Friday, September 30, 2016
Driving the Day
It’s the fundraising deadline, but also… MO Press Association Convention which includes…
11AM: Questions and Answers with Governor Jay Nixon
1PM: Gubernatorial Candidates Forum
2:30PM: U.S. Senate Candidates Forum
RYH4K Video
Raise Your Hands for Kids released a web video yesterday. See it here. It features testimonials from Reps. TJ Berry and Jeremy LaFaver as well as former Rep. John Wright.
New Blunt Ads
Here are a pair of new Roy Blunt ads. One shows Blunt as the pragmatic senators working across party lines on a variety of issues, and the other shows Jason Kander agreeing with Hillary Clinton on lots of issues.
See “Bipartisan Solutions” here.
See “Mutual Agreement” here.
Rupp on Dynamic Pricing
Public Service Commission commissioner Scott Rupp writes about dynamic pricing, musing whether it could be useful in Missouri’s utility industry. It’s an interesting essay See it here.
Dynamic pricing is a strategy where businesses set flexible prices for products based on the current market demands. We have all experienced this when we have purchased an airline ticket, or a ticket to a baseball game. As seating on an airplane gets full, and the day of the flight approaches, the price goes up because the demand is higher…
So why does your electric bill not reflect the market forces like buying an airline ticket? If you’re like most residential users of electricity, you’re on a flat rate bill from your utility. You’re charged a flat amount per kilowatt hour of electricity you use. It doesn't matter if that electricity costs a little or a lot of money to generate, you get charged the same flat rate per hour of use.
For example, on a hot summer afternoon, when everyone’s air conditioners are going full blast, the demand for electricity goes up and up and up… but you still pay the flat rate per hour of use regardless of the cost to generate the electricity.
If your electricity bill was using dynamic pricing, and you had the technology that showed you the times and rates during the day that were in high demand and high price, would you alter your energy usage?
Here is a real life example: In Texas, there is a utility company that has so much extra electricity generated by wind power at night (the wind blows more at night than in the day) that they are offering FREE electricity after 9:00 PM. Would you wait and run the dishwasher, the washing machine, the drying, etc. after 9:00 PM?...
Zimmerman for Hensley
Jake Zimmerman endorsed his primary opponent, Teresa Hensley in an email blast…
While my race is over for this year, I can't sit on the sidelines. None of us can. This is too important. So, before we turn out the lights, I have one final favor to ask of you. I'd like to ask you to give your enthusiastic support to Teresa Hensley, our Democratic nominee for Attorney General… [H]ere's the thing: whatever our differences over the course of the past year, no one can argue with the facts of our choice in November. Simply put, Teresa is eminently qualified for this job. She has practiced law for 25 years - 10 as the elected prosecutor of Cass County…
She put dangerous criminals in prison, but also effectively used alternative approaches like drug courts and DWI courts. She has hired, trained, and supervised attorneys to go into trial. Teresa will be ready to be Attorney General on Day One.
By contrast, her opponent has no courtroom experience….
Pauley to MDC
Chris Dunn tweets that Sara Parker Pauley becomes the new director of the Missouri Department of Conservation, taking the place of “Bob Ziehmer who left Conservation to work for Bass Pro Shops.” See it here. Pauley becomes the first woman ever to lead the department.
Callison Resigns, Henderson In
Kay Callison resigned as treasurer of the Boone County Democratic Central Committee. See her resignation letter her. She was upset about a proposal they approved which reduced the committee’s fund balance.
Pull Quote: “I cannot in good conscience be party to or legally responsible for decisions made by the Committee that put at risk the financial health and credibility of the Boone County Democratic Central Committee.”
And
Jennifer Henderson is the new treasurer. See it here. You might recall Henderson from the snafu that vexed the Columbia Business Loop CID; when they drew up the lines, they didn’t realize she was a resident of the CID, in fact the sole voter to determine whether a new tax should occur. Read about it here.
Fundys Last Night
Today’s the final day of the quarter, so there’s been a crush of fundraisers. Last night St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger – who’s not up into 2018 – had an event hosted by Nick Niknejadi. Among the host committee: Pat White, Steve Stone, Nick Robinson, Jeff Rainford, Matt Lieberman, and Eric Friedman…
And over in Kansas City at Stockyard Brewing Company, Teresa Hensley had a fundy. Among the host committee there: Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters-Baker, Councilwoman Jolie Justus, Richard Martin, former Rep. Kevin McManus, and Dentons’ Kelvin Simmons.
Bits
A return to red light cameras? KMOX reports Mayor Francis Slay floats the idea. See it here.
Interesting to see Federation of American Hospitals making radio buys… See a contract here.
Elisa Crouch who’s written some great education pieces over the past few years writes on Facebook: I'm about to file my last story at the Post-Dispatch. Yes, the last one. Based on my byline count, this is story No. 1,753. Haven't announced it on Facebook yet, but I'm joining the internal communications team Monday at Wells Fargo Advisors. I've loved working for newspapers, covering education at the Post-Dispatch in particular. I've loved taking readers into schools and writing about everything good and bad that I see. But it's time for something different...
