Friday, May 13, 2016
Paycheck Override Falls Short in Senate
The Senate took up the paycheck protection override last night. See the Post-Dispatch article here. Dems didn’t filibuster, and the Senate was spared the “trauma” of Republicans using the “previous question” to close debate.
Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal held the spotlight for much of the debate. When she spoke on the bill, she spent much of the time critiquing the labor movement, though closed with the enigmatic promise that she would be looking at labor issues “on a case-by-case” basis.
It seems that neither Republicans nor Democrats were certain which way she would vote. And as I watched from the Senate gallery I did a quick poll of those around me and my impromptu panel of experts split 3-3 as to how they thought she would vote.
Chappelle-Nadal voted No, reversing her previous vote on the issue and dooming the override. Sen. Ryan Silvey also voted No after having voted Yes when the issue first moved through the body. Republican Sen. Gary Romine also voted No – consistent with his previous position.
Republican Sen. Paul Wieland flipped to a Yes from his previous No, a decision which may complicate his re-election chances in 2018. His senate district is considered one of the strongest labor strongholds in the state.
One rumor is that Wieland will land a choice committee chairmanship for his willingness to go out on a limb and vote for the override. But if he finds himself in a dog-fight of a re-election battle instead of unopposed (like Romine for example), he may regret having a part in these machinations.
Latty Exits MDP?
Word is that Amanda Latty has left the Missouri Democratic Party. She has been their finance director.
While many Dems feel that Donald Trump offers a great opportunity to pick up House seats, particularly in suburban areas, others worried that the Party is not ready to take full advantage of the situation.
We’ll see….
Clay Calls for Carter’s Resignation
Statement from Congressman Lacy Clay on Chris Carter: “Given the very serious nature of the ongoing criminal investigation by the St. Louis County Police and the St. Louis County Prosecutors Office into the alleged domestic abuse of Alderman Chris Carter’s wife, which resulted in his arrest; And in consideration of the newly revealed questions regarding Alderman’s Carter primary residence, which appears to be not only outside of his ward, but in an entirely different county; I agree with Democratic Committeewoman Pamela Boyd (27th Ward)…in the best interests of the citizens of the 27th ward, Alderman Carter should resign. Honest public servants should live in the district that they are elected to represent. And real men don’t hit women.”
House 103
With the legislative session drawing to its end, I’ll be turning my attention to the House and Senate races.
As I glanced down the list I saw what might be the best committee name this cycle: “Committee Instituting Empress Marguerite L Dillworth Royal Management.”
Dillworth is an unopposed Democrat running against Rep. John Wiemann in House 103.
When I googled her name, this came up: See it here.
Rupp Report
Public Service Commissioner Scott Rupp has been the first commissioner to use social media to continually communicate about the PSC.
Now comes something new from Rupp. It’s a really really good idea.
He’s calling it the Rupp Report. It’s on YouTube and he basically talks to the camera for a few minutes and reviews what happened at the last commission meeting – in plain English.
Bits
The Sixteenth Circuit Judicial Commission announces that it is extending the time period during which it will accept applications for the position of Circuit Judge, Division 19 of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit (Jackson County)… The commission will accept and consider completed applications received by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, 2016….
St. Louis Business Journal reports on speculation that Bayer might mount a takeover bid for Monsanto. See it here.
Upcoming Events
Powered by Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Sunday: Rep-candidate Alan Gray Reception – 12948 New Hallsferry Rd. – Florissant – 4PM.
Sunday: Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II Reception – Mallinson Winery – 6PM.
Lobbyists Registrations
Guy William Black added Summit Utilities, Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
With Robin Smith in 2016 Committee - $35,000 from CHIPP Political Account.
Progress KC PAC - $10,000 from JE Dunn Construction Company.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to former Rep. Beth Low, and Corey Jackson.
Sunday: Rep. John Wiemann.
MOScout News
No “Who Won the Week” or Weekly Summary today. I’ll do session winners next week.