Friday, April 7, 2017

Meet Ron Hicks And Associates

Late last month former Rep. Ron Hicks formed an LLC, “Ron Hicks and Associates LLC.”  In the paperwork filed with the secretary of state’s office, the purpose of Hicks’ LLC is “to study proposed legislation to determine possible effects on clients.”

Hicks has been up in the building a few times this session.  But he hasn’t registered as a lobbyist, and can’t for a few more months.  The new anti-revolving door legislation imposes a six-month wait for Hicks whose term just ended in January.

Another Trump Appointment Rumor

On heels of the Long rumor, here’s another… Munzy.  One person says that Sen. Brian Munzlinger could be headed to DC.  Maybe we’re just in a place where these rumors fly until the Trump administration is more filled out and settled? According to this rumor, it would have something to do with agriculture.  Munzy served on the Trump campaign Ag advisory team.  See it here.

Why Schaaf Flipped on PDMP

Sen. Rob Schaaf writes an essay explaining his thinking for changing his position on the prescription drug monitoring program.  See it here.

An alternative motive being assigned to Schaaf by some building denizens is that he’s proposing the condition of a mandate that doctors use it because he assumes that the Missouri State Medical Association would oppose it and therefore prevent its implementation.  This theory points to his recent loss of a leadership bid for MSMA as his reason for putting them in a tough spot.

Charter Expansion Battle

Rep. Rebecca Roeber’s perfected version of HB 634 includes language that the bill goes into effect when the foundation formula is fully funded. Could this be behind some of the sentiment in Senate for not fully fund the formula? It’s easier to argue that it’s too expensive to trigger Pre-K that to openly oppose on of the Speakers top priorities.

The other interesting feature of the perfected bill is the three words on page 21 line 50: “from any source.” It’s unclear how broad “from any source” is but some House members speculate that could include bond funds, all local tax revenue, grants, donations, anything. Those who are not happy with it say they will work with the Senate to have it removed. The bill will be heard in Senate Appropriations next Tuesday.

Senate Confirms Greitens Appointees

Yesterday, following Wednesday’s meeting with Governor Eric Greitens, the Senate confirmed the appointments of Darryl M. Chatman, Jamie L. Farmer, and Jeffrey L. Layman to the University of Missouri Board of Curators; and James Timothy Bean, as State Fire Marshal; and Carol Silvey, and Craig D. Frazier to the Missouri State University Board of Governors; and James M. Howerton, John D. Reece, and Ashley McCarty to the Clean Water Commission.

Bits

Beau Willimon, creator of House of Cards, hosted a well-attended fundraiser for the Missouri Democratic Party last night.

Today in Independence at 12:30PM…. MissouriREALTORS® “Protect The American Dream” Rally Supporting Missouri. “We should be doing everything we can to encourage homeownership. That’s why we need the Missouri First-Time Homebuyer Initiative… The plan would function as a dedicated, tax-free savings account program that would allow Missourians to deposit up to$16,000 ($32,000 for couples) of after-tax dollars annually. First-time homebuyers could receive a state income tax deduction on the principal investment up to 50 percent of the maximum deposit…”

Chelsea Clinton at St. Louis’ Left Bank Books today, 5:30PM.  See it here.

Hank Waters III Hearts Galloway.  His editorial here.  Pull Quote: Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway is on her way to becoming one of the best holders of the office in state history… Galloway is turning the key to making a real change in this equation, finding lawmakers to sponsor and push for the sort of legislative change she now promotes and following up with her own consistent promotion from the auditor’s bully pulpit… Nagging is essential. Lawmakers are prone to talk the good game but fail to translate it into law. Auditor Galloway occupies the leverage to keep their feet in the fire. So have her predecessors, but she shows signs of really doing it. This is the extraordinary role state auditors can fill if they will, but seldom do. Auditor Nicole Galloway shows an inclination to exploit the office in unprecedented ways. This is a big deal, folks. We should egg her on.

TrumpCuts…. LaPlata in CD6 and Poplar Bluff in CD8 slated by Trump budget cuts to no longer serve as passenger rail stops. See it here.

St. Charles Mulls County-wide Vote on Uber.  Press release: As the Missouri Senate again stalls this week on approving a bill to enact a statewide regulatory system for Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann and County Council Chair Mike Elam are moving forward. In the event the legislature fails to act, County Executive Ehlmann is proposing that the County Council let the voters here decide. Councilman Elam will sponsor the bill that would allow that to happen.  See it here.

eMailbag

It's clear from listening to Rep. Robert Cornejo's KMOX interview that he's questioning the unconstitutional state ban on truthful advertising of the actual price of alcohol - not the long-time "three tier" state system of alcohol regulation. The opposition to Cornejo's HB433 is desperate to characterize it as an attack on the three-tier system, which lays out the roles of alcohol manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. But in fact, manufacturers and wholesalers are neutral on the bill - and that would not be the case if the three-tier system is threatened by HB433. ….

Lobbyists Registrations

Maggie Garrett added Americans United For Separation of Church and State.

Samuel Wright added University of Missouri College Republicans

Elizabeth Fuchs deleted Promo.

$5K+ Contributions

Missouri Democratic State Committee - $20,000 from James and Norma Crader Revocable Trust.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from Friends of Todd Richardson.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Ryan Rowden (the big 4-0).

Saturday: PJ White, Mike Sutherland, and Mike Thomson.

Sunday: Matt Lieberman and Casey Wasser.