Monday, April 14, 2014
Jones Nears $1 Million Cash On-Hand
Speaker Tim Jones filed his April fundraising report. Jones raised $110K, and finished with $962K on-hand. His largest expense was to Capitol Fundraising Group, for fundraising expenses. That LLC is registered to Jill Harris, wife of James Harris. There was also a $10K expenditure for polling to Wilson Research Strategies on March 12. Perhaps that was involved in his Senate 26 flirtations?...
And
Via the peerless John Combest on Friday, Catherine Hanaway announces a $300K first quarter. Attorney General Chris Koster has been running at a $500K/quarter pace for the last several quarters. Neither has officially filed their quarters yet.
House 98
Fundraising is an important indicator in the House 98 Republican primary where HRCC won’t play. Rea Scharnhorst, wife of termed incumbent Dwight, raised $100 and has $4,233 on-hand. Shamed Dogan, a local alderman, raised $8,288.72, and has $10,051 on-hand. And Carol Veillette raised $290, and has $1,652 on-hand.
Round one goes to Dogan…
Why St. Chuck Reps Vote NO on RTW
Rep. Anne Zerr, Rep. Chuck Gatschenberg, Rep. Ron Hicks… one might wonder why there were so many St. Charles representatives voting against right to work when St. Charles County is an obvious stronghold of Republican votes.
Some folks forget that it is also home to many in the buildings and trades industry. Housing is an important industry in the growth that has characterizes the past few decades in St. Charles County. Also the General Motors site in Wentzville fosters local support for good union jobs as well.
Rumorville: Norquist Making Calls?
One source says that “Grover Norquist is reportedly calling the individuals that they think can be swayed,” saying that this is “confirmed by one source receiving a call.” It’s all second or third hand to me, so I file under rumors.
And I would note that Norquist hasn’t registered as a lobbyist if he is trying to influence legislation on behalf of Americans for Tax Reform, or if he’s getting paid to do so…
House 29: Dem Drops
Addison Newberry, a Democrat, withdrew from House 29. This the Rep. Noel Torpey seat. There are now two Dems left – John Sutton who ran last time, and Winston Apple.
Criminal Code Moves Forward
The Senate passed their 700-page revision to the criminal code last week with a bipartisan 29-3 vote. The strength of the vote should give pause to Governor Jay Nixon who earlier indicated concerns about the length of the bill.
Missourinet reports that the Senate version is in better shape than the House version. Read it here.
Transportation Tax
The Senate’s Transportation Committee will hear both the House and Senate’s versions of the transportation tax this Wednesday… five weeks left. That would seem like enough time, especially if the rumors of a Senate compromise are true. Of course then there’s still the question of whether the voters will approve…
Bits
Sen. Brad Lager will appointed to the Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee.
Here come the bluebloods for Jay Ashcroft… in the $5K+ Contributions below, Sam Fox and August Busch pony up $10K apiece for young Ashcroft.
It’s official… As of this weekend, Sen. Tom Dempsey’s Brad Green has abandoned the Blackberry for an iPhone… With rumors that the Public Service Commission requires use of iPhones, will Scott Rupp be defecting soon as well?
Lobbyist Registrations
From the Gate Way Group website:
Michael Farris added CSG Action.
Michael R Gibbons and Tricia Workman added Franklin County, Missouri.
Salvatore Panettiere added Restart Inc.
Jonathan Klock deleted Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics.
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri Early Voting Fund - $7,500 from Steven Stogel.
Missouri Early Voting Fund - $10,000 from Holman Schiavone LLC.
Ashcroft for Missouri - $10,000 from August Busch III.
Ashcroft for Missouri - $10,000 from Sam Fox.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to former Rep. Brad Robinson (48) and Jill Schupp’s Lori Rasmussen.