Thursday, September 1, 2016
Hubbard Election Controversy Heats Up
Post-Dispatch reports on the controversy regarding absentee votes in Rep. Penny Hubbard’s re-election. Things are getting interesting now with a grand jury set to investigate. And lobbyist Jane Dueker has joined the fray. See it here.
Pull Quote: Bruce Franks lost the primary race to Hubbard and contends there were irregularities in the election. He has in particular questioned absentee ballots cast in the race. Hubbard's attorney, Jane Dueker, has said Hubbard has done nothing wrong. On Wednesday, St. Louis Circuit Judge Rex Burlison rejected a motion to dismiss the case made by Dueker. At one point, the judge told Dueker: "You don't have an argument."
Kander Statement
“The report today in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is very troubling. Our Elections Integrity Unit will continue reviewing the allegations received by our office. The U.S. Attorney and St. Louis City Circuit Attorney are already looking into this matter as well. If the allegations put forth by the complaints to our office, Mr. Franks and today’s Post-Dispatch report are true, action clearly needs to be taken by one of those entities or the Courts. As this is an ongoing legal matter I will not prejudice the legal process, but…”
Also This
An interesting flyer. See it here.
Governing Magazine
Governing Magazine looks at the possible impacts from the Amendment 4. See it here.
Pull Quote: The ballot measure is, in part, a response to efforts across the country to lower the income tax in exchange for expanding the sales tax. While Missouri hasn’t seriously considered such a proposal, the legislature did have a heated debate this year over the Department of Revenue’s decision to start applying the state’s entertainment sales tax to activities like personal training, dance and gymnastics.
Berry for Missouri Right to Vote Campaign
It looks like former Senate 11 staffer Ron Berry is now with the campaign against Voter ID. It’s called Missouri Right to Vote Campaign.
Barber Tax?
Amendment 4 keeps pointing out the many services that aren’t taxed now. See it here. Stephanie Murray, a barber and part-owner of Clean Cut Barbershop in Columbia, said a sales tax on the shop's services would have a negative effect on her business. “If people who are on fixed income have to pay taxes on their services, haircuts are going to be one of the first things, in my opinion, to go, because it is kind of a luxury item. You know it’s something that makes you feel really good,” Murray said.
Schmitt Renews Obamacare Charge Against Baker
The press release: Sen. Eric Schmitt, a strong opponent of ObamaCare who opposed efforts to
expand the program in Missouri, today pointed to a new Kaiser Foundation report that showed 85 percent of Missouri counties would have fewer choices due to the program’s failures. Schmitt said this is yet another sad indicator that ObamaCare has been a disaster for Missouri and that too many families have been hurt by the program. He also noted that the issue represents a big difference between him and his opponent, Judy Baker, in the race for Missouri State Treasurer…
MEC Decisions
The Missouri Ethics Commission dismissed complaints against Eric Greitens’ use of the LG PAC, and the SEALS for Truth PAC, and Chris Koster’s in-kind contribution from Job and Opportunity PAC, creating a six-lane highway out of the loophole.
Transparency in the Missouri finance system is dead and buried now with these decisions.
And
Reggie Jones, the mayor of Dellwood, was fined $100 for a missing “paid for” disclosure. See it here.
A complaint against Senate 1 candidate Randy Jotte was dismissed. See it here.
Bits
MOScout reader reports on a poll that sounded like St. Louis County Councilperson Sam Page is polling. What makes it interesting is that the reader doesn’t live in Page’s district… Not trying to start a fire here, but with all the discontent over Steve Stenger, Page would be potent primary challenger. That’s not until 2018, but of course you’d want to get out early with a message sharp enough to stem Stenger’s money flow. Just saying….
The next Missouri State Public Defender Commission meeting is September 21. Will Governor Jay Nixon have the votes put together to oust director Michael Barrett?
The Twenty-First Circuit Judicial Commission (St. Louis County) is accepting applications for an associate circuit judge vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Patrick Clifford…
St. Louis County Council mulls raising the age to buy cigarette to 21. See it here.
eMailbag: On Engler’s Snark
When you are one of 163 state reps and you deny knowing the name of the State Auditor, it makes you seem immature at best and not real bright at worst. Citizens of Missouri can only hope that this doesn't escalate to Engler becoming rubber and the Auditor becoming glue…
eMailbag: On Solon’s Interview
Rep. Sheila Solon's statement that only men run Republican campaigns conveniently overlooked the fact that Peter Kinder had a woman running his gubernatorial campaign, Pam Dixon. The Kinder campaign also stayed positive, unlike the campaign Rep. Solon endorsed (which was run by a man)…
Help Wanted
Missouri Ethics Commission seeks Attorney. “This individual works directly with the Commission’s General Counsel and is responsible for conducting litigation work for the Commission. This includes communicating with individuals and/or other attorneys regarding legal cases; preparing for and conducting administrative hearings both before the Commission, the Administrative Hearing Commission, and occasional appeals before the Circuit Court; conducting legal discovery; drafting Commission pleadings, joint stipulations, orders, and findings of facts and conclusions of law; and conducting required legal research… The starting salary range is from $50K, but may be adjusted commensurate with experience…” See it here.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Rep. Noel Shull / TJ Berry Golf – Excelsior Springs Golf Course – Excelsior – 8AM.
Rep. Stephen Webber Reception – 106 Orr St. – Columbia – 6PM.
Rep. Dan Shaul Cosmic Bowling – Imperial Bowl – Imperial – 7:30PM.
Changes in Lobbyist Registrations
Greg Porter, Alex Eaton, Daniel Pfeifer and Rebecca Lohmann added Launchcode; and deleted Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
Jewell Patek added Capital Advocates LLC.
$5K+ Contributions
Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from Integrity Home Care.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from John Gentry.
Seniors Count Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Compass Health Network.
Friends of Mark Ellebracht - $10,000 from CHIPP Political Account.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $15,000 from UAW Region 5.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from Mary Gunther.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from Craig Frazier.
Gretiens for Missouri - $5,001 from James Ferguson.
Greitens for Missouri - $20,000 from Lisa and Greg Nichols.
Greitens for Missouri - $100,000 from James Parsons.
Citizens for Spencer - $25,000 from David Humphreys.
Teresa Hensley for Missouri - $30,000 from United Association Political Education Committee.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Rachael Klarich.