Thursday, August 25, 2016
Corlew’s Lawsuit
In the Special Reports section, I put up a copy of Rep. Kevin Corlew’s lawsuit attempting to disqualify his Democratic opponent, Martin Rucker II. See it here.
The suit alleges that Rucker fails to meet the one-year residency requirement, drawing on documents that show Rucker living in St. Joseph during that time period.
This is the third suit involving legislative races attempting to throw someone off the ballot. Democrat Robert Butler sued to DQ incumbent Rep. Rob Vescovo over delinquent taxes, and Sen. Ryan Silvey sued to DQ his Democratic challenger, Ranen Bachthold – also over residency.
RAGA Hearts Hawley
Jason Hancock reports on the Republican attorney general nominee Josh Hawley receiving $1 million from the Republican Attorneys General Association. See it here.
Pull Quote: In a press release announcing the donation, the group’s executive director praised Hawley for “fighting the Obama Administration all the way to the Supreme Court.” “Missouri is a key state this election cycle and winning this race is a top priority for RAGA,” said Scott Will, RAGA executive director.
Shoe to Greitens: Let’s Talk
The press release: In response to recent statements made at the recent Missouri Farm Bureau endorsement meeting by Democrat gubernatorial candidate Chris Koster; Wes Shoemyer, President of Missouri’s Food for America and former Missouri Democratic state senator announced he will seek a meeting with Republican gubernatorial candidate, Eric Greitens.
“I am extremely disappointed in Chris Koster. When he left the Republican Party and wanted to run as a Democrat for Missouri Attorney General, I was one of the first to endorse him, but his statements about being happy to support China’s Smithfield as it takes over the U.S. hog market tells me I made a big mistake,” explained Shoemyer…. Shoemyer concluded by stating, “If Koster and his Farm Bureau buddies think they will bring all the Democrats to the ballot box for a guaranteed victory, well they need to know I am one Democrat they don’t have. As Dad always said, ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.’”
Hinkle: Trump, Blunt, Turilli…
Don Hinkle was a staunch supporter of the SJR39 effort. He’s the editor of the Missouri Baptists’ Pathway. Despite those credentials, it’s hard to gauge how representative Hinkle is conservatives generally in Missouri. Still I found his post on Facebook interesting. He sees Independent Les Turilli as a viable option for his gubernatorial vote in November…
Pro-lifers and true conservatives now have a choice for governor. The Secretary of State yesterday certified the candidacy of Les Turilli. Les is a conservative, pro-life Missouri businessman whose family runs Merimac Cavern. I enthusiastically encourage everyone to join me in praying for -- and supporting -- Les. He needed 20,000 registered voters to get on the ballot. He submitted 40,000 to the Secretary of State. Come Nov. 8, I intend to vote Trump, Blunt, Turilli, Parson, Hawley, Ashcroft and Schmidt.
Teachers Set to Endorse Koster?
Makes sense… Here’s the media advisory for the press conference today…
Missouri teachers will hold a news conference in Jefferson City to address the teacher shortage, discuss the importance of education for students, teachers, families and Missouri’s economy in the 2016 gubernatorial election, and make an announcement as students head back to school.
*WHO: Missouri Teachers*
*WHAT: News Conference*
*WHERE: MDP office, 208 Madison Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101*
*WHEN: Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 11:00 am*
Glitch in Criminal Code
Talking Points Memo reports on a recent Missouri Supreme Court ruling that “had the effect of making most stealing offenses no longer felonies thanks to an apparently inadvertent change to state law way back in 2002.” See it here.
Pull Quote: The case – State v. Bazell – was brought by a woman who had been convicted of multiples felonies for stealing firearms, among other things, in a burglary case. The court said the firearm felonies should be knocked down to misdemeanors because a portion of the state's criminal code designating certain types of offenses as felonies is written in a way that doesn’t make it applicable to the state’s definition of stealing itself.
“If the words are clear, the Court must apply the plain meaning of the law,” the opinion said. “When the meaning of a statute is clear, the Court should not employ canons of construction to achieve a desired result.”
