Thursday, October 2, 2014

Erby: I Have a Stream

St. Louis County Councilwoman Hazel Erby and other African American political leaders from St. Louis County endorsed Republican Rick Stream for county executive, as they fumed over the response to the Ferguson tragedy by Democratic County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch.  One commenter on the Post-Dispatch website termed it Erby’s “I Have a Stream” speech…

Can the African American vote determine the outcome of this election?  According to the primary vote math, not very likely.  But the voter base will expand during the general election for sure, so we’ll see…

See the St. Louis American’s coverage here.

Primary Vote Math

Stream = 37,772

Pousosa = 16,439

Stenger = 84,993

Dooley = 39,038

Stream+Pousosa+Dooley = 90,249  vs  Stenger = 84,993.

PSC Formally Rejects Noranda Rehearing

Yesterday, in a widely expected move, the Public Service Commission denied Noranda’s request for a rehearing of its rate design.  Before the formal vote, Chairman Robert Kenney reiterated the commission’s position that Ameren has a rate case in the pipeline which will be decided no later than May 2015, and there will be “opportunities available” during that process to pursue the “intriguing proposals,” that Noranda and the Office of Public Counsel have brought forth.

Ameren’s New Initiative

Meanwhile yesterday Ameren filed an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the PSC. The Ameren press release says the plan “is the roadmap on how Ameren Missouri will continue to provide dependable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity for the next twenty years.  It includes major expansions of wind and solar power, in fact our plan would add nearly 500 MW of renewable generation…. Our plan reduces carbon emissions by 30% (below 2005 levels) by 2035.  It includes plans for cleaner burning natural gas and maintains options for carbon free nuclear generation at the Callaway site…”

Schweich for Amendment 10

Auditor Tom Schweich – in an email blast to supporters – asks them to vote Yes on Amendment 10 next month…

Dear Friend,

I’m writing you today to encourage you to vote in favor of Constitutional Amendment 10 this November. You can find information on the Amendment here (http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2014ballot/) .  A “yes” vote on 10 will amend the Missouri Constitution regarding the requirements placed on the Governor for proposing a state budget and for withholding money appropriated in the budget passed by the legislature.

This constitutional amendment is necessary to rein in Jay Nixon and future Governors, regardless of their party. Missouri Governors, under Article IV, Section 27 of the Missouri Constitution (http://www.moga.mo.gov/const/a04027.htm) , have always had the power and responsibility to withhold funds when revenues into state coffers run below consensus revenue estimates. Governors Bond, Ashcroft and Blunt all withheld revenue during their tenures due to lower-than-expected revenues. And they were correct in doing so.

But that’s not what Jay Nixon is doing. Nixon is withholding funds even when revenue is coming in above consensus revenue estimates – and he’s doing it to punish his political opponents and those who refuse to do his bidding. In fiscal year 2012 Nixon withheld $172 million from the elderly, the poor, the sick, students and Republican officeholders saying he needed the money the funds for Joplin tornado efforts and statewide flooding. Revenues were up all year, every quarter and there was plenty of money to meet all of the government’s fiscal needs. Yet he then spent only $7.8 million on disaster relief and still didn’t release the money for the vast majority of the programs….

Rumorville: Club for Growth’s Big TV Buy?

We’ll see if it’s true, but the rumor is that Missouri Club for Growth – one of the Rex Sinquefield low-tax advocacy groups – is planning on a $1 million ad buy across the state to start running next week through Election Day.  With no presidential, US Senate or statewide ads cluttering the airwaves, it could help define the cycle.  Or as I like to say… BOOM!

Diehl Polling?

I had a report from someone in Rep. John Diehl’s House district that they were polled last night.  Perhaps a quick check by the speaker-designate in a safe Republican district to make sure the insurgent conservatives going door-to-door bad-mouthing his record aren’t making headway?

The poll asked about Barack Obama, Jay Nixon, the legislature and Town & Country Mayor Jon Dalton.  Asked if support Diehl or his Democratic opponent Al Gerber.  Asked opinion of common core, then asked again if support Diehl or Gerber.  Went through positives for Diehl (going to be speaker, fought Obamacare). Asked if changed opinion.  Went through negatives (funded by special interest money), asked if changed opinions.

