Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Koster to Greitens: Where Are Those Tax Returns?
The Koster campaign yesterday elevated the issue of tax returns. The Post-Dispatch article on the subject (see it here) gave a pretty damning timeline of the Greitens “evolving” response to when he’ll release his tax returns.
In August, after the Post-Dispatch requested the tax information from both candidates, Chambers said it was a matter of collecting the information.
“We're in the process of getting tax return documents together,” he wrote in an email.
Asked about a release date a week later on Sept. 2, Chambers said, “I haven’t made a decision on timing yet.”
On Sept. 19, Chambers again hinted that the campaign would be releasing the returns. In an email, he expressed concern about whether the newspaper would be putting the returns online.
“You won't be releasing copies of the returns right?” he asked.
On Sept. 21, Chambers again suggested that the release of Greitens’ returns was contingent on Koster doing the same.
“Have you received Koster's returns?” Chambers said…
Following the release of Koster’s records, Chambers told the Springfield News-Leader that Greitens and his wife, Sheena, were planning to talk about releasing their tax returns over the weekend. And, he suggested that a final decision hadn’t been made.
This will be another Koster TV ad that will fit in with their first ad drawing questions about Greitens’ pay with the Mission Continues.
I can imagine all sorts of reasons that Donald Trump won’t release his taxes, but I can’t conjure one for Greitens that would be worse than the next Koster TV ad about this.
We’ll see….
Prepping the next RTW fight
Missourinet reports that Rep. Holly Rehder is preparing to pre-file a right to work bill. And if she’s confronted with a Democratic Governor Chris Koster, she may opt to take it to the people for a vote, bypassing the governor’s desk. See it here.
Pull Quote: While 60 percent of Missourians voted against right-to-work in 1978, Rehder says things are different now. “You know it’s been back in the 70s when it failed at the ballot box. However, union membership was about 30 percent where now it’s less than eight,” Rehder says.
Pro Tem Candidate McGaugh on Walker Roberts
Colleagues,
I’m sure by now that most of you have heard about the deplorable situation involving alleged misconduct on the part of at least one Representative-elect. *I fully support Speaker Richardson's stance of zero tolerance for all types of this behavior. Period*.
Regardless of the outcome of this situation after a full investigation the women who serve and work in the halls of the Missouri Capitol deserve to feel safe. I have been approached by constituents about the news story and letter that was written to the our Speaker, asking my thoughts, and asking if we ever again will be able to get through a year without another scandal
rocking the Missouri House.
As the father of three daughters, I hope they never struggle with the issues surrounding sexual assault, harassment or misconduct. It is our responsibility to protect every visitor, staff member, and lobbyist from feeling uncomfortable or as if they are being sexually preyed upon. I have been conveying that to my local constituencies, and *my adamant promise that I will do my best to promote ethical behavior among all members*.
Our caucus is no stranger to dealing with these situations, and if elected Speaker Pro Tem, I plan to institute crisis communication contingencies for all caucus members who wish to use them. My office will be prepared with press releases, talking points, and procedures to put in place. This is not limited to sex scandals--some of us have dealt with deaths or tragedies back in our district, natural disasters, the firing of staff, or divorces.
My office will provide you with trained guidance in the event of these unfortunate circumstances. Many of you don’t know who to turn to for help when crisis strikes, and I want my office to be that resource.
These items will help present a prepared and unified front from our caucus, in the Capitol, in the press, and each of our districts. *More importantly, taking these steps will help our caucus represent not only the majority but the moral majority*. I hope to make that a reality as your Speaker Pro Tem.
*How can we be the party of faith and families when we continually have the undercurrent of misconduct and questionable personal decisions?* The job of Speaker Pro Tem is not to be a traffic cop but should be that of the Deputy working side by side with our Chief--the Speaker of the House.
Thank you,
Joe Don
Koster Post-Debate Web Ad
Chris Koster released a web ad jabbing Eric Greitens over one of his common “I’ll just hire an expert” answers to a policy question. See it here.
Observer: You just knew it was coming. Koster is correct in rebuking Greitens, and he is correct that the governor is ultimately in charge of the budget. Missouri already has a Chief Operating Officer, better known as the Commissioner of Administration. Greitens' apparent pride in his ignorance of government is Trumpesque.
Auditor Action
Auditor Nicole Galloway released another stinging audit yesterday. I don’t remember the last audit we’ve seen from her that gave the subject an Excellent. City of Bridgeton Employee Retirement Plan gets a “Poor.”
