Thursday, December 11, 2014
Today: Kander to Ferguson
The press release: Secretary of State Jason Kander will announce the creation of the #FergusonRebuild initiative in partnership with the Regional Business Council and North County Incorporated, at 10:00 a.m. The #FergusonRebuild initiative will provide non-governmental grants to businesses in Ferguson, Dellwood and Jennings to help those businesses re-open or remain open….
And
There’s a real gloom in the St. Louis region right now. Folks shaking their heads wondering when the cloud of Ferguson will pass… will it be a five year funk?
UMSL announces a hiring freeze. See it here.
AB announces its moving top jobs to NYC. See it here.
Maybe all these dots are unrelated, but it’s creating a picture that doesn’t look good.
Brattin on Tolls: Kill Tax Credits
Rep. Rick Brattin (on Facebook): “We are spending over $700 million, yes, $700 million per year on tax credit programs that have been an absolute failure yet we continue throwing YOUR hard earned tax dollars down a rat hole all in the name of ‘job creation’. Here's a novel idea, how about we use those dollars on our roads & bridges instead of trying to tax or toll people even more due to wasteful spending on proven ineffective programs..!?”
Job Moves
The pre-legislative session shuffle continues… From Speaker Tim Jones’ staff… it’s said that Lisa Bondurant will be staying in the speaker’s office next session; Jody Williams will be moving to become legislative assistant to Rep. Robert Cornejo; as previously mentioned Kenny Ross will stay in the speaker’s office as legislative director; and Tom Smith is weighting a few options/offers – none of which, according to this rumor are inside the building.
And
For those not yet eyeing the calendar, session starts four weeks from yesterday…
Holsy Elected to Head ASL
From the Examiner: On Monday, at the third meeting of the Assembly of State Legislatures (ASL), the constitutional convention advocacy group executed articles of incorporation, debated by-laws, and elected two co-presidents. Missouri State Senator Jason Holsman, a Democrat from Kansas City, and Wisconsin Republican State Representative Chris Kapenga will both share the gavel for the new group. The Assembly of State Legislatures was formerly known as the "Mt. Vernon Assembly" but officially changed their name last June at the group's second meeting in Indiana. 75 legislators from around the country gathered at the Naval Heritage Center in Washington D.C. to discuss the need for an "Article V Convention" to address challenges facing our nation that Congress has shown an inability or unwillingness to correct. In particular, the stated goal of ASL is determine the form and function of the Article V Convention, a process that has inspired numerous competing legal interpretations. The Article V Convention movement has been steadily growing over the last ten years.
Lobbyist Registrations
Deanna Hemphill, Dave Barry, Katherine Casas, and David Jackson added Missouri Occupational Therapy Association, and Missouri Dermatological Society; and deleted American Academy Of Dermatology Association.
James Farrell deleted Northside Regeneration LLC, Great Rivers Greenway, and Partnership for Downtown St. Louis.
Nicholas Heberle deleted Missouri Department of Public Safety.
Scott Marrs added Children's Magic C/o Multistate Associates Inc.; and deleted Springfield Public Schools.
Jorgen Schlemeier added Missouri Motion Media Association.
Tricia Workman and Michael Gibbons Aberdeen Heights, and Franklin County, Missouri.
Tricia Workman deleted Missouri Deer Association.
$5K+ Contributions
SITE Improvement Association of Missouri PAC - $5,018 from SITE Improvement Association of Missouri.
Lewis & Clark Ozarks Mountain Forum - $15,000 from Joe Passanise.
A Better Missouri with Governor Jay Nixon - $10,000 from Davis Ketchmark, McCreight & Ivers PC.
Midwest Region Laborers’ Political League Education Fund - $6,304 from Laborers Supplemental Dues Fund.
Grounds for County Legislature - $6,000 from Integrity in Law Enforcement.