Lobbyist: [This] once again demonstrates the words they use matter. I'm sure the Republicans will freak out about activist court but they would get just as mad if not madder if they read words into the statutes that weren't there. It's going to be a mess till it gets sorted out. The next version of the criminal code was revised so this won't be a problem but that doesn't go into effect until January. This is a great example albeit unfortunate one of why it's best not to cobble our statutes together in a ham-fisted manner.
New Committees
Former St. Louis alderwoman Jennifer Florida started a campaign committee to run for her old seat, Ward 15. Florida had left that spot to become the recorder of deeds when Sharon Carpenter resigned because she’d violated nepotism laws. Then Carpenter beat Florida in the next election despite multiple stories about questionable administrative judgement. Rep. Mike Colona is Florida’s committee treasurer.
A new PAC was formed: Workers United For Health Justice PAC. The treasurer is SEIU’s Lenny Jones. See the paperwork here.
eMailbag
On Michael Barrett’s efforts: Barrett worked for this Governor, does he really think that threats will make Jay Nixon act FOR him? The chances the Governor calls a special session for the PD are slimmer than none!
On Scott Fitzpatrick’s priorities: Pay off the state's GO debt? Our state budget chair may need to brush up on finance 101. Why would you pay off GO debt? You have borrowed money at some incredibly low rate (probably 3 percent or less) for one-time costs like capital improvements. To pay off that debt, you will have to reduce spending in some other area, like education or state employee salaries (already near bottom in the nation). It’s like saying you want to pay off your mortgage early when you don't have enough money to feed your children.
On the treasurer’s race: I have great respect for Eric Schmitt and Judy Baker, so this is meant more as a critique of what campaigns have become than either candidate. What in the hell does being Treasurer have to do with Obamacare or terrorism? Why can't we focus in on issues more central to being state treasurer like humanitarian aid to Nigeria , global warming, and stemming nuclear proliferation?
Help Wanted
Judy Baker seeks Communications Director.
“This position would the second highest position on the campaign. The role would be the deputy to the Campaign Manager and serve as Communications Director… Main Communications Responsibilities: Press releases, Interview scheduling, talking points, media/blogger outreach, consistency in messaging, letters to the editor, web site content, campaign spokesperson, ad buys, spin/damage control, social media, and candidate staff... Salary: 3,750 a month…” See it here.
House seeks Legislative Analyst. “This non-partisan professional position is responsible for staffing House committees, analyzing and summarizing legislative proposals, drafting legislation, preparing legal and policy research and assisting Members of the House with lawmaking duties… Starting salary range for this position begins at $4,093 per month; however, actual starting salary is commensurate with applicable education and experience. The position is eligible for full state benefits and is located in Jefferson City…” See it here.
House seeks Drafting Services Attorney. “This non-partisan professional position is responsible for drafting and analyzing legislation and other documents, preparing legal and policy research, and assisting Members of the House with lawmaking duties… Starting salary range for this position begins at $4,093 per month; however, actual starting salary is commensurate with applicable education and experience. The position is eligible for full state benefits and is located in Jefferson City…” See it here.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Rep. Cloria Brown Reception – Sunset Country Club – Sunset Hills – 5:30PM.
25-26 House Democrats Summer Caucus – Kansas City.
Changes in Lobbyist Registrations
Stephan Tomlinson added Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Robert Schenk deleted Home Builders Association of St Louis & Eastern Missouri.
$5K+ Contributions
Missourians for Peter Kinder - $25,000 from August Busch III.
Citizens for Stephen Webber - $7,500 from Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters PAC.
Local 41 Political Action Fund - $11,502 from DRIVE Committee.
Missouri Free PAC - $975,000 from Republican Attorneys General Association.
Committee to Elect John Wheeler - $18,500 from John Wheeler.
We Deserve Better Inc - $6,370 from Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures Inc.
Newton County Republican Central Committee - $10,000 from Committee to Elect Ron Richard.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Bruce Mills.
Hawley for Missouri - $1,000,000 from Missouri Freedom PAC.
HealthPAC - $7,700 from Committee for Quality Healthcare.
MO Republican Party - $10,000 from Express Scripts Inc.
MO Republican Party - $10,000 from The Boeing Company.
Schmitt for Missouri - $10,000 from Roy Pfautch.
Teresa Hensley for Missouri - $10,000 from Operating Engineers Local 101 PAC.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Rep. Josh Peters.