Friday, October 3, 2014

Barnes Wants Ebola Plan for Missouri

Rep. Jay Barnes writes on his blog that he’s requested the Department of Health and Senior Services to share it plan to deal with a potential Ebola outbreak in Missouri.  See the post here.

Dear Director:

Health officials confirmed the first case of Ebola diagnosed in the United States yesterday. Reports from Dallas, Texas indicate that the patient had traveled to Liberia and had presented at a hospital with symptoms, but was allowed to return home...

Does the Department have a written protocol for actions to take in the event a person in Missouri is diagnosed with Ebola other than the “Methods of control” section of the Control of Communicable Diseases Manual referenced in Section 4.0 of the Division of Community and Public Health manual?

What steps has the Department taken or will it take to help ensure that a Missouri hospital does not make the same mistake that the hospital in Texas made – and inadvertently send a patient with Ebola home?

What steps will the Department take to notify the general public?

What steps will the Department take to identify, contact, and monitor persons with whom a person infected with Ebola had recent contact?

How will the Department coordinate efforts with the Centers for Disease Control?

How will the Department coordinate efforts with local health officials and statewide healthcare organizations?...

A Luetkemeyer Shuffling of the Republican 2016 Ticket?

The Republican slate for 2016 could be in for a major upheaval if Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer decides to give up his seat in Washington for a gubernatorial run in 2016.  If that scenario occurs, it would result in some reals shifts.  For starters, Luetkemeyer is thought to be headed toward a $1 million cash on-hand position by the end of the year.  He’d be a formitable primary presence.

Second, it’s said that Luetkemeyer and Catherine Hanaway are close.  Close enough that she might be persuaded to slide down to attorney general.  Hanaway would be a formidable Republican AG candidate.

Eric Schmitt has already nailed down in the treasurer spot, and It wouldn’t be surprising to see Tim Jones huddle with Peter Kinder.  Kinder might be ready to a private sector stint, and Jones would presumably prefer an open race in lieutenant governor to secretary of state against incumbent Jason Kander.  The task of taking on Kander would fall to Will Kraus’ secretary of state position bid.

This line-up is strong for Republicans in that it’s has a lot of heavy fundraisers.  But it’s hardly without its share of drama and downsides.  For example, Tom Schweich might not simply step aside for a Luetkemeyer, creating a primary at the top of the top of the ticket.  And Kurt Schaefer has been adamant about his AG intentions.  He too could make Hanaway’s primary season unpleasant.

Kehoe for Something?

From a source: “Friend in the STL media market received the call. Conducted by SSI, a 14-minute survey.  Tested Mike Kehoe vs Tim Jones vs Mike Parson for Lt. Governor. Tested Kehoe for Secretary of State. Then tested Fav / Unfav on Kehoe, Barack Obama, and Jay Nixon.”

And

Democratic Sen. Scott Sifton was calling donors over the weekend before the close of the quarter, telling them he’ll be formally announcing for attorney general soon…

Keep an Eye on Cornejo

Rep. Robert Cornejo’s $1,500 event tonight (see fundraising list below) is intriguing in that it seems to signal a young politician on the rise. The high ticket price of the event sets it apart from the usual offerings.  And the headlining from two senators in leadership – Tom Dempsey and Eric Schmitt – indicates that others see a future for Cornejo.

Word is that Cornejo is on the short list of possible floor leaders in 2017 when – according to the best extrapolation – Rep. Todd Richardson would become speaker.

Jacked Up Common Core Meetings

Post-Dispatch reports on chaos and confusion at the “workgroup” meetings to create educational standards.  Read it here.  Pull Quote: So many problems arose during the two days of meetings in September that Rep. Kurt Bahr, R-O’Fallon, will convene a meeting today with appointees to discuss their purpose under the statute. “This process is jacked up,” said Craig Carson, assistant superintendent of Ozark School District, who is also a member of the elementary social studies work group with Watkins.

Diehl to Husch

Speaker-designate John Diehl is moving his law practice from Armstrong Teasdale to Husch Blackwell.

Bernstein Promoted

From Politico’s Influence: “K Street firm Cassidy & Associates has upped Jordan Bernstein from executive vice president to chief operating officer. Bernstein - a former chief of staff to Rep. Jo Ann Emerson – will continue his work for clients while adding more operational duties to his portfolio…”

Ferguson Voters Registration

MSNBC reports that voter registration has “surged” in Ferguson.  See it here.  “Since the Aug. 9 shooting, 4,839 people have registered to vote in St. Louis County, USA Today reports. About 68% are Ferguson residents… If those newly registered voters come to the polls, they could make a major difference. The city has a population of 21,000, and just 12.3% of eligible voters turned out for Ferguson’s local elections in April, according to numbers provided by the county.”

eMailbag on St. Louis County Math

“Did you forget about Republicans who crossed over to get rid of Charlie Dooley in August?  It’s true.  [A bunch] crossed over for Steve Stenger.  This will be the biggest upset in history that will make 2016 quite difficult for Democrats…”

eMailbag: Blimp Tales

“Hemp... Interesting--Someone told me they thought it was a seed corn company. Let’s keep it in the Ag family.”

Fundraising Calendar

Today’s fundraising events from Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:

Rep. Bart Korman Clay Shoot – Blackhawk Valley Hunt Club, Old Monroe.

Rep. Robert Cornejo Event – The Reserve at Augusta – dinner, overnight & breakfast.

Saturday: Rep. Rep. John McCaherty Shoot-Out – Top Gun Shooting Range, 4075 W Outer Rd., Arnold – 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Rep. Rocky Miller/HRCC – Dick Doherty’s home, Osage Beach – 2-5 p.m.

Rep. Wanda Brown Fish Fry & Chicken Dinner – Clinton Sr. Ctr., Clinton – 5:30-8 p.m.

Rep. Bryan Spencer Shoot – VFW, 1414 Hwy. Z, Wentzville – 1 p.m.

Lobbyist Registrations

From the Gate Way Group website:

David McCracken and Zachary Brunnert deleted Missouri Deer Association Deleted

Larry Rohrbach deleted LeadingAge Missouri.

$5K+ Contributions

Citizens to Elect Paul Curtman - $10,000 from Missouri Club for Growth.

Taxpayer Protection PAC - $7,950 from Missouri Alliance for Freedom.

MO Democratic State Committee - $12,200 from Frame For The House.

MO Democratic State Committee - $50,000 from Claire McCaskill.

MO Democratic State Committee - $14,050 from Robert Butler Campaign Fund.

Ameren Missouri Political Action Committee - $144,000 from Ameren Missouri.

Friends of Tom Schweich - $30,000 from Missouri Club for Growth.

Citizens to Elect Kurt Schaefer Attorney General - $20,000 from Smithfield Foods Inc.

Missourians for Koster - $10,000 from MHA Political Action Committee for Health (HEALTHPAC).

Missourians for Koster - $20,000 from Smithfield Foods Inc.

Missourians for Koster - $20,000 from Thompson Coburn LLP.

Slay for Mayor - $10,000 from St. Louis Cardinals LLC.

Missourians for Koster - $25,000 from Steven Craig.

Missourians for Koster - $10,000 from Robert Millstone.

Slay for Mayor - $10,000 from Anheuser Busch Companies.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthdays to Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, Rep. John Rizzo (34), and Zora Mulligan (38).

Saturday: Former Rep. Jerry Nolte (59), John B. Scott, and former Rep. Randy Asbury (56).

Sunday: Sen. Joe Keaveny (58), and Rep. Nick Marshall (42).