Monday, December 22, 2014
Weekly Poll Crosstabs
Find the crosstabs to the weekly poll in the Special Reports here. The right track / wrong track numbers are a bit higher than last week, but still abysmal.
Interesting to see Roy Blunt, who is up for re-election in 2016, has negative approval numbers. There haven’t been any mention of a top-tier Democratic candidate yet to take on Blunt.
I would not have expected Tom Schweich’s numbers to be on par with Catherine Hanaway given that he just finished a re-election campaign, albeit a relatively low-key campaign facing no opponent. And because it will be said privately, let me write it publicly. Remington Research, who does my polling, is owned by Jeff Roe who is Hanaway’s consultant.
House Committee Realignment
Lobbyists are awaiting the unveiling of the House committee overhaul. Speaker-designate John Diehl and Floor Leader-elect Todd Richardson have been floating versions of the restructuring for about six months now. The below list is based on versions that have been out there. The final product will not be this list, but shouldn’t be too far off either.
The purpose of the reorganization is to bring a bit more rationality to the House committee structure which has become a bit sprawling over the years. There would be broader (“select”) committees with sub-committee types beneath them. These select committees would review the legislation from the narrower “sub-committees” acting in the function that Rules did in previous sessions.
House leadership believes that a rationalized committee apparatus will allow it be more consistent in the policies it’s proposing. The select committees vetting process might prevent scattershot, contradictory bills from being advanced.
But it will also make the House more effective when dealing with the governor and the Senate. With committees that correspond to state agencies, any House investigations will fall to the committee with expertise and oversight. Meanwhile, in conference committees with the Senate, the House is hoping it will be able to more effectively have a “single House voice” on various policy issues.
Agriculture
Agriculture Policy
Conservation and Natural Resources
Budget
Appropriations- Agriculture Appropriations- Education
Appropriations- General Administration
Appropriations- Health, Mental Health, and Social Services
Appropriations- Public Safety and Corrections
Appropriations- Revenue, Transportation, and Economic Development
Commerce
Economic Development and Business Attraction and Retention
Small Business
Telecommunications
Trade and Tourism
Education
Elementary and Secondary Education
Higher Education
Financial Institutions
Banking
Consumer Affairs
Pensions
General Laws
Emerging Issues
Professional Registration and Licensing
Veterans
Ways and Means
Insurance
Health Insurance
Property, Casualty and Life Insurance
Judiciary
Civil and Criminal Proceedings
Corrections
Labor and Industrial Relations
Employment Security and Workers Compensation
Workforce Standards and Development
Social Services
Children and Families
Health and Mental Health Policy
State and Local Government
Elections
Local Governments
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Transportation
Utilities
Energy and the Environment
Utility Infrastructure
OTHER
Administration and Accounts
Ethics
Fiscal Review
Rules
Ameren Rate Case
It appears that the annual tussle between Ameren and their biggest customer Noranda will play out in the arena of the Public Service Committee this year – much like last year.
However last year it was Ameren the defense as Noranda filed a complaint of overearning, and proposed a rate relief case. Ameren was successful on those fronts last year.
This year, Ameren is asking for a rate increase.
Last week the PSC staff released their “cost of service” study.
In my reading, it appears that the staff is okay with a roughly $100 million increase in rates.
“Staff’s recommended requirement increase for Ameren Missouri is $97,685,095 to 128,594,790, based on a return on equity (“ROE”) range of 9.00% to 9.50%. Staff supports the mid-point of its ROE recommendation of 9.25% and a corresponding revenue requirement increase of $113,139,943.”
I am no utilities expert, and I know I will regret offering my opinion here because I will likely receive plenty of “feedback” from passionate supporters of both sides, but…. I do wonder about the 9-9.5% range. It sounds lofty in a world where 10-year Treasuries are paying 2%.
Also in the report are staff’s recommendation on rate design. That is, given the overall rate increase, who should pay what portion of it.
