Thursday, April 9, 2015
Green for Auditor?
A tipster says that one prominent name on the short list to be appointed State Auditor is St. Louis City Comptroller Darlene Green. Green has held the city-wide elected position of comptroller for nearly twenty years. She was Mayor Freeman Bosley’s budget director before he appointed her comptroller and she has won subsequent re-elections, often running unopposed.
Now and then she steps into the political arena as one of three members in the city’s powerful Board of Estimate and Apportionment. But she is rarely mentioned as aspiring to become mayor. And in some respect the state auditor position might be a capstone to her long tenure of public service.
Webber Formally Announces
Rep. Stephen Webber formally announced for Senate 19 today. Here’s the statement…
Today Stephen Webber, State Representative from Boone, attorney, and former Marine Corps Sergeant, announced he is running for State Senate District 19 in the 2016 election.
“As a State Representative my goal is clear; work with anyone, regardless of party, who wants to improve our community,” said Webber. “I've reached across the aisle to try to make college more affordable, increase job training, support middle-class families, and ensure access to healthcare at no cost to taxpayers. As a State Senator I will continue to work with anyone who wants to make Mid-Missouri a great place to live.”
Webber enlisted in the United States Marine Corps while completing a degree in economics. After graduating he volunteered for a second tour returning to Iraq and leading a squad of 12 Marines….
Webber’s announcement came with over 140 endorsements from local business owners, community leaders, elected officials and state office holders. The list of endorsers can be found at http://www.votewebber.com/endorsements/.
See the campaign website here.
Dems are optimistic that they will pick up this seat in 2016. Republican Rep. Caleb Jones has been mentioned as a possible opponent, but has yet to make the decision.
SOS Office Changes
John Scott has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff in the Secretary of State’s office. He’ll oversee the policy shop, but the move will allow him to expand his role across Jason Kander’s office.
Elizabeth Zerr has been promoted to Legislative Director and will take over day to day responsibilities in the Capitol.
Missouri’s Role in 2016
Politico has a story about Hilary Clinton’s “path” to the White House. It looks at the Electoral College math, and concludes that if you give her the states that Dem presidential candidates have won every cycle since 1992, then she’d be only 28 votes shy of the needed 270 votes. See it here.
The article places Missouri in the “aspirational” category for Clinton, part of one of the many paths to reach the winning number, but says Missouri has been “trending away from Democrats.” This seems to be the conventional wisdom nationally after Obama’s abysmal Missouri performance in 2012.
Most Missouri politicos view Chris Koster as the clear gubernatorial favorite in 2016, and the rest of the statewide slate as a mixed bag. And they see the increasingly Republican legislature as the result of redistricting lines and a more robust and professional campaign operation on the GOP side.
We’ll see if the narrative about Missouri’s “trending” holds this cycle.
Black Robers for Discrimination
In the large contributions (below), see that the “National Black Robe Regiment” made some large contributions to Springfield’s recent vote on repealing the expansion of non-discrimination.
The Black Robe Regiment is a clergy group. See their website here.
eMailbag on DED’s PSC Filing
From one combatant: “The Department of Economic Development made this request before and it didn’t make an impact on the Commission because economic development isn’t part of the PSC’s mission.
The real point is that no one is arguing with the points in the DED’s position – Noranda is an economic engine in southeast Missouri and needs to find a way to sustain itself. If they need economic incentives to survive that cost taxpayer money, then that is a job for the General Assembly. There are various ways for the General Assembly to ensure Noranda’s financial strength well into the future. For example, the hedge fund that controls Noranda needs to stop draining equity from the company…”
eMailbag on Schaaf Compromise
“The filibusters were tired so I feel bad to say this but Sen. Kurt Schaefer conned/outwitted them. The amendment they sat down for does practically nothing. I can guarantee you there will not be a lot of docs wanting to take managed care patients at the fee for service rates….”
Bits
After a video in South Carolina showed the police account of a “struggle” was fictitious, and an officer gunned down an unarmed American citizen, North Charleston is moving quickly to “defuse” the situation avoid “another Ferguson.” Read it here.
According to LinkedIn, Jamey Murphy is now Account Manager at Capital Enhancement Inc. That’s Karen Mohan Day’s outfit.
KC Star notes that consultant Jeff Roe was a big loser from Tuesday’s Kansas City elections. See it here. And one operative says, “FYI - Biggest winner? Former STL consultant David Woodruff, who assisted with Jolie Justus, Quinton Lucas and Lee Barnes, all had huge wins…”
AP reports that the Missouri Supreme Court vacated an execution order. See the story here.
Help Wanted
Rep. Warren Love seeks LA. “The House of Representatives is accepting resumes/applications for the position of Legislator Assistant. This is a highly responsible, professional administrative position providing general public information and office support to State Representative Warren Love of the 125th District. Duties include extensive contact and correspondence with district constituents and the general public, creating and maintaining calendars, coordinating and scheduling meetings, maintaining files and databases on a variety of legislative topics, and general office assistance… The salary range for this position begins at $2,257 per month…” See the ad here.
Lobbyist Registrations
Greg Porter, Rebecca Lohmann, Alex Eaton and Daniel Pfeifer added Live Nation Entertainment, and Banner Public Affairs.
Brian Bernskoetter added American Progressive Bag Alliance.
Jacqueline Bardgett, John Bardgett, and Kim Tuttle added The Alliance for Solar Choice.
$5K+ Contributions
Yes on Question 1 - $14,978 from National Black Robe Regiment.
Yes on Question 1 - $19,700 from National Black Robe Regiment.
Missourians for John Brunner - $20,000 from Jerry Sumners Sr.
Missourians for John Brunner - $10,000 from William Darr.
Missourians for John Brunner - $5,001 from Fredna Mahaffey.
Missourians for John Brunner - $5,001 from Neal Ethridge.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Dem fundraiser Matt Leiberman.