Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Last Minute Pressure
Weighing in yesterday…
John Hancock, Chair of Missouri Republican Party
From: John Hancock
Date: Monday, September 14, 2015 at 12:52 PM
To: <undisclosed-recipients:;>
Subject: MOGOP RTW Resolution
Republican Members of the General Assembly,
Later this week, you will be asked to consider Governor Nixon's veto of the Right to Work bill.
As a former state legislator myself, I understand the pressure you may feel at this time. I also know that you are carefully deliberating on the issue and prayerfully considering how you will vote.
Based on my conversations over the past several months, it is clear to me that the vast majority of our elected officials, grassroots volunteers, and donors passionately believe in the passage of this law.
It is not surprising then that earlier this summer, the Missouri Republican State Committee overwhelmingly adopted a resolution in support of overriding the veto of RTW. I wanted to pass it along for your consideration, so a copy of that resolution is attached to this email…
I know that some will be unhappy with the MRP taking a position on the bill, but I hope you understand that my intent is only to do what I believe in the best interest of our party and our candidates.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions.
Sincerely,
John Hancock
Chairman
Excerpts from Republican Gubernatorial Nominees’ Letter
This override is necessary both economically and politically.
Economically, Missouri is at a disadvantage because we do not have a Right to Work law, but six of the eight states bordering Missouri do. It is no secret that we lose out on jobs because of this; time and again site selection consultants have testified that many of their client refuse to look into facilities in states without a Right to Work law, and we have all met business owners and community leaders on the campaign trail who have told us first-hand how vital Right to Work is to our economy..
Politically, we cannot afford to allow this veto stop to stop Right to Work in its tracks. National momentum is on our side, and we have never been this close before to adopting Right to Work. If Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin can become Right to Work states, so can Missouri…
Randy Asbury, Catherine Hanaway, John Brunner, Peter Kinder and Eric Greitens
Humphreys Gives $500K to New Committee
As rumored, heavy GOP donor David Humphreys deposited $500,000 into a new political action committee, Committee for Accountable Government in Missouri. I am told that the purpose of this committee will be to “hold accountable” or “go after” (choose your own description) Republican legislators who vote against the right to work override. One Republican sources says that Humphreys will even be backing Democratic opponents to the wayward Republicans, not merely content to play in primaries.
And
Labor organizations report that their polling shows that Missourians oppose Right to Work. Their latest data showing 49% opposed, 42% in favor and the rest undecided.
Smith Hires New Deputy COS
The Hill reports that Congressman Jason Smith has hired a new deputy chief of staff. See it here.
Pull Quote: The former chief of staff to disgraced ex-Rep. Aaron Schock has found a new job working as a top aide to one of the Illinois Republican’s best friends in Congress… Smith, a Missouri Republican, hired Mark Roman as his new deputy chief of staff… Roman managed Schock’s office at the time the young congressman was facing questions about spending irregularities related to his official and campaign accounts. Schock resigned in March following weeks of negative press about his Downton Abbey-themed office, his use of taxpayer dollars to fly to a Chicago Bears game and false mileage reimbursements for driving his private vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe… Smith’s chief of staff, Josh Haynes, said in a phone interview he had “no concerns whatsoever” when asked about Roman’s work in Schock’s office…
Suit to Stop STL Minimum Wage Hike
Post-Dispatch reports that a lawsuit has been filed to prevent the new minimum wage hike in St. Louis from taking effect. See it here.
Pull Quote: A consortium of groups sued on Monday in an attempt to stop the city from instituting an $11 minimum wage by 2018. The suit alleges the action conflicts with existing state law, exceeds the city’s power under its charter and was improperly enacted. It seeks a temporary restraining order to block the wage increase, saying it could cause immediate harm to businesses. A judge could take up the issue as early as Tuesday afternoon. Last month, the Board of Aldermen passed a law instituting an $8.25 citywide minimum wage starting on Oct. 15. Then, the wage raises to $9 on Jan. 1, 2016. It would go to $10 in 2017 and $11 on Jan. 1, 2018.
eMailbag on Cruz’ MO Team
I heard that the Cruz endorsement was not necessarily considered to indicate "exclusive support" by everyone on the list.
eMailbag Marijuana Funny
Can you please start referring to the Cannabis Restoration and Protection Act as the MO CRAP Act? Seriously, how did no one catch that?
eMailbag on Calzone
Lobbyist 1: Can't figure out why Ron Calzone fights registering as a lobbyist. It costs ten bucks a year and if he's not buying anybody anything, filing his monthly report would take 30 seconds.
