Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Diehl for Newberry?
Last week an ethics complaint was filed by Adam Rankin against the committees of Newberry for Missouri and Friends of Diehl. The complaint notes that although Addison Newberry’s committee was terminated in April of 2014, there are two contributions from John Diehl’s committee in December of 2014.
While the complaint itself appears valid according to committee records, there’s a much more curious question raised by the revelation: What was Diehl, then Republican Speaker of the House, doing sending money to the committee of a Democrat? A Democrat who started an unsuccessful campaign for a district held by a Republican, Noel Torpey? And a Democrat who appears to have been a partisan fellow, not a crossover or independent Democrat. For example, Newberry is also listed as a paid campaign worker on the Jackson County Democratic Committee’s November 2014 finance report.
The two contributions on that December report were not for huge amounts - $500 and $850. Still curious.
Pitch Digs Into Sanders-Diehl-Burke Contract
The Pitch’s Steve Vockrodt writes about the Jackson County contract that went to Brittany Burke and has apparently interested the FBI. Read it here.
Among the nuggets:
“An attempt to award Burke a health-care consulting contract, worth $75,000, without competitive bidding, was stopped by a county attorney.”
The other bidder “says he has been contacted by the FBI. He tells The Pitch that he understood the agency's line of questioning to suggest that [Mike] Sanders was under investigation.”
“Dan Tarwater, a longtime Jackson County legislator, tells The Pitch that when the FBI interviewed him, the line of questioning suggested that Burke's work with the county was connected to Diehl and to state funding for the Truman Sports Complex.”
Report Day on InternGate II
Alex Stuckey reports that the Senate will release the findings from the InternGateII investigation today. Read it here.
Pull Quote: The Senate plans to release a statement and the investigation results at 1 p.m. Wednesday. The Senate Administration Committee was going to meet before releasing the information, but the meeting was cancelled.
PP Under Fire From All Sides
Everyone is elbowing to get to the front of the anti-Planned Parenthood parade.
“Attorney General Chris Koster announced today that his office had opened an investigation into whether Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri have violated state law in connection with their provision of abortion services. The investigation comes after the public release of undercover videos depicting conversations with Planned Parenthood employees. The videos raised questions about Planned Parenthood's practices regarding the extraction and disposal of fetal organs and whether the clinics offer patients adequate, accurate information about these procedures...”
“Senate Leader Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, announced today the creation of the Senate Interim Committee on the Sanctity of Life. Dempsey said recent allegations against Planned Parenthood's business model deserve a thorough investigation… Appointed interim committee Chairman Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, said if these serious allegations prove to be true, the facility should not only lose its license, but be stripped of all federal funds they currently receive...”
From the political side of things, Koster tries to keep his ‘all prosecutor, no politics’ sheen by saying if laws have been violated it doesn’t matter if you’re pro-life or pro-choice; he’s simply pro-law.
And Schaefer getting the nod to chair the new Senate Committee gives him a bully pulpit to counter the perceived strength of potential primary challenger Josh Hawley.
eMailbag: Dixon’s Non-Path
There is a path to victory for Kinder, Hanaway, Brunner, Parson, and Greitens. There is no path for Dixon or Asbury. Don't let anyone try to tell you that he can win by locking up SW MO, because he's not capable of it. The only impact he can make on this race is spoiling the path for Parson.
New Committees
Rusty Black formed a committee to run for House 7 as a Republican. The current incumbent, Mike Lair, is termed. In 2011, Black received an award for teaching. See it here.
Help Wanted
Post-Dispatch seeks “a dynamite journalist with a strong sense of urgency to join our two-person Capitol bureau in Jefferson City, Mo…. We want a writer who can understand and explain the ins and outs of politics. And we want a hustler who will be a daily contributor to Missouri's leading site for political news. The right applicant should have at least two years of experience and will be equally strong in meeting intense deadlines, providing thoughtful news analysis and producing investigative reports. Computer-assisted reporting expertise is a plus…” See the ad here.
Department of Revenue seeks Counsel. “The attorney should have knowledge and experience in employment and contract law, as well as in litigation in administrative tribunals and circuit courts. Leadership and supervisory ability as demonstrated by experience or previous legal positions is preferred, and excellent writing skills as applied to drafting and/or reviewing contracts, legislation, reports and other professional communication as necessary… Salary range is $50,000 – 65,652 plus state benefits…” See the ad here.
The Jefferson City News Tribune seeks “education/Statehouse reporter. We’re looking for someone who can look beyond the agenda of a meeting and find the story that’s relevant to our readers. The responsibilities of the beat are to cover local school districts, as well as education trends and issues affecting our audience. Duties would include coverage of the Missouri House during the legislative session. We’re looking for someone with a journalism degree or two to five years of experience in a newsroom…” See the ad here.
House seeks “Publications Specialist I/II in the Publications office. Duties include copy-editing and proofreading drafts of laws; proofreading the official copies of House bills and formatting them for printing; processing the daily record of House proceedings; production record-keeping on various databases; researching, writing, editing, proofreading, and designing House publications; and other miscellaneous jobs, including interacting with representatives, legislator assistants, and other House staff members to provide good customer service… The salary range begins at $2,269 per month with starting salary commensurate with education and experience…”
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
July 22-25: ALEC Mtg. – San Diego, CA- MO Night is Friday, 6:30 p.m. @ Greystone Steakhouse, 658 5th Ave.
Lobbyists Registrations
Charles Pritchard added Southwestern Bell Telephone Company D/B/A AT&T.
$5K+ Contributions
HealthPAC - $220,000 from MHA Management Services Corporation.
Teamsters Local Union No 688 Political Action Committee - $25,000 from D.R.I.V.E. Committee.
Teamsters Local 618 DRIVE Fund - $25,000 from DRIVE Committee.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from James McDonnell III.
Returning Government to the People - $50,000 from Fred Sauer.
Notes on Money
Sauer’s Returning Government Committee is in support of a campaign contribution limits initiative.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Rick Brattin (35), and former Rep. Eileen McGeoghegan.