Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Webber Attacks Greitens: Should Stand Up for Troops
Democratic Party State Chair Stephen Webber attacked Governor Eric Greitens for sitting front-row and happily looking on as President Donald Trump did on of his off-the-cuff cringe-worthy moments. See the KC Star article about it here.
And see the actual video of the speech here.
And
Webber calls Governor Grietens “the fakest human being I’ve ever known.” See it here.
8-Day Mayoral Reports
President Lewis Reed has the most cash in bank of the St. Louis City Democratic mayoral candidates. He reported $309,728 on-hand. Alderwoman Lyda Krewson reported $116,449 on-hand.
Alderman Antonio French only had $21,884 on-hand, and had outstanding debts of $64,121.
Today
Governor Eric Greitens’ six-week freeze in regulations is due to expire.
And President Donald Trump addresses Congress. That’s 8PM, just when the Mardi Gras party gets going….
Fitzy on Budget
The House released a statement from Budget Chair Scott Fitzpatrick as they dig into the details of the budget. See it here.
Pull Quote: He said lawmakers are looking at renegotiating managed care contracts to reschedule some expenses as the state switches to managed care in FY 18, and examining the funding request from the state employee retirement system to make sure it isn’t unnecessarily great.
Governor Eric Greitens (R) last week recommended changes to his own budget proposal that would see greater spending on public school transportation and on in-home services for low-income residents with disabilities.
Fitzpatrick said the problem is Greitens proposes funding those restorations with money from Missouri’s settlement with tobacco companies. Greitens based his latest proposal on a Missouri Supreme Court ruling that would let Missouri get $52-million in settlement money.
“I think we will see that money but I think there’s a potential for another negative decision on the tobacco lawsuit front for the next year that is basically a new lawsuit that could offset any gains we’re making from that,” said Fitzpatrick. “I’m not 100-percent convinced that we’re going to spend the extra money that the governor recommended. I think if we can get comfortable with the likelihood that we’re actually going to have it available in the fiscal year that we may go ahead and spend that, but we’ll look at the best way to spend it.”
COO Trend?
Drew Erdmann tweeted out a link to a Governing Magazine article – with a picture of him – talking about how COOs are the new thing for governors. See it here.
Lincoln Budget Crunch
News Tribune reports on Lincoln University budget crunch. See it here.
Pull Quote: There is no money in the proposed budget bills for the 2017-18 state business year — introduced in the Missouri House last week — designated for Lincoln University to match available federal funds for LU's land grant program… In their presentation, it's noted from 2000-17, the federal appropriation awarded to LU was $103.3 million, requiring a state match of $91 million. But the state appropriated only $10.6 million, while LU's moving money within its budget provided $42.9 million for the match.
Thanks to some federal waivers that covered part of the difference — and are not guaranteed from year to year — Lincoln only had to return $11.3 million due to "insufficient match resources," the school has told lawmakers.
Appointments
Governor Eric Greitens withdrew the appointment of Lateacha Tigue to the St. Louis City Board of Elections and nominated Jerry Hunter instead.
Bits
Worst bridges in Missouri. See them here.
Bub Hohulin is at it again. He just can’t let go. The disgruntled former employee of Mike Parson is back on Facebook trolling the lieutenant governor.
The Missourians fact-checked a line in Governor Eric Greitens’ state of the state speech talking about the dismal state of rural schools. They say it was mostly false. See it here.
The House – starting its positioning in what will probably end up in conference – says it’s sticking with Rep. Holly Rehder’s PDMP bill. See it here.
Public Service Commissioner Scott Rupp addresses some commonly heard complaints from utility consumers. See it here.
Blitz, Bardgett & Deutsch announced that Jason Turk has joined their firm.
eMailbag on Humphreys for Senate
I miss the golden days when billionaires just bought a bigger yacht and didn't require millions of voters to be part of their vanity exercises.
eMailbag on Charter Talk
In this charter debate the histrionics of the educrats miss the entire point: no child is forced to go to a charter or to remain at a charter.
Help Wanted
St. Louis Economic Development Partnership seeks Public Relations Manager. “This position will direct report to the Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Duties and Responsibilities: Responsible for organizing and executing all Partnership events; Coordinate and organize media and public relations that engage the organization’s key audiences; Lead media relations materials development (press releases, message Q & A, talking points, briefing books on economic development projects, press packets, letter of support, etc.)…”
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Sen. Dan Brown Reception – J Pfenny’s – JC – 5PM.
Lobbyists Registrations
Ryan Cross deleted Missouri Attorney General’s Office.
$5K+ Contributions
Progress KC PAC - $20,000 from Kansas City Live LLC.
Progress KC PAC - $25,000 from Kansas City Power & Light.
Progress KC PAC - $15,000 from Hallmark Cards Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to blogger Randy Turner.