Thursday, August 27, 2015

Flanigan Hammers Nail in Bond Coffin?

House Budget Chair Tom Flanigan issued a letter opposing the plan to use state-backed bonds to pay for a new stadium without legislative or voter approval.

It’s said that this move may spook bond buyers more, “that opposition from individual legislators doesn't normally rise to the level of needing disclosure for bond purchase... but if a Budget chair or Approps chair come out against such a measure that it would ‘need to be disclosed to bond buyers.’ If true, this seriously wounds the governor's plan, perhaps mortally wounds it…”

From his letter: The plan you support is entirely inconsistent with state debt arrangements you have supported in past years.  For example, in 2014 you asked the General Assembly for the necessary authority to finance the new Fulton State Hospital and again during the 2015 legislative session for financing of Board of Public Buildings bonds for improvements to state owned buildings… You have secured the legislature’s support before obligating the state to new debt in the past.  You should do it again… I will vigorously oppose any appropriation that pays for the debt service of a new stadium in the State of Missouri that is not authorized in statute by voters or the General Assembly…

Here Comes Stream

Former Rep. Rick Stream is having a fundraiser to kick-off his Senate 15 run on September 9.  It’s one of those invites with a gazillion people on the host committee.  Names include: Peggy Barnhart, Jane Cunningham, Mike Gibbons, Rep. Don Gosen, Rep. Marsha Haefner, Allen Icet, Randy Jotte, Rich Magee, Rich McClure, and Dean Plocher.

Knowles Contra Trump

Republican Ferguson Mayor James Knowles laughed off Donald Trump’s recent remarks that “illegal immigrants” were the source of gang problems in America.  See the Politico story here.

Pull Quote: “I’m assuming that Donald Trump is saying that from his extensive experience in St. Louis and in Ferguson. He has never been here as far as I know. I’ve never seen any roving bands of illegal immigrants or gangs in Ferguson,” James Knowles said in an interview Wednesday morning with the Fox affiliate in St. Louis.

Wagner Contra Trump

Congresswoman Ann Wagner hit Trump on his “demeaning” language toward women. See the Post-Dispatch article here.

Pull Quote: "The vernacular, especially toward women, I found to be very demeaning and Neanderthal to be perfectly honest," Wagner said, according to the report. "I was also insulted when he went after our POWs and John McCain, in particular, and somehow tried to diminish (McCain's) relevance and importance and service." Wagner was giving a speech to about 100 women encouraging them to take risks and be leaders.

Smith Found

The Smith Family released the following statement on the disappearance of Billy G. Smith, Jr., who has been found safely August 26, 2015: "We are so relieved to let everyone know that Billy has been found safe. We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers over the last few days. This has been a very difficult time of uncertainty and your kind words and prayers have brought comfort to our family. We want to express our deepest gratitude to the law enforcement officials, volunteers, family and friends who have been working around the clock to find Billy. We now request privacy as we move forward following this difficult time."

See the Southeast Missourian’s story here.

Life Moves

Former state senator Pat Doughtery “officially retires as the Advocacy Director of the St. Louis Archdiocese Catholic Charities on Monday, August 31.”

Rep. Denny Hoskins joined CHV Certified Public Accountants.  “Denny joins the management team with the firm’s long-time office Partner, Larry Horton.  Denny is a Principal at the firm and part of the firm’s leadership team.”  See it here.

Yeckel Passes

My thanks to the peerless John Combest for the link… former state senator Anita Yeckel died.  See the story here.

Videos

Americans for Prosperity unveils a TV ad aimed to build a groundswell for right to work, ahead of next month’s veto session. See it here.

And Teresa Hensley’s one-minute announcement video is now on-line.  The screen lists her accomplishments and she only speaks one sentence at the end of the video. “My track record speaks for itself: I fight for justice and give a voice to those in need.”  See it here.

Schlitcher Boeing Settle

St. Louis Business Journal report that Dem donor, and the author of the historic tax credit legislation, Jerry Schlitcher settled his class action lawsuit against Boeing which “accused the company of mishandling its 401(k) plan.”  See it here.

Pull Quote: The settlement came just as the lawsuit, first filed in September 2016, was set to go to trial Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel in East St. Louis. Terms of the preliminary deal weren't disclosed… Schlichter, a senior partner at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton in St. Louis, had filed the case on behalf of 190,000 Boeing employees and retirees. The lawsuit accused Boeing of failing to uphold its fiduciary duties to employees by allowing excessive fees, choosing higher-cost mutual funds over less expensive options and improperly making decisions for the 401(k) plan to benefit Boeing vendors... Since Schlichter and his firm began pursuing companies for alleged violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) in 2006, he has filed 18 suits against major corporations. The suit against Boeing was one of the first Schlichter had filed and his biggest target to date. Eight settlements negotiated by Schlichter have produced more than $214 million in payouts, including $70 million for Schlichter, 67, and his firm…

eMailbag: Odds of Richard Giving up Floor Leader

Five words …"bring it on big boy"

Lakin To Head Digital Division

The press release… sent digitally… “Victory Enterprises, a multi-state political, issue and corporate advocacy firm, today, announced the formation of the company’s new Victory Digital division. Victory Digital will offer full-service digital programs, including social media management, e-mail marketing, digital advertising and viral graphic and video production…. Current digital clients include Protect the Harvest, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, Missouri House Majority Leader Mike Cierpiot, Missouri Farmers Care, Warren Transport and numerous other political, association and corporate clients. The division will be run by Victory Enterprises’ Joe Lakin, an experienced political and corporate communications consultant who has served in consulting roles for a variety of political and corporate clients….”

Lobbyists Registrations

Jeff Knappen added Allergan USA Inc; and deleted Allergan PLC.

Trisha Barnhart deleted Governmental Services Group Inc, and Missouri RV Dealers Association.

David Smith added Anthem Inc and its affiliates DBA Healthlink Inc.; and deleted Wellpoint Inc, Healthlink, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Missouri.

$5K+ Contributions

United Food & Commercial Workers Local #655 Elect Political Action Fund - $6,526 from UFCW Local 655.

Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from Ronald and Lezah Stenger.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Rep. Tom Flanigan (62), Scott Swain, Garry Olson, and Kit Crancer.