Thursday, September 22, 2016
Big Checks
In the large contributions yesterday, David Humphreys gave $500K to Eric Greitens. It’s surprising it took him this long to write the check. Chris Koster is four (to eight) more years of right to work vetoes, so Greitens is a natural play for Humphreys.
Humphreys also sent $75K to Rob Vescovo – a right to work vote in Jefferson County – being challenged by a strong Democratic candidate.
Yesterday I wrote about Gregg Daly’s new mayoral committee. Now comes an initial $100K seed check from his “Friends of Daly” committee which he has used in his Collector of Revenue races.
And We Deserve Better, the anti-RYH4K campaign, received $300K from the pro-stem cell Lifesaving Cures committee.
And
The pro-stem cell money going to small tobacco’s coalition to stop the tax increase (and loophole closure) isn’t surprising. Brad Ketcher, who serves as the treasurer of We Deserve Better, also led the charge for a stem cell tobacco tax in 2002. Perhaps he’s eyeing an opportunity to revisit that battle in the next cycle if Chris Koster is serious about a MTC cig tax.
Also Missouri Cures’ Dena Ladd was spotted working St. Louis Democratic committees last week denouncing Amendment 3’s citing big tobacco’s involvement.
Years from now people will marvel at the coalitions: big tobacco and early childhood advocates on one side and this equally absurd alliance between the people who cause cancer and the folks who are trying to cure it.
Dilks: Independent and Democrat
Debbie Dilks is now the treasurer of Cooper County Democrats (see it here), and an Independent candidate in House 48 (see it here). House 48 is where Republican incumbent Dave Muntzel is running for re-election. There is no Democrat filed in that district.
Pogue Sued
According to Casenet (16DE-AC00144) Rep. Jeffrey Pogue is being sued by Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC. They are firm that tries to collect past-due debts. See the website here.
McGaugh Undecided on Gov’s Race
The mighty Jason Rosenbaum joins this episode of Statehouse Blend… and Rep. Joe Don McGaugh sounds like he’s leaning Koster on the governor’s race. Listen to it here.
“My experience with Chris Koster as a Democrat as attorney general has been him fighting for the 2nd Amendment, fighting for farmers in the state of Missouri and fighting against federal regulations, and the biggest example of that is when he fought President Obama’s clean power plan, so you know from what I’ve seen from Chris Koster I can work with him… I’m not endorsing Chris Koster…”
Should Greitens Be Running to the Right?
Various Missouri polls now are showing a similar pattern with Donald Trump solidly leading Hillary Clinton and Roy Blunt also ahead of Jason Kander yet Republican Eric Greitens trailing Democrat Chris Koster for governor.
Inside the numbers, one Republican sees Greitens weakness with the Republican base as a contributing factor.
If Missouri is as red as everyone says should Greitens be running to the base and counting on turn-out to bail him out of his hole?
Or could it be that Trump’s lead is the result of a deep rejection of Clinton through rural Missouri? And Gretiens needs to work at tying Koster to Clinton as Blunt has been trying to do to Kander?
Eagleton on RTW
In Senate 15, the Democratic candidate Steve Eagleton sounds like he’s in favor of right to work… From his website (see it here): The right to work is a hot topic for Missourians. Steve is a supporter of unions but not a supporter of the idea that someone must join the union to get work or that a worker is required to pay dues to that same union even if they don’t want to be a member. In a recent interview Mr. Eagleton had a hard time giving a direct answer to the “support “question because he is a supporter of unions but not all of their policies.
Arnold Can Sue for His Money
Opponents of the RYH4K cigarette tax have tried to attack on every conceivable angle. I wrote about one them a month or so ago. Lobbyist Andy Arnold sent $100 to the then-empty Coordinating Board for Early Childhood Fund, to create an “unconstitutional appropriation” challenge. In the Supreme Court’s recent decision (See it here) it aid that Arnold can sue to get his $100 back if the proposal passes. “If Amendment No. 3 is approved by the voters and this ‘donor’ believes that an imminent application of the provisions of Amendment No. 3 will result in the expenditure of his or her $100 without legislative appropriation, he or she should raise this challenge at that time, and, if it succeeds, it is likely that a remedy can be fashioned that is far more narrowly tailored than the wholesale rejection...”