The press release: Auditors determined economic challenges that impacted investments around the country were compounded in the Bridgeton retirement plan by poor management and oversight by the city council. The report shows the plan is only funded at two-thirds of the required amount with unfunded liabilities of nearly $14 million in 2015, largely due to inadequate contributions from the city and returns on investments that were lower than city
officials had assumed. The city council, which serves as the plan's trustee, also had not developed key funding and investment policies to guide officials or the contracted investment manager in making plan-related decisions…. The audit also raised concerns with the city's finance commission. The commission serves in an advisory capacity and is responsible for plan oversight, but did not meet one time between the years 2012 and 2014. In addition, city officials made little effort to share information on the plan's financial condition with employees…
Another Pogue Suit
Rep. Jeffrey Pogue is the subject of another lawsuit. This one is being brought by Consumer Adjustment Company Inc. See their website here. Last month Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC sued Pogue.
MEC Dismisses Cases
The Missouri Ethics Commission dismissed two cases. See the case dismissed against Bill James here. He’s an alderman of the City of Miner. And he submitted a bid for an excavating job; his brother submitted the other bid. No conflict of interest there, says MEC.
See the case dismissed against Robin Smith here. The MEC couldn’t find the letters LLC in the statute about financial disclosures.
Bits
Scott Charton on Twitter caught this tweet (see it here) indicating that LG Peter Kinder was spinning for the Pence camp last night.
Springfield News Leader reports that Rep. Elijah Haahr is focused on his House leadership path and “likely will not run for a seat in the General Assembly's upper chamber in 2018.” See it here.
From the in-box, filed under “No Surprise:” Planned Parenthood endorsed Chris Koster; Building Trades endorsed Jason Kander.
Pro-Amendment 4 forces are working the ground game. In Kansas City (see it here) and in Cape Girardeau (see it here) yesterday.
Governor Jay Nixon appointed Mondonna (Mondi) L. Ghasedi, of St. Louis, as Associate Circuit Judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit, which covers St. Louis County. And Nixon appointed former Rep. Brian May, of Eureka, as Circuit Judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit, which covers St. Louis County. KC Star notes a recent $7 million verdict for a discrimination lawsuit involving May. See it here.
SHHHHHH
A picture is worth a thousand words… UM System presidential search continues under cover of a tent… See it here.
New Committees
Platte County Federated Women's Democratic Club was formed. Alice Wadsworth is the treasurer. See it here.
Committee Changes
Kevin Elmer amended his committee to run for circuit judge in 2018. See it here. He lost his bid for it this summer.
Neil Breitweiser is now treasurer of the MO 24th Senatorial Committee Republican. See it here.
Cindi Bowman is now treasurer of the Butler County Central Republican Committee. See it here.
Robert Branson is now treasurer of the Randolph County Democratic Central Committee. See it here.
Dena Reger is now treasurer of the Mercer County Republican Central Committee. See it here.
Leslie Hanson is now treasurer of the Jefferson County Republican Central Committee. See it here.
eMailbag on Hawley Ad
It turns out the red brick structure in the Hawley ad is the Platte County Courthouse in Platte City. Which begs the question - what case did Hawley try in that courthouse? Has he ever tried a case in that courthouse? Or, more broadly – has Hawley ever tried a criminal case?
Today’s Events
Powered by Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Sen. Mike Kehoe Clay Shoot – C-Bar-K Ranch – Jerome – 10AM.
Rep. Tila Hubrecht Golf – Hidden Trails Country Club – Dexter – 1PM.
Sen. Jason Holsman and Rep. DaRon McGee Veto Session Town Hall Meeting – Red Bridge Elementary School, Kansas City – 6PM.
Changes in Lobbyist Registrations
Tricia Workman and Mike Gibbons added Rockwood Asset Management.
Sarah Topp, Jorgen Schlemeier, Cynthia Gamble and William Gamble added Center for Diagnostic Imaging.
Jorgen Schlemeier added Signature Medical Group.
$5K+ Contributions
Hawley for Missouri - $10,000 from Orscheln Management Co.
Koster for Missouri - $6,996 from Sheet Metal Workers Local 36.
Koster for Missouri - $7,500 from Shamber, Johnson, & Bergman.
Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from William Danforth.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Roy Pfautch.
Teresa Hensley for Missouri _ $15,000 from Pipefitters Local Union 533 Volunteer Political Fund.
Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists PAC.
Friends of Eric Burlison - $75,000 from David Humphreys.
Citizens for Stephen Webber - $10,247 from Missouri State Democratic Committee.
House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from Kevin Austin for State Representative.
Committee to Elect Gary Myers Judge - $16,000 from Gary Myers.
MO Republican Party - $50,000 from Caleb Rowden.
MO Republican Party - $80,000 from Greitens for Missouri.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Joe Keaveny (the big 6-0) and Rep. Nick Marshall.