Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Dixon Kicks Off
Sen. Bob Dixon kicked off his gubernatorial campaign yesterday. I’ve yet to hear from anyone who can describe “the path” to Dixon’s victory. But who knows, in a seven-way primary maybe the sliced and diced electorate with some unpredictable bounces can deliver Dixon where no one else imagines him going… the governor’s mansion. Help me see it, reader… How does Dixon win?
See Springfield New-Leader’s coverage here.
Dyce Communications On Board?
One observer thinks from his tweeting, that Dixon make have hired Alfredo Rodriguez as part of his team. See his company website here. We’ll see…
New ‘Higher Office Caucus’ for Senate?
Should senators consider a bipartisan “Strivers Caucus?” In the very least the speechifying and side-ways vote-watching will add a layer to next session’s floor drama.
Bob Dixon – governor.
Will Kraus – secretary of state.
Mike Parson – governor.
Eric Schmitt – treasurer.
Kurt Schaefer – attorney general.
Scott Sifton – attorney general.
And who knows maybe we could get Sens. Mike Kehoe or Jason Holsman lured into the LG race??
Koster Embraces Medicaid Expansion as Economic Issue
From his email blast…
From: Team Koster <info@chriskoster.com>
Date: July 17, 2015 1:53:40 PM
Subject: , hospitals may close
Springfield's largest employer, Mercy Health System, is laying off 350 employees because of Missouri’s failure to pass healthcare expansion. Rural hospitals across Missouri may soon close. And thousands of families can't afford the medical care they need.
It's all thanks to the Missouri legislature's failure to expand Medicaid. They've put ideology ahead of common sense Missouri values. They're wasting tax dollars and sacrificing new jobs that come from investing in our healthcare system.
It's time to fight back. Sign the petition and tell Missouri legislators to make Medicaid expansion a top priority in the next legislative session.
If we build enough pressure on Missouri legislators to pass healthcare expansion, we can help create thousands of new jobs, improve healthcare, and boost our economy…
Thank you,
Team Koster
Hinson Investigation
The Post-Dispatch reported yesterday that Missouri Capitol Police are “still investigating” an early February incident involving Rep. Dave Hinson. Read it here.
Pull Quote: Missouri Capitol Police still are investigating a state representative for hitting a parked state vehicle in February and fleeing the scene. But Rep. Dave Hinson, R-St. Clair, said Monday he didn't realize he hit the vehicle until after the fact… The night of the accident, Hinson said he was leaving the Missouri House parking garage when his car slid into what he thought was the curb… Later, he realized his bumper must have hit the bumper of a parked vehicle, he said. He waited until the next morning to report it to Capitol Police. "I figured it was no big deal" to wait until morning, he said. "I figured I'd get my car taken care of and then let them know what happened."
Obviously I know nothing about police work, but after six months they’re still investigating?
McCaskill Tweets On Cruz-Trump Bromance
Senator Claire McCaskill injected her sharp commentary into the Republican Presidential primary yesterday saying that Senator Ted Cruz was following Donald Trump around “like a lost puppy.” Politico has the story here.
Englund Announces Kick-off Date
Dear Family and Friends,
I hope you and your family are doing well. I also hope that as you follow the news of the day, you are hopeful that our state will soon be moving in the right direction. Numerous scandals, the passage of disastrous right-to-work legislation and a lack of leadership dominated Jefferson City.
I suppose you could say things were tough this last legislative session. My dad taught me about hard work and about never giving up, even when things get tough. In fact, when things are tough, that is exactly the time you MUST get involved. That is why I am announcing my campaign for Missouri's First Senatorial District.
You know me. You know my work ethic. You know my determination to get the job done. Join me by either contributing online at www.vickienglund.com or contribute in person at our Senate Campaign Kickoff Reception on Thursday, August 6th, 2015 from 6pm-8pm at Firehouse Grill…
Sincerely,
Vicki Lorenz Englund
Schupp Announces Golf Tour
The press release: Jill Schupp, a state Senator and Mark Schupp, a recently retired marketing executive, have been planning and are ready to embark on an unusual tour of Missouri beginning this summer. The trip will accomplish 3 of the couple’s individual and shared goals: to visit every corner of their home state, to spend some time in all 34 Senatorial districts and to play golf on every course in the state… Mark sold his company in 2014 and is in “retirement training.” He now wants to focus less on running a business and more on his passion projects, including serving on the board of directors for various not-for-profit organizations and playing at every one of Missouri’s approximately 400 golf courses. “I am particularly excited about playing the 9 hole courses in smaller cities across the state,” said Mark. “Courses tend to take on the flavor of the community and each has its own personality. This is going to be a great and fun way to see my home state.”
In preparation for the golf portion of the state-wide tour, Mark took a class at Meramec Community College this past spring and has designed and programmed a website to track and review each of the courses he plays. The site, MoGolfTour.com, is also intended to provide useful information for golfers looking for a course in Missouri….
Bond Adds Clients
From Politico’s Influence: NEW LOBBYING REGISTRATIONS (Firm: Client)…
Kit Bond Strategies: National Biodiesel Board
Kit Bond Strategies: United Network Equipment Dealer Association (UNEDA)
Help Wanted
General Assembly seeks Tax Fiscal Analyst. “Participate in a preparation of fiscal notes for the General Assembly, compile and analyze tax data, conduct research as needed and study background tax material relevant to the agencies being evaluated or reviewed, develop a working knowledge of state government agencies, their functions and interrelationships…” See the ad here.
$5K+ Contributions
Teamsters Local Union 541 Political Action Fund - $25,000 from DRIVE Committee.
Local 41 Political Action Fund - $25,000 from DRIVE Committtee.
Greitens for Missouri - $,5001 from Randall Voss.
Reinvest STL - $15,000 from Regional Business Council.
Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from Bommarito Automotive Group.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to former Rep. Sally Faith (70), and Ann Wagner’s Christian Morgan (38).
Congratulations
To Kurt Bahr on the birth of his son, Isaiah Edward Bahr (9lbs 6 oz and 21 1/4 inches long).