Monday, September 19, 2016

Franks Over Hubbard

Bruce Franks pulled off a remarkable and stunning defeat of incumbent Penny Hubbard in their election “do-over” on Friday.  See the Post-Dispatch article here.

Pull Quote: Franks got 2,234 votes to 701 for Hubbard… Franks spoke to a jubilant crowd Friday night at pizza restaurant on Cherokee Street, thanking his supporters for their hard work. He portrayed himself as an unlikely political challenger to a system that doesn't represent large portions of the community… Later he engaged the crowd in chants of "This is what democracy looks like."

Poll Results

This week’s MOScout Poll gave Sen. Scott Sifton a large lead in the Senate 1 race.  It gave Sifton 49% to Republican challenger Randy Jotte’s 37% (with 14% undecided).  See the full results here.

What I found very interesting about the poll was seeing how the presidential race and governor’s race looked within the House districts in Senate 1.

For example, in House 94 where Rep. Cloria Brown and former Rep. Vicki Englund have battled over the past four cycles, the poll shows a true swing district.  It has Trump ahead of Clinton 46% to 40%, and Koster leading Greitens 46% to 41%.

eMailbag on Poll

Donald Trump is over-performing, but he's not creating any coat-tails.

Elbert Appeals?

Word is that in House 68 attorney Elbert Walton is filing an appeal for Jay Mosley against Rep. Keith English.  Mosley has complained that English doesn’t meet the residency requirement and should be booted from the ballot. See the judgement here.

To Watch for This Week

The Public Defenders Commission will meet this week.  It’s the first meeting since Governor Jay Nixon added some new members following his public scolding from director Michael Barrett about their lack of funding.  It could be a messy meeting because some think that Barrett had the support of his commissioners going into that battle, but Nixon appointed three new members.  There are seven members total.  The meeting is 9:30AM Wednesday at The Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, MO.

And it looks like all the outstanding ballot issues will have to be resolved this week.  The first statutory deadline hits on Friday… Military absentee ballots must be available –that is, printed and ready – by Sept. 23. That is 46 days before the election. See RSMo. 115.914.

Koster’s Cig Tax Plan?

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Koster has not been supportive of the current RYH4K effort to raise the cigarette tax to fund early childhood.  Instead the Southeast Missourian reports that he’d be interested in a tobacco tax instead to augment economic development efforts.  See it here.

Pull Quote: Missouri could have multiple referendums for increases to cigarette taxes on the November ballot. Two such referendums would use a tax increase to pay for infrastructure improvements and early child care, respectively. If the cigarette taxes fail, Koster suggested a future referendum that would use the tax increase to bolster funding for the Missouri Technology Corp. "I think there's hope to work with strong economic development driven legislators to

fund a revenue source," Koster said.

Greitens Takes a Stand

For all the griping about Eric Greitens not having much in the way of policy positions in his gubernatorial run, he weighed in on one matter of critical importance… the pledge of allegiance…

I'm writing today because I saw something in the news that really bothered me.

During Wednesday's veto session, one of our state senators refused to stand for the

Pledge of Allegiance. That's wrong.

I'm proud to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I served with brave men and women

who gave their lives so that we could do so….

I sent out a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VLQ7WaLM-4) this morning and

shared my thoughts (http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article102062797.html) on this story right away, because I believe it's important for leaders to stand up for our ideals and our country….

Illinois Gov for Gretiens

Among the long list of large checks that hit on Friday and over the weekend is one $100K check for Eric Greitens from… the governor of Illinois… Greitens for Missouri - $100,000 from Diana and Bruce Rauner.

Revenues Solid So Far in September

At the mid-month mark, individual income tax receipts are powering ahead, up 10% over this point in September in 2015.  These numbers are volatile, but it would seem to be good enws so far this month.

Obama Proclaims Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week

President Barack Obama proclaimed September 18-24, 2016, as Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week.  As part of the week, Members of the President’s Cabinet and federal agencies are focusing on the work being done to address the national epidemic.

