Thursday, June 25, 2015

Ed Again?

Yesterday Ed Martin sent another one of his signature email blasts.  This one tackled the issue of gay marriage.  (He’s against it.)

But more interesting than the email is Martin’s domicile.  He recently moved from his long-time home in South St. Louis City out west… into the district of former Rep. John Diehl.  That suggests he may be looking at that seat in 2016.  However, one imagines Martin aiming higher than mere state representative.

So the other rumor making the rounds is that Martin is looking at another congressional run.  That’s be Ann Wagner’s seat.

The current thinking is that Wagner is the Republicans’ favorite candidate to run for Us Senate in 2018….

Haefner Preps Entry Into Senate 1

Republican Rep. Marsha Haefner will announce her Senate bid on July 8.  It’s expected that she will freeze out any primary opposition.  The district – Senate 1 – is currently represented by Democrat Scott Sifton.  He’s headed for the AG’s race.  It leans Democratic, especially in a presidential cycle.

But Republicans hope that no sitting incumbent paired with a potentially divisive Democratic primary puts the seat in play. And Haefner is their strongest candidate for sure.

And

Jamey Murphy, former Sen. Jim Lembke’s old staffer, hints on Facebook that he’ll run to replace Haefner.  We’ll see….

Nixon Transfer Bill Action Coming Soon

MissouriNet reports that Governor Jay Nixon will soon be announcing if he’s vetoing HB 42.  See it here.  “We’re in the final stages of our review and you can expect a decision on [House Bill] 42 in the next couple of days, not weeks.”

Lobbyist: Nixon is going to veto 42. The education collaboration he created is a classic set-up for that action.

MRP Fundraising

The Missouri Republican Party is revving up its fundraising efforts…

On July 9, they’ll do a Jefferson City event at the home of Marc Ellinger.  The host committee includes Sens. Mike Kehoe and Ron Richard, Rep. Mike Bernskoetter, Chamber’s Dan Mehan, and lobbyists Andy Blunt, Sam Licklider, and Richard Brownlee.

MRP’s Spirit of Enterprise event is scheduled for September 24 in St Louis. They will be honoring former Governor Matt Blunt.  The “special guest” will be Mitt Romney.

And

Alex Zumsteg joined the Party earlier this month to serve as Grassroots Director.

Luebbering to Retire

AP reports that highly-respected Budget Director Linda Luebbering is retiring.  See it here. (Thanks to the peerless John Combest for the link.) “Dan Haug, an administrator in Missouri's Mental Health Department, will replace Luebbering.”

And

@alexdstuckey: .@GovJayNixon #moleg the state budget director is retiring. Every reporter in the state is crying right now. Every single one.

Bits

Virginia Young, who is cranking out a new Diehl/Burke story every day, reports that the Nixon administration is having trouble providing basic information about Brittany Burke’s time of employment with them.  See it here.

The New York Times has an essay on the challenges of taking a good sample in polling these days.  See it here.

The Los Angeles Times cites a Washington University study that we’ll all getting fatter and fatter.  See it here.

When House Budget staffer Chris Dunn ‏tweets, people listen.  He’s not prone to hyperbole or hyperventilating… @4LastingChange: #MO Medicaid enrollment numbers are up: May 2014 = 819,419 compared to May 2015 = 936,823. Huge jump will impact FY16 budget. #MoLeg

The whole wild goose chase of keeping the Rams in St. Louis has created a gravy train.  It’s only going to last for a few years folks, so best to hop on quickly… See it here.

On Facebook, Pro Tem Tom Dempsey noted the demolition of The Column Banquet Center, a facility he owned, before selling to SSM Healthcare which “plans to build a ‘healthplex’ on the site.”

Politico has a profile of VoteVets, the group that’s backing Jason Kander against Roy Blunt.  See it here.

eMailbag on Van Eaton

Saw your blurb about Jason Van Eaton deleting his lobbyist registrations. Not sure if you are aware, but he has left Kit Bond Strategies for a great opportunity to be VP of Government Affairs for Southwest Airlines in Dallas.

eMailbag on FBI Asking About Diehl

To make matters even more bizarre and twisted on Brittany Burke’s contract with Jackson County, Phil LeVota has a contract with them to lobby…

Help Wanted

Boeing seeks Corporate Citizenship Specialist.  “Boeing’s Global Corporate Citizenship (GCC) function is responsible for the development and execution of enterprise giving strategies and community investment plans… The GCC team also serves as subject matter experts for local community issues and provides recommendations to ensure effective and impactful corporate community engagement. As a member of this team, you will have the opportunity to establish and manage relationships with community and business partners by networking, sharing information, and identifying opportunities for collaboration and philanthropic investment in order to maximize impact in the St. Louis region and promote Boeing as a good corporate citizen….”  See it here.

Today’s Events

From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:

Rep. Caleb Jones Golf – Eagle Knoll Golf Course – Hartsburg

Rep. Genise Montecillo Golf – Sunset Hills Golf Course – Sunset Hills – Noon lunch,1pm Tee

$5K+ Contributions

Citizens to Elect Kurt Schaefer Attorney General - $5,001 from Pfizer PAC.

MO DRIVE Fund - $30,000 from DRIVE Committee.

Koster for Missouri - $50,000 from Eastern Missouri Laborers' Educational & Benevolent Fund.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to the mighty Jason Rosenbaum (31), and St. Louis Aldermen Christine Ingrassia and Joe Vaccaro (60).