Friday, February 17, 2017
MPA on Inaugural Donors (2001)
Kansas City Star’s Jason Hancock writes about Dems continued push to have Governor Eric Greitens disclose the funding behind his inaugural celebration. See it here.
One MOScout reader recalls that when Governor Bob Holden faced these questions – which led to Sarah Steelman’s legislation – the Missouri Press Association got into the fray. One wonders if they’ll do so again.
From Scott Charton’s 2001 AP article: Jean Maneke, the Missouri Press Association's Sunshine Law attorney, said Friday that it could be argued that Holden as governor should be required to disclose any dealings related to his functioning in public office.
The Sunshine Law's definition of public business: "All matters which relate in any way to the performance of the public governmental body's functions or the conduct of its business."
Maneke asked: "What is more basic to that functioning than taking the oath of office?"
Rex for Ann
Rex Sinquefield will be hosting a fundraiser for Congresswoman Ann Wagner. One MOScout reader says “there’s a little power struggle regarding who’s running for Senate.” Sinquefield apparently is backing Wagner, but other forces may be considering Josh Hawley as an alternative candidate…
McKenna Consulting LLC
With Ryan McKenna’s late Nixon term appointment to the State Tax Commission scuttled, he appears to be exploring a new career beyond public service.
Filed earlier this month with the secretary of state’s office is McKenna Consulting LLC…
Krewson Disavows Roorda
Mayoral candidate Lyda Krewson – who was endorsed by the St. Louis Police Officers’ Association – called on them yesterday to fire their business agent, Jeff Roorda.
“[Roorda] directed vile and disgusting comments towards Tishaura Jones today. Tishaura and I are both candidates for Mayor and are competing hard against each other but I absolutely reject his despicable characterization of her. She is a respected government official and does not deserve this abuse. This is not the first time I have felt the need to repudiate Mr. Roorda for his statements. He justified today’s repulsive remarks by claiming he had been attacked first by Ms. Jones. That excuse is not acceptable to me. I have seen police officers treated far worse by citizens on the street and still completely maintain their composure and civility…”
Courts Looking to Modernize Their Technology
Two recent request for bids show that the state’s court systems are seeking to modernize their technology.
St. Louis
“The City and Municipal Court seeks to re-imagine how it provides digital services to citizens, including streamlining the way an individual transacts with Municipal Court. Proposals shall outline their approach to online and mobile transactions, including how their solution simplifies the process of paying for a municipal citation and shall highlight any additional unique capabilities of their solution which can help drive outcomes important to the court, i.e., increasing timely payments, decreasing failure to appears, etc…” See it here.
Springfield
“The City of Springfield Municipal Court currently maintains the official court record in paper format. The court utilizes an in house case management system (CMS) based on an IBM AS400 system currently storing 1.4 million citation records. The municipal court staff consists of 25 staff members of judges, bailiffs, clerks, court administrator, IT manager, accounting manager, and probation officers. The City of Springfield prosecutor officer is a division of the City Law Department and supports a staff of nine attorneys, paralegals and support staff. The municipal court receives prosecutor filed citations that can range from 30,000–70,000 per year… The City of Springfield Municipal Court proposes to invest in an electronic case management system provided by a vendor from the approved records committee list…” See it here.
Bits
Jimmy Soni – the former HuffPo employee whose hiring raised eyebrows months ago – is listed on the gubernatorial payroll as Communications Advisor, pulling down $4,583/month.
Trump’s new Education Secretary Betsy DeVos tells state chief education officers to move forward with the implementation of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). See it here. Missouri is one of 17 states filing early.
Lobbyist Dave Sweeney will host a fundy for his old boss, Lewis Reed next Thursday (February 23) at his home.
Rep. Shamed Dogan’s Hair Braiding Freedom Act, which deregulates the hair braiding industry, was passed out of the House. “Currently, hair braiders must endure an outrageous 1500 hours of training just to become licensed in our state… Times are changing in Missouri…”
New Approach press release: “This week a coalition of patients, veterans, law enforcement and medical professionals will begin collecting signatures to place a medical marijuana initiative on the 2018 Missouri general election ballot. The initiative would make Missouri the 29th state to allow state-licensed physicians to recommend medical marijuana to patients with debilitating illnesses…”
Lobbyists Registrations
Jeffrey Davis added BNSF Railway Inc.
James Harris added JRMProperties LLC, and Carmichael & Neal P.C.
John Bowman added Nucomm Technology LLC.
Rodney Boyd, Katherine Casas, Kelvin Simmons, and Brian Grace deleted Dell Inc.
Deanna Hemphill deleted Astellas Pharma Us Inc., Missouri Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, E-cell, Inc., Primary Marking Systems, Inc., Signature Health Services, Missouri Occupational Therapy Association, National Restaurant Association, Scottrade Center, Center For Diagnostic Imaging, Atkins North America, Inc., St. Louis Blues Hockey Club, Asian American Hotel Owners Association, and Track Group
$5K+ Contributions
UAW Region 5 Midwest State Political Action Committee (PAC) (MO) - $6,000 from UAW Region 5 Exchange Account.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Jon Ratliff and Pat Jakopchek.
Saturday: Rep. Jeffery Justus and Rose Marie Hopkins.
Sunday: Steve Stenger, Alex Eaton, Ron Gladney, Lynne Schlosser, former Rep. Rodney Schad and Jay Kanzler.