Friday, August 22, 2014

POV

The New York Times polled race relations with some specific questions about Ferguson.  See the poll here.  A few numbers that jump out.  Question 10: 71% of African Americans think police are more likely to use deadly force against a black person, 20% thinking race doesn’t impact its use.  Meanwhile only 58% of whites think race doesn’t change how deadly force is employed.

Question 16: A majority (59%) of African Americans have “no much” or “none at all confidence that the local investigation will be fair. It flips for white with 62% have “a lot” or “some” confidence in a local investigation.

Jami: Nixon Wants Us To Go Away

In an email blast to supporters Sen. Jamilah Nasheed reported that she delivered the petition (with 75,000 signatures) to have Bob McCulloch removed.

Initially this morning, County Police refused to let us enter the public courthouse to deliver our petitions. Only after an outcry from the crowd of protesters did they do the right thing and step aside so our message could be heard. This attempt to silence our voices is a chilling one - but one that's become all too common in and around Ferguson. I know hundreds of you experienced it yesterday when you called Governor Nixon's office only to be greeted with hangups and busy signals. Governor Nixon doesn't want to listen to us - he just wants us to go away.

But we're not going to do that! Justice for Michael Brown is too important for us to be silenced. Yesterday, County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch told Jay Nixon to "man up" and make a decision about this case. And I couldn't agree more!..

Barnes: McCulloch Should Step Aside

Rep. Jay Barnes on his blog supports the removal of Bob McCulloch.  What’s important about a state rep from Mid-MO on this issue?  Just that Barnes has a reputation for getting to the heart of an issue and speaking clearly and fearlessly…  See the blog post here.

African-American leaders in the St. Louis region have asked St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCullough to appoint a special prosecutor or send the case to the Attorney General’s office. In doing so, they’ve specifically alleged bias. I have no information or position on whether he’s shown bias in the past; it’s beside the point.

What’s important now are two facts. The first is that McCullough not super-human. He’s subject to the same inherent biases as everyone else. The second is that, justified or not, there’s a perception of bias in the community most affected. I believe McCullough should refer this case to the Attorney General or the St. Louis City Prosecutor, but will pursue this legislation regardless of his decision…

I Should Have Seen This Coming

Filed yesterday… Charles C. Johnson v. St. Louis County Circuit Court; Paul Fox, director of Judicial Administration; Joan Gilmer, Circuit Clerk Twenty-First Judicial Circuit; Candi Barth, Custodian of Social Records.  Injunction action. The plaintiff is seeking the release of Michael Brown's juvenile records… “Plaintiff will suffer irreparable harm if Defendants are not compelled to produce Brown's complete juvenile criminal records, as the Plaintiff will (1) be denied the privileges guaranteed him by Missouri Common Law and other Laws of this State, namely the right to inspect court and other public documents; and (2) will be foreclosed from more fully understanding the persons implicated in the Brown shooting incident and weighing evidence to better gauge the reliability and honor of the agents of government within this County and State, who have publically reported and maintained that Officer Wilson was justified, as he shot Brown in self defense.”

McCaskill Takes Up Militarization Complaint

The press release:  “Following the fatal shooting of teenager Michael Brown by a Ferguson, Mo. police officer, and subsequent clashes between local police and protestors, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today announced that she will lead a Senate hearing in September to examine the militarization of local police departments.

Specifically, McCaskill-Chairman of the Subcommittee on Financial & Contracting Oversight- will use the hearing to examine federal programs that enable local police departments to acquire military equipment, such as the Defense Department's 1033 program for surplus property and grants made through the Department of Homeland Security. She plans to gather stakeholders from all sides in order to hear several perspectives, including those of local law enforcement...”

And

Check out the New York Times interactive map of what military gear is in local police departments – by county.  See it here.  No grenade launchers in Missouri in case you were worried…

Onder Fundy

September 9… think there will be a few fundraisers on that night?  That’s Veto Session Eve… Reception for Dr. Bob Onder for State Senate

Grand Cafe

4:00-5:30 PM

RSVP: Bob@OnderForSenate.com

Rumorville: Lembke for Onder

One Senate side source says that former state senator Jim Lembke may be leaving the hallways and entering the office of… Sen.-elect Bob Onder.  Could Lembke be chief of staffin’ it for Onder?  Does that make Onder more prone to mix it up on the floor, stand in the way of ObamaCare, and generally join Sen. Rob Schaaf as a mischief-maker?

Utilities Follow Up

One reader watching closely says that Rep. TJ Berry is also making a play for Utilities Chair.  He notes that the others I mentioned are all from southeast Missouri and might be seen as biased in the routine Ameren-Noranda spats.

Carter Fined

Chris Carter Sr was fined $1,470 by the Missouri Ethics Commission for inaccuracies in campaign finance reporting and a “paid for” violation.  See the report here.  Carter lost the Democratic primary to Rep. Josh Peters earlier this month.

Bits

The Kansas City Star profiled the Mid-America Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.  See it here.

Eli Yokley writes about Governor Jay Nixon’s uneasy relationship with African Americans for Politico Magazine.  See it here.

Help Wanted

At the charter school company KIPP…

They seek a Chief Operating Officer, a Director of Development and External Affairs, and a Development Coordinator.

Lobbyist Registrations

From the Gate Way Group website:

Randy Huetsch added Aegerion Pharmaceuticals.

Anne C. Curchin deleted Missouri hospital Association.

Jeffrey Earl deleted Office of the State Auditor

Notes on Registration

Earl appears to have left the auditor staff this summer to manage Tom Schweich’s re-election campaign. That’ll mean fighting off Libertarian Sean O’Toole and Constitution candidate Rodney Farthing.

$5K+ Contributions

Property Casualty Insurers Association of America Political Account - $43,122 from Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.

Citizens for Steve Stenger - $7,000 from E.J.A. Tricking Inc.

Schmitt for Missouri - $10,000 from The Koman Group LLC.

Friends of Rick Stream - $7,500 from August Busch III

Labor’s Education and Political Club Independent Corporation - $7,400 from Teamster Local Union 41.

Friends to Elect Bill Reiboldt - $5,975 from Committee to Elect Ron Richard.

Missourians for Tim Jones - $10,000 from Six States Rental Inc.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthdays to Glenn Burleigh (35).

Saturday: Neil Swanson (44).

Sunday: Bob Holden (65), and International Institute’s Anna Crosslin (64).