Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Criminal Record Screening Hurting Labor Market?
There’s an interesting piece in Business Insider today (see it here) about the impact of criminal records on labor force participation. They say that approximately 22% of the US population has a criminal record! And – if employers routinely screen for this and reject those applicants, it could lead to folks getting discouraged and dropping out of the labor market.
Sen. Jamilah Nasheed has two bills related to this. SB 44 would, with some exceptions, prohibit employers considering the criminal records of applicants before hiring. SB 165 would create a process to allow for expungement of some criminal records.
Follow-Up on CEMO
In yesterday’s bit about NRG backing the agenda of Competitive Energy for Missouri (CEMO), I failed to mention that former speaker Steve Tilley is also a lobbyist for CEMO. Tilley also lobbies for FERAF, an indication that the two agendas are not incompatible.
Governing Mag: Renewable Energy A Target
Governing Magazine says that mandates for renewable energy will likely come under attack again at the state level. Read it here. “But in the wake of a Republican wave in several states in November, attacks on renewable energy standards may resurface in Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio, to name a few. At issue for opponents is the cost -- fears that RPS will lead to rate increases for electric customers -- and whether renewable energy should compete with fossil fuels in the free market rather than being mandated by the state… It is still too early to know whether this new round of bills will be successful or not. Either way, they likely won’t be the only legislation taking on energy policy in the states this year. ALEC has introduced new model legislation that would essentially shred Environmental Protection Agency regulations…”
Lobbyist Changes
As we near the session starting line, see lots of changes in lobbyists’ registrations below. One sad change is Ross Nichols ending his lobbyist registration. Nichols has battled brain cancer, and in an end-of-the year post on their blog (see it here), his wife shares that Ross is now on hospice.
12/29/2014
by Nicole Nichols
December 29,2014
Cancer has taught me a lot- more than I ever wanted to know. Not all bad- some really good things.
cancer has taught me...
enjoy the moments
enjoy your people
people are really good at their core
faith is a gift
age is a priviledge
life is precious
friends and family are the foundation you stand on and that support you
and that 14 years of wonderful is better than a lifetime of nothing special.
Rams Move
Here is Governor Jay Nixon’s statement on the possible move of the St. Louis Rams. “St. Louis is an NFL city and I am committed to keeping it that way. I look forward to reviewing the recommendations from Dave Peacock and Bob Blitz later this week and working with the St. Louis community to put forward a plan that's consistent with our principles of protecting taxpayers, creating jobs, and making significant use of private investment to clean up and revitalize underutilized areas.”
Frame for UFCW
From Mike Frame’s Facebook page yesterday: “I'm starting a new chapter in my life. Anyone who knows me, knows I am committed to protecting, fortifying, and expanding the strength soul of our nation; our working middle class. Today, I start as the new Organizing Director for UFCW Local Union #655. I have a feeling my former legislative battles in Missouri House of Representatives will seem like child's play in the near future.”
Bits
The peerless John Combest has links today to archives months from last year. See it here.
MOTimes’ “UnveilinGate” made the top of Jim Romeneskso’s blog yesterday, another indication that the publication has arrived…
In Politico’s article “Secret History of Women in the Senate” US Senator Claire McCaskill recalls being unrecognized by a doorman. Read it here. Even McCaskill, who lauds the progress made over the past three decades, has stories to tell. The first time she tried to venture onto the Senate floor after taking office in 2007, she was barred by a doorman who told her there were no floor passes for staffers. “I said, ‘I think I deserve my floor pass,’” recalls McCaskill. “He was mortified.”
Help Wanted
City of Jefferson seeks Associate City Counselor. “This position will work with the City Counselor in providing legal services to the city elected officials, staff and citizen committees. This position will provide legal advice to city staff on a wide variety of issues, review and draft ordinances, inter-governmental agreements, contracts and other legal documents, represent the city in various legal and administrative actions, research legal issues on various topics and recommend course of action. Will also attend various board and commission meetings regularly and other committee meetings as needed.” See the ad here.
Jefferson City News Tribune seeks Sports Reporter. Seeking sports reporter. “Immediate opening for a reporter to cover high school sports in Missouri’s Capital City. There’s a high interest in sports in Mid-Missouri, with 27 high schools in our coverage area, as well as a Division II university in the city… Salary: $20,000 to $25,000” See the ad here.
National Corn Growers Association seeks Marketing Manager. “Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or Communications preferred. A minimum of 2-4 years of fundraising, grassroots organizing or other relevant experience required. Ag experience a plus. Position is based in Chesterfield, MO (St. Louis area).” See the ad here.
New Committees
Red Light Camera Ban, a political action committee, was formed. Its treasurer is J Wade Luther.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Reps. Sandy Crawford, Tony Dugger & Sue Entlicher Reception – MCUA, 223 Madison, Jefferson City – 4-6 p.m.
Rep. Denny Hoskins Reception – Gumbo Bottoms, 221 Madison, Jefferson City – 5:30-7 p.m.
Lobbyist Registrations
Gregory Porter added ACLU of Missouri
Gregory Porter, Danny Pfeifer, and Alex Eaton added the Vecino Group.
Danny Pfeifer and Alex Eaton deleted Missouri Full Employment Group.
Danny Pfeifer deleted Ashbritt Environmental, Sickle Cell Disease Community Advocates, and Midwest Hemophilia Association.
Kelvin Simmons added Mason Tillman Associates LTD.
Gregory Porter, Danny Pfeifer, Alex Eaton, and Steven Tilley added Missourians for Compassionate Care.
Steven Tilley added St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission.
Trent Watson added Gary Elmestad & Associates.
Richard and Sam Wiles added Carey & Danis LLC.
John Edgar deleted Deffenbaugh Industries Inc.
Dustin Backes deleted RKV Technologies, and Patek & Assocates.
Wayne Goode and Don Downing deleted University of Missouri Board of Curators.
Nagaraj Kunda deleted Brightrock Capital Group Inc.
James Bantham deleted Citigroup Management Corp.
Bruce Beckett deleted Smith Lewis LLP.
Thomas Val Hagar deleted Missouri Manufactured Housing Association.
Ross Nichols deleted Missouri Trucking Association.
Larry Rohrbach deleted Missouri Hospice & Palliative Care Association.
Paul Agathen deleted Missouri Landowners Alliance.
Kim Tuttle, Caorl Kemna, Erika Leonard, Jacqueline Bardgett, and John Bardgett deleted Celgene Corporation.
Patrik Blomdahl deleted IPM Informed Portfolio Management.
Robert Johnson deleted Missouri Energy Group.
Bert Kimble deleted Sunny Solid Waste Service Inc., and Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City.
Katherine Marrs deleted Governmental Service Group Inc.
Tzu-Jing Lu deleted IPM Informed Portfolio Management.
Victor Scott II deleted River City Casino, Ameristar Casino St. Charles Inc, Ameristar Casino Kansas City Inc, and Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.
James Sharp III deleted Rickitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
MO Society of Anesthesiologists Political Committee - $11,000 from Ozark Anesthesia Associates, Inc.
Englund for Lindbergh Schools - $11,423 from Citizens for Vicki Lorenz Englund.
Cunningham Campaign Committee - $5,001 from Friends of Rick Stream.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays to Sen-elect Bob Onder (53), Rep-elect Rob Vascovo (38), Rep. Genise Montecillo (52), Keaveny’s Stacy Morse, former Rep. Mike Daus (41), and Geoff Gerling.