Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Good morning, it’s Veteran’s Day. Auditor Nicole Galloway gives the Missouri Veterans Capital Improvement Trust Fund an ‘Excellent’ rating. See it here.
MCN vs Stenger
The mighty Jason Rosenbaum posted audio fireworks of Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal and St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger at last night’s county council meeting.
“Oh, we can get down, we can get done…” We need someone to put a beat behind Stenger and remix this exchange…
MO Freedom Seeks House Records
From: David Welch
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2015
To: _House Members
Cc: Adam Crumbliss
Subject: FW: Sunshine Request
The following sunshine request has been received and I will be responding on Thursday with the requested information…
From: Jeremy Cady
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2015 1:03 PM
To: Adam Crumbliss
Subject: Sunshine Request
Could I get a list, in electronic format (Excel) of every bulk mailer sent this year by a State Representative?
I would like to have included in this information the Name and District of the representative, a title/description of each mailer, the number of pieces in the mailer, and the total cost of the mailer (production and postage).
Sincerely,
Jeremy Cady
And
Does this impact the looming ethics battle?
One observer thinks that moves like this – while proving that MO Freedom isn’t trying to win any popularity contests with the legislature – will put a target on their back… “The Missouri Freedom Alliance will get 501c4 disclosure added to any ethics bill because people do not like them.”
The addition of 501c4 disclosures – which are a necessary step if GOP really believes in transparency – might be a bill-killer.
But the alternative opinion says that ethics is a high priority for Speaker Todd Richardson and he’s capable of delivering regardless of animosity toward MO Freedom gumming up the issue… “I never doubt Richardson. I don’t think a giant albatross ethcs bill passes, but I bet some things will pass.”
Black Caucus Meets with Concerned Students 1950 and Loftin
Members of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus met separately Tuesday with members of Concerned Student 1950 and University of Missouri Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin to discuss opportunities to improve racial equality and eliminate systemic injustice at the state’s flagship school… Campus safety is the most important issue right now, Black Caucus members stressed.
While the lawmakers were meeting with students at the Black Culture Center, a threat was called in, forcing the building to be locked down for a time. Black Caucus members described the meetings, which each lasted about two hours, as productive and substantive. They also said the meetings will serve as a good starting point for future discussions…
Sorbel for House 93
Landry Sorbel started a campaign committee to run in House 93 as a Republican. The current incumbent is Democrat, Rep. Bob Burns. His treasurer is Katie Friedmeyer. And this is their love story…
KS Still Plugging Budget Holes
Payers & Providers reports on the continuing budget woes of Kansas. See it here.
Pull Quote: A budget deal in Washington, D.C., is helping Kansas balance its own books temporarily with an infusion of Medicaid cash. But a Democratic senator says the savings should be used to provide home and community-based services to Kansans with disabilities. Gov. Sam Brownback’s budget director, Shawn Sullivan, answered lawmaker questions Monday about the administration’s plan to shift about $125 million to the state general fund. The transfers are needed because state revenue estimators revised tax receipt projections down for the fourth straight time last week, leaving Kansas with a projected deficit for the fiscal year that ends June 30. Almost half of the $125 million comes from the state highway fund, but about $25 million of it comes from Medicaid.
Schmitt’s Mission
From Sen. Eric Schmitt’s latest email blast….
There is no denying that there is currently a dangerous tendency at all levels of government to see citizens primarily as a source of revenue… It is troubling to see that we could be looking at another wave of profiteering which has manifested itself in a different form but continues to create a cycle of poverty. All options must be on the table for addressing this type of abuse.
While many government officials are honest and decent people sincerely trying to serve the public, the unfortunate reality is that there are also those who have gotten the idea that government is entitled to your money, to be spent on whatever pet projects and programs those in power see fit… My mission is to fight against this abusive mindset. I’ve done it in the State Senate, and I will do it as Missouri’s State Treasurer.
Why Hawley’s Running
From Josh Hawley’s latest email blast…
Yesterday, a federal appeals court ruled AGAINST President Obama’s plan to change our immigration laws by executive fiat. His plan would have allowed up to 5 million people to illegally stay in this country, without authorization from Congress – a blatant power grab by a President who has shown no regard for the rule of law….
This suit was filed by Attorneys General from 26 states. I am sad to say that Missouri is not among the plaintiffs.
And that is why I'm running for Attorney General: to move Missouri from the sidelines to the front of the fight for our Constitution…
PROMO: SSA Will Recognize All Valid Missouri Marriages
The press release: Last week, the Social Security Administration (SSA) confirmed that the agency is directing all Missouri offices to recognize valid Missouri marriage licenses from same-sex couples as proof of documentation for name changes. Guidance issued by the SSA clarifies that all same-sex couples, including those who received a valid marriage license on June 25th, 2014 and thereafter, would be recognized by SSA for benefits.
Having received several complaints from Missourians, who were being denied recognition of their marriages by SSA, PROMO acted.
PROMO took these complaints directly to Governor Nixon’s administration, who championed this issue from the beginning. Governor Nixon’s administration—in partnership with PROMO—coordinated directly with the SSA and other federal officials to advocate on behalf of Missouri families. As a result of this leadership, the SSA will now recognize valid Missouri marriage licenses from same-sex couples…
New Committees
Last month Courageous Conservatives PAC was filed with the Federal Election Commission. Its treasurer is James C Thomas III, the treasurer associated with many campaign committees of Jeff Roe’s Axiom Strategies. A filing last week showed a $10K media buy with Mountaintop Media for Ted Cruz…
Bits
AB InBev finally getting it together with Miller. See it here.
UM Board of Curators meet again this afternoon. See it here.
See the latest drafts of possible ethics initiative petitions filed by Brad Ketcher here. They’re open for public comment.
Lobbyists Registrations
Jeffrey Craver added Instate Partners.
Sam Licklider deleted Glazer’s Family of Companies.
$5K+ Contributions
Hanaway for Governor - $10,000 from Leila Farr.
Friends of Scott Burnham - $5,001 from Biozyme Incorporated.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to former Reps. Dwight Scharnhorst, Tom Shively, and Terry Young.