Monday, June 6, 2016
Big Boo-Boo
Over the course of the last eight years writing this, I have made some pretty big mistakes – not counting the countless typos. But last week I think I set a new bar for myself.
For the MOScout Weekly Poll, I polled the wrong candidates in Senate 11! I can’t even believe it. (A few days earlier I’d just done the background information on the race for the upcoming “Primary Guide,” so I have no excuse.) Wow. My apologies.
I will do a new Senate 11 poll before the primary election.
LG PAC Comes in Heavy
The new – largely unknown – “LG PAC” has buys all across the state. The best indication right now is that it’s a pro-Peter Kinder third-party PAC.
The first ad hitting the airwaves is an anti-Brunner ad, attacking him for tax issues. The website which I linked to Friday has since been updated. See it here. It appears that hits are coming on Eric Greitens and Catherine Hanaway.
And the site extols the virtues of political experience: When did being a politician become a liability? The LG PAC and its supporters believe that government service is a positive, not a negative. We promote strong conservatives who have a proven track record and accomplishments in government. With so much at stake, we can’t take a risk with those who only talk. We support candidates who have produced real results.
Brunner Statement: It’s no surprise that John Brunner is being targeted by special interests with flat-out lies. John is the only candidate who can't be bought and who is not looking to start, extend or jump-start a political career. The special interests have good reason to fear John Brunner as Missouri's next governor, because John will stand up for ‘We the people’ to take our government back from the special interests, and get Missouri back on the right track.
And
Seeing the first Peter Kinder ad buys coming across now… This contract (see it here) has a start day of today.
More Humphreys Money
On Friday and over the weekend, more Humphreys checks were reported on the Missouri Ethic Commission website.
David Humphreys and his sister Sarah Atkins combined to contribute another $325,000 to Missouri politicians. Senate Pro Tem Ron Richard received $125K. Other recipients appeared to be related to the paycheck protection override vote in the House.
Rep. Holly Rehder, sponsor of paycheck protection, received $75K.
Sean Pouche, a Republican House candidate challenging pro-labor Republican Rep. Kevin Corlew, received $25K.
Dan Stacy, also a House Republican candidate, received $25K. He’s challenging Rep. Sheila Solon.
Rep. Bryan Spencer, who doesn’t have a primary challenge, received $25K.
And Rep. Courtney Curtis, the only Democratic to vote with Republicans on the issue, received $50K. He’s in a four-way primary this summer.
And
Rex Sinquefield’s Missouri Club for Growth, recently refueled with $1.5 million, contributed to two Republican primaries.
They sent $50K to Bill Eigel running in Senate 23 against Mike Carter and Rep. Anne Zerr.
And they sent $50K to Rep. Andrew Koenig in Senate 15 running against former Rep. Rick Stream.
New Committee
A new political action committee was formed, National Organization For Marriage In Missouri.
Its treasurer is James C Thomas III. He’s an attorney who acts as treasurer on many Jeff Roe/Axiom Strategies campaign committee.
It’s hard to know exactly what the PAC has in mind, but here’s a blog post from the national organization back in April mentioning Missouri.
Pull Quote: I'm writing with breaking news out of Missouri: We've been done in by three cowardly Republican legislators who voted with LGBT extremists to deny supporters of marriage protections from government persecution. Because of these gutless Republicans who have betrayed Missouri values and the GOP platform, supporters of marriage will continue to be targeted by extremists for punishment whenever someone does not wish to be personally involved in 'celebrating' a same-sex 'marriage.' Pastors, churches, schools, nonprofit groups, individuals and small businesses will be victimized as a result… I can promise you this — NOM is not going to take this betrayal lightly. Just as we did in New York state when gay 'marriage' passed in the legislature because of Republican votes, we will work tirelessly to defeat those Republicans responsible for the defeat of SJR 39 in Missouri. Here are the three Republicans who betrayed us: Rep. Anne Zerr, Rep. Jim Hansen, Rep. Caleb Rowden…
Muni Utilities Sign Up for Grain Belt
Post-Dispatch reports on the latest efforts to win regulatory approval for the Grain Belt Express. See it here.
