Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Wright Jones Decision Affirmed
Former Sen. Robin Wright Jones had appealed the fines of Missouri Ethics Commission. But the fines was affirmed by a circuit court. See the ruling here. Jones first appealed the MEC decision to the Administrative Hearing Commission, and then to the circuit court.
The fines total $271,580 for vast reporting violations, and also – most serious – for personal use of campaign funds.
Latest Eagle Forum Drama
For those who can’t look away….
Subject: Eagle Forum update #6
On Friday, the Gang of 6 refused to approve the payment of expenses for our upcoming pro-life event to be held in less than two months at the Republican National Convention. This event has been an important tradition since 1996.
That is the pro-choice mindset of the Gang of 6. They spend more time trying to grab titles for themselves and seizing control of the collection basket than allowing our traditional pro-life event to succeed at the Republican National Convention….
Meanwhile, a close ally of the Gang of 6 even tried to block Phyllis from becoming a delegate to the Convention. But Ed Martin outwitted that anti-Phyllis effort by arranging for her to be elected as a national delegate at the Missouri state convention over the weekend. Now the anti-Phyllis cabal is a sore loser about its failures.
Why don't the Gang of 6 -- Anne Cori, Eunie Smith, Cathie Adams, Carolyn McLarty, Shirley Curry, and Rosina Kovar -- try harder to succeed on their own, rather than interfere with conservative success by Phyllis? It's pathetic when a few people stoop to the level of taking from a 91-year-old rather than trying harder to succeed on their own.
Betrayals occur, as every Christian knows. But not even Judas helped someone betray her own mother. The Gang of 6 never has and never will provide a justification for such conduct.
Andy Schlafly
Here Comes the TV
It looks like Sen. Mike Parson is making his ad buys for the weeks before the primary election. See his buys for KYTV… week of July 6, week of July13, week of July 20, and the final week.
And
One tipster says that Catherine Hanaway will be following John Brunner’s example in the next couple of weeks and start running TV as well…
Bayer Keeping Monsanto HQ in STL?
Tipster: Bayer makes it clear in the Q&A posted on their website that the global seeds & traits and North American commercial HQ will be located in St. Louis. See it here.
Draft Tishaura Committee Formed
St. Louis City Treasurer Tishaura Jones has a problem in her quest to become mayor of St. Louis. She’s up for re-election right now, and it’s bad form to run for re-election in your current office and also be pursuing a higher office. The answer: have the people draft you! So here it is. While Jones focuses on re-election, there’s agroundswell begging her to consider running for mayor right afterwards. Filed yesterday with the Missouri Ethics Commission is “Draft Tishaura For Mayor Political Action Committee.” The treasurer is Kara Holland.
Nixon Puts Voter ID on November Ballot
Governor Jay Nixon put the Voter ID issue on the November ballot. See the Post-Dispatch article here.
This is contrary to conventional expectations that Nixon would put it on the August ballot because Voter ID is considered popular with Republicans and would help their turn-out.
What I believe Nixon is betting on (and I think it’s a good bet) is that while the issue is popular with Republicans, it’s not a turn-out issue for them. However, for those that oppose it, it is a turn-out issue. More Missourians support Voter ID than oppose, but those who oppose it are vehement in their opposition. Thus it may help Dems by being on the November ballot.
And
When MOScout polled the issue in January it was supported by 67% of Missourians.
StudentsFirst Bits
StudentsFirst is at an end. Here’s the announcement that it’s merging…
For the past five years, we've been honored to work alongside parents, educators and community members to ensure that all students have access to a great school and great teachers. We're proud of what we've accomplished together, connecting a network of over 2 million families. Last month we announced the merger of StudentsFirst with 50CAN: The 50-State Campaign for Achievement Now to strengthen support for education leaders across the country.
And
Lea Crusey, who staffed the StudentFirst effort in Missouri a few years, announced her latest move recently… I've started in a new role as Senior Policy Advisor to the US Department of Education’s Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development.
eMailbag on Senate 1 Poll
Sen. Scott Sifton isn't safe. No one knows who he is and the generic ballot isn't strong enough to help him. Ds should place this in the at risk column. Dr. Randy Jotte is an outstanding candidate for this district.
eMailbag on Trump Winning MO
Donald Trump wins if he can get conservatives like me who are not with him yet. Hillary Clinton should probably stop engaging him, she reminds people like me why I should suck it up and vote for the guy.
You have previously discussed the fact, many times, that there is high voter discontent in Missouri and across the nation. But you seem to carefully avoid discussing WHY this discontent exists… "High voter discontent" exists due to Obama's epic failure on every major issue over the last 8 years… so you can try to shrug or laugh this off all you want but Trump's very simple, very straightforward message of let's "Make America Great Again" (Jobs, Secure the Border, Defeat ISIS) resonates with people all across the country and all across the demographic and political spectrum. And it is why Trump is going to absolutely crush Hillary in November.
Help Wanted
The Missouri State Public Defender seeks Capital Appellate Attorney in the Columbia Appellate Office. “Attorney will represent indigent clients in the Missouri Supreme Court on postconvicton appeals from death penalty convictions and sentences. Attorney will also assist in death penalty postconviction representation in circuit courts….Salary range is $5,258-$6,222 per month…”
Lobbyists Registrations
Steven Tilley deleted Center for Competitive Politics.
Kevin Gunn deleted Brightergy.
Matthew Jessee deleted Airbnb.
David Winton deleted Missouri School Board Association.
$5K+ Contributions
Rizzo for Missouri - $50,000 from Carpenters Help in the Political Process (CHIPP).
Harmon 2016 - $10,000 from Citizens for Maria Chappelle-Nadal.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $25,000 from Koster for Missouri.
Birthdays
Happy birthday House Minority Leader Jake Hummel (the big 4-0), Dem House candidate Byron DeLear (the big 5-0), St. Louis County Councilman Sam Page, and Gregg Christian.
Congratulations
To former Rep. Bruce Holt on the birth of his second granddaughter Julietta Teresa Holt. The proud parents are Drs. Thomas and Karen Holt. Big sister Scarlett Clare Holt is excited to show her the tricks to getting what she wants from grandpa Bruce.