Friday, June 10, 2016
Brunner Asks Stations to Drop LG PAC Ad
John Brunner’s campaign has asked that LG PAC’s television advertisement be taken off the air. A copy of the letter sent by Brunner campaign manager Mark Green (and subsequent back and forths from LG PAC’s attorney) can be seen here.
Green complains that ad makes demonstrably false claims. Green says that Brunner has never paid his taxes late or ever had liens issued against him. Green also says that the charge that the Brunners opened an overseas account to avoid taxes is false. Finally Green mentions that LG PAC hasn’t registered a committee with the Missouri Ethics Commission and alleges that LG PAC provided the FEC with false information.
The attorney for LG PAC replies with documentation of late tax payments and liens concerning Brunner’s company Vi-Jon, and that Brunner has acknowledged having a checking account outside the country.
About the Sauer IP Flaw
One reader points out that the problem I mentioned yesterday in the Fred Sauer initiative petition to reinstate campaign contribution limits is not a new flaw. Sauer’s proposal cites Missouri statutes in defining corporations that leaves out financial institutions, potentially making it so they can not contribute at all to political committees.
This issue was raised in 2012 when Legends Bank and others sued to invalidate SB 844 in part because it “violated the First Amendment insofar as it barred political action committees from receiving money from state chartered banks but allowed political action committees to receive money from other entities and individuals…”
Reader: The problem of excluding banks happened before. Not sure why proponents would walk into this problem. Was it intentional or drafting error?
New Greitens Ad
Eric Greitens released its second television ad yesterday, quickly shuffling off the first which received mixed response from even Greitens supporters. See the new ad here. He’s continuing to build his profile around his Navy SEAL experience
Humphreys Shoots Beyond GOP?
Heard by a reader in the KC area, a radio spot by David Humphreys’ Committee for Accountability in Government taking aim at Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Koster. The ad raises questions about Koster’s trustworthiness.
Humphreys’ committee has previously gone after Republicans who do not adhere to his thinking on labor issues in an attempt to build a veto proof majority for passing legislation.
Obviously the easiest route for Humphreys to achieve his aim is not to try to play whack-a-mole against labor, winning a race or two here, trying not to lose a race or two.
The easiest route is to put a Republican in the governor’s mansion. You do that and you’ll have right to work passed by March or April of 2017.
Perhaps that’s the thinking behind the ad…
Nobody’s Gonna Call the Cops
To promote its event in Springfield, the Jay Ashcroft campaign showed off its latest drone technology with a video. I’m not a copyright attorney, but as one reader points out “The odd thing about the video is that it used a Montgomery Gentry song it clearly didn't have the copyrights to use. That's not a big deal when you're running for small office, because no one cares, but when your dad is the guy that served as the United States Attorney General to protect against such infringements….”
Bits
Naral Pro-Choice Missouri announced their 2016 primary endorsements. See them here. Judy Baker gets the nod in the treasurer’s Dem primary, and Jessica Podhola in the Senate 11 primary.
In the large contributions (below), it appears that Speaker Todd Richardson took the $100K from David Humphreys yesterday and gave it to the House Republican Campaign Committee today. Although rumor-folks from time to time speculate on a Richardson run for auditor in 2018, there’s no hint of cash hording by Richardson.
In the lobbyists registrations (below), David Jackson re-registered for a few of his old Pelopidas clients.
The House is bidding out its janitorial services. See the RFP here.
Clearing the Inbox of Snark Before the Weekend
Has anyone pointed out that it took Greitens 7 shots before he hit his target? How many Navy Seals does it take 7 shots before they connect?
Democratic reader: The only thing to celebrate at Truman Days is the lack of a primary for Koster. MoDems will not survive down ballot races with primaries vs. Rex and Humphrey funded candidates.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Sunday – Rep. Kevin Corlew Ice Cream Social – Renner Brenner Park – Riverside – 5PM.
Lobbyists Registrations
David Jackson added Missouri Society of Anesthesiologists, Primary Marketing System Inc., and Renovate America Inc.
Bennie Lewis deleted Energy Co. Partners.
Irl Scissors deleted Missourians for Compassionate Care.
$5K+ Contributions
Koster for Missouri - $75,000 from International Association of Fire Fighters.
Citizens for Steve Stenger - $10,000 from CHIPP Political Account.
Missourians for John Brunner - $10,000 from Trailiner Corp.
Berg for Change - $5,400 from Active Ballot Club General Fund.
Missouri Veterinary Medical Political Action Committee - $20,000 from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.
Lewis & Clark Ozark Mountain Forum - $25,000 from Positronic Industries Inc.
House Republican Campaign Committee Inc. - $100,000 from Friends of Todd Richardson.
Schmitt for Missouri - $15,000 from Cheyenne International LLC.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to…
Saturday: Rep. Chuck Basye, and former speaker Steven Tilley.
Sunday: Scott Charton.