Thursday, October 6, 2016

Nixon Appoints New Commissioner to PubDef Commission

Governor Jay Nixon appointed Ronald D. Bockenkamp (D), of Farmington, to the Public

Defender Commission.    Nixon has been trying to pack the commission since the director of the public defenders, Michael Barrett, called him out for their lack of funding.

He made three appointments in August, but one of them – Oliver Glenn Boyer – was the sheriff in Jefferson County.  It was thought his presence on the commission could create a conflict of interest that would hinder the public defenders from doing their work in his jurisdiction.  So Boyer withdrew, and Bockenkamp has been named in his place.

The next meeting of the commission is scheduled for December 9 in Jefferson City.

Snider to KCATA

In the lobbyist registrations below, Paul Snider has left Brightergy.  He’s now with Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA). See their website here.  He’s their first in-house government affairs person.

Why No Greitens Tax Returns?

There’s lots of speculation about why Eric Greitens is dead set against releasing his tax returns.  Two MOScout reader happened on the same theory… He was selling books and speeches (a lot of money in that) while he was taking 6 figures from mission continues. Hard to justify taking 6 figure salary from a start up nonprofit for veterans if you are already a 1 percenter.....

But it was super attorney Chuck Hatfield who lit up Twitter with various theories – which could apply to Greitens or Donald Trump.  See them here.

Possible reason candidates won't release tax returns: Paying a lot of alimony to a previous spouse and would rather not discuss… would show massive payments to ghost writers on books they claim credit for…. they have some previously unknown dependent exemptions…. they have income from sources not disclosed on ethics reports…. they donated to charities not in line with there declared politics (GOP to Planned P)… they have income from foreign sources.

they have income from sources not disclosed on ethics reports…. they are improperly deducting campaign expenses as business expenses.

New Blunt Ad

The latest Roy Blunt campaign ad highlights his work with the special Olympics.  It’s a feel good 30-second spot.  See it here.

Yes on 3 Second Ad

The RYH4K cigarette tax increase campaign released their second commercial.  It’s adorable.  It has kids telling hitting the talking points, looking and sounding very cute.  See it here.  Maybe I’m a sucker, but this looks very effective to me.

But

Watch out do-gooders, the Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Stores PAC is coming for you.  See an TV ad contract here.  And radio too….

Buckle Up

Both sides are showing lots of money for the fight.  In the large contributions today Big Tobacco puts nearly a million, and Little Tobacco about $860K.

And

Today at 1PM St. Louis African American leaders will hold a news conference “to voice their strong support for Amendment 3…”  Among those attending: St. Louis County Councilwoman Hazel Erby, former Rep. Betty Thompson, Councilwoman-Elect Rochelle Walton-Gray, and Rep. Courtney Curtis.

Hey Joe

Whatcha gonna do with that money in your account?

Dems are itching to know what will be become of Joe Keaveny’s war-chest.  At last reporting it was $189,171.  Keaveny resigned from the Senate and now is an Administrative Law Judge in St. Louis.  His campaign committee says he’s running for statewide in 2020, but that sounds more like a placeholder plans.

In the meantime maybe his former city colleague Sen. Scott Sifton could use some cash, or his alderwoman Lyda Krewson running for mayor or any of the Dem statewide candidates.

We’ll see….

Paraquad Questionnaire

Cathy Brown writes on the Paraquad blog about the questionnaires they’ve sent out to candidates.  See it here.

The stakes are high for people with disabilities and their families. That’s why 14 Missouri organizations partnered to ask candidates for statewide office about issues important to us.

We’ve asked the candidates to return their answers no later than noon on October 10 so you can have plenty of time to see where they stand on disability issues prior to the general election.

From the questionnaire…

What do you see as the role of government — local, state and federal — affecting the lives of people with disabilities, and what efforts will you make to ensure state agencies serving Missourians with disabilities have the resources and manpower to carry out their functions?

How will you include the voice of people with disabilities, their families and those who provide services to them in your administration?

Do you support covering people in the health insurance gap by increasing eligibility for MO HealthNet to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL)? Do you think some reforms are necessary to ensure coverage? If so, what kind of reforms?

The availability of affordable, accessible and safe housing is a major barrier for some individuals with disabilities to full community inclusion. What will your administration do to further housing options for persons with disabilities? And how will it do this?

Cox for Sheriff

Shannon Cox formed a campaign committee to run for sheriff in Dekalb County as a write-in candidate.  See his Facebook campaign page here.

It looks like there’s been controversy in Dekalb County. See it here. Less than two months after law enforcement officers shot a man in DeKalb County, some residents are seeking an independent investigation into broader concerns about the sheriff’s department. An online petition asks for an investigation into what critics call a pattern of illegal searches, verbal threats, misconduct and intimidation in DeKalb County.

Dekalb County is represented by Sen. Dan Hegeman and Rep. J Eggleston.

Dotson Preps Mayoral Bid?

