Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Municipal Elections
Usually characterized by low turn-out, there are a few spot to keep an eye on tonight when the returns come in.
Ferguson
The battered municipality of Ferguson has its first election since the turmoil. See the St. Louis Business Journal’s recap here.
Springfield
Question 1 before the voters today would repeal Springfield’s recent addition of sexual orientation to its non-discrimination policy.
St. Louis City School Board?
In the City of St. Louis, there folks with one eye on the exit from the Special Administrative Board that’s been directing the city schools for years. Even though the elected school board has no power, people are running in anticipation that they might in the future. The most vigorous campaign has been waged by Charli Cooksey. See her website here.
Next Acts in KC
Former Sen. Jolie Justus and Rep. Kevin McManus are on the ballot for the Kansas City Council.
McCaskill Encourages Vote for Change in Ferguson
Senator Claire McCaskill’s Election Morning Statement: “The best way to ensure continued change in Ferguson and in communities across Missouri is for folks to exercise one of the most basic, fundamental rights we have—the right to vote. We’ve got to make sure the leaders in our communities reflect the values and voices of the people they serve, and that means going to the polls to make those voices heard.”
More GOP GOV Bits
Now there’s some saying that Joe Passanise wouldn’t sending the Schweich war-chest to John Brunner after all, but will offer refunds to donors. We’ll see. But this together with word that Brunner has decided that this go won’t be another self-funding endeavor could be pivotal in determining whether his candidacy gains traction.
One observer notes that my poll from last week must have been discouraging for Brunner supporters as he trailed Catherine Hanaway’s (11% to 14%) despite his multi-million dollar bid for Senate in 2012.
And it sounds like uber-consultant David Barklage is talking to most of the field of Republican gubernatorial candidates – perhaps everyone but Hanaway? We’ll see where he ends up. One Republican describes the process as akin to musical chairs: “at some point the music stops and you got to decide which seat you’re leaping for.”
Med Mary Poll
It’s a two-month old poll, but it’s probably holds. Supporters of medical marijuana are circulating it to remind the wobbly that voters are probably okay with the proposal – especially when they’re educated on the issue.
Survey conducted by Remington Research February 16 – February 17, 2015. 1101 likely voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics in the 2016 General Election. Margin of Error is +/-2.9%.
*Q:* The legislature is considering passing the Missouri compassionate care act which allows the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Missouri physician. Physicians must certify that the patient has a debilitating medical condition and may benefit from the use of medical marijuana. The Act specifies a limited list of debilitating medical conditions that allow a doctor to prescribe medical marijuana. Do you support or oppose this act?
Support……………….……….65%
Oppose………………………..29%
Don’t know…………..……….7%
*Q:* Would you be more likely or less likely to support the act knowing the United States Surgeon General has stated data shows medical marijuana is helpful in treating certain medical conditions and symptoms?
More likely……………………56%
Less likely……………………..20%
No difference……………….23%
*Q:* Would you be more likely or less likely to support the act knowing medical marijuana is authorized in 23 states and Missouri already allows medical marijuana in the form of an oil derivative to treat children suffering from epilepsy?
More likely…………………...60%
Less likely…………………..…19%
No difference……………….21%
*Q:* Would you vote against the re-election of a legislator specifically for voting to implement this law?
Yes………………………….25%
No…………………………..56%
Don’t know……………..19%
*Q:* Knowing what you know now, would you support or oppose the Missouri compassionate care act which allows the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Missouri physician?
Support…………………….….67%
Oppose………………………..26%
Don’t know……………….…..7%
*Q:* Recently the Secretary of State approved a Missouri Constitutional amendment for the 2016 ballot. The proposed amendment legalizes marijuana for personal, medical and commercial purposes; releases all person who have non-violent, marijuana related offenses from incarceration, probation and parole, and expunges the records of their offense; and prohibits state funds and law enforcement from being used to enforce federal marijuana laws. Would you vote for or against this proposed constitutional amendment?
Vote for………………………….38%
Vote against……………………46%
Undecided………………………16%
McCaskill Draw Heats For Tweets
Here are her “controversial” tweets from last night’s basketball game…
Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) 11:12 PM
Congrats to Duke, but I was rooting for team who had stars that are actually going to college & not just doing semester tryout for NBA.
11:32 PM
I see I have stirred things up. Sorry, but I'm sad about the one & done thing. I understand why it's happening,but I don't have to like it.
Committee Hearings of Interest - Senate
Tuesday
Judiciary Committee – Noon in Senate Lounge – will hear HCS HB 104 which “prohibits public higher education institutions from denying religious student associations benefits available to other student associations and from discriminating against them;” HB 108 which “establishes a two-year statute of limitations for claims of malpractice or negligence against mental health professionals;” and SB 527 which “specifies that a majority of the circuit and associate circuit judges of the 22nd Judicial Circuit sitting en banc must appoint the sheriff of the City of St. Louis.”
Seniors, Families and Children Committee 2pm in SCR1 – will hear SB 533 which “requires day care centers, preschools, and nursery schools to notify parents, upon request, of whether there are any children attending who are not immunized.”
Wednesday
Transportation Committee – 8:15AM in SCR1 – will hear SB 529 which “allows the concealed carry of firearms on public transportation, including buses and trains, except school buses and Amtrak property.”
Education Committee – 2PM in the Senate Lounge – will hear HB 458 which “modifies provisions relating to school district antibullying policies;” and HCS HBs 578, 574, & 584 which
“requires high school students and students seeking a high school equivalency certificate to receive a passing grade on a basic civics test.”
Progress and Development Committee – 2PM in SCR2 – will hear SB 241 which “prohibits the use of corporal punishment and the use of spanking to discipline students in public schools.”
Committee Hearings of Interest – House
Tuesday
Civil and Criminal Proceedings Committee – 9AM in House Hearing Room 3 – will hear HB 1181 which “specifies that it is a crime for an individual knowingly infected with HIV to intentionally project saliva at another person.”
Elementary and Secondary Education Committee - Upon Conclusion of Afternoon Session in House Hearing Room 3 – will hear HB 960 which “caps school superintendent salaries and requires publication of school employee salaries in local newspapers.”
Wednesday
Health Insurance Committee – 8AM in House Hearing Room 4 – will hear HB 262 which “ requires health benefit plans cover diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders.”
Civil and Criminal Proceedings Committee – Noon in House Hearing Room 1 – will hear SS SCS SB 5 which “modifies distribution of traffic fines and court costs collected by municipal courts.”
New Committees
Tom Hannegan started a campaign committee to run for House 65 as a Republican. Rep. Anne Zerr is term limited. See Hannegan’s Facebook page here. See the committee paperwork here.
Lobbyist Registrations
Rodney Boyd and Brian Grace added Dynamic Fitness Management III LLC.
James Grice added Commerce Tower Group.
Ferdinand Niemann added White Goss, A Professional Corporation.
Martina Johnson added St. Louis Association of Realtors.
Christopher Mason deleted Halcyon Asset Management LLC.
Stephen Drake deleted Christian Science Commitee On Publication For Missouri.
$5K+ Contributions
MO Cable PAC - $15,000 from Missouri Cable Telecommunications Association.
UAW Region 5 Midwest States Political Action Committee - $6,000 from UAW Region 5 Exchange Account.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Ryan Rowden (38).