Monday, September 2, 2014
Centene Makes a Statement
Post-Dispatch reports that Centene plans to locate their “claims processing facility” in Ferguson. It will bring 200 jobs to the troubled area. Read it here.
Pull Quote: Centene’s chairman and chief executive Michael Neidorff said in a statement. “This is the right thing to do for the community, state and our shareholders. It is time for action, not talk.” The location for the center has not been selected. The company said it is looking at multiple sites on about three acres. The company said it is pursuing an aggressive timeline to get the center open in 2015 and will begin taking applications before the end of this year. “While a normal project of this scope generally takes up to 18 months, Centene has authorized an expedited timeline,” the company said in the statement.
Munzy, Guernsey Work Ag Bill Overrides
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2014 10:14 AM
To: Senators
Cc: Senators' Staff; 'Casey Guernsey'; 'Bill Reiboldt'
Subject: HB 1326 & SB 506 Relating to Veto Session
Dear Colleagues,
In advance of what is sure to be a very busy veto session, we want to take a moment to make you aware of our plans regarding the agriculture bills. It is our intent to bring both HB1326 and SB506 up for override consideration.
For the second time this year, Governor Nixon deliberately ignored Missouri's number one industry: AGRICULTURE. Missouri’s farmers and ranchers are baffled by the governor, are looking to us for leadership, and are watching our actions closely. The agricultural community understands that this bill positions Missouri as a national leader. These bills are two of the most comprehensive bills, benefitting farmers, processors, lenders, small business and their suppliers, that the legislature has ever passed. There are ten critical and time-sensitive provisions in these omnibus agriculture omnibus bills that simply cannot wait until next year.
With the Missouri Dairy Revitalization Act, timing is everything, and the time is now. Full implementation of this section will take two years, and that may be all the time some in the dairy industry have left before they have to leave the business… Our Dairy Revitalization bill will be the first in the country that substantively addresses the problems associated with this commodity whose price is dictated by the federal government…. This bill is not all about deer, contrary to what the governor would like Missourians to believe. Instead of leading, the governor has taken an issue that should unite hunters, outdoorsmen, and farmers and turned it into a wedge issue to divide like-minded groups. The governor vetoed these bills on the flimsy assertion that the legislature overstepped its constitutional authority by adding "captive cervids" to the statute under "livestock.” In reality, Section 44 under Article IV of the Missouri Constitution allows the legislature to enact laws that are not inconsistent with the MDC mission…. These bills are supported by a broad coalition of twenty agriculture and business groups. We have never seen this type of broad-based support on any agriculture bills in previous years. Both HB1326 and SB506 passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers. By virtue of these votes, it is clear that the general assembly understands the importance agriculture in Missouri. Accordingly, we ask for your support to overriding these vetoes…
Respectfully,
Senator Mike Kehoe Senator Brian Munzlinger
Representative Casey Guernsey Representative Bill Reiboldt
New Loudon Book
Dr. Gina Loudon has a new book out… It’s called What Women Really Want. Buy it at Amazon here.
Book Teaser: “Today the traditional woman, the new lady, is standing up to the lies of the culture and media and proclaiming, enough! Women don't want to be enslaved, patronized, labeled, or invaded. What women really want is to be empowered to be able to make a difference in the world beyond the trivial things. Women really want freedom of religion, a strong family, a man who stands for something, a voice, the freedom to protect herself, prosperity, choices. Women really want to do the right thing. Women really want to be warriors of love… Women can be warriors without burning bras. Women can be strong without emasculating their husbands and sons. Women can be mothers without coddling or compromise. Most importantly, women can live out their faith without imposed compromise of her convictions. Women can be truly feminine, and it is in that design, that she is most competent and capable of truly changing the world. What Women Really Want reveals the political conversions these three beautiful and dynamic conservative dynamos. It explains the bad and the ugly of party politics, and the reality of new parties…”
Merger Remorse?
Kansas City Star ran an article over the weekend about a bungled arrest on the Lake of Ozarks lead to a young man’s death. Read it here. The article raises questions whether the merger of the Highway Patrol and Waterway Patrol was a mistake.
Pull Quote: Those questions linger, but veterans say the problem isn’t limited to one trooper on one shift. Instead, they say, it’s been an issue for law enforcement on Missouri waterways since shortly after the state Water Patrol merged into the Highway Patrol early in 2011.
Bits
In the lobbyist registrations below, Jessica Hodge deleted all her clients. Hodge worked with Greg Johnston among other lobbyists.
In the $5K+ contributions below, the National Education Association chips in $500,000 to the effort to defeat the teacher tenure ballot question coming in November.
Washington Examiner says that Governor Jay Nixon was “uninvited” to the Michael Brown funeral. Read it here.
In the Boone County Ward 6 Republican Committeeman race, it looks like Cory McMahon will become the new committeeman. He lost to Phil Stoll, but Stoll moved out of the ward before Election Day and thereby became disqualified.
Military gear for police poised to become hot issue... While Senator Claire McCaskill is starting an investigation, The Hill reports that police groups will lobby against giving up their fancy new tools. Read it here.
Lobbyist Registrations
From the Gate Way Group website:
Jessica Hodge terminated her lobbyist’s registration.
Tim Green added Linq3, and Healthcare Advantage LLC.
Deanna L. Hemphill added American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Missouri Section.
Shannon Cooper and Nancy Giddens deleted American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Missouri Section.
$5K+ Contributions
Committee to Elect Charlotte Feather Pickering - $5,402 from FLS Connect LLC.
Ashcroft for Missouri - $5,005 from Romine for Senate.
Duvall for Missouri - $15,000 from Missouri Democratic Party.
Committee in Support of Public Education - $50,000 from Missouri State Teachers Assn Legislative Impact Committee.
NO On Amendment 5 - $20,000 from Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund Inc.
Wieland Now - $5,500 from Doug Libla for Senate.
Ashcroft for Missouri - $5,500 from Doug Libla for Senate.
Citizens for Steve Stenger - $10,000 from Martin Green.
Citizens for Steve Stenger - $10,000 from Clayco.
Citizens for Steve Stenger - $10,000 from UA Political Education Committee.
Committee In Support of Public Education - $500,000 from National Education Association Campaigns & Elections.