Monday, June 15, 2015
Lamping. Lembke Heart Eigel in Senate 23
Tomorrow night, at the Pezold Banquet Center in St. Charles, Senate 23 candidate Bill Eigel will hold a fundraiser. The host committee includes Carl Bearden, John Lamping, Jim Lembke, Ryan Johnson, Steve & Pam Redel, Mike & Jane Woode, Tim & Kristin Halsey, Doug & Jennifer Teasdale, Mike Patterson, Tom & Shari Thiel, and Carter Ballmann…
Dems Mad at UAW $$$
On Friday, the large contributions showed a $50K contribution from the UAW to Jay Nixon’s campaign committee. The Post-Dispatch ran an article about it, noting its timing after Nixon vetoed right to work legislation. See it here.
However many MO Democrats are incredulous that the UAW would reward Nixon, since they attribute the Democratic shrinkage in the legislature due to the fact that “the current Governor ever learned how to share instead of hoarding his cash ALL the time.”
Cycle after cycle of Nixon barely lifting a finger in Democratic legislative races took their toll over the course of his tenure and created a situation where right to work could even pass.
Noranda Watch
Noranda resolves their dispute with the Jamaica government. See it here.
Legislative Conflicts of Interest
The peerless John Combest has a link to an AP story today about various legislators who sponsored legislation which would benefit their profession. Read it here. This is sort of an inherent part of our part-time legislature. Most legislators supplement their salaries with outside employment. Some think this is beneficial as it keeps the legislators grounded in the real-world. But as it happens, they will also have a field of expertise from their occupation and then propose legislation from their particular point of view.
Pull Quote: Republican Rep. Kevin Austin, a Springfield attorney with law firm Keck & Austin LLC. His firm has represented Branson amusement park Silver Dollar City in personal injury cases as recently as this year. Austin introduced a bill that would limit personal injury lawsuits against amusement parks unless the owner or operator is notified verbally within two days and in writing within 30 days.
- Rep. Gary Cross, a Lee's Summit Republican and member of the Mid-America Association of Real Estate Investors, which on its website states "real estate and small business owners have an advocate in the Missouri House of Representatives. Gary Cross." Until he amended his personal financial disclosure form after questions from The Associated Press, Cross did not list his rental company Cross Real Estate LLC. Cross said he wasn't aware it needed to be disclosed because the company receives no government contracts. He's sponsored a number of bills that would help landlords, including a law that made it easier to evict guests of tenants….
Sen. Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, is vice president of Schatz Underground Inc., a utilities contractor. Schatz sponsored a bill to prevent municipalities from requiring communication service providers to move utility poles or other infrastructure unless the city pays them or hires a contractor who has worked with the company in the past. Schatz said the intent was not to promote business for his company, adding that "this was a measure that obviously the utility providers are requesting." Local officials have criticized the bill costly for taxpayers.
And
From my unused notes from session… “Lobbyist: Worst ethics violation which will go unreported, auctioneer legislator Bart Korman offers amendment (on SB 369) requiring auctions for sales of all state-owned property…”
City Bond Issue in August
The $180 million bond issue in the City of St. Louis will face a higher bar with its August ballot timing than it would if they waited until next year. Lower turnout ballot dates need a 2/3 majority. But if they voted on the bond issue next April it would only require a 4/7 majority for passage.
Some number-cruncher must believe that the extra 9 points needed is more easily achievable with fewer curmudgeony No voters in August.
We’ll see….
Otto Plans Thunderclap
When Ann Wagner wonders what that loud boom is, just tell her it’s the Thunderclap….
Dear Friend,
One of the easiest ways to show you support is to like my campaign on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
You can also join the Thunderclap for my campaign announcement.
What’s a Thunderclap? It's a great way to amplify support and extend reach through social media. You sign up to post a message about Bill's campaign with your Facebook and/or Twitter account. The Thunderclap will send the message below on June 16 as the Facebook post or tweet sent from the account you set up at the exact same time as everyone else who has signed up --- this can make quite a statement through social media….
Thank you,
Bill Otto for Congress
Norwood Township Committee Appeals MEC Fine
Norwood Township has appealed their MEC decision which resulted in fines of over $22K. See it here.
eMailbag on Charles Marohn
Anyone advocating anti-growth, anti-global connection, anti-advancement and ultimately anti-corporate tax for the advancements shouldn't be taken seriously. This guy is directly attacking Presidents Roosevelt's WPA and Eisenhower's Federal Highway Act, both programs that substantially advanced America's economic and social construct. "All roads lead to Rome" is a historically accurate saying as almost all roads did lead into the city when they invested heavily in networking roads to further Rome's economy and national security. Apparently Marohn was advising Roman emperors who stopped advancements and allowed infrastructure disintegration, a major contributing factor to the fall of the Roman empire. Marohn's a crank.
eMailbag on Weekly Poll
Lobbyist 1: This is like shooting fish in a barrel.
Lobbyist 2: Did you actually pay for this?
Duggan Memorial
The public memorial Mass for Martin Duggan will be celebrated at St. Monica Church, 12132 Olive Boulevard, Creve Coeur, Missouri, at 10:00a.m., Friday, July 31, 2015. A reception will follow in the parish hall.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Sen. Ryan Silvey Golf – Shoal Creek Golf Course – KC – 8 a.m.
Lobbyists Registrations
James Bowers Jr added Brian Stevenson, Patricio and Veronica Mujica, Brian and Clair Jeannette Glaser, and Chapel Ridge Partners LLC.
Aaron March added Mike Belew.
Robert McKenna and Edward Bedrosian added American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity.
$5K+ Contributions
Teamsters Local Union No 688 Political Action Committee - $10,244 from Teamsters DRIVE.
A Better Missouri with Governor Jay Nixon - $50,000 from UAW V Cap.
Doug Libla for Senate - $10,000 from Noranda Aluminum.
Parson for Governor - $15,000 from MACO Development.
Friends of Peter Kinder - $5,001 from Rivertown Enterprises Inc.
Care and Dignity at Home - $30,000 from Missouri Home Care Union.
Greitens for Missouri - $5,001 from Sally Johnston.
People for Lester Turilli Jr. - $20,000 from Judy Turilli.
Notes on $$$
Lester Turilli is an Independent candidate for governor in 2016.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to former Rep. Martin Rucker.