Post-Dispatch reports that Mayor Francis Slay won’t put up with his police chief staying on the job while running for office.  See it here.

Pull Quote: If Police Chief Sam Dotson enters the mayoral race, Mayor Francis Slay says he will ask the chief to resign. Dotson this week filed paperwork with the Missouri Ethics Commission to form an exploratory committee to run for mayor. It's generally a preliminary step candidates take to gauge interest from donors.  Slay, on Wednesday, said he would not tolerate a part-time police chief.

Auditor Action

Auditor Nicole Galloway compiled the top 5 most common Sunshine law violations.  See the report here.  They are: 1. Reasons for closed meetings- The reasons for closing a meeting were not adequately documented, or the reasons were documented, but not allowable under the law; 2. Open meeting minutes- Minutes were not prepared for open meeting; 3. Closed meeting minutes- Minutes were not prepared for closed meetings; 4. Review of minutes- Meeting minutes were not always reviewed or approved in a timely manner; 5. Meeting agendas- A meeting agenda was not prepared or posted, or did not include adequate information related to the upcoming meeting.

Bits

Governor Jay Nixon released $12.1 million that he’d previously withheld, citing good revenue numbers last month.  See the press release here.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is looking to buy about 1,500 copies of School Culture Rewired: How to Define, Assess, and Transform It.  The book offers "Culture-busting" strategies to help teachers adopt positive attitudes, outlooks, and behaviors; A framework for pinpointing the type of culture you have, the type that you want, and the actions you need to take to bridge the two; Tips for hiring, training, and retaining teachers who will actively work to improve your school's culture….

DED touts Coolfire.  The press release: The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) today gathered with leadership of Coolfire Solutions, a St. Louis-based startup founded in 2010, to cut the ribbon on its newly renovated headquarters facility. Coolfire Solutions is adding 11 new jobs at the location… Coolfire Solutions is a software company specializing in mobile situational awareness, which basically means it provides users the ability to better understand what is happening around them so that they can make faster, better decisions…. To assist Coolfire Solutions with its growth in St. Louis, the Missouri DED has offered a strategic economic incentive package that the company can receive if it meets strict job creation criteria.

The Facebook picture of Sen. Bob Onder and wife Allison phone-banking for Eric Greitens has an “aw cute” quality, but one conservative on social media grumbles in reference to Greitens position on SJR39, “What do you do when someone openly opposes your bill that you worked for a year to get passed?  Apparently in Missouri politics you not only support them but you also phone bank for them…”

Today’s Events

Powered by Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:

2nd Annual Registered Lobbyist Charity Golf – Eagle Knoll – 8:30AM.

Rep. Michael Butler’s Promenade on the Park – Park Ave. Mansion – STL – 5PM.

Russ Carnahan – Bartolino’s – St. Louis – 5PM.

Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City – Public Officials Reception – Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts – 5:30PM.

Changes in Lobbyist Registrations

Paul Snider added Kansas City Area Transportation Authority; and deleted Brightergy.

David Jackson added Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City Inc., Pinnacle Entertainment Inc., Ameristar Casino St. Charles Inc., and Wal-mart Stores Inc.

Kathryn Gamble and Jeffrey Brooks added Center for Diagnostic Imaging.

Andy Arnold deleted DC Inc, and UGas Inc.

Trent Watson deleted Missouri Sheriffs Association, and Steven Carroll.

Paul Bencivenga deleted National Association for Gun Rights.

$5K+ Contributions

Hawley for Missouri - $10,000 from Neil Corkery.

Hawley for Missouri - $13,950 from Missouri Freedom PAC.

Hawley for Missouri - $6,400 from Jerry Sumners.

With Robin Smith in 2016 Committee - $10,000 from Eastern Missouri Laborers’ Educational and Benevolent Fund.

7th District Congressional Republican Committee - $40,000 from New Prime Inc.

Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from IBEW PAC Voluntary Fund.

Koster for Missouri - $100,000 from IBEW PAC Voluntary Fund.

Parson for Missouri - $20,000 from Cheyenne International LLC.

Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from Callahan for Missouri

Missourians for Byron DeLear - $6,059 from Missouri State Democratic Committee.

Baker for Missouri - $12,500 from Western Missouri And Kansas Laborers' District Council PAC.

Missouri Freedom PAC - $23,000 from Republican Attorneys General Association.

Missouri Democratic State Committee - $150,00 from Koster for Missouri.

Missouri Democratic State Committee - $20,500 from Democratic Governors Association Missouri.

Raise Your Hand for Kids - $25,000 from Alliance for Childhood Education.

MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC - $120,000 from Xcaliber International LTD LLC.

MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC - $620,000 from Xcaliber LTD LLC.

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

Vote Yes on 3 for Kids - $989,453 from RAI Services Company.

Teresa Hensley for Missouri - $10,000 from Schlichter Bogard & Denton LLP.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Yancy Williams.