Thampy on Failed Med Mari IP
Marijuana reform advocate Eapen Thampy on Facebook gives his opinion about the medical marijuana inititative petition failing to make the ballot… “There were SIX other initiative petition campaigns that qualified for the Missouri November ballot. All of them turned in 46,000 raw signatures in Congressional District 2. New Approach Missouri turned in 40,000 raw signatures, despite having over a year to collect and more than enough funds to get the job done. If Lee Winters were being honest with New Approach Missouri constituents, he wouldn't be blaming the failure of the ballot measure on a "judge's ruling". He would be telling you why the NAM board decided to end signature collection before they had hit basic benchmarks for ensuring they would have more signatures than they needed…”
Follow-Up on Nixon Legacy
MOScout reader: I would add that OA has now reversed themselves on the pension.
The State should reduce the ten-year vesting requirement because it is out of step with trends in
the market. Specifically, most employers are shortening their vesting schedules; the millennial generation has shown a willingness to change jobs often and typically places a much higher value on benefits that vest quickly and are transportable. Additionally, the ten-year vesting creates a challenge in attracting "second career" employees, who may be deterred by the ten-year requirement.
It’s hard to reconcile what he told the Springfield Chamber of Commerce ("We can follow the lead of the private sector, and modernize pension and health care programs for state employees") with the OA report now.
Krewson Web Vid
Mayoral candidate Lyda Krewson released a web video flushing out her vision for the city. She also directly spoke of her tragic understanding of gun violence in the city. See it here.
Follow-Up on Gubby Moves
One MOScout reader notes that “Alice C Wilson” being employed now in the governor’s office might be Judge Paul Wilson’s daughter who made the dean’s list at Mizzou.
Auditor Action
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway released “follow-up reviews” of the Joplin municipal court (see it here), and the St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds office (see it here).
And
Galloway met with residents of the southwest Missouri city of Sparta in Christian County to discuss the results of a [July] audit of city operations. The audit was initiated by a petition of citizens, and raised serious concerns related to the city's finances and management policies…. Auditors found a city in financial distress, with a number of public funds in poor financial condition. For example, the city's police fund carried a negative balance for at least five years and owed more than $200,000 to other city funds. Sparta's park and general funds are also in weak condition. Auditors determined the board of aldermen had failed to monitor the city's budget and were unaware of the severity of the financial challenges facing the city, resulting in actual expenses exceeding budgeted amounts by more than $90,000….
Sparta is represented by Sen. Jay Wasson and Reps. Jered Taylor and Lynn Morris.
eMailbag: Why Kander’s Great Ad Aint So Great
I think [Kander’s blindfolded gun ad] is an outside the box ad that makes no sense for him to run. He doesn't have a record to get gun owner's support and it depresses his anti-gun base. I don't see the upside for him in this ad. I think it shows some immaturity and vanity to respond on guns (where he loses) instead of talking about lobbyists and changing Washington (where he wins).
New Committees
Mike Allen – who recently lost the Republican primary for House 100 – started a committee to run again for House 100 in 2018… rematch, baby!
Bianca Tillard-Gates, of the famous Gates BBQ family, is the treasurer of a new PAC: America Forward.
Today’s Events
Powered by Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Sen. David Sater / Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick Golf – Ledgestone Country Club – Branson West.
$5K+ Contributions
Friends of Rob Vescovo - $75,000 from David Humphreys.
Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from The Driscoll Firm. Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from Baron & Budd PC.
Hawley for Missouri - $10,000 from Prime Inc.
Hawley for Missouri - $10,000 from Roy Pfautch.
RSLC Missouri PAC - $15,250 from Republican State Legislature Committee.
Friends of Caleb Jones - $9,045 from U Gas Inc.
Greitens for Missouri - $500,000 from David Humphreys.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from Fairfax Pollnow.
Committee to Elect Randy Jotte - $18,000 from Missouri Senate Campaign Committee.
With Robin Smith in 2016 Committee - $25,000 from Laborers’ International Union of North America.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $50,000 from UAW V-Cap.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $25,000 from UAW V-Cap.
We Deserve Better Inc - $300,000 Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures Inc.
We Deserve Better Inc - $9,293 from Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures Inc.
Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from national Health Corporation PAC.
Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from Northport Health Services of Missouri LLC.
MO Petroleum Marketers + Convenience Store Assoc PAC – Xcaliber International LTD LLC.
Daly for Mayor - $100,000 from Friends of Gregory FX Daly.
Returning Government to the People - $30,000 from Fred Sauer.
MO Republican Party - $12,479 from Committee to Elect Randy Jotte.
MO Republican Party - $6,046 from Committee to Elect Randy Jotte.
Make Saint Louis Safe - $22,500 from Great St. Louis Inc.
STL Votes! - $150,636 from Great St. Louis Inc.
Schmitt for Missouri - $10,000 from Lathrop & Gage LLP.
Citizens for Bill Puett - $25,000 from Bill Puett.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to David Willis.