MOScout Daily Update: Crumbliss To Dept of Health - McDowell's Old Tax Bill - Anti-MMJ Committee - Kander for Justus and more...
Crumbliss to DHSS
In a “thank you note” to House members and staff yesterday Adam Crumbliss, chief clerk of the House, announced that he’d be resigning October 15. Left unsaid in his note – but sources say with absolute confidence – is that Crumbliss will become the deputy director of the Department of Health.
The House has posted the chief clerk job. It’s a non-partisan position.
And
This has reinvigorated talk of the possibility of Speaker Todd Richardson taking the Director of Medicaid position. We’ll see…
Excerpt of Crumbliss Email
Dear House Members and Staff:
I’m writing to announce my intention to resign on Monday, October 15, 2018 at 12:00am to begin a new position in the executive branch that I believe will afford me another opportunity to make an impactful positive difference for Missourians.
I have enjoyed my eighteen year career with the House immensely… I leave you with this simple thought. It is the people we serve and the people I served alongside that I will miss most about the House. As memories fade into the background of time, it is you, the servants of our legislative institution, that can inspire the next generation of Missourians to make our state better….
McDowell’s Delinquent Tax Bill
Financial problems continue to bedevil the Republican auditor candidate, Saundra McDowell. Read the Post-Dispatch article here. “According to documents obtained by the Post-Dispatch, first-time candidate Saundra McDowell’s husband is listed as owing $1,484 in personal property taxes, fines and fees dating to 2012 when the couple lived in Kansas City… Gregg Keller, a spokesman for McDowell, said the candidate was moving Thursday to clear up what he described as a mix up. He said the couple paid their tax bill in Greene County after they moved to Springfield. Greene County records show the McDowell's paid their 2013 personal property tax bill on Jan. 30, 2018. The $633 bill included a $300 late fee….”
One MOScouter called me to point out that this could technically be perjury as she signed a candidate affidavit saying that she didn’t have any tax delinquencies, but an equally stinging criticism came from lobbyist Kevin Gunn: “Her defense is that she paid taxes to the wrong county...exactly the kind of precision one expects in a State Auditor. Total disaster.”
“Safe Medicine” Forms to Oppose MMJ
Citizens For Safe Medicine was formed. It’s a campaign committee. Its purpose is to oppose the three medical marijuana questions on the ballot next month.
The treasurer of Safe Medicine is Judy Brooks. She’s been involved in anti-drug efforts. She’s featured in this Jefferson City Magazine article about Council for Drug Free Youth.
The deputy treasurer is Pat Rowe-Kerr, who recently lost a state representative campaign in House 60.
Kander Hearts Justus
Yesterday Abe Rakov, Jason Kander’s consigliere, tweeted his boss’ support for a mayoral bid by Jolie Justus. See it here. I said this earlier, but in case you didn’t see it: Jason is encouraging @joliejustus to run for mayor and will support her if she does. Jason has a lot of friends in the race that he believes would do a good job, but he’s confident Jolie is the best person to lead Kansas City.
Bits
Press release: State Rep. Shamed Dogan will join 23 other political leaders from around the country to participate in a program designed to bring together elected officials who have demonstrated an outstanding ability to work responsibly across partisan divisions and bring greater civility to public discourse. Dogan was selected for a Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership after an exhaustive year-long search by the Aspen Institute, which is a nonpartisan educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
St. Louis Business Journal reports that there was a record low number of malpractice “actions” in Missouri in 2017. See it here. “The number of malpractice actions dropped to a historic low last year in Missouri. In 2017, 734 claims were closed, of which 321 resulted in a payout to an injured party. A total of 658 new claims were opened. Those totals were a significant drop from a high of 1,278 claims closed in 2007, and 1,514 claims reported in 2005. Missouri implemented new caps for the amount that may be awarded in malpractice cases for non-economic damages (pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of activities, and other nonpecuniary losses) in 2015.”
Weekender Preview
The MOScout Weekly Poll will survey Senate 34 where Republican Tony Luetkemeyer and Democrat Martin Rucker II are fighting to replace termed Sen. Rob Schaaf.
The Hallway will return to the US Senate race to see if there’s a change in sentiment in that race.
Plus “Who Won the Week” and more…
Lobbyists Registrations
Jim Creevy deleted ABB Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
CLEAN Missouri - $12,453 from Missouri Jobs With Justice Voter Action.
Vote for Your Library - $10,000 from Thomas McDonnell.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $50,000 from Friends of Mike Cunningham.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from MHA PAC.
MBA Capitol Region PAC - $7,633 from Hawthorn Bank.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $20,000 from Centene Management Company LLC.
CLEAN Missouri - $87,000 from Action Now Initiative (Houston, TX).
Property Casualty Insurers Association of America Political Account - $8,289 from Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.
MO Cattlemens Association PAC - $10,722 from MO Corn Growers Association.
Middle Class Missouri PAC - $50,000 from Eastern Missouri Laborers Educational and Benevolent Fund.
Middle Class Missouri PAC - $50,000 from Midwest Region Laborers Political League Educational Fund.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Nick Marshall and former Sen. Joe Keaveny.
Saturday: Yancy Williams
Sunday: Former Reps. Jeff Harris, and Zach Wyatt-Gomez, Sam Barbee, and Kenny Ross.