Monday, September 29, 2014
MOScout County Executive Poll
Most reactions to the St. Louis County Executive poll were the same as mine, much close than I imagine. Inside the crosstabs (Find the cross tabs here in the Special Reports section), it looks like the undecided among Democrats and especially among African Americans is the cause for the tightness.
Steve Stenger and Rick Stream are even with whites and while Stenger leads with blacks, it’s not overwhelming and there’s a large undecided.
I expect that as Stenger defines Stream by his voting record those undecided Democrats and blacks will increasingly side with Stenger over the next month.
eMailbag: On St. Louis County Gone Dem
“The last Republican to win St Louis County wide was Matt Blunt in 2000 for secretary of state against Steve Gaw. This list would include any statewide candidates from 2000-2012. Yes, no Republican running county wide or state wide has won the St. Louis County since 2000.”
Walsh Requests Republican State Party Records
From: Sara Walsh
Date: September 27, 2014 at 11:41:35 AM CDT
To: Ed Martin
Cc: J. Matthew Wills, Trish Vincent, Susie Eckelkamp, Pat Thomas, Dick Peerson
Subject: Formal request
Ed,
Below is the request I made at this mornings State Committee meeting. I look forward to receiving this information by the November elections (that's more than a month to pull this info). Thank you! - Sara
----
Mr. Chairman: Last October I asked you to respond to reports of financial crisis at the MRP and for details on the party's financial health. Your response was that it was all rumors and everything was fine.
Thursday, I sent you the same email and your response, in part, was: "We could use more $ -- we always could -- but we are doing fine. We need more on the State Committee helping."
Mr. Chairman, as State Committeewoman representing Missouri's 19th Senatorial District, I'm here to help.
I want to see a complete and transparent financial picture of the MRP before the
November elections.
Therefore, I request copies of MRP's:
- bank statements
- credit card statements
- and internal financial reports that provide an itemized list of all revenues, expenses, debts & disputed charges
... for Calendar Years 2013 and 2014.
As the MRP State Committee, we have the courage, determination and capacity to hear the truth and chart a strong course.
We are eager to take on these challenges and through determination and hard work, transform our party's future for the better--to recruit candidates, grow our party and win elections.
Will you grant us this request before the November elections?
Thank you.
Sara Walsh
State Committeewoman
19th Senatorial District
Missouri Republican Party
Superintendents’ Salaries
The Post-Dispatch ran a front page story over the weekend on the ever-escalating salaries of superintendents. Read it here.
Pull Quote: Superintendent salaries at area districts have increased nearly 30 percent in the last 10 years, faster than the rate of inflation… Nine superintendents regionally made at least $200,000 last year, four of whom lead districts with fewer than 7,000 students, well above the median salary nationally of $150,000 for similarly sized districts… In New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie imposed a controversial cap three years ago that tied pay to the size of the district. Wyoming passed a bill in 2013 that requires superintendent evaluations to include evidence of student learning. In Idaho, legislators determined that growth on student achievement should account for at least 50 percent of the evaluation… Missouri has no state law that caps superintendent salaries…
What It Means: Inside the building there’s some gnashing of teeth about the power that superintendents have over their stet legislators. Their opponents might seize on the issue of salary in the coming session to put the superintendents on the defensive for once. We’ll see…
AFL-CIO Endorsements
Here is the link to the Missouri AFL-CIO endorsement list. Interesting to see that there are seventeen Republicans endorsed in House races, however there are no Senate GOP endorsements this year.
Steelman Appointment
Late last week Governor Jay Nixon appointed David Steelman to the University of Missouri Board of Curators. “Steelman, a Republican, is managing and senior partner at Steelman, Gaunt and Horsefield in Rolla, and has operated a law practice since 1978. He served three terms in the Missouri House of Representatives beginning in 1979, including two terms as the Republican floor leader. Steelman earned his undergraduate in economics from the University of Missouri and graduated first in his class from the University of Missouri Law School… Steelman will represent the Eighth Congressional District on the board; the Governor has appointed him to a term ending Jan. 1, 2019…”
As one critic noted: Steelman is in the typical Nixon appointment mold… white, male… and very often an attorney…
Bits
“On Wednesday, October 1, President Obama will welcome Sporting Kansas City to the White House to honor the team and their victory in the 2013 MLS Cup Championship. This visit will continue the tradition begun by President Obama of honoring sports teams for their efforts to give back to their communities…”
A peek at the daily revenue figures show that September is running in the black again, up almost 6% as we head into the final days. That would bring the year-to-date figures to the near +5% area.
Rudi Keller writes about the odd solicitation that some of the state’s more real journalists received to write for the Grow Missouri blog. Read it here.
Help Wanted
Farm Bureau seeks Director of State Legislative Affairs.
“Salary will be determined based on education and experience… Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college with a minimum of two years’ experience in national, state or county government. Two years’ experience in a business setting. Knowledge of the legislative process and/or legal background. Ability to read, analyze, interpret and comprehend legislative language, professional journals, technical reports or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedures manuals. Ability to effectively present information in different forums and respond to other workers and to persons outside the organization. Knowledge of state and local government is essential. Knowledge of the political action process desirable. Ability to express ideas effectively; both verbally and in writing. Agricultural background desirable. Ability to operate a personal computer. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with others…” See the ad here.
eMailbag: Why Farm Bureau Joined the Anti-3 Coalition
“Farm Bureau loves to hate on any St. Louis boogeyman, in this case, Rex Sinquefield.”
eMailbag: MOScout’s Saturday Database Scraping
“I like the rummage…”
“Very cool…”
“The legal cases section of the report feels a little like stalking to me and comes across as petty. I think that significant proceedings should certainly be reported on but publishing everything just seems like airing dirty laundry.”
“New low…”
“Those court filings are interesting, unless your name is in it…”
“The Legal Cases link in the Saturday Morning Rummage is invasive and a bit creepy….”
“Be careful David this is a very dangerous street to walk down!!!! Hope you or your family never make a mistake!!!”
“People may not admit it, but they’re going to like this.”
Fundraising Calendar
Today’s fundraising events from Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Sen. Tom Dempsey Golf – Golf Club of Wentzville.
Lobbyist Registrations
From the Gate Way Group website:
Jane Drummond added Missouri Hospital Association.
Mark F Habbas added Fred Weber Inc, Maco Development Company LLC, Gardner Capital, Phoenix Home Care, Strategic Capitol Consulting LLC, Supermarket Merchandising.
$5K+ Contributions
Friends of Rick Stream - $10,000 from Drury Development Corporation.
Fauss Campaign Fund - $12,000 from Missouri Democratic Party.
Waits for County Legislative - $10,000 from Sanders for Jackson County.
Ashcroft for Missouri - $5,001 from Vicky Hartzler for Congress.
A Better Missouri with Governor Jay Nixon - $23,883 from Platinum Health Care Inc.
Missourians for Koster - $10,000 from National Health Corporation.
Missourians for Koster - $10,000 from Branson Hills Rental Management LLC.
Missourians for Koster - $25,000 from Operating Engineers Local 101 Political Action Committee.
House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $15,000 from Noranda Aluminum Inc.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays to Rich Magee (61) and NFIB’s Brad Jones.
Congratulations
To Sen. Kurt Schaefer’s Yancy Williams on his marriage to Misty Haungs. Bride and groom wore matching boots…