MOScout Weekender: Montenegro Joins Catalyst - Weekly Poll on Prefiles - Hallway Hearts MEC and more...
Catalyst Adds Lobbyist to DC Team
The press release: Danny Pfeifer and Greg Porter today announced Ashley Montenegro is joining Catalyst as a government affairs specialist in the firm's growing multistate and attorneys general practice in Washington, D.C. She most recently was finance director for the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) and the Rule of Law Defense Fund, RAGA's C4.
“We are excited that Ashley is joining our growing government relations presence in Washington, D.C.,” said Danny Pfeifer, Catalyst founder...
Montenegro served as the finance director for the Republican Attorneys General Association where she helped quadruple their fundraising totals over the past six years. She is well versed in government relations and political campaigns having managed relationships with more than 400 corporate and individual clients during her career. Montenegro is a graduate of Florida State University. She volunteers her time with Love and Legacy, a ministry that helps people in Central and South America.
MOScout Poll: Senate Pre-Files
The MOScout Weekly Poll looks at some Senate pre-filed bills, and voters’ reaction to them…
Q: Senate Bill 32 repeals the punishment of the death penalty. In addition, this act provides that any person sentenced to death before August 28, 2019, must be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
Support: 27%
Oppose: 52%
Not sure: 21%
Q: Senate Bill 37 modifies the offense of promoting prostitution. A person may be found guilty of such offense if he or she owns, manages, or operates an interactive computer service with the intent to promote or facilitate the prostitution of another.
Support: 47%
Oppose: 27%
Not sure: 26%
Q: Senate Bill 41 makes it a felony for a person who has been convicted of a domestic violence offense in the past five years to possess a firearm.
Support: 64%
Oppose: 24%
Not sure: 12%
Q: Senate Bill 44 makes sports wagering legal on gambling boats. This act imposes a 12% tax on the adjusted gross receipts received from wagers on sporting events.
Support: 45%
Oppose: 35%
Not sure: 20%
Q: Senate Bill 61 creates a tax deduction in the amount of 100% of unreimbursed educator expenses incurred by an eligible educator, not to exceed $500. Eligible expenses include books, supplies, computer equipment and other equipment, and supplementary materials used by the eligible educator in the classroom.
Support: 71%
Oppose: 11%
Not sure: 18%
MOScout’s Hallway Index: House Rising Star?
This week, I turned attention to the incoming pool of House members and did my best to pick some folks who appear to have political talent. I asked the lobbyists to choose one from them that they think will be a “rising star.” 27 responses…
RESULTS
Ben Baker…. 0%
LaKeySha Bosley…. 3.7%
Steve Butz…. 0%
Mary Elizabeth Coleman…. 33.3%
Aaron Griesheimer…. 7.4%
Jon Patterson…. 25.9%
Jeff Shawan…. 0%
Brenda Shields…. 25.9%
Kevin Windham…. 3.7%
Sample of Comments
I’m going with Coleman just because of how impressive she is in-person. Genuine, kind, super hard working. If she can stear clear of idealism and move towards conservative pragmatism she’d be a contender for leadership or higher office. (ps I’m a Democrat)
Who Won the Week?
Holly Rehder – Rehder’s been working the opioid issue for years. And this year it looks like the forces have aligned so she’ll see real progress on the issue.
Khristine Heisinger – After allies of Hawley launch Trumpian attack, Heisinger feels the love from Jeff City’s political class as folks applaud her professionalism.
Doug Galloway – CenturyLink’s Missouri government affairs topper gets promoted and adds four more states to his portfolio.
Mike Parson – The third-party PAC supporting the incumbent governor saw over $400,000 worth of contributions come in this week.
Told Ya So-ers – With MODoT Director Patrick McKenna foreseeing scenarios of “3-hour back-ups” on I-70 due to needed repairs and lack of funding, supporters of Prop P are in the sorry position of telling the anti-gas tax voter that they’ll get the roads that they pay for.
Find a downloadable version of WWTW here.
Parson Appointments
Governor Mike Parson announced six appointments to various boards and commissions.
Dr. Cindy Herrmann Baker, of Ozark, was appointed to the Committee for Professional Counselors.
Brandon Boulware, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Missouri Gaming Commission.
Dr. James Gray III, of Des Peres, was appointed to the State Board of Pharmacy.
Dr. Colby Grove, of Springfield, was appointed to the State Board of Pharmacy.
Christopher Sanford, of Brighton, was appointed to the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy.
Dr. Linda Sue Hermann Wimpfheimer, of Webster Groves, was appointed to the Committee for Professional Counselors.
Help Wanted
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District seeks Public Affairs Specialist. “Position reports to the Public Affairs Manager… Develop and maintain relationships with area stakeholders to direct the District's outreach and engagement initiatives; advise District officials regarding external and internal communications, community relations, and press relations; prepare news releases, pamphlets, reports on specific programs, and direct mail information; assist in coordinating and participating in the District's presentations to organizations and community groups; assist in public participation processes for required projects… serve as the primary point of contact for the coordination of the District's Internet strategies; understands the District's industry, its relationships with federal, state and local governmental bodies, and the stakeholders' expectations for District performance…” See it here.
Lobbyist Registrations
Eapen Thampy added Eighteen Fifty Equity Co.
$5K+ Contributions
Uniting Missouri PAC – $100,000 from David Steward.
Uniting Missouri PAC – $150,000 from Rex Sinquefield.
Uniting Missouri PAC – $19,800 from Kevin Knasel.
Uniting Missouri PAC – $25,000 from Ameren Missouri.
Uniting Missouri PAC – $10,000 from Spire Missouri Inc.
Uniting Missouri PAC – $25,000 from The Renco Group Inc.
Uniting Missouri PAC – $25,000 from Missouri Mining Investments LLC.
Uniting Missouri PAC – $22,400 from Supporters of Health Research & Treatments.
Relax PAC - $10,000 from Get Right Management Company.