Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Changes Coming to Auditor’s Office
Some had expected – given the gauntlet of tragedies experienced by the auditor’s office staff – that the next auditor would go to pains to make everyone feel welcome to stay. That does not appear to be the case. It’s unclear if Schweich’s folks are ready to move on, or if they’re being shown the door, but reports are circulating of various members leaving.
It’s said that both chief of staff Trish Vincent and deputy auditor Harry Otto will have their last day on Friday.
And Jeff Earl, the legislative liaison, is rumored to be in “negotiations” with the Eric Greitens for Governor team.
What Earl for Greitens Means
One observer thinks that the possibility of Earl moving into the Greitens camp is a coup. “Earl was the go to guy for Tom Schweich in the last real Auditor’s race and has some VERY KEY relationships with grassroots people and donors throughout the state. A pickup like this would definitely mean that Greitens is running for governor and there’s clearly a split (with those favoring John Brunner) in the Schweich camp.”
Greitens a Recovering Democrat?
The chuckle among the political class is imagining Chris Koster the former Republican running against Eric Greitens the former Democrat. And while Team Greitens has parried the quiet joke the footprints of Greitens former flirtations with Dems keep surfacing.
There was his appearance in Mayor Francis Slay’s re-election literature, the talk from former Democratic officeholders about his offers to help on campaigns or how he was mulling his own campaign.
The latest trace – a tip from a Republican who’s not with any campaign – is here.
Greitens spoke before the St. Louis West County Democrats in 2009. Scrolling down the list… it’s like a liberal lovefest Hall of Fame.
The narrative we might be hearing from Greitens’ opponents would use his lack of a political record against him: “Who IS this guy? Does he have core beliefs or just looking to join the team that will win?”
Managed Care Opponents Open New Attack Line
In the tussle over whether to expand managed care in Missouri, opponents are enlisted a well-worn boogey-man… ObamaCare. In circulated talking points, opponents note that “Medicaid managed care plans are subject to a special 2.8 percent federal tax imposed by the Affordable Care Act.”
One observer notes: It is a nice attack because it is the truth because there is no corresponding tax increase when you vote against it. It is something specific to managed care plans under the ACA. Doesn't mean managed care is a bad thing, but it does mean that the political consultants may have fun with this in Republican primaries….
You Make the Call: Drebes’ Imagination?
Was that my imagination? Or did Sen. Ryan Silvey seem to take a very keen interest in Sen. Bob Onder’s SB 400? As in, poking, prodding, and asking enough questions to get it laid over, so maybe the freshman senator understands there’s a cost to being an obstructionist to Silvey’s Medicaid expansion efforts?
Probably just my imagination…
Ferguson’s Missing Black Men
The New York Times reports on the impact of early death and incarceration of black men. See it here. The title is 1.5 Million Missing Black Men. And they note one of the communities in the nation where this can be seen most vividly is Ferguson Missouri, where there are 40 missing black men for each 100 black women.
Attorney General to Defend the Senate on Continuing Sunshine Violations….
"Last week, the Missouri Senate, three of its legislative committees, and their chairpersons were sued under the Missouri Sunshine Law for acts related to the administration of official proceedings of the Senate. The Attorney General's Office has communicated to Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey that the AGO will provide counsel to the General Assembly and vigorously defend the legislature in this matter."
Bits
According to LinkedIn, former lobbyist Jessica Hodge has a new job. She is now a Closing Specialist at Veterans United Home Loans.
The Missouri Ethics Commission fined Missouri Valley Levee board member Scott Frankenberg for a conflict of interest. His participated in the decision of the board to hire his wife’s firm. See it here.
St. Louis City created a “civilian review board” for its police department. See the Post-Dispatch article here. St. Louis Police Officers Association statement: “The St. Louis Police Officers Association did not oppose the establishment of a civilian review board by the Board of Aldermen. In fact we went to great lengths to offer constructive procedural and legal suggestions intended to make the Civilian Review Board both more effective and legal. Unfortunately, despite our significant commitment, the framers of the legislation that was approved this morning chose to ignore us. What is particularly troubling is the hypocrisy of Aldermen Antonio French, the principal author of this legislation, who has made a career out of criticizing police officers and ignored our concerns that key provisions of his legislation violate Missouri Statutes.
Our officers put their lives on the line every day. We are not perfect, nor do we claim to be. But we endeavor always to do our best under the most trying of circumstances. Is it too much to expect the same from our elected officials?..”
Help Wanted
Greater Gateway Association of REALTORS seeks Chief Executive Officer. “The overall responsibilities of the CEO are to provide supervision, guidance and counsel to Staff and the Board of Directors to effectively meet the goals and objectives of the Association. CEO is responsible for delivery of all programs, products and services as well as effective overall daily operation of the association. CEO serves as the key Liaison between the Board of Directors, committees and members with the Illinois Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®…” See the ad here.
16th Circuit Court of Jackson County seeks Legal Counsel. “Review procedures, policies, and administrative orders; perform legal research, monitor legislative & rule changes; research and interpret issues and provide legal advice; interpret policy and procedures from a legal and administrative perspective; draft, review, and/or revise contracts of varying levels of complexity with vendors for equipment, services, or other resources or contracts for engagement allowed or mandated by statutes…” See the ad here.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Sportsman’s Trap Shoot – United Sportsman’s Club – following evening adjournment.
Lobbyist Registrations
Quintin Hull added Greater Kansas City Chamber Of Commerce.
$5K+ Contributions
Hanaway for Governor Inc - $5,001 from Samuel Hais.
Taxpayers Unlimited Inc - $20,000 from International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 42 Political Action Committee.
Citizens for a Better Clayton - $10,000 from Clayton St. Louis Property LLC.
KC Biz PAC The Political Action Committee of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce in Partnership with the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City - $10,000 from Hallmark.
Missouri Realtors PAC - $7,805 from National Association of Realtors.
Greitens for Missouri - $10,000 from Terry Scariot.
20th Ward Democratic Organization - $6,858 from Citizens to Elect Craig Schmid.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Paul Curtman (34), David Barklage, Dan Mehan, and Maynard Wallace (72).