MOScout Daily Update: Messy Budget Process - Labor Warns They’ll To Put Prop A In Constitution - Murphy Dynasty - Royals $300M Ask? - April GR and more…
Today is Truman’s birthday. State offices closed.
Budget Inches Forward
It was a messy day for the budget process. After Senate Appropriations Chair Lincoln Hough announced Tuesday night that the conference committee would be at 3PM Wednesday, the House retorted that they were keeping their schedule. House Budget Chair Dirk Deaton gaveled in, as posted, at 9AM. He then immediately recessed the committee until 10PM. At 3PM, Hough and the Senate conferees showed up and looked around for Deaton and his conferees. After waiting about a half-hour, they gave up. However, without posting any change, the conference committee decided to meet at 7:30PM.
· It’s a hell of a way to run a public meeting, and the back and forth was symptomatic of the deteriorating relationship between the two sides.
Once they finally sat down, the Senate scored several victories among the big differences between the two budgets. House Dems generally sided with the Senate on those items…
· Governor’s pay plan
· Fully funding the foundation formula
· Child care subsidy payments
The conference worked through House Bills 1–9 before adjourning. They will reconvene this morning to finish. The plan is to gavel in at 9AM and then recess until 10:30AM.
It will be tight, but they should be able to finish the budget by the Friday deadline assuming there are no more bumps in the road. There was talk throughout yesterday that the House Republicans were itching to take the budget to a special session. However, folks I spoke with struggled to understand the strategic value of such a plan.
Labor Warns Consequences of No Prop A Talks
Formal Prop A negotiations were supposed to continue yesterday, but… the meeting didn’t take place. That adds more pessimism to the hope that the two sides could come to some agreement.
· Labor sources are warning Republicans that if the Prop A provisions are unilaterally changed by the legislature, they will mobilize a campaign to put the issue back before voters – this time as an untouchable constitutional amendment.
Befuddled Wasinger
Lieutenant Governor Dave Wasinger seemed to get tangled up Wednesday morning presiding over the Senate. The rumor was that he hadn’t been given “a script,” as he stumbled over motions. One MOScouter texted: “They must have deliberately stopped holding Wasinger’s hand. What a cluster.”
· It was a “And-this-guy-wants-to-rewrite-the-rules?” moment.
And
Wasinger won’t be in dais the rest of the week…
Murphy Dynasty
Rep. Jim Murphy’s wife, Maryellen, will run to succeed him as state representative in House 94.
Dems have repeatedly thought that this district might turn blue, but Murphy’s hold has never been seriously challenged. He won in 2024 by 12 points.
· Keeping the Murphy name on the ballot is a good development for GOP retention.
April Revenues
The April general revenue number slightly exceeded expectations, but it was hardly robust. It was 3.3% higher than a year earlier. That’s an extra $45 million.
We entered May just slightly behind 2024 revenues, down .8%, right about in line with the consensus revenue estimate for this fiscal year.
Join The Gov’s Paris Trip
Hawthorn Foundation is pleased to offer our investors (at the $5,000 Associate Level and above) the opportunity to join the Governor’s Trade Mission to Paris, France, taking place June 15-20, 2025. Trade missions are an important component of Hawthorn’s strategic focus as we help promote Missouri and Missouri-based companies overseas. These missions are incredible opportunities to interact with the Governor and his leadership team, learn more about promoting Missouri overseas, and add your unique perspective as a Missouri leader to the conversations with those interested in doing business here. The cost to participate in this mission is $9,800, which includes hotel stays, ground transportation, group activities including admission to the Paris Air Show, most meals, and gratuities. Participants are responsible for their own flights.
· MOScouter: The weather is great in France in June.
Rumorville: The Royal Ask
I’m told that the Royals have asked for a $300 million package ($15 million over 20 years) to build their new stadium in Missouri.
That would supposedly match what Kansas has offered them.
One source says that Governor Mike Kehoe is on board, and supporters have determined that the path of least resistance would be attaching the incentive/subsidy to Sen. Kurtis Gregory’s bill – now over in the House.
· But… Speaker Jon Patterson might balk at the idea because it’d be a heavy lift to put the votes together.
Martin Appt Scuttled?
Washington Post reports that “Republican senators balked Tuesday at confirming Ed Martin before a key May 20 deadline, triggering a possible showdown with the White House over President Donald Trump’s controversial pick for top federal prosecutor in D.C. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) said he informed the White House that he opposed naming Trump’s interim appointee to a full four-year term… Tillis sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Martin cannot afford to lose a single Republican vote.”
And
One reader points out that the Martin has a “New DC hairdo.”
Burlison, Onder Sign Demand Letter
Politico reports that “thirty-two House Republicans are demanding that House GOP leadership adhere to strict spending cuts in the legislative package central to enacting President Donald Trump’s domestic policy agenda.”
· Among the signees are Missouri Congressmen Eric Burlison and Bob Onder.
Get Well
I’m told that Rep. Ben Keathley is “at home convalescing,” after an emergency appendectomy earlier this week.
Help Wanted
League of Women Voters seeks Executive Director. Serves as Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Missouri (LWVMO) and the St. Louis Metro League (LWVSTL); Supervises part-time staff and interns; Drives strategic fundraising initiatives, including grants and fundraising efforts; Manages and implements budgetary goals; Manages external and internal communications; Serves as spokesperson and advocate in conjunction with the Board(s); Fosters community and statewide partnerships and visibility…
$5K+ Contributions
BHA PAC - $7,500 from Brent Hemphill and Assoc.
Lobbyist Registrations
Eapen Thampy added Private Party Impounmd.
David Adams added The Gordian Group, Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Tom Dempsey, Lisa Clancy, and Jeanie Lauer.