Lobbyist 2: This is quite ironic. Calzone promotes his agenda of a fair and equitable government… except for his carve out, which is exactly what he fights against. Go ahead Ron!
It's your constitutional right to be a hypocritical jerk.
Help Wanted
St. Louis Post-Dispatch seeks Editorial Page Editor. “This editor must be an accomplished and prolific writer, a deadline-oriented manager and a journalist who understands the creativity needed to produce opinion content across multiple platforms. The ideal candidate should have experience interacting with readers and representing the company in public settings…” See the ad here.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Sen. Jeanie Riddle Golf – Tanglewood Golf Course – Fulton – 8AM
Reps. Ken Wilson, Andrew McDaniel & Ron Hicks Reception – Mo Credit Union Assn. – 4PM
Reps. Sandy Crawford, Tony Dugger & Sue Entlicher Reception – Madison’s – 4PM
Reps. Kathie Conway, Diane Franklin & Shelia Solon Reception – Gumbo Bottoms – 4:30PM
Rep. Jeanie Lauer Reception – MCTA, 223 E. Capitol –4:30PM
Reps. Scott Fitzpatrick, Caleb Rowden, Bill Lant – Drinks on Top Deck, J Pfenny’s – 5PM
Rep. Mike Bernskoetter Reception – Spectator’s – JC – 5PM
Reps. Michael Butler, Jon Carpenter, Randy Dunn & Jeremy LaFaver Reception – Deck at Bones –5PM
Democratic Women of the General Assembly event – JCCC – 5PM.
HRCC reception for (Special election candidates) Brian DeMoss, Dean Plocher, Nola Wood – 305 Jefferson St. – 5PM
Reps. Anne Zerr, Sue Allen, Mike Leara, Tom Flanigan Reception – 107 East High, Ste. 201 5:30PM
Reps. Mike Colona & Gina Mitten Reception – High Street Pub –5:30PM
Sen. Eric Schmitt Reception – J Pfennys – 6PM.
Rep. John McCaherty Reception –J Pfennys– 6PM
Sen. Jill Schupp, Reps. Deb Lavender, Lauren Arthur, Tracy McCreery Reception – 318A Washington –6PM.
Former Rep. Vickie Englund Reception – J Pfenny’s, upstairs – 6PM
Rep. Keith English Wine & Cheese Reception – 9065 Blake Dr. – Columbia – 6:30PM
8 Guys and a Lady Reception – Mo Credit Union Assn., 223 Madison – 7PM
Sen. Scott Sifton Reception – Madison’s Café – 7PM
Senate Republicans - Dessert by pool – Mike Kehoe’s – 8:30PM
Lobbyists Registrations
Deanna Hemphill added Asian American Hotel Owners Association.
Dawn Nicklas added Madsen & Wright Inc.
Shannon Cooper and Nancy Giddens added Missouri Jobs With Justice Voter Action.
Brandt Shields added Missouri Western State University.
Brian Shank deleted Novo Nordisk Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
Parson for Missouri - $5,001 from Committee to Elect Ron Richard.
Committee for Accountable Government in Missouri - $500,000 from David Humphreys.
MO Democratic State Committee – $20,000 from Southwestern Bell Telephone DBA AT&T.
Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from Sheet Metal Workers Local Union Number 36.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Larry Frazier.
MO Republican Party – $20,000 from Southwestern Bell Telephone DBA AT&T.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Holly Rehder (46) and Post-Dispatch’s Elisa Crouch.