latest fundraising appeal the Raise Your Hand for Kids initiative takes aim at the recent alternative petitions filed by the convenience stores.
In the very recent past, hundreds of thousands of Missourians signed petitions to support changes to the tobacco tax that will increase investments into health and education. Sadly, the convenience store and tobacco lobby has stood against every attempt and poured millions of dollars into protecting their bottom line instead of allowing our state to smartly invest in the future of our children… Earlier this month, we filed our initiative petitions to fund early childhood development programs and smoking cessation for pregnant women with revenue generated by a moderate tobacco tax increase, and we look forward to beginning the signature collection process very soon. The Cheap Cigarette Coalition is concerned, and they are working to do all they can to keep us from succeeding. That’s why yesterday the Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Store Association filed its own initiative petitions in a desperate attempt to protect their profit margins…
MO Supreme Court Rules on Red Lights
Post-Dispatch reports on the Missouri Supreme Court ruling on red light cameras. See it here.
Pull Quote: The Missouri Supreme Court struck down on Tuesday the ordinance governing red-light cameras in St. Louis, as well as language in similar ordinances in Moline Acres and St. Peters. In response, St. Louis announced that it had stopped issuing red-light camera tickets and dismissed all pending cases. People who recently paid those $100 tickets can expect refunds, the city said… Although the Supreme Court found defects in all three ordinances, it did not rule specifically on the legality of the cameras themselves, leaving open the possibility that municipalities can enact red-light camera ordinances that will withstand future legal challenges.
Kansas Tax Cut Bits
Travis Brown interviews Dave Trabert and they explain though it’s true that Kansas is still showing job growth at a rate that slower than the national average the tax cuts are working their magic because the rate by which they trail the nation has decreased if you look at the data from 1998-2012 which proceeded the cuts. See it here. I’ll reiterate that policy-makers would be better serve by figuring out why they didn’t work (remember you can believe in the Laffer curve and also understand not all tax cuts lead to prosperity), than rationalize yourself into a pretzel trying to explain how they’re working just as you predicted.
Children’s advocates decry Sam Brownback’s efforts to balance the budget. See it here.
Missouri Department of Economic Development reports “Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment grew by 11,900 jobs in July, according to seasonally adjusted data…”
Bits
A few new faces in the governor’s office… William Miller, policy advisor, and Aaron Blunt, director of operations.
On the Senate website Regina Anderson is now listed as a Senate 9 staffer, and Joshua Norberg as joining the Research staff.
New committees… Heartland Democratic Club, a political action committee, was formed. Mark Ellebracht is the treasurer. Ellebracht ran in House 17 in 2014, losing to Rep. Nick King by 72 votes.
And Mark Milton formed his candidate committee to run as a Republican in House 90 where Democrat Rep. Deb Lavender is the incumbent. Milton’s treasurer is Elizabeth Gibbons, wife of Mike Gibbons.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Rep. Craig Redmon Golf – Norwoods Golf Course – Hannibal – 10AM start.
Sen. Joe Keaveny Reception & Game – The Kelley Group – STL – 4PM.
Lobbyists Registrations
Christopher Molendorp added Ammon Painting Inc.
Jewell Patek added Aerial Agriculture, Radmacher Brothers Excavating, SF Industries LLC; and deleted Missouri Tow Truck Association.
Daniel Haug added Office Of Administration, Division Of Budget And Planning.
Erika Leonard deleted Yoga Alliance.
$5K+ Contributions
Friends of Peter Kinder - $10,000 from Randy Brown.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Donna Pfautsch, Connie Cunningham, Mark Siettmann, and Bryan Cave’s Tim O'Connell.