Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Congressman Smith

Jason Smith powered to an impressive victory yesterday, beating Steve Hodges by 40 points.  See the St. Louis Beacon’s article here.

Now comes the real drama… Will anyone rise to offer a challenge to the young congressman in his first reelection next year?  That primary is a mere 14 months away.  Presumably after a good night sleep, Smith will immediately start to build a fundraising and endorsement firewall against would-be challengers.

And therefore who wants to step up will not want to wait too long.  Labor Day is probably the deadline for serious challengers to jump in.

Who could be on that list?  The speculation would start with the list of those who threw their hand in the ring during the nominating process… Peter Kinder, Lloyd Smith, Jason Crowell, Bob Parker, Sarah Steelman?

Nixon to Veto Income Tax Cut?

Today Governor Jay Nixon is expected to veto HB 253.  This is the income tax cut bill.  Nixon has been critical of it in recent weeks.  

109 is the number needed to override a veto.  In other words, it’s a battle.

Few things: first, Jason Smith is gone so that takes the GOP count to 105.  Second, one would expect some Dems to return to support their governor’s veto.    Likewise, it’s possible Republicans could appeal their defectors to switch in the name of unity.

Finally, there’s the possibility of “rogue” Republicans rethinking their position if they worry the tax cuts could ultimately hurt services they support.  These Republicans would be folks like Elaine Gannon, Jeff Grisamore, and Mike Thomson.

Labor Veto Possibilities

I have no special information, informants or insights into the black hole of the second floor.  I do have no problem speculating and being wrong, therefore….

The thought is that Nixon will veto the “paycheck protection” bill.  What’s interesting there is that the Senate has enough votes to override, but the House doesn’t.  Because it’s a Senate bill, it will start in the Senate (the chamber of origin) during Veto Session.  Will the Senate go ahead and override it and send it to the House?  Or would that be too much of an embarrassment, so instead they won’t take it up at all?  We’ll see.

On the other big labor bill, the prevailing wage, the talk is that Nixon’s team was part of the “deal” worked out with Republicans and Senate Democrats and therefore Nixon won’t veto, but rather “pocket sign,” that is let it become law without actually signing it into law.

Folks are split on how Nixon will deal with SB 125, this is the Sen. Jamilah Nasheed bill which would loosen the teacher tenure in the St. Louis City schools.  The American Federation of Teachers made this a rated vote.  That raises its profile and makes a veto possible, but with labor expending most of the energy on the two bigger bills (above) this session, this one might slip through.

Revenues Up Slightly

Yesterday’s state revenue numbers…

“State Budget Director Linda Luebbering announced that 2013 fiscal year-to-date net general revenue collections increased 10.4 percent compared to 2012, from $6.61 billion last year to $7.30 billion this year. Net general revenue collections for May 2013 increased by 2.5 percent compared to those for May 2012, from $618.1 million to $633.7 million.”

And the bellwether individual income tax collections were up 3.5% for the month, and 9.3% year-to-date.

Jones Tourny

“You are invited to the 7th Annual Golf Tournament for Speaker Tim Jones on Monday, July 1, 2013 at the Country Club of St. Albans (3165 St. Albans Road, St. Albans, MO 63073).

“Registration, breakfast, and warm-up will begin at 8:00 a.m., with a welcome speech and rules discussion at 8:45 a.m.  Groups will begin teeing off at 9:00 a.m., and lunch and awards will begin at 2:00 p.m.  Golf will be played for 18 holes with a four-person scramble format.  The cost is $150 per player, $600 per team, $750 for tournament sponsorship, $1,500 for breakfast sponsorship, $2,000 for lunch sponsorship, or $2,500 for major event sponsorship.  All sponsorship levels at $750 or above will include a team entry and special recognition. For those who do not wish to golf, you can still participate by sponsoring a hole for $125 or sponsoring a green for $250.”

$5K+Contributions

Democratic Attorneys General Association Missouri - $10,000 from American Express Travel Related Services Company.

Give Missourians a Raise - $9,251 from Midwest Advocacy Group.

Lobbyist Registrations

From the Pelopidas website:

Parker J Bena added Marleon International

Michael Burke           deleted American Water Works Company, and King Hershey PC.

Doris Anne Clouse deleted Penman & Winton Consulting.

David Murphy deleted Conservation Federation of Missouri.

Robert J. Guinness deleted St. Charles County Convention & Sports Authority, Lake St. Louis Fire Protection District, and Robert Guinness.

Lynne M Schlosser deleted Missouri Victim Assistance Network, and Jefferson City Area Board of Realtors.

Steven M Stone deleted Northside Regeneration LLC.

Scott Penman and David Winton deleted Glazer’s Family of Companies.

Miles Ross, Jay R Hahn, and Nikki R. Strong deleted Major Brands Premium Beverage Distributors.

David R. Corbitt deleted David Corbitt.

Benjamin Brundage, Jasmine Linda Bryant, Nicholas Charalambides, Alexander Mugera, Alexius Gandy, Patricia Poe, and Abigail Thomas deleted The Associated Students of the University of Missouri.