Friday, September 4, 2015
Greitens Lands Big Checks
In the large contributions below, Eric Greitens recorded two very large contributions. $500K was from Michael Goguen, a Meno Park venture capitalist, and $200K was from McKinley Financial Partnership (see website here). John, time to get out the checkbook; Catherine, time to schedule that lunch with Rex….
Greitenite Danny Laub tweeted a statement from the campaign: @dannylaub: “People everywhere are tired of career politicians and are looking for an outsider like Eric with the strength and leadership to shake up the political establishment. That’s why support is flooding in from across Missouri, and all over America. People are excited to get behind a real leader who has spent nearly his entire career in service to others. And the most exciting thing of all is that we’re just getting started.”
But
The grassroots grumble… on Facebook Paul Berry III vents, “Eric Greitens.. I have yet seen this man appear at even ONE GOP event in my area or answer a single question.. Answering questions in some hedge fund operator's office or in some broom closet does not cut the muster to be Governor of the State of Missouri….” And in the comments section southeast GOP powerbroker Eddy Justice says Greiten’s “staff did commit him to being at the Missouri Republican Governor Candidate Forum coming up on September 12 in Poplar Bluff. However I have not been able to get them to verify since that time. All other candidates have committed and verified their participation.”
No Firefighter Endorsement Near
Firefighters point-man tells me the rumor of an early Schaefer endorsement from their organization is wayyyyy off base.
Nixon Moves Goal Posts for Stadium
August 19: “The fact that a couple of legislators are opposed to something? Well, there’s a whole lot of legislators.” See it here.
Now lots of legislators coming out in opposition Nixon changes his argument: “They had language that would have limited this. And after discussing it, they took that language off,” Nixon said. “And the vast majority of the people that we’re talking about now voted for that budget with that language off of there. So the fact that in the interim, four or five members decide to continue to talk about things – it’s their right. They’re elected officials. They can do that. But it’s certainly not going to dramatically affect the solid progress on the six principles we laid out prior to the time the legislature came into session last year.” In other words, now it doesn’t matter how many legislators are opposed, they didn’t block it last year, so that’s their position.
Conservative Case Against MO Promise
Everyone loves the prospect of an educated workforce, but one aspect of the Missouri Promise to create a scholarship program which worries some conservatives is whether it creates an artificial boon and thus fuels inefficient spending by universities.
From The John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy, looking at Georgia’s scholarship program: “Bennett hypothesis,” The scholarships also appear to have had an effect on tuition. A recent five-year analysis of state tuition rates conducted by the College Board revealed that Georgia had the fifth-highest percentage increase in public four-year college tuition in the country, 63 percent. An explanation for this increase can be found with the “Bennett hypothesis,” named after former Secretary of Education William Bennett, which suggests that schools will increase tuition to capture all of the money students have available for higher education. See it here.
Leaky Radiation? Yeeks!
Press release: Attorney General Chris Koster released today new reports from expert witnesses in the case he is prosecuting against Republic Services, Inc. relating to the subsurface fire at the Bridgeton Landfill. Collectively, the reports paint a troubling picture of the environment surrounding the landfill site. Contamination in groundwater outside the landfill perimeter has been identified, including radiological contamination detected in trees surrounding the site.
Further, data indicate that the fire has moved past the two rows of interceptor wells positioned at the neck of the landfill, closer to the North Quarry.
Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal tweets… @MariaChappelleN: I'm waiting on @SteveStenger to call for a "State of Emergency" in North County. Radioactive waste is literally killing families, young ppl.
New Mid-MO Candidates
CDT’s Rudi Keller reports on two new mid-MO candidates. See it here.
Pull Quote: Democrat Tom Pauley, a Hallsville alderman and businessman, said he will run again for the 44th District House seat he lost in 2014 to Rep. Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia. Don Waterman, a U.S. Navy veteran currently employed by Bass Pro Shops, will seek the Republican nomination for the 46th District seat now held by Rep. Stephen Webber, D-Columbia. Martha Stevens, a social worker employed by the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, is seeking the Democratic nomination to replace Webber. Rowden is giving up his seat to challenge Webber for the 19th Senate District seat held by Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia…Boone County is split among five legislative districts, two held by Democrats and three by Republicans. The entry of Pauley and Waterman means there will be contests in at least three districts in 2016… Pauley received 37 percent of the vote in 2014 but said he expects the 2016 race to be much closer. The presidential election will bring higher turnout, and the additional voters will lean Democratic, he said…
Viral Video About SCR24?
Here’s a video from Wolf-PAC about SCR24, urging Congress to call an Article V Convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the United States Constitution.
It has 60,000 views. The dude mentions Sens. Bob Dixon and Jason Holsman.
Warren Hearts STL
St. Louis Business Journal looks at St. Louis companies that Warren Buffet has invested in. See it here. “His holdings include several companies based here or with significant business here, including MiTek Industries Inc., XTRA Lease, Wells Fargo & Co., Charter Communications Inc., Phillips 66, MasterCard Inc. and Lee Enterprises Inc…”
Help Wanted
Senate seeks Writer. “A strong staff writer who would be required to prepare press releases, speeches, newsletter articles and other legislative publications under close deadlines and must also have experience in publication layout. Salary range, based on experience, begins at $30,000 annually… Experience with the legislative branch or the ability to understand and quickly learn the legislative process is preferred...” See ad here.
Office of the Attorney General seeks Assistant Attorney General. “An attorney to serve in its Agriculture and Environment Division in Jefferson City. The division enforces the state’s environmental laws, assuring that Missouri’s citizens are free from the impact of dangerous water pollution and air pollution and illegal hazardous waste. Attorneys also work to protect and enhance agriculture and protect our food supply…” See the ad here.
Lobbyists Registrations
Chris Moody added Yoga Alliance.
Steven Tilley added Elizabeth Lauber LLC (EL Consulting).
Emily Wright added Emily Wright.
Drew Hobby added Missouri Care (aka Wellcare Health Plans Inc.).
$5K+ Contributions
New Approach Missouri - $30,000 from Thomas Smith.
Greitens for Missouri - $500,000 from Michael Goguen Trust.
Greitens for Missouri - $200,000 from McKinley Financial Partnership.
Parson for Missouri - $10,000 from Peter Herschend.
Missourians for Randles - $5,001 from R Lee Harris.
Lewis & Clark Ozarks Mountain Forum - $15,000 from Dwayne Holden.
Schmitt for Missouri - $5,001 from T.W. Martin.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Sen. Jane Cunningham.
Saturday: Jack Danforth (79), and former Reps. Rachel Storch, and Jenee Lowe (60).
Sunday: Sam Murphey, Kate Casas (35), Brett Berri (54), Matthew Teter, Fred Wessels (69), Keith Tubbs, and Sarah Wood Martin.
Monday – Rep. Sheila Solon, and former Rep. Kathlyn Fares.
MOScout News
It’s Labor Day weekend folks. So be safe and enjoy yourselves. No MOScout poll this weekend, and no MOScout on Monday. See you Tuesday!