Monday, November 16, 2015
Listening In
The Intercept has a story alleging that Securus “recorded conversations between inmates and attorneys, a strong indication that at least some of the recordings are likely confidential and privileged legal communications — calls that never should have been recorded in the first place. The recording of legally protected attorney-client communications — and the storage of those recordings — potentially offends constitutional protections, including the right to effective assistance of counsel and of access to the courts.” See the article here.
One MOScout reader notes that “Securus has the Missouri contract to handle inmate phone calls. If someone in prison wants to call Grandma collect, they have to go through Securus. Securus tapes the phone calls so that Corrections can make sure they aren’t planning a hit or something. But they are not supposed to record attorney calls. This could result in inmates raising additional issues with regard to their convictions or civil cases against the state...”
And
Securus Technologies’ lobbyist in Missouri is Richard McIntosh.
Blunt-Mizzou Follow-Up
Rudi Keller did a story on the “no-bid” government relations contract that Andy Blunt got for the University of Missouri. See it here.
Pull Quote: The University of Missouri this week agreed to pay Andy Blunt, son of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, $10,000 per month to work on emergency repairs to its reputation with lawmakers. The contract with Blunt was approved Monday without the normal purchasing procedures that require seeking competitive bids for service contracts of more than $10,000 annually… There was no time to wait, UM System spokesman John Fougere wrote in an email. “Given the extraordinary challenges the UM System is currently facing, it was imperative to very quickly communicate with legislative leaders,” Fougere wrote. “The board chair, understanding the need for swift action, approved these hires.”
CDT put up a copy of the contract. See it here.
eMailbag: Reaction to Rudi Story
How interesting that the MU Government Relations Team expands following this debacle instead of sharing some of the blame!.. Dave Smith, $195,000. WOW! That kind of money could pay for quite a few scholarships and health care insurance premiums for several grad students… Maybe Senator Schaefer will have a question or two about this expenditure of taxpayer money?
And
Friday Governor Jay Nixon announced the appointment of Yvonne Sparks to serve on the University of Missouri Board of Curators.
Six Govs Fundy
Margaret Onken sent the invites out… “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Hawthorn Foundation is hosting a very special lunch with a rare group of guests. All 6 living governors will be in attendance to eat and talk about the importance of Hawthorn to economic development in Missouri…”
The event is this Friday.
With the 55th Governor of the Great State of Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, And honored guests Governor Kit Bond, Governor John Ashcroft, Governor Roger Wilson, Governor Bob Holden, Governor Matt Blunt…
A lunch ticket is $1K; the VIP reception is $2K, and lunch seating at a governor’s table is $2,500, leading one observer to joke you might be able to charge more (or less) depending on the governor….
See Hawthorn Foundation website here.
Farnen for Commissioner
Ted Farnen started a campaign committee to run for Boone County Commissioner, District 1, as a Democrat. Farnen is a former state representative, and was chief of staff to Sen. Chuck Graham.
Rallo Named RYH4K’s ED
The Raise Your Hands for Kids board voted to name Linda Rallo the new executive director. She takes the place of Erin Brower who left to join Hallmark.
Rallo will also become vice-president of Alliance for Childhood Education, splitting time between the campaign and the early childhood advocacy work.
Christofanelli for House 105
Philip Christofanelli sent out a press release announcing his candidacy for House 105. That’s where Rep. Mark Parkinson is running for Senate.
“At 26, Christofanelli brings a thoughtful, solutions-based, conservative approach to policy. You can learn more about Phil by visiting his website.