Federal agencies are using all available tools to combat this epidemic by expanding evidence-based prevention and treatment programs, increasing access to the overdose-reversal medicine naloxone, improving opioid prescribing practices, and supporting targeted enforcement activities. Meanwhile, state and community leaders are working together to save lives through innovative partnerships between public safety and public health….

eMailbag: Veto Session Power Player

Sen. Brian Munzlinger sponsored two bills, handled two bill, added the problem amendment on one, and as chair of the Agriculture Committee pushed the passage of the other two Ag bills. That's 7 bills, over 50% of the total overrides….

New Committees

Following his unsuccessful bid for House 19, Manny Abarca has started a committee to run for Democratic Committeeman of Ward 12 of Kansas City.  See it here.

Debbie Dilks started a campaign committee to run as an Independent for House 48 (Rep. Dave Muntzel’s seat).  See it here.

Jon Schuessler started a campaign committee to run as an Independent for House 111 (Rep. Shane Roden’s seat). See it here.

Steve Atkinson formed his committee to run for Commissioner Eastern Chariton County.  See it here.

Today’s Events

Powered by Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:

Sen. Wayne Wallingford Golf – Dalhousie Country Club – Cape Girardeau – 11AM.

Reps. Chuck Basye/Dave Muntzel Golf – L.A. Nickell GC – Columbia.

Rep. Holly Rehder Shrimp Boil – The River House – Scott City – 6PM.

Changes in Lobbyist Registrations

Kristian Starner added Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences.

Kevin Ahlbrand added Missouri State Fraternal Order of Police.

Michael Moorefield added Office of the Missouri State Auditor.

Steven Tilley and Shawn Rigger deleted Fred Weber Inc.

$5K+ Contributions

SEIU Missouri State Council PAC - $35,000 from SEIU MO/KS State Council.

Midwest Region Laborers’ Political League Education Fund - $7,232 from Laborers Supplemental Dues Fund.

Property Casualty Insurers Association of America Political Account - $9,500 from Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.

Republican Governors Association Missouri - $750,000 from Republican Governors Association.

Democratic Governors Association Missouri - $18,000 from Democratic Governors Association.

Teresa Hensley for Missouri - $5,100 from UAW Region 5 Midwest States PAC.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $5,049 from Friends for Travis Fitzwater.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from Friends of Curtis Trent.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from Citizens for Wiemann.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $35,000 from Friends of Holly Rehder.

Parson for Missouri - $25,000 from Committee to Elect Ron Richard.

UAW Region 5 Midwest States Political Action Committee (PAC) MO - $6,000 from UAW Region 5 Exchange Account.

Freedom PAC - $7,500 from Herzog Contracting Corp.

Committee to Elect Ron Richard - $10,000 from Friends of Mike Cunningham.

Seniors County Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Jewish Family & Children’s Service.

Greitens for Missouri - $100,000 from Diana and Bruce Rauner.

Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Douglas Albrecht.

Parson for Missouri - $10,000 from John Gentry.

Ashcroft for Missouri - $25,000 from August Busch III.

Baker for Missouri - $10,000 from Missouri NEA PAC.

Robert butler Campaign Fund - $20,000 from LIUNA Local 110 PAC Fund.

Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from Enterprise Holdings Inc.

Koster for Missouri - $15,000 from Ameren Missouri.

Hawley for Missouri - $15,000 from Drury Development Corporation.

Russ Carnahan for Missouri - $25,000 from LUNA Local 110 PAC fund.

Citizens for Vicki Lorenz Englund - $10,000 from LIUNA Local 110 PAC.

Vote for MYMCPL - $10,000 from Hallmark Cards.

Scott Sifton for Missouri - $20,000 from LIUNA Local 110 PAC Fund. Hawley for Missouri - $10,000 from Douglas Albrecht.

Hawley for Missouri - $20,000 from Thompson Coburn LLP.

ElectGregMueller.com - $10,000 from Michael Nooney.

Teresa Hensley for Missouri - $10,000 from Missouri NEA PAC.

Teresa Hensley for Missouri - $50,000 from LIUNA Local 110 PAC.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Judge Rachel Bringer, former Rep. Michael McGhee, Shawn Sisco, and Alex Salsman.