Monday, September 14, 2015
Rumorville: Big $$$ Against Anti-RTW GOPers?
With things heating up on the impending right to work override vote, multiple sources have said that David Humphreys is prepping to fund candidates against Republicans who vote against the override.
One tipster says to look for a new committee and a $500K check (to hit today! We’ll see….) from Humphreys. This is what it looks like when the big daddy of MO GOP politis takes off his belt, folks.
Committee For Accountable Government In Missouri was formed late last week. Its treasurer is James C Thomas III. So that could be the vehicle if this rumor pans out….
Senate Showdown
Although right to work is gathering all the press, the real marquee event this week is the Senate leadership race to replace Tom Dempsey as president pro tem.
The conventional wisdom is that Sen. Ron Richard ascend from floor leader into that spot. However the mercurial Senate Republican Caucus is known for producing behind-closed-doors upsets.
One source says that Team Romine has some new-found confidence as we arrive at the doorstep of the vote.
If Richard loses, there will be three reasons, according to this source: first, his generally gruff nature (which some find endearing) will have ruffled or rubbed a few critical senators the wrong way. Second, there’s lingering doubt, despite (or maybe because of) his time as floor leader, whether he has a strong command of the Senate rules and a grasp of procedural strategy to be effective. And finally, he may have counted his votes before they’re hatched. This race is close, but this source says that Richard is already acting as if he’s won.
Altogether now, we’ll see….
GOP Gubby Debate
John Combest has links to press coverage of the Republican gubernatorial debate last weekend. See MOTimes coverage here. See SEMissourian coverage here.
Eric Greitens skipped the event. But one tipster sent me a photo of his political director, Tyler Holman, on-hand to watch the other candidates….
Dem Ticket Talk
With the Democratic statewide slate still fluid, two names keep getting repeated: Judy Baker and Russ Carnahan. One tipster says that Baker is making calls to her supporters sounding out a treasurer bid, and another tipster writes that Carnahan is “being courted to run for LG...”
Ferguson Report Release
Governor Jay Nixon will be in St. Louis this afternoon for the release of the Ferguson Commission’s report. It’s at 2:30PM at St. Louis Community College - Florissant Valley.
See the NYTimes article on the report here.
Pull Quote: In a 198-page report to be made public in Ferguson, Mo., on Monday afternoon, the commission lays out goals that are ambitious, wide ranging and, in many cases, politically delicate. Among 47 top priorities, the group calls for increasing the minimum wage, expanding eligibility for Medicaid and consolidating the patchwork of 60 police forces and 81 municipal courts that cover St. Louis and its suburbs. The commission offers a blunt, painful picture of racial inequity in the region. Black motorists were 75 percent more likely to be pulled over for traffic stops in Missouri than whites last year, the report notes. The average life expectancy in one mostly black suburb, Kinloch, is more than three decades less than in the mostly white suburb of Wildwood, the report finds…
Mazur to LaunchCode
On Facebook, Jeff Mazur announced a career move: Made the hard decision this week to leave AFSCME, where I spent 9 of the last 11 years of my career. It's an organization I'll always love and revere, filled with remarkable people like Steve Fantauzzo and Lee Saunders who never stopped giving me chances to grow and advance. While I'm sad to leave AFSCME and the Labor movement, I'm excited to begin a new episode with LaunchCode. It's an amazing non-profit that helps people improve their lives by linking them with good jobs in technology, even though they may lack the traditional credentials.
MEC Fines Calzone
Ron Calzone was fined $1,000 by the Missouri Ethics Commission for failing to register as a lobbyist. See the order here. Last week, the Post-Dispatch reported that Calzone plans to appeal the 6-0 unanimous judgement of the commission.
Cruz Announces Missouri Team
US Senators Ted Cruz announced his Missouri “Leadership Team” for his presidential bid.
The six co-chairs are: Carl Bearden, Rep. Eric Burlison, former Sens. Jim Lembke and Delbert Scott, Bev Ehlen, and MOFreedom’s Ryan Johnson.
Also on the team are Reps. John McCaherty, Bill White, Rob Vescovo, Rick Brattin, and Charlie Davis; former Sens. Brad Lgaer, and Chuck Purgason; and former Reps. Doug Funderburk and Bryan Stevenson. See it here.
eMailbag on Possible Wasinger Candidacy
“Will be interesting to see what primary Wasinger decides to join, Democratic curator that he was…”
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Sen. Mike Parson Reception – Gibbons Workman – Jefferson City – 5:30PM
Lobbyists Registrations
David Jackson added Asian American Hotel Owners Association.
$5K+ Contributions
UAW Region 5 Midwest States Political Action Committee - $6,000 from UAW Region 5 Exchange Account.
Property Casualty Insurers Association of America Political Account - $8,368 from Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from Benjamin Durham.
Hanaway for Governor Inc - $10,000 from Benjamin Rassieur III.
Returning Government to the People - $40,000 from Fred N Sauer.
House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $20,000 from Menlo Smith.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Jon Dalton, and Gene McNary (the big 8-0).