Phil Christofanelli was first elected to the Missouri Republican State Committee at 21 years old, and was later appointed to the State Executive Committee under both Chairman Ed Martin and Chairman John Hancock. Phil has worked for candidates and campaigns in Missouri and across the country, most recently serving as the Press Secretary and official spokesman to Rep. Dan Benishek (MI-01). He is a pro-life, pro-gun conservative who is committed to small, effective government. He resides in Saint Peters, Mo…”
Court Opening Applicants
Among the applicants for the new circuit judge position in St. Louis County are former Rep. Margaret Donnelly, and Judge Joe Dueker – husband to lobbyist Jane Dueker…
Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 10.28(d), the Twenty-First Circuit Judicial Commission releases the following information relating to applicants for the circuit judge vacancy created by the General Assembly: 30 applicants, 15 women, 15 men, four minorities, 26 non-minorities, 17 presently employed in the private sector and 13 presently employed in the public sector. The applicants' mean age is 53. Also pursuant to Rule 10.28(d), the commission announces it will interview all 30 applicants:
John N. Borbonus III, Woodie J. Curtis, Jr., Henry M. DeWoskin, Jason D. Dodson, Margaret T. Donnelly, Judy P. Draper, Joseph S. Dueker, Jay D. Fisk, Mondonna L. Ghasedi, Mary W. Greaves, Joseph L. Green, Peter E. Gullborg, B. Joyce Kelley, David C. Knieriem, Gary J. Krautmann, Jacqueline Kutnik-Bauder, Julia P. Lasater, Carter C. Law, Henry F. Luepke, Mary E. Ott, Mary C. Parker, Thomas J. Plunkert, Mary B. Schroeder, Kenneth R. Schwartz, Richard M. Stewart, Dana W. Tucker, Robert E. Tucker, Colleen J. Vetter, Nancy M. Watkins, D. Kimberly Whittle
The commission will meet beginning at 8:30 a.m. December 3…. The members of the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit Commission are: Lisa Van Amburg, chief judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District; Richard Wuestling IV; Matthew J. Rossiter; Rev. Anthony Witherspoon and Christy Bertelson.
MOScout Poll Bits
MCN on Twitter
@MariaChappelleN: The only thing I get from this week's @missouriscout poll is a confirmation that St. Louis will be important for Democrats in November 2016.
MOPromise Underwater
Aside from everything else, the poll numbers last weekend were the latest indication that Missouri Promise probably won’t be on the ballot next year. The poll showed that only 38% of Missourians now favor the idea of raising cigarette taxes to pay for university scholarships. That’s about twenty points below where you’d want it to be right now.
eMailbag
Lobbyist 1: The most interesting stat is the "Would you encourage your child to attend the University" question but I wonder how many of those polled have high school students. If not a poll of that demographic would be VERY telling about the impact this week's events are having on the university long term.
Lobbyist 2: Wow, other than the first question, there is zero difference in the opinion among the genders. Race is a different issue…
Bits
They call it the Harvard Business School for would-be pot entrepreneurs…. See it here. “Today, the school employs 20 staff members and 150 instructors, including some of the biggest stars in the cannabis universe… The Oakland lecture hall holds 50 students and every seat is paid for. The school is also branching out to satellite locations. There is a new campus in the works in Las Vegas, where two four-day seminars sold out this year, with 250 students paying as much as $995 apiece.”
Jeff Roe positions his guy to make a move down the stretch? Politico says rivals fear Ted Cruz…. See it here.
Federal Filings
Wagner Victory Fund filed its termination report. See it here.
SedgwickLaw PAC (Kansas City, MO) reported contributions to Boehner for Speaker ($10K) and Richard Burr ($500).
Lobbyists Registrations
Jomo Castro added Southwestern Bell Telephone Company d/b/a AT&T Missouri and its affiliates.
$5K+ Contributions
Koster for Missouri - $25,000 from Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from Adage Capital Management Analyst.
Progress KC PAC - $20,000 from Kansas City Live LLC.
Midwest Region Laborers’ Political League Education Fund - $6,652 from Laborers Supplemental Dues Fund.
Friends for Paul Fitzwater - $5,001 from CHIPP Political Account.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to former Rep. Jeff Grisamore and Penney Rector (50).