MOScout Daily Update: Humphreys Contra HB 126 - Greitens to Navy - Tornado Hits JCity - Cleaver on Impeachment and more....
1 Big Rumor: Humphreys Contra HB 126
This is a humdinger of a rumor, but I’m passing it along because I believe it to be true. I’m told that if Governor Mike Parson signs the abortion bill, uber-donor David Humphreys, along with other Republican donors, will pay to gather signatures to overturn HB 126 on the ballot in 2020.
Not unlike the unions referendum on right to work, Humphreys apparently believes that voters will overturn the language at the ballot.
If it sounds like a GOP-plot to juice 2020 turnout among the social conservatives, I assured it’s not. These donors think…
· The bill goes “way too far with no exceptions for rape or incest.”
· It could deter bright, open-minded, young people wanting to stay in Missouri or come here from other places.
· It crosses the line from conservatism into extremism.
Tipster: “The hope is that it won’t come to this, Parson will realize that he shouldn't sign something that could criminalize IUD use… [but if it does Humphreys will put the] language on the ballot….”
Greitens Writing Book, to Return to the Navy
The first-rate Jason Hancock reports that “former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens has told friends and supporters in recent weeks that he plans to deploy with the Navy to the Middle East in the fall and hopes his fourth book will be published later this year… In 2017, Greitens was put on inactive status with the Standby Reserve, which allowed him to retain his commission but not to accrue time served to apply towards retirement. The status comes with no pay and does not make him eligible for promotion. He applied for a transfer to selected reserves in April 2019 and late Wednesday the Navy confirmed that he had been approved to return to active status as a general unrestricted line officer. That means while Greitens, 45, is returning to active status as a naval reserve officer, he will not be performing the duties of a SEAL, the Navy said… “His transfer was approved,” Lt. Cmdr. Jessica McNulty, Navy Recruiting Command Public Affairs. She said Greitens is now affiliated with the Navy Operational Support Center in St Louis.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, which published Greitens’ previous three books, told The Star it does not have anything new from Greitens under contract…”
One lobbyist write of the news… “I think it shows the guy has ‘no place else to go’ like in An Officer and a Gentleman.”
AG to Investigate Hotline
Attorney General Eric Schmitt said he was going to investigate the Elder Abuse Hotline as reports many calls went unanswered.
Coming on the heels of his “more paint please” whitewash investigation of Greitens’ social media use, one building denizen emailed me this zinger: “Let’s hope this is a real investigation and not a cooperative agreement on best practices on how to pick up the phone more.”
Cleaver on Impeachment
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver gets quoted in this Politico article about possible impeachment of President Donald Trump… But with McGahn defying Democrats, impeachment was on the minds of many rank-and-file members — several of whom said they were warming to the idea of moving toward impeachment. “A couple of more moves like that latest is probably going to push me over. And I don’t celebrate it, it’s not something that makes me happy,” Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) said.
Tornado Hits Jefferson City
KCStar reports: A “large and destructive tornado” hit Jefferson City shortly before midnight Wednesday, cutting a swath of damage through part of the state capital and leaving people trapped or injured, according to authorities. The violent tornado was confirmed over the city at 11:43 p.m., moving northeast at 40 mph., according to the National Weather Service. By 12:52 a.m. Thursday the storm had left extensive damage along Ellis Boulevard near U.S. 54, the Missouri Department of Public Safety reported on Twitter. Jefferson City Police Department Lt. David Williams said during a televised briefing Thursday morning that there were no confirmed deaths, although he said there had been reports of injuries. There were also reports of people trapped in their homes. Williams said there were no confirmed reports of collapsed buildings. There have been several reports of damage to homes and businesses. The damage corridor appeared to extend along the south side of Jefferson City along Ellis Boulevard, Highway 54 and Stadium Boulevard, according to Williams. He said a clearer picture of the damage would emerge at daybreak. Authorities said the situation remained chaotic in the early morning hours…
Politico Jonathon Ratliff on Twitter around 1:30AM…We are safe but w/o power. The tornado seemed to have just missed us. By flashlight I can see debris from downtown in our yard (at least 3 miles away).The damage downtown is immense. Many buildings are completely destroyed. Our thoughts & prayers are w/ everyone in our community.
Lobbyists Registrations
Shannon Cooper and Jeremy LaFaver deleted Independent Colleges & Universities of Missouri.
Jeremy LaFaver deleted Missouri Pork Association, Empower Missouri, and Foster Care Technologies.
Doug Stone added Pivotal Properties LLC, and JPL Development LLC.
$5K+ Contributions
Uniting Missouri PAC - $15,000 from W.G. Wade Shows Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Zach Monroe and Meredith Shadwick.