Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Unsigned Carnahan Proclamation
This is a pretty remarkable piece of history when you have a chance to read it. It’s a proclamation written by staff for Governor Mel Carnahan, which features a litany of episodes and escapades. For example: Whereas, he is an excellent shopper who picks out all his own clothes, as President William Jefferson Clinton discovered the day he phoned Rolla for the Governor and was told the Governor would have to return his call because he was shopping at Wal-Mart for underwear… Find it here.
Here’s the story from a long-time political observer
Here is a piece of Missouri political history that has never been made public. Governor Mel Carnahan’s staff turned out thousands of proclamations during his nearly eight years as chief executive. This one was discovered recently by Governor Carnahan’s then-speechwriter, Rob Crouse, as he was cleaning out files before moving to a new home. It was written by Governor Carnahan’s staff in observance of Bosses’ Day 2000. Crouse recalls talking with the governor’s long-time advisor, Chris Sifford, by phone about the proclamation and they shared hearty laughter. Then Sifford, the governor and his son and pilot, Randy Carnahan, boarded their small plane for a campaign rally in New Madrid. It was Oct. 16, 2000, and as history tells us, the plane crashed and all three men were killed. Mel Carnahan never got to see this proclamation, which stands as enduring testament to a high public official who was nice to folks even when the cameras weren’t watching.
No Guns Now
Eric Greitens released his first general election campaign advertisement. The guns have been put away and he’s continuing to highlight his resume. Now instead of the military footage, he’s talking about the non-profit he started to help veterans. See it here.
New Committee
A new political action committee was formed… Childrens Firearm Safety Alliance. Its treasurer is Burt Newman, husband of Rep. Stacey Newman.
MOScout Reader: That Kids Committee is Big Tobacco, Not Rex
Yesterday I wrote that there was a new campaign committee, Vote Yes On 3 For Kids, was formed to help passed Amendment 3, wondering if it was related Rex Sinquefield. Not so, says one reader.
And another explains: [Marc] Ellinger has done all the legal work for most of the big tobacco related issues….
Question of the Day
Who’s more toxic: Sinquefield or big tobacco?
Koster Fly-Around FOP Endorsements
Today, Dem Gubby candidate Chris Koster will zip across the state accepting the endorsement of the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, which – according to the press advisory – represents 6,500 policemen and women in the state. “As Missouri’s top law enforcement official, Chris Koster has worked closely with police to make sure they got the support and resources they need to effectively serve and protect Missourians...”
Where to Find Koster
Kansas City – 9AM.
Springfield – 11AM.
Columbia – 1PM
St. Louis – 4PM
Sauer: Contributions Limits Suit “Meritless”
Fred Sauer, architect of the campaign limits initiative petition, sent a press release saying that the current lawsuit is “meritless.”
On Tuesday, August 9, 2016, Returning Government to the People (RGP) and its Deputy Treasurer, Todd S. Jones, filed a motion to intervene in a meritless lawsuit filed by political insiders in a futile effort to keep RGP's "Missouri Campaign Contribution Reform Initiative" (MCCRI) off the ballot in November.
Fred N. Sauer, President of Returning Government to the People, stated: "This lawsuit is the third lawsuit filed by well-financed special interests since 2014 in attempt to keep the MCCRI away from Missouri voters. The last two lawsuits were unanimously rejected by the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District. The latest lawsuit is just as meritless as the other two. The campaign contributions limitations of the MCCRI are closely modeled on federal campaign regulations and other state provisions, which the Courts have repeatedly upheld. They are plainly legal. Missouri voters have the right to choose whether to enact such commonsense limitations to eradicate the plague of corruption from unlimited contributions."
I wish he were right, but honestly it’s hard to see how you can say some corporations are allowed to make political contributions, but others aren’t. It looks like a drafting error to me. We’ll see….
Clergy on Trial
The trial began of members of the clergy who interrupted Senate proceedings a few years ago to protest the lack of Medicaid expansion. Post-Dispatch has the story here.
Pull Quote: The protesters were calling for Medicaid expansion, and they were arrested by Capitol police after refusing to leave the Senate gallery. They now face charges for obstructing government function and trespassing. Typically, charges for these kind of political demonstrations are dropped or not pursued by prosecutors, making this trial unusual, something advocates who gathered at Cole County Circuit Court on Monday were quick to point out.
Ellington: Prosecution Racially and Politically Motivated
Statement from Rep. Brandon Ellington, Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Chairman: "Criminal charges never should have been brought in this case. Protests that are far more boisterous and disruptive than what occurred in the Senate two years are common in the Missouri Capitol and rarely result in prosecution. Apparently there is a different standard when the protesters are African-American. Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson has one final chance to do the right thing and abandon this racially and politically motivated prosecution. He should take it."
Bits
ACLU sued Mayor of Walnut Grove. The mayor, Jim Cole, sued a citizen who called him unfit for office after shooting a dog. See the suit here.
Former Rep. Jerry Nolte and former Sen. Luann Ridgeway continue to tussle as commissioners of Clay County. See the latest controversy here.
At the half-way point in the month, state revenues are looking solid this month.
Help Wanted
The Hawthorn Foundation seeks Executive Assistant (Part-Time)… The Executive Assistant reports directly to the Executive Director. This position provides administrative and clerical support for all aspects of the Hawthorn Foundation’s programs, events, and administrative needs.
See the ad here. See the Hawthorn Foundation’s website here.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Sen. Gina Walsh Picnic – Knights of Columbus Park – Florissant – 5PM.
Sen. Eric Schmitt St. Louis County Campaign Office Opening – 912 Meramec Station Rd., Valley Park, Missouri 63088 – 5PM.
Lobbyists Registrations
Rodney Hubbard deleted Mayor`s Office City Of St. Louis, and Brown & Associates.
$5K+ Contributions
Missourians for Fair Taxation - $46,014 from National Association of REALTORS.
Hawley for Missouri - $12,500 from Menlo Smith.
Missourians for John Brunner - $50,000 from John Brunner.
Greitens for Missouri - $25,000 from New Prime Inc.
Koster for Missouri - $25,000 from Bartimus Frickleton Robertson.
Right to Vote - $100,000 from Missouri National Education Association.
Teresa Hensley for Missouri - $10,000 from Robert Blitz.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Rep. Sue Meredith.