Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Roberts Walker Spar
Steven Roberts fired back at his accuser, Cora Walker. His statement said that the episode she has called a rape was consensual – and he offered new details to their relationship. See it here.
“I have strong and indisputable evidence that documents the consensual nature of our encounter in August… Mrs. Walker and I have been intimate in the past… I am confident that once all the facts are presented my name will be cleared…”
Walker told the Kansas City Star that Roberts’ statement amounted to “victim blaming.” See it here.
It looks like this battle is reverting to a He Said, She Said. It’s going to be long and drawn out – and it’s a mess. Dems I spoke to are tearing their hair out with each twist and turn, confused and angry, but not sure who to be angry at.
Kander Touts Momentum
Team Kander crows as National Journal reports (see it here): One bright spot for Democrats this year is red-state Missouri. Trump is expected to win comfortably in the presidential race, but Republicans are struggling to take back the governorship and hold a critical Senate seat that could determine which party controls the upper chamber in 2017. A Republican operative familiar with Sen. Roy Blunt’s polling told National Journal that the incumbent leads Democrat Jason Kander by only 1 point—consistent with recent public polling showing the race as a statistical dead heat. Blunt’s biggest problem is that he is a dated symbol of the GOP establishment (he served in House leadership with Dennis Hastert and Tom DeLay) at a time when voters are looking for fresher faces. The Cook Political Report moved the race into toss-up territory this week.
And
Pro-Democratic SuperPAC Majority Forward is buying TV time in Missouri. See an ad contract here.
MOChamber: Follow the Money
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce unveiled a new webpage where folks can see how much money labor organizations and trial attorneys are giving to candidates. See it here.
Both interest groups are strong constituencies of Democrats. Some conservatives grumble that “the media” spills so much ink over the shock-and-awe seven-figure checks from Rex Sinquefield and David Humphreys, they miss the constant river of dollars flowing from these groups.
And
Chris Koster and Jason Kander will headline a labor rally today at the Family Arena in St. Charles (5PM) “to present their pro labor platform for the upcoming November election…” Also expected to attend: John Stiffler, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council, Russ Carnahan, Bill Otto and Scott Sifton…
Koster Hits Mega Church
Tipster: Chris Koster attended church service at James River Assembly of God in Springfield with former Brunner and Blunt aide Tom Carter. This is the largest mega church in southwest Missouri.
Tilley for MEDA
In the lobbyist registrations below, former Speaker Steven Tilley has signed up MEDA (Missouri Energy Development Association) the umbrella for investor owned utilities.
It looks like a move ahead of the renewed push to update the regulatory framework in Missouri. One goal these companies share to a reduction in “regulatory lag,” the time between their capital expenditures and their reimbursement of those expenses through rates.
Tilley adds an arrow to their quiver in this quest in that he has ties in southeast Missouri where opposition (Sens. Gary Romine, Wayne Wallingford, Doug Libla) has coalesced in previous sessions.
And
Over in Illinois… “The Illinois Commerce Commission last week approved Ameren Illinois’ plan to accelerate the rollout of smart meters to all of its customers, an effort that is already underway and that the utility says saves customers $46 million annually. The utility launched its $3.5 billion grid modernization program four years ago…” See it here.
Hensley Ad
Teresa Hensley released her first television ad. See it here. Unsurprisingly, it focuses on her time as a prosecutor and her experience in the courtroom. These are considered to be weaknesses of her opponent, Josh Hawley.
And
See an Hensley ad contract here.
Bits
John Huff is quoted in this Washington Post article about insurance regulations at the state level. See it here.
We should get the official numbers today or tomorrow, but it looks like Missouri’s state revenues were up a little less than 6% in September, bringing the fiscal year-to-date number up to 3.55%. Chris Dunn tweets that this is “Not high enough for Gov. Nixon to release withheld funds.”
And in Kansas, a big miss on their monthly revenue numbers. Again. “The state Department of Revenue reported Monday that tax collections were $521 million, or 7.9 percent short of the official projection of $566 million. It's the fifth consecutive month Kansas has missed its revenue targets; the state faces at least a small shortfall in its current $15.5 billion budget and potential spending cuts for the next fiscal year beginning in July 2017.” See it here.
New Committees
Friends Of Bryan Young was formed. Bryan Young is the Republican opposing Rep. Jake Hummel in Senate 4. Hummel will win easily. Young’s treasurer is Carol Wilson, and his deputy treasurer is Michael Chance.
eMailbag on Hawley Ad
That doesn't look like a courthouse where real prosecutors practice. Looks like Mizzou, where academics talk, a lot.
eMailbag on Galloway 2024
If current polling holds and Koster is the only democratic statewide of this cycle to be successful, he will be even lonelier in January of 2019 when conservative Paul Curtman is inaugurated as the next Missouri State Auditor.
Today’s Events
Powered by Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Rep. Mike Bernskoetter Dinner – Wardsville Lions Club – Wardsville – 4:30PM.
Rep DaRon McGee reception – Quinton’s Bar and Grill, Kansas City – 5:30PM.
Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus supporting Robin Smith, Judy Baker, and Teresa Hensley – Lathrop and Gage, Kansas City – 5:30PM.
Changes in Lobbyist Registrations
Shawn Rigger and Steven Tilley added Missouri Energy Development Association.
Jarad Falk added Charter Communication; and deleted Time Warner Cable.
Layle “Kip” Smith deleted Noranda Aluminum.
Elizabeth Lauber deleted CEMO LLC.
Donald Kaufmann deleted Productive Living Board.
Kenny Tsai deleted Uber Technologies Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
Koster for Missouri - $25,000 from Emerson’s Missouri Responsible Government Fund.
MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC - $90,000 from Cheyenne International LLC.
Koster for Missouir - $25,000 from Kansas City Power & Light.
Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from United Union of Roofers Waterproofers and Allied Workers.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 form John Tracy.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from Debbie Williams.
Greitens for Missouri - $25,000 from John Miller.
Teresa Hensley for Missouri - $10,000 from Cindy McClain.
Parson for Missouri - $25,000 from Lewis and Clark Leadership Forum.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $115,000 from Koster for Missouri.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $10,000 from Rockwood Management Corporation.
MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC - $10,000 from Wallis Petroleum LC.
MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC - $30,000 from Riverside Liquor Inc.
Friends of Caleb Rowden - $5,001 from Fitzpatrick for House.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Talya Nevo-Hacohen.
Baker for Missouri - $10,000 from Eastern Missouri Laborers' Educational & Benevolent Fund.
Baker for Missouri - $25,000 from Eastern Missouri Laborers' Educational & Benevolent Fund.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to former Reps. Randy Asbury and Jerry Nolte, and Kander’s John Scott.