Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Bits in no order…..

Nelson Retiring

Terry Nelson is retiring as Executive Secretary-Treasurer as Carpenters’ District Council of Greater St. Louis and Vicinity.  Al Bond takes his place.  Bond is currently assistant executive secretary-treasurer.

Nelson has served as secretary-treasurer since 1993.

See the St. Louis Business Journal article here.

Get In Early

Democratic secretary of state candidate Robin Smith closes her email fundraising appeal with the incentive that a donation now will put your name on her first report!

DONTATE ONLINE BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30th

TO BE ON ROBIN’S FIRST CONTRIBUTION REPORT

Please click here - immediately - and donate online

Emanuel for Hensley

Next quarter event….

Please Join Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II and Teresa Hensley Candidate for Missouri Attorney General for a Breakfast Meeting Saturday, October 3rd, 8:30am - 10:00am. Union Station, Jarvis Hunt Room, Kansas City, Missouri

Not Show Business, It’s Ceremony

John Brunner’s email buzzer for next week’s announcement…. “The mission for Missouri begins October fifth… Join me the Campaign Announcement Ceremony…”

Follow-Up on Revenues Stalling?

It looks like a late surge in individual income tax receipts pushed that component into positive territory this month and we should see growth – if a bit tepid growth – in the overall numbers this month when the final numbers are released.

Calzone: I Lobby, But I’m No Lobbyist

Unregistered lobbyist Ron Calzone writes an op/ed in the Post-Dispatch today explaining why he shouldn’t have to pay the $10 fee and register and obey the same rules as other lobbyists – like not going on the floor of the legislative chambers.

(It’s also a bit delusional… “My activism has made some powerful enemies... I have also angered powerful legislators…”)

In Calzone’s view the only part of the Missouri Ethics Commission’s definition of lobbyist that matters is that concerning payment.  Calzone isn’t paid by the organization for which he lobbies.

But that’s not the exclusive definition of a lobbyist.

A lobbyist is an individual who attempts to influence state executive, state legislative, or state judicial actions; and meets one or more of the following: a) acting in the ordinary course of business; b) engaged in pay as a lobbyist; c) designated to act as a lobbyist by a person, business entity, governmental entity, religious organization, nonprofit corporation, association or other entity; and d) spends $50 or more on behalf of public officials, annually, from January 1 through December 31.

Cigs for Asphalt Approved

The initiative petition to use an increase in the cigarette tax to pay for roads maintenance and construction was approved for circulation.  See it here.

Richard Appoint Two to Tax Credit Study Group

The press release: Senate Leader Ron Richard, R-Joplin, announced today two members who will join the Study Commission on State Tax Policy. The appointees will work with members of the Joint Committee on Tax Policy to examine Missouri's tax system, identify its strengths and weaknesses, and find ways to simplify the state's tax law…

Study Commission Appointees: Daniel J. White - Director, State and Local Taxes, H&R Block; Mary Mannix-Decker - Director of Finance, City of Springfield.

The commission will provide recommendations for improvement to the Legislature and the governor by Dec. 31, 2017.

Digital Ads Against Zerr

Reader: I just saw a Facebook ad against Rep. Anne Zerr over right to work.  Forest Properties paid to make the ad but Missourians for Better Government was paying for it to be “sponsored” on Facebook…

Play Call

From Politico’s Influence:  MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: The NFL, Electronic Arts and the Entertainment Software Association rented out Capitol Hill's Hawk 'n' Dove last night, showcasing the newest edition of Madden and serve sliders to Reps. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) and Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and staff from the Senate and House judiciary committees.

Why Wagner Runs

Another reason Congresswoman Ann Wagner runs for Senate in 2018?... The glass ceiling in the GOP House.  See it here.

Claire’s Coming For You

US Senator Claire McCaskill puts another industry in her sights?  ‏@clairecmc: I'm hearing some horror stories about for profit student loan servicers. If you have one, send my office an email. http://McCaskill.senate.gov

eMailbag on Carpenters for Hensley

It’s about winning. Electability. Not a few measly votes while in the minority of the House.

eMailbag on Gerrymandered Legislative Districts

Interesting comment about whether state senate and house districts have been gerrymandered.  Maybe these numbers can shed some light at least on the 2001 redistricting:

In elections from 2002-2010, Democrats received 50.8% of all votes cast for state House races.  In 2001, the House had 88 Democrats and 76 Republicans.  After the 2010 election, Democrats had 74 House members and Republicans 89.

In the Senate, from 2002-2010, Democrats received 51.5% of all votes cast in state Senate races.  In 2001, the Senate had 16 Democrats, 18 Republicans.  After the 2010 election, the Senate had 8 Democrats and 26 Republicans.

New Committees

Tom Darrough For Treasurer was formed.  Darrough was appointed Nicole Galloway’s successor as treasurer of Boone County.  He’s up for election in 2016.  See the appointment here.

Building A Better Arnold, a political action committee, was formed.  Vernon Sullivan is the treasurer.  See the paperwork here.

Today’s Events

Powered by Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:

Rep. Tila Hubrecht Golf – Hidden Trails Country Club – Dexter – 10AM.

Raise Your Hand for Kids reception – Shakespeare's Pizza South – Columbia – 5:30PM.

Rep. Holly Rehder Shrimp Boil – The River House – Scott City – 6PM.

Rep. Karla May Reception – Seamus McDaniel’s – St. Louis – 6PM.

Lobbyists Registrations

Heath Clarkston deleted Missouri Retailers Association.

Heath Clarkston, Kimberly Akin, and Harry Gallagher deleted Heart of America Chapter of Assicated Builders and Contractors, Platte County South Transportation Development  District 1, Western Missouri Transportation Development District Association, and Steiner and Associates.

Randy Hopkins deleted Kansas City Missouri Police Department.

Patricia Strader deleted Empire District Electric Company.

$5K+ Contributions

Greitens for Missouri - $6,000 from Donn Sorensen.

Scott Sifton for Missouri - $10,000 from CHIPP Political Account.

Joshua Peters for the 76th District - $5,001 from Carpenter’s District Council of Greater Saint Louis.

Contreras for Treasurer - $5,001 from MRE Capital LLC.

Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from Robert OBlock.

Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from John Griesemer.

MO Society of Anesthesiologists Political Action Committee - $20,000 from Western Anesthesia Associates.

Midwest Region Laborers’ Political League Education Fund - $7,357 from Laborers Supplemental Dues Fund.

Koster for Missouri - $25,000 from Michael Ketchmark,

Smaller Government - $7,500 from Brad Bradshaw.

Missouri Medical Marijuana - $7,500 from Brad Bradshaw.

Missouri Research: Cures, Jobs, Health & Lower Taxes - $7,500 from Brad Bradshaw.

Tax Cut for Growth - $7,500 from Brad Bradshaw.

Missourians for John Brunner - $25,000 from Elizabeth Kline.

Hawley for Missouri – $5,400 from John Sauer.

Progress KC PAC - $10,000 from Justus for Missouri.

Anne Zerr - $10,000 from CHIPP Political Account.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Rep. Dave Muntzel (65), Bill Haas, and Chris Benjamin.