Friday, January 6, 2012
Burlison for Floor?
Some House Republicans are apparently searching for an alternative to Rep. John Diehl taking the floor leader position in January 2013. One name being mentioned is Rep. Eric Burlison.
There’s no indication whether Burlison is considering these overtures. However, Diehl began lining up his support last month, and the best guess is that he has the commitments in hand to withstand any challenge.
Kinder Correction
I was contacted by three folks from Camp Kinder to deny yesterday’s Rumorville that a fundraiser had been laid off. Full steam ahead, I am told. A six-figure quarter will be recorded, and he will file for LG next month.
State Budget Blues Again
Yesterday, the state released its December revenue numbers. They fell 2.1% from the year earlier. Year-to-date they are now only up 1.2% from the previous fiscal year. This tough news comes as legislators grapple with $400-ish million budget shortfall from the absence of federal monies.
And- “Director Luebbering also noted the General Revenue Fund borrowed $75 million from
the Budget Reserve Fund for cash flow purposes and that the funds will be repaid before the Constitutional deadline of May 15th.”
MO Roundtable for Life: Hall too Close to Danforth to Lead DED
From the press release: “Jason Hall's close ties to Donn Rubin, John Danforth, and individuals that seek to use Missouri taxpayer dollars to fund embryo-destructive experimentation and abortion research should disqualify him from taking over a department that disburses public funds… In this role, Hall acts under the direction of the MTC board that includes Donn Rubin, whose was the chief spokesperson for the proponents of Amendment 2, who waged a deceptive campaign to create a constitutional right to clone and destroy human embryos in Missouri in 2006. According to own words, Hall worked closely with and at the same law firm as John Danforth, who was one of the leaders of the campaign to pass Amendment 2.”
Shouldn’t matter – unless they can find a enough senators to filibuster…
Bits
Today, the press releases go out that former OA Director Kelvin Simmons will be joining SNR Denton, bulking up their Kansas City office. According to one observer, Simmons’ expertise state-level procurement is transferable across multiple states and will help SNR expand their ability to help clients navigate the state contract maze across the nation.
Next Thursday, Jan.12: Governor Jay Nixon and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver headline a fundy for Minority leader Mike Talboy. 5:30pm at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City. RSVP to Stacy@pivpt.com
Post-Dispatch Virginia Young reports that Speaker Steve Tilley has packed Education Chair Scott Dieckhaus’ committee to make their reform agenda move more easily through the House. Read it Here.
New Campaign Committee Filings
1/5/2012 – Dan Smith – House 113 – Republican. This is a solid Democratic district in Jefferson County where former Rep. Jeff Roorda is expected to be the front-runner.
1/5/2012 – Tom Martz – House 131 – Republican. This is a heavy Republican district in Springfield that already has two Republican names floated – Sonya Anderson and Larry Roark – so it looks like a hot primary.
Lobbyists’ Principals Changes
From the Pelopidas website:
Jeffery N Brooks deleted Armstrong Teasdale LLP, and Centene Corporation; and added Gamble & Schlemeier, and all of their clients.
Larry G. Cole deleted Cornerstone Health.
Mike Sutherland deleted Joseph Sansone Co.
$5K+ Contributions
CWA District 6 Political Education Committee - $6,150 from CWA COPE.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Genise Montecillo (49), former Reps. Mike Daus (38), and Bob Onder (50).
Sunday: Former Tim Green staffer Janson Thomas, and former representative Mike Cunningham (65).