Monday, February 16, 2015
SNOW DAY
The legislature canceled today’s hearings and session in the face of the snow storm sweeping across the state.
And
It’s also President’s Day… former Governor Matt Blunt tweets… “@MattBlunt: Continue to believe we should celebrate Washington's Birthday rather than the meaningless Presidents' Day.”
NYTimes on Muni Courts Bill, Ferguson
The Sunday New York Times had an article about the Missouri legislature grappling with the aftermath of Ferguson and the left-right coalitions that have resulted. Sen. Eric Schmitt’s muni court bill gets play; he gets his picture in the Grey Lady, as does Sen. Jamilah Nasheed; but it’s Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal who gets the last word. Read it here.
MOScout Weekly Poll Cross Tabs
See the weekly poll’s cross tabs in the Special Reports section here.
The tabs…
The proposal (HB 73) to increase the minimum wage by about $3 to $10.25/hour splits largely along partisan lines, but because Dems are more fervent for it (87-11) than Republican (64-28) and overall majority of our modeled general election voters favor the proposal.
Across the board support for HB 143 which doubles the fine for littering a cigarette as opposed to your normal litter.
Similarly broad support for the idea (HB 253) of a tax credit to offset student loans, while the proposal to allow trucks to drive in the left lane of highways (HB 164) finds disapproval in most demographic groups.
McCaskill to Cuba
From the Friday In-box… “U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill will travel to Cuba during this Congressional work period in an effort to learn about the needs of the country and its people, understand its economy and the potential for entrepreneurial growth, and to help expand agricultural, job, and business opportunities for Missouri as trade and diplomatic relations with the country expand…”
St. Louis Officials to KC
From KCUR… “Other cities are looking to Kansas City, Mo., as an example of how to curb violent crime after the city saw fewer homicides in 2014 than it had in four decades. In fact, City of St. Louis officials will travel here in coming weeks to look at the Kansas City No Violence Alliance, a policing initiative run out of the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office.” See it here.
Rumorville: Lincoln Days Scramble
Various Republicans describe the scramble a little differently, but the word is that the hotel hosting the Lincoln Days event this weekendFriday asked for their payment upfront. The state Party being in a bit of a cash crunch (insert jab at Ed Martin here) asked around to raise the money quickly to avert a sticky situation.
And
Former Navy Seal Eric Greitens will be making the rounds at Lincoln Days? Will we see Josh Hawley? The names from the bubble… Dave Spence, John Brunner, will they be shaking hands, handing out buttons anyone?
Help Wanted
U.S. District Court - Western Missouri seeks Prisoner Pro Se Staff Attorney. “The successful candidate will team with two other staff attorneys to manage the court’s prisoner pro se docket, providing legal research, and drafting orders and recommendations for the district judges on all pro se prisoner complaints and filings. Prisoner Pro Se (PPS) staff attorneys screen all prisoner submissions, handling cases from inception through discovery, dispositive motions and orders on the merits. If a case will proceed to trial, it is then typically forwarded to chambers law clerks.”
eMailbag on MOFreedom’s Poll on Silvey’s Vet Medicaid Proposal
“Not only did they use the word ‘Medicaid’ in their question, but they also used the words ‘Obamacare’ and ‘expansion’ all in the same question and it still leads by 12… Hardly a mandate against.”
eMailbag: On McManus Exiting Leg for KC Council
“Kevin McManus is a quality person. Smart, hard-working, and ethical. Sometimes in the legislative process with everyone tooting their own horn people like him can be forgotten. Kevin did a great job and will not be forgotten by a number of folks that admired his work and the unassuming way he went about it.”
eMailbag on Limits
Republican: “Interesting that democrats want contribution limits put back in place but have statewide candidates that could self-fund. So that does that mean only the rich should be allowed to run for office? Sounds to me like either way someone could be using large amounts of money to gain access.”
Lobbyist Registrations
Jonathan Dalton and Shanon Hawk added Special Administrative Board of The Transitional School District of The City Of St. Louis.
Richard Brownlee III added Riverstone Group Inc.
Emily Wright added Missouri Charter Public School Association.
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri Veterinary Medical Political Action Committee - $5,219 from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.
One Springfield - $20,400 from Human Rights Campaign.
One Springfield - $10,000 from Gill Action LLC.
Missourians for Koster - $12,500 from Robert D Blitz.
Missourians for Koster - $10,000 from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas City PAC.
Slay for Mayor - $10,000 from Sam Fox.