Thursday, September 15, 2016

Guns and Voter ID Become Law

Republicans override the governor on the “big” bills of voter ID and relaxing gun regulations.  See the Post-Dispatch article here.

Pull Quote: On a day dedicated to considering bills that were vetoed by Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, the GOP used its wide majorities in the House and Senate to hand the governor and his Democratic allies two high-profile defeats as he winds down his political career.

What’s Next for Gun Rights?

One of the hallmarks of the Republican majority for the past decade is to make incremental progress on issues of importance to their base.  There’s always a pro-life bill, a gun bill, a tax cut bill.  It’s an approach that moved the ball another five yard down the field.  But now – with this gun bill – one wonders if they’ve finally scored a touchdown.

What’s left to do?  Start eliminating the restricted areas?  Repeal a minister’s right to say a church is off-limits to firearms?  Child care centers? Courtrooms?

Building Republicans Fear Governor Koster

Inside the building, Republican legislative leaders are said to worry about how a governor Koster would differ in his engagement from Governor Jay Nixon.

Republicans generally grumble about Nixon’s silence during session.  For eight years they have had little to no idea where he is on any specific piece of legislative.  Not knowing what provisions he finds problematic, they can’t make compromises or negotiate.  They only find out when he vetoes bills.

Chris Koster, on the other hand, would be expected to be more engaged.  That’d be a welcome relief.  However, they worry that he might be too engaged.  He might be wooing Republicans, triangulating the base against more moderates and Democrats.

Nixon’s practice of remaining isolated on the second floor has made it relatively easy for Republicans to remained unified in veto sessions.  Koster might be “in people’s offices, twisting arms” in the words of one legislator.

Hardball Ahead of Tomorrow Election Re-Do

Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal tweeted a picture of a flyer attacking Bruce Franks, the challenger to Rep. Penny Hubbard in tomorrow election “do-over.” See it here.  It describes Franks as a “tool of Republicans.”

Raise Your Hand Bits

Day In Court

At 9AM today the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear: SC95924, Jim Boeving, Patty Arrowood, Robert E. Pund and Robert A. Klein v. Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander and Raise Your Hand for Kids and Erin Brower v. State of Missouri, an appeal from Cole County involving a challenge to the certification and validity of an initiative petition.  See summaries here.

Big Endorsement

The proponents’ latest endorsement: Vote Yes on 3 for Kids, the diverse coalition supporting passage of the Early Childhood Health and Education Amendment this November, announced the latest in a steady stream of major endorsements. The St. Louis Regional Early Childhood Council (RECC) – a group that brings together nearly 500 child-serving organizations, funders, and businesses – strongly encourages the passage of Amendment 3.

Meanwhile

Opponents of the effort were crowing yesterday that Rep. Kathy Swan had rescinded her support.

Kander Bits

Jason Kander has a new full-minute ad out.  See it here.  “We won’t change Washington until we change the people we send there.”  And then the echoes of JFK’s classic inaugural speech… “It’s time for a new generation of leaders who have come of age at a time of unprecedented challenges…”   The ad works.

And Team Kander announced the endorsement of a St. Louis clerical organization… "Members of the Concerned Clergy of St. Louis know that Jason Kander will be an advocate for our community in the U.S. Senate, so we are enthusiastically supporting his campaign," said Rev. Earl Nance Jr., pastor at Greater Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church… Jason's opponent, Senator Roy Blunt, voted against all but one of the 26 bills the NAACP said were consistent with its civil rights mission in the 112th Congress, giving him an F and the lowest percentage of anyone in Missouri’s Congressional delegation.

Bits

Good news from DED: Missouri's nonfarm payroll employment grew by 4,200 jobs in August, reaching a new record high for the state with 2,821,900 active jobs. Coupled with July's upward-revised increase of 3,200, employment over the past two months has grown by 7,400 jobs.  The state's unemployment rate for August was 5.1 percent.

That new name on the Greitens’ email blast… Bryan Reed.  One politico explains: Detailed here from West Virginia, where he worked on the Gov race.

VoteVets PAC (see their website here) is buying air time in Missouri.  See the contract here.

Seen in the rotunda: Recently retired Rep. Tony Dugger.  One rumor had Dugger going to work for the Bankers Association, but that doesn’t seem to have happened.  We’ll see where he ends up….

Press release: Mrs. Candy Carson will receive the 2016 Full-Time Homemaker of the Year Award this Saturday at Eagle Council XLV.  This award has been given annually by Phyllis Schlafly since 1986.  Dr. Ben Carson will also speak and help us honor his wife.

WSJ on Monsanto Merger: Behind a wave of multibillion-dollar mergers in the agriculture business is a moment of change in American farming. The dominance of genetically modified crops is under threat.  Since their introduction to U.S. farms 20 years ago, genetically engineered seeds have become multifunctional and ubiquitous. But today, farmers are finding it harder to justify the high and often rising prices for modified seed, given the measly returns of the current farm economy.  Biotech farming has also shown limitations, given how certain weeds are evolving to resist sprays, forcing farmers to fork out for a broader array of chemicals. Some are starting to seek out old-fashioned seed, citing diminished returns from biotech bells and whistles.

Changes in Lobbyist Registrations

Kristian Starner and Aaron Baker added Xcaliber International Ltd LLC.

Jewell Patek deleted Midwest Foster Care and Adoption Assn.

Brian Colby deleted MO Health Advocacy Alliance.

$5K+ Contributions

Hawley for Missouri - $10,000 from Menlo Smith.

Lewis & Clark Northern Missouri Forum - $10,000 from Chester Bross Construction Company.

MO Soybean Association State PAC - $50,000 from Missouri Soybean Association.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $5,001 from Friends of Glen Kolkmeyer.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $8,850 from Hill for Missouri.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $5,001 from Friends of Robert Cornejo.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from Friends of Donna Lichtenegger.

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

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $5,001 from Friends of Michael Bernskoetter.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from Friends of Elijah Haahr.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $20,000 from Fitzpatrick for House.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from Alferman for Missouri.

Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from C V Starr & Company Inc.

MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC.

United Food & Commercial Workers Local #655 Elect Political Action Fund - $6,531 from UFCW Local 655.

Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Hermann Companies Inc.

Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from Delta Rim Inc.

Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from Martin Grain Company Inc.

Missourians for Byron DeLear - $5,614 from Working America Coalition.

STL Votes! - $92,517 from Rex Sinquefield.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $25,000 from Citizens for Jay Wasson.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Rep. Holly Rehder.