Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Dems Filibuster Constitutional Amendment
Senate Dems have filibustered Sen. Bob Onder’s “religious freedom” constitutional amendment throughout the night. It’s SJR 39. See it here.
Jason Hancock has an article up about it. (See it here).
What It Means
After the expert witness bill, and the paycheck protection, Pro Tem Ron Richard’s Republican Senate has put the Democrats on the defense early and often. We’re still a few weeks from Spring Break.
It looks like a long session for Dems….
Brunner’s Battlefield Verses
From John Brunner’s campaign email: I am delighted to announce that we are now offering my book - Battlefield Verses - for free on our website. Sometimes, life can be like a battlefield. We face many challenges, but with God's help, we can overcome them. Battlefield Verses includes my favorite Bible verses that remind us that we shall overcome. To get a free copy delivered straight to your door, simply fill out the form on this page - it's that simple!
McConnell Strategy Not Popular in Missouri?
Politico reports that “On Friday, PPP released polls showing [Mitch] McConnell's strategy is not playing well in redder states, with strong majorities of voters in Arizona, Iowa, North Carolina and Missouri favoring the Senate to at least consider Obama’s nominee.” See it here.
Williams Registers
Yancy Williams, formerly chief of staff to Sen. Kurt Schaefer, registered to lobby. Williams, known more for his campaign consulting, actually registered a month ago. He now has four clients: Centerpointe Hospital, Enginuity Biopower LLC, Issue Advocacy Group, and North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission.
Dinwiddle in Senate 6 House 59
Randy Dinwiddle, running against incumbent Rep. Mike Bernskoetter, first planned to run for Senate 6. When he discovered that the senate seat wasn’t up for election until 2018, he pivoted to the House district. But he didn’t bother to reprint flyers. See it here.
Interesting to note one of his campaign issues is to “keep professional football in St. Louis.”
Sinquefield Adds to AntiE-Tax Committee
With another large check, Rex Sinquefield has funded his anti-earnings tax to about $1.4 million. In St. Louis, there seems an almost ho-hum response, as if Sinquefield’s many campaign misses make this million-dollar effort to defund the city’s budget is a gadfly-ish joke. I think that’s a mistake with the stakes so high. Over in Kansas City, there’s been a more concerted defense. And they’re running pro-earnings tax ads on TV. See a contract here.
LaFaver on Tobacco Tax
Rep. Jeremy LaFaver throw some punches at the healthcare establishment not supporting an increase in the tobacco tax.
On Facebook (See it here): This is so disappointing. Once upon a time HCF was a leader on raising the tobacco tax. Now, when they didn't get their way after several failed attempts, they have decided to "take their ball and go home." That's fine. We will raise tobacco taxes, improve health, and fund quality early childhood education without them. And when we are successful, it's my hope that they realize the power of collaboration again and not the power of division. I'm sorry that this doesn't raise the tobacco tax more, but that clearly won't pass (see previous failed attempts). It's time for us to move forward with positive, incremental steps towards a healthier and better educated Missouri. That's how good policy happens. Not by throwing a temper tantrum and storming off the playground. When it comes to making our state healthier, and smarter: No, Bridget, something is DEFINITELY better than your proposed 'nothing'.
Bill Clinton to STL
Today former President Bill Clinton will be in St. Louis for his wife’s campaign. 4:30PM at the District 9 Machinists Hall, 12365 Saint Charles Rock Rd, Bridgeton, Missouri 63044. See it here.
Candidate Filing News
Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler filed for re-election finally.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Missouri Credit Union Lobby Day – 3rd floor Rotunda.
Rep. Elijah Haahr Reception – Gumbo Bottoms – 5:30PM or upon adjournment.
Lobbyists Registrations
Roxen Koch added Polsinelli PC.
Carter Weil added Halcyon Capital Management LP; and deleted Halcyon Asset Management LLC.
Yancy Williams added North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission.
Jessica Petrie added Western Governors University.
Mark Rhoads added Hudson Government Affairs, LLC O/b/o Comfort Dental.
Randy Scherr added Multistate Associates for Ciox Health LLC; and deleted Multistate Associates for Healthport, and South Central Cement Promotion Association.
Angela Schulte, Jay Reichard, Chris Moody, Mark Schwartz, and Andy Blunt deleted Southeastrans Inc.
Jay Swearingen deleted Prairie Weed Cultivation & Care Center, Bison Aviation and Osage Aviation.
Richard McIntosh, Dan Schuette, Franc Flotron deleted Garnett Wood Products Co Inc.
Charles Pierce deleted Princeton Public Affairs Group Inc., and Gallagher Consultants.
Charles Myers deleted Bothwell Regional Health Center, and Saint Lukes Health System.
$5K+ Contributions
New Approach Missouri - $25,000 from Luke Sinquefield.
Vote NO on the E-Tax - $395,857 from Rex Sinquefield.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from Thomas Hale.
MEDA PAC (MO Energy Dev. Association Political Action Committee) - $100,000 from MECE Credit Union.
Committee to Elect Bill Birkes - $7,000 from Bill Birkes.
MO Beverage PAC - $5,223 from P-Americas LLC.
Hawley for Missouri - $10,000 from Darwin Deason.
Hawley for Missouri - $10,000 from Edwin Rice.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from Robert Schostak.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from Douglas Albrecht.
Razer for Missouri - $5,001 from Friends of Jeremy LaFaver.