Chris Koster released his incomes tax returns. It’s something that Eric Greitens has yet to do. With the recent attack on Greitens’ anti-woman associations and no tax returns, Team Koster could tie Greitens to Donald Trump… except that Trump is winning in Missouri right now…
Governing Magazine reports on the use of non-profits to hide campaign contributors and the trend toward “dark money” in state politics. See it here.
Help Wanted
American Soybean Association seeks New Business Development Manager. “The American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health Program (WISHH, www.wishh.org) seeks a New Business Development Manager (NBDM) to work together with the WISHH team to conceive, plan and write project and proposal concepts related to international agricultural development, improved nutrition and health, food industry development, and food distribution in emerging economies and developing markets…” See it here.
Home Builders Association of St. Louis and Eastern Missouri seeks Assistant Staff Vice President for Public Policy. “Under the direct supervision of the Staff Vice President for Public Policy, the Assistant Staff Vice President for Public Policy will be responsible for carrying out objectives of the Association. This responsibility will include planning, coordinating, and/or implementing programs, both short-term and long-term, which might be adopted by the Association in order to achieve its policy objectives… SALARY RANGE: $45-$55K depending on education and work experience…. See it here.
Committee Changes
Kitty Collingsworth is the new treasurer of the McDonald County Republican Central Committee. See it here.
Marybeth Cook is the new treasurer of the Republican Central Committee of Dent County. See it here.
Christopher Davis Parrott is the new treasurer of the 21St Republican Senatorial Committee. See it here.
David Kirby is the new treasurer of the Democratic Attorneys General Association Missouri. See it here. See Kirby’s bio here.
eMailbag on PDMP No Panacea
That article on PDMP clearly suggests that the databases should be part of a comprehensive solution. I've never heard anyone in MO suggest it was going to a panacea. And the bill in MO would have allowed doctors and pharmacists to see the database, not law enforcement without a subpoena.
eMailbag: Calzone Off on Technicality
Calzone doesn't go on the House Floor because he know that looks bad so while he likes being a gadfly that is a line he won't cross. Also he doesn't spend money on legislators… I understand why the lobbying core is upset with him, but the critiques should stay on what he actual does not what people assume he does…
I don't understand Calzone's court strategy. Seems like he won on an improper service argument. Sure, the MEC can't take any further action on this particular case, but that just means that a natural person who isn't an agent should refile the complaint again today. Then Calzone has to go through the process all over again. Surely that time and expense for Calzone isn't worth it…
eMailbag on Greitens’ Ambition
Another billionaire Richard Devos and family giving $100,000 to Greitens. The founder of Amway and owner of the Orlando Magic basketball team backing a candidate for Missouri governor? When is the Koster campaign going to point out Greitens' real ambition...he already purchased the domain name Greitinsforpresident.com. This from a guy who rails against "career politicians".
Today’s Events
Powered by Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Reps. Kevin Engler and Elaine Gannon Golf – St. Francis Golf Club – Farmington – 8AM and 12:30PM starts.
Saturday: Bruce Franks Superhero Victory Party – 2600 Cherokee, St. Louis – 7PM.
Changes in Lobbyist Registrations
Brian Grace, Katherine Casas, Rodney Boyd and Kelvin Simmons added SAS Institute Inc.
Dana Dahl added Missouri Hospital Association.
Michael Yaki added Renovate America Inc.
Joyce Flatt added Trinity Highway Products LLC.
$5K+ Contributions
Central Bancompany PAC - $10,000 from Central Bancompany.
Missouri Freedom PAC - $990,000 from Republican Attorneys General Association.
Missourians for Life - $10,000 from Citizens for Spencer.
Missourians for Better Health Care - $10,000 from Citizens for Spencer.
Hawley for Missouri - $1,000,000 from Missouri Freedom PAC.
House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from Cerner Corporation.
Citizens for a Safer Jackson County - $15,000 from The Civic Council of Greater Kansas City.
Koster for Missouri - $15,000 from Kansas City Power & Light.
Koster for Missouri - $5,001 from Marvin Singleton.
MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC - $90,000 from Xcaliber International LTD LLC.
MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC - $6,000 from J.D. Street & Company Inc.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $20,495 from Citizens for Stephen Webber.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $45,000 from United Association Political Education Committee.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from Paul Melnuk.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Cap Grossman.
Greitens for Missouri - $25,000 from Loren Cook II.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Maryt Bicknell.
Greitens for Missouri - $25,000 from Michael Lukacs.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from John DeBlasio.
Teresa Hensley for Missouri - $10,000 from International Association of Fire Fighters Local 42 PAC.
Teresa Hensley for Missouri - $50,000 from Eastern Missouri Laborers Educational and Benevolent Fund.
Teresa Hensley for Missouri - $5,100 from UAW Region 5 Midwest States PAC.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Dave Muntzel, and Chris Benjamin.
Saturday: Rep. Sandy Crawford, Tom Irwin, Matthew Potter, Steve Kraske, and Kristy Manning.
Sunday: Reps. Eric Burlison (the big 4-0) and Tim Remole.