They recommend residential customers bearing a 7.1% increase in rates. But even steeper is the Large Transmission Service which I believe is the description of Noranda’s class. It would see a 14.84% increase. This appears to indicate that PSC staff isn’t buying that Noranda “can’t afford” their electric bill, and they’re disinclined to off-load the Noranda cost to other rate-payers.
The Office of Public Counsel’s recommendations will likely be quite different from the staff report, so it’ll be interesting to see that filing as well.
MCN To Name Names
On her Facebook last night Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal vented about duplicitous white “allies:” LOVE ME OR HATE ME FOR SAYING THIS, but I have to get it out into the open and frankly I don't care if I'm offending anyone. This is MY FB page and you can press unfriend at any time.
SOME White people DO genuinely care about racial injustice and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have shown me your kindness through your words and numerous actions. My heart is with you always!
But there are some White people in University City I've known for years and they won't even talk about the race issue. And they choose to ignore me as if we've never had coffee together or gone for long walks together or celebrated family events together. They've chosen to verbally demean me and others for speaking the truth. Some of them like to pick and choose what Blacks are acceptable to them to join the "insiders club". Usually the quiet ones. If we don't cut the muster, their noses go straight into the air. I'm letting this all out and will start naming names soon. I'm term limited so I don't care…
Rowden House Hit
Also from Facebook, Rep. Caleb Rowden: “Crazy day for Aubrey and I. She got home from church w/ Willem to find that our house had been broken into and robbed. Had some stuff stolen, but we are fine. Stuff can always be replaced! Just glad to have a wife and kiddo to cuddle with tonight…”
New Committees
On Saturday I listed new committee filings. Here are a few of the interesting ones in case you missed it…
Teresa Hensley filed for Circuit Judge. She had been Cass County Prosecutor before losing in November. Previously she’d run unsuccessfully for Congress, losing to Vicky Hatzler.
Ken McClure filed to run for Springfield City Council. He’s Matt Blunt’s former chief of staff.
Fred Sauer filed a campaign committee to support his campaign contribution limits initiative petition.
Bits
Rep. Mike Moon hired Dave Myers as his new legislative assistant. Myers worked on Shane Schoeller’s Green County Clerk campaign.
On Casenet, former St. Louis City mayor Freeman Bosley has two new judgments entered against him by Division of Employment Security. One is for $6,818.31 and the other is for $3,822.84.
While St. Louis City struggles has struggled this year with a surge of homicides after years of declines, Kansas City has had no similar spike. From the police chief’s tweet: @ChiefForte: .@kcpolice Homicides: 72 this year compared to 99 this time last year, 101 this time in 2012 107 this time in 2011.
Help Wanted
House seeks Help. “The House of Representatives is accepting resumes/applications for hourly part-time positions to work during the months of January through May. Person will be working with the general public and assisting on various projects within representatives’ offices. Must have the ability to operate a personal computer and a general proficiency in Microsoft Office. Good oral and written communication skills are required. $10.00 Hourly.” See the ad here.
Lobbyist Registrations
Scott Marrs added UHS of Deleware Inc., and NHC Reliant LLC; and deleted Heartland Behavioral Health Services.
Noel Torpey added Fair Energy Rate Action Fund (FERAF).
Cruz Giovanni Garibay added Jackson Vaughn Public Strategies LLC, and Cash America International Inc.
Craig Fowler added Bank Of America.
$5K+ Contributions
Civic Progress Action Committee - $13,000 from Enterprise Holdings Inc Political Action Committee.
Missourians for Koster - $10,000 from Express Scripts Inc.
Citizens for Steve Stenger - $15,000 from Express Scripts Inc.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays to Sen. Dan Brown and Shannon Cooper (47).
Congratulations
To Roorda’s Ryan Burke, on his engagement to Katie Hennrich.
MOScout News
It’s a short week for me folks… I’ll send Daily Updates on Tuesday and Wednesday, but then it’s Christmas break. Nothing – no updates, Who Won Week, Weekly poll etc – until next Monday. Next week I expect to be quiet, so we’ll do the end of the year Readers’ Polls – best lobbyist, best legislators etc.