Bits

Committeewoman Marie Ceselski dismantles the proposition that former Recorder of Deeds Sharon Carpenter was a champion for gay rights.  See her blog post here.

The email from House Dems… Hoping for your support at our event Tuesday, October 7th with special guest, Governor Jay Nixon at McGurk's Irish Pub. 1200 Russell Boulevard St Louis, MO 63104, 5:00-7:30pm…. brought this response from a lobbyist, “Dave - There must be a misprint in the email below – is Gov. Nixon really going to appear at a MO House Dems event??”

St. Louis Business Journal reports that in a setback for ride-sharer Lyft, the Missouri Supreme Court decide not to hear their appeal… Read it here.

eMailbag: Blimp for Hemp?

“Had a few non-political friends at the Mizzou game ask me who was behind the ‘pro-marijuana legalization blimp.”

eMailbag: Lotto Tix as Pocket Picks?

“The late Ben Roth, a St. Louis lawyer of note a generation ago, wrote a letter to the newspaper, The Globe-Democrat, I believe, in which he said of the introduction of lottery the lottery in Missouri: If the state of Missouri wishes to pick the pockets of the poor, it should hire pickpockets.

I, on the other hand, considered the lottery a tax on the math-impaired until I began buying lottery tickets and considering them to be a tax on hope.”

Fundraising Calendar

Today’s fundraising events from Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:

Rep. Chrissy Sommer Reception – Fast Lane Cars, St. Charles.

Sen. David Sater Golf – Ledgestone Country Club, Branson.

Rep. Jill Schupp Reception – Mandel Home, 5565 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis – 5:30-7 p.m.

Rep. Denny Hoskins Birthday Party – Happy Days Dream Cars, Warrensburg – 5:30-7 p.m.

Lobbyist Registrations

From the Gate Way Group website:

Michael R Gibbons, and Tricia Workman added GibbonsWorkman LLC; and deleted Online Lenders Alliance, Pasco Inc, Stinson Leonard Street LLP, AEG Kansas City Arena LLC, Missouri Deer Association, and Delta Dental Plan of Missouri.

Kyna Iman deleted Terry Schlemeier, and Kindred Healthcare.

David Kuschel deleted Cooperating School Districts of St. Louis.

Don Larsen deleted Forest Pharmaceuticals.

Matthew Lathrop deleted YUM! Brands Inc.

Sally Sowards deleted UAW Missouri State Cap Council.

Larry Weber deleted Office of Administration.

Kevin Westrope deleted Westrope and Associates.

$5K+ Contributions

Clean Water Healthy Communities PAC - $100,000 from Missouri American Water Company.

MO Democratic State Committee - $50,000 from Schupp for Senate.

Hanaway for Governor – $5,001 from Hegeman for Senate.

MO Cable PAC - $15,005 from Missouri Cable Telecommunications Association.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $25,000 from Schmitt for Missouri.

Credit Union Political Action Committee of Missouri - $10,000 from Community America Credit Union.

Friends for Munzlinger - $10,000 from Smithfield Foods Inc.

Friends of Rick Stream - $10,000 from Schmitt for Senate.

Duvall for Missouri - $5,100 from MO Democratic State Committee.

Schupp for Senate - $6,500 from Strong Garner Bauer P.C.

Schupp for Senate - $13,797 from Missouri Democratic State Committee.

Schupp for Senate - $5,232 from Missouri Democratic State Committee.

Wieland Now - $10,000 from Parson for State Senate.

Wieland Now - $16,000 from Romine for Senate.

MO Leadership Committee - $15,000 from Engler for Missouri.

Missourians for Koster - $20,000 from Supporters of Health Research & Treatments.

Missouri Right to Life Political Action Committee - $10,000 from Drury Development Corporation.

Committee to Elect Jeff Roorsa - $14,626 from Missouri Democratic State Committee.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $25,000 from Citizens to Elect Kurt Schaefer.

Citizens for Allen Andrews - $15,000 from Hegeman for Senate.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthdays to Reps. Eric Burlison (38) and Tim Remole (57).