Friday, July 28, 2017
Greitens Makes Appointments
Governor Eric Greitens appointed “Theresa Counts Burke, of St. Louis, as Circuit Court Judge for the 22nd Judicial Circuit, which covers the City of St. Louis. The position became vacant due to the retirement of the Honorable John J. Riley.”
And he appointed “Nathan Garrett, of Kansas City, as a member of the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners. Garrett will be the successor of Alvin Brooks. Garrett is an attorney at Graves Garrett…”
And
This morning Greitens “will visit with judges, staffers and graduates [at the James S. Rooney Justice Center in Liberty,MO] about what can be done to address the opioid crisis in Missouri, and to learn more from the perspective of those involved with the drug court process.”
More Senate 30 Talk
Another knowledgeable source says that Rep. Kevin Austin won’t be running for Senate 30. That would leave business Caleb Arthur as the only declared candidate now.
But David Cort has apparently floated the idea for jumping in. Cort ran for House 133 last year. He finished fourth in a 4-way primary, so he’s not considered a real threat to Arthur’s front-runner status.
Meet Liberty Alliance
In the large contributions, Liberty Alliance grabbed $10K from the MOChamber, and $100K from Richard Uihlein, an Illinois businessman and big GOP donor.
Liberty Alliance is a PAC. It recent amended its paperwork with the Missouri Ethics Commission to oppose any efforts to overturn the right to work legislation.
STL BOA Talk
Word that St. Louis Alderwoman Megan Ellyia Green is eyeing a run for President of the Board of Aldermen is sure garner some reaction in Jefferson City. Green was the original sponsor of the aldermanic bill which was one of the triggers for Governor Eric Greitens’ recent abortion special session. Social conservatives will roll their eyes that she might lead the local board (but perhaps privately cheer as her brand of politics creates an easy target to deride St. Louis City with their outstate base). Meanwhile Sen. Jamilah Nasheed is likely unhappy. She’s been planning on challenging incumbent Lewis Reed, but the alderwoman’s entry would change the racial calculus of that citywide race.
New Committees
Patriots For Buwalda is a new candidate committee for Bruce Buwalda running as a Republican in House 73. The current incumbent, Rep. Courtney Curtis, is a possible state senate candidate. But this is a heavy Democratic district.
Friends of Jeff Knight is the candidate committee for Jeff Knight’s House 129 run as a Republican. This is Rep. Sandy Crawford’s district. She will become a state senator next month with a special election filling Mike Parson’s seat. So we’ll see if there’s a special for her House seat or this remains an August primary.
Citizens for Lampert is Raymond Lampert’s committee to run for House 137 as a Democrat. The current incumbent, Rep. Lyndall Fraker, is term-limited. But this district – just outside of Springfield – is solidly Republican.
Question of the Day
Is this the administration Sen. Will Kraus wants to join? NYTimes reports on latest White House as Reality TV Show… See it here. “The clash between Mr. Scaramucci and Mr. Priebus offers a case study in how the Trump White House operates, a conflict divorced from facts, untethered from the basics of how government works, enabled by the lack of any organizational structure and driven by ambition, fear, animosity and envy.”
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable calendar:
July 28 Rep. Kathy Swan Golf – Dalhousie Golf Club – Cape Girardeau.
July 29 - August 2 Council of State Governments Annual Meeting – Biloxi, Mississippi.
And
For those looking ahead… I got a note last night that Sen. Wayne Wallingford has changed the date of his golf fundraiser to September 25 s as not to conflict with the Senate Republican Caucus planned in early October.
Lobbyists Registrations
Nancy Giddens and Shannon Cooper deleted Fresenius Medical Care.
$5K+ Contributions
A Better Missouri Political Action Committee - $40,000 from Anheuser-Busch.
Liberty Alliance - $10,000 from Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Liberty Alliance - $100,000 from Richard Uihlein.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $25,000 from UAW V Cap.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Dale Ludwig.
Saturday: Vicki Englund.
Sunday: Bruce Darrough.