Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Primary-Free Kander Jabs Obama
Secretary of State Jason Kander writes an op/ed about how politicians make things worse for businesses. He uses President Barack Obama as an example. An odd move for a Democrat, except that Kander obviously has his eyes on the November election and wants to be in the middle of the ideological spectrum to grab Independent voters.
“The real story is, when lawmakers try to reinvent the wheel for the business sector, they usually make things worse… Don’t take my word for it—all you have to do is look at Kansas’ irresponsible tax policy, and the Obama administration’s aggressive use of rulemaking authority. As the government official in charge of rulemaking here in Missouri, I understand the importance of that process. But the Obama administration’s aggressive approach has been bad for business...”
And
Politico’s top story today is about Harry Reid focusing on the 2016 elections with an eye toward his legacy. See it here.
Pull Quote: His fingerprints are all over next year’s Senate map: recruitment calls to potential candidates in New Hampshire, Florida, Maryland and Wisconsin, fundraising trips to Canada and New York, and, not least, mobilizing his vaunted political machine to keep his own seat in the “D” column… On the money front, after taking a break from the fundraising circuit for the first part of the year, Reid is working hard to fill his party’s war chest. Last week, he headlined a fundraiser for Cortez Masto in Las Vegas, along with one for the Nevada Democratic Party, which he has spent years building. In June and July, Reid lined up four trips for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Senate Majority PAC, including swings to New York, Chicago and Montreal. And his top confidants have also helped out a number of Senate candidates, including a fundraiser for Missouri Democrat Jason Kander in Las Vegas in May….
Kinder Seeks RTW Debate
The press release: Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder today challenged Governor Jay Nixon and Attorney General Chris Koster to a debate on Right to Work legislation in Missouri…
“Missouri lawmakers this year overwhelmingly passed this important economic tool for our state. But with his veto, Governor Nixon stands in the way of jobs and economic growth for Missouri. Meanwhile, Attorney General Chris Koster has praised the governor’s veto. I challenge either the governor or the attorney general – or both of them, for that matter – to debate me on this issue.
“I am ready and willing to defend my support of Right to Work. Will Gov. Nixon or Attorney General Chris Koster do the same? Missourians have a right to hear arguments for both sides of this important issue.”
Murray in 80
Ben Murray announced his candidacy for House 80. See it here.
The current incumbent, Rep. Mike Colona, is termed. It’s a pretty liberal district in the City of St. Louis. Murray has be a campaign consultant for Democrats, recently running an aldermanic campaign that’s within this House district.
It’s expected to be a spirited primary though with at least two other candidates already out and about talking of running for the seat as well.
NYTimes: Lack of Elected Blacks in Prosecutorial Positions
Robert McCulloch gets the lead photo in this New York Times article. See it here.
Pull Quote: About 95 percent of the 2,437 elected state and local prosecutors across the country in 2014 were white, and 79 percent were white men, according to the study, which was to be released on Tuesday by the San-Francisco-based Women Donors Network. By comparison, white men make up 31 percent of the population of the United States. The numbers are being released as debate continues about racial imbalances in the criminal justice system in the wake of police-related deaths in Ferguson, Mo.; Staten Island; and Baltimore.
Merritt to Reproaction
Sean Nicholson writes to supporters that Pamela Merritt has left Progress Missouri.
Our dear Pamela Merritt is now Co-Director of Reproaction, and can be reached at:
Email: pamela@reproaction.org
Twitter: @SharkFu
Pierson’s Church Fundy
The church where Rep. Tommie Pierson is the head pastor is having a breakfast fundraiser this Thursday. The mighty Jason Rosenbaum writes about it here. The flyer for the event (see it here) says that vandalism and the air conditioning thief left “about $150,000 worth of damage including the loss of its HVAC system. Fortunately, Organized Labor and others have stepped in to help but there are still outstanding expenses.” But the fundraiser will help cover the remaining costs.
New Committees
Ashley Beard-Fosnow started a campaign committee to run for House 55 as a Democrat. The current incumbent is Republican Rick Brattin. See an essay she wrote about the importance of unions here.
Vicki Englund formally started her campaign committee to run for Senate 1 as a Democrat. Marsha Haefner amended her committee last week, to run for the same seat as a Republican.
Help Wanted
The Missouri Ethics Commission is looking for an entry level application developer with skills in .NET programming. Responsibilities include development of new applications, maintenance of existing applications, testing, problem resolution, and customer support.
The Missouri Ethics Commission is looking for an entry level system administrator to support its staff of 22 employees. Responsibilities include: Assist end users in resolving hardware and software issues, diagnosing problems and performing troubleshooting activities.
Readers Speak on Birthday Controversy
The readers spoke loud and clear on whether women’s ages should be included in the MOScout birthday celebrations: yes, treat men and women equally. See all reader responses here.
As always if you’d prefer your age not be listed, or your birthday not be listed, just let me know and I will happily keep it our little secret.
Lobbyists Registrations
Emily Kalmer added Missouri State Auditor; and deleted Office of the Governor.
JoAnn Williams added Missouri Jobs for Justice.
Evan Fitts added Fike Corporation
Jon Gubera deleted The College Board.
Jeffrey Perry deleted General Motors LLC.
Lorenz Hart deleted American Conservative Union.
Carter Ward deleted Missouri School Board Association.
$5K+ Contributions
Parson for Governor - $10,000 from Donald Woods Jr.
Friends of Peter Kinder - $10,000 from Group MVT LLC.
Koster for Missouri - $7,500 from Burns & McDonnell.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to former Reps. Gayle Kingery (76), and Fred Kratky (73), Eddie Roth (57), and Ryan Hobart (32).