Pull Quote: Missouri municipal utilities have signed up for space on the Grain Belt Express, a 780-mile transmission line that would carry wind power from western Kansas to population centers further east… The contract could bolster Grain Belt’s case with the Missouri Public Service Commission, which single-handedly blocked the project last summer on a 3-2 vote… Clean Line, which is proposing the transmission line, has said it would deliver up to 500 megawatts of power into Missouri, but about 3,500 megawatts of electricity would be shipped through the state to a grid further east where prices are higher. Faced with vocal opposition from rural landowners who don’t want to sell easements to the company, a majority of the commission felt that the benefits to Missouri ratepayers weren’t large enough to grant the company utility status and the right of eminent domain that comes with it.
Clean Line President Michael Skelly said the new agreement, however, gave Missouri municipal utilities “low-cost access to really the best wind resources in the country.”
“We heard the commission’s concerns loud and clear, and one of them was they wanted to know there were actual Missouri customers for the line, and we’ve now proven that out,” Skelly said… Grain Belt Express has already won approval from Kansas, Indiana and Illinois regulators.
SOS Watcher
Observer: It looks like Sen. Will Kraus is going to focus on primary voter-rich Southwest Missouri, where he has staked out a claim as the farthest right on the political spectrum in the race. Voters there seem to be attracted to his military background. However, he's up against Jay Ashcroft’s parents who are working the area hard…
Tilley in PD
Former speaker Steve Tilley was front-page above the fold of the Sunday edition of the Post-Dispatch, higher than even the obituary of The Greatest. The story feels like it’s been done before; it reviewed how the money he raised while in office has been spent since he left office.
Bits
According to the Senate website, Tanya Pleus has joined the staff in the Public Employee Retirement office, and Jonathan Boesch has left the office of Senate 14.
Gubby GOP debate tonight will be livestreamed on stltoday.com at 7PM.
And with the start of Ramadan, see a primer on the month-long observance here.
Lobbyists Registrations
Shirley Breeze deleted Missouri Women’s Network.
$5K+ Contributions
Friends of Holly Rehder - $50,000 from David Humphreys.
Friends of Holly Rehder - $25,000 from Sarah Atkins.
Committee to Elect Ron Richard - $100,000 from David Humphreys.
Committee to Elect Ron Richard - $25,000 from Sarah Atkins.
Citizens for Sean Pouche - $12,500 from David Humphreys.
Citizens for Sean Pouche - $12,500 from Sarah Atkins.
Friends of Andrew Koenig - $50,000 from Missouri Club for Growth PAC.
Lewis & Clark Leadership Forum - $12,500 from Paul McKee.
SEIU HCII Missouri PAC - $50,000 from SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana.
Eigel for Missouri - $50,000 from Missouri Club for Growth.
Citizens for Stephen Webber - $10,000 from Eastern Missouri Laborers’ Educational and Benevolent Fund.
Schmitt for Missouri - $15,000 from Xcaliber International.
Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from Missouri Optometric PAC.
Citizens for Dan Stacy - $12,500 from Sarah Atkins.
Citizens for Dan Stacy - $12,500 from David Humphreys.
Citizens to Elect Jamilah Nasheed - $10,000 from Eastern Missouri Laborers’ Education and Benevolent Fund.
Citizens for Burlison - $20,000 from Bill Burlison.
Curtis for MO - $25,000 from Sarah Atkins.
Curtis for MO - $25,000 from David Humphreys.
Friends of Steven Kimmey - $7,200 from Wilhoit Properties Inc.
Rizzo for Missouri - $10,000 from Callahan for Missouri.
Citizens for Spencer - $12,500 from Sarah Atkins.
Citizens for Spencer - $12,500 from David Humphreys.
House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $25,000 from Kapp William.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to for Rep. Connie Cierpiot, and Ann Brand.