Friday, January 23, 2015
End of the week bits…
No Supplemental Budget for Nixon
Rudi Keller has the story here. Senate Appropriation Chair Kurt Schaefer upset with the governor’s withholds, says chances of passing a supplemental budget are “slim.”
Pull Quote: After Nixon proposed his budget Wednesday evening, Schaefer said he was unwilling to talk about new spending while items already approved by lawmakers are not funded. “I would say the chances are slim that he’s going to get a supplemental,” Schaefer said. “Of any kind.” House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Flanigan, R-Carthage, said he was not ready to say whether he would refuse to pass a supplemental budget.
The governor may have to walk all the way up the fourth floor to resolve this one….
MADA Contra Telsa
Post Dispatch reports on the Missouri Auto Dealers Association suing the Department of Revenue for issuing a dealer’s license to Tesla. Read it here.
Raise Your Hand Continues Organizing
In the non-committee expenditures, the Alliance for Childhood Education reports spending money on consulting as they work on their effort to put a tobacco tax on the ballot. See the report here.
And earlier this week, the brainy Brian Schmidt registered to lobby for Raise Your Hand For Kids.
Potential Conflicts
In the House Journal Reps. Paul Fitzwater and Lindell Shumake report potential conflicts of interest.
Fitz’ Letter
Pursuant to Section 105.461, RSMo., I am hereby filing a written report of a possible peronsal interest in legislation on which the House of Representatives may vote during the legislative session. I am a retired member of the Public School Retirement System (PSRS)…
Shumake’s Letter
I thought it necessary to make it known that I currently serve as a Volunteer in Corrections at both NECC and WERDCC prisons. I do not feel that it would be a conflict of interest, in that as a VIC, I am considered an unpaid employee of the institutions. I have been a VIC since 1976. Thank you for appointing me to the Corrections Committee…
House Dems Raising $$$ Off SOTS Response
House Dems sent out a fundraising appeal try to raise money off the Republican response to Governor Jay Nixon’s State of the State speech…
During last night’s State of the State address, Governor Nixon asked the Missouri Legislature to help move Missouri forward by making an historic investment in our public schools, expanding health insurance coverage for 300,000 hardworking Missourians, and finding a solution to fund drastically needed renovations to our state’s crumbling infrastructure. And GOP House Speaker John Diehl’s response? He said the Governor was simply advocating for “wasteful government programs.”
We’re also fighting to level the playing field, through policies like the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act, pay equality for women, and a living wage for all workers. Sadly, Speaker Diehl DOESN'T AGREE - he described equality efforts like those as “SOCIAL ENGINEERING”... and we're disgusted.
Koster Lawsuit Grows
St. Louis Business Journal reports that Attorney General Chris Koster added four more St. Louis County municipalities - Hanley Hills, Kinloch, Velda City and Calverton Park - to his lawsuit concerning over collection of traffic fines. See it here.
MCN Frets Protestors “Losing Message Battle”
Sen. Maria Chappelle Nadal’s morning tweet… @MariaChappelleN: It is a shame that #MikeBrown has taken a back seat in the legislature. Protesters are losing the message battle. Same hustle = same result.
Help Wanted
REPORTER: Award winning daily newspaper in Columbia, MO has an opening for a City Government Reporter. Applicants must have solid deadline-oriented news writing experience or a journalism degree, valid driver license, good driving record, and proof of insurance. Position is regular full-time with benefits including health insurance, vacation pay, sick pay, 401(k), and company gym including basketball court…
Lobbyists Registration Changes
Tom Rackers added Steven R. Carroll.
$5K+ Contributions
Freedom PAC - $25,000 from International Association of Fire Fighters.
Missourians for Koster - $25,000 from UFCW Local 655 Elect Political Fund.
Missourians for Koster - $10,000 from Andrew O’Brien.
Democratic Committee for Missouri 32nd Senatorial District - $6,000 from Elliott Denniston.
House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $6,000 from Friends of Don Rone.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Tila Hubrecht, Kyle Aubuchon (27), Ken Jacob (66), and Jordan Overstreet.
Saturday: Rep. Jim Hansen (68), Travis Brown (43), Bill Skaggs (73), and Crystal Williams.
Sunday: Michael Corcoran (52) and Gracia Backer (65).