Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Rumorville: Kalmer to Auditor’s Office?
Rumor is that Emily Kalmer is headed to the Auditor’s office. It’s said she’s been tapped by Auditor Nicole Galloway to lead the office’s legislative and policy efforts. Currently Kalmer is Governor Jay Nixon’s deputy legislative director.
Eigel Adds $100K into Senate 23
In the large contributions (below), Bill Eigel ups the ante in Senate 23, putting $100,000 of his own dough into what is becoming one of the hottest Republican primaries of 2016.
Weeks ago, Rep. Mark Parkinson added $50K of his own money; and Rep. Anne Zerr had a significant fundraising lead as of the April quarter numbers.
The July quarter ends next week, so we might see a crunch of big checks over the next seven days.
MO Freedom’s Scorecard
Missouri Freedom released their scorecard of how legislators voted on key issues for their agenda during the past session. See it here.
Five House members – all Republican – scored a perfect 100 rating. They were: Reps. Shamed Dogan, Justin Hill, Delus Johnson, Mark Parkinson, and Jered Taylor. Rep. Ben Harris was the highest scoring Democrat (62.07) with Independent Keith English scoring 75.86. Rep. Ron Hicks was the lowest scoring Republican at 51.72.
Progress KC Borrows Page From GrowMO?
Progress KC, a lefty group, with Matt Dameron as treasurer recently sent mailers that are reminiscent of Rex Sinquefield’s Grow Missouri mailers a cycle ago. They say “we wukk ve reviewing these records after the election to determine whether you joined your neighbors in voting…”
Dameron was previously a staffer with Attorney General Chris Koster.
It appears they are looking at every angle to prime 2016 turnout….
Follow-Up on Young’s Jeff City Story
LeVota Statement
Phil LeVota emailed an 800-word statement denying the incident with Brittany Burke that she told the Jefferson City police during their investigation… “I want to state definitively that any allegations of wrongdoing regarding me are false and complete lies... For the record, the only relationship I ever had with Ms. Burke was a professional one as her lawyer in one instance of handling a speeding ticket for her and nothing else. We have never had any sort of relationship outside of that nor have I ever pursued one…”
Post-Dispatch Statement
Post editor Christopher Ave responds to criticism of running the Burke-Diehl story… “Given the current climate in Jefferson City following the recent intern sexting scandal involving Diehl, we felt this story continued to reveal the behavior of public officials and those who play a role in state government. Virginia's story disclosed that an aide to Missouri's Democratic governor and the Republican House leader had been engaged in an affair during a legislative session. That raises questions about the impact of such a relationship on public business…” See it here.
eMailbag
I totally agree with the RFT. Even if they were going to write that, they should not have used her name, even though insiders would have still known who it was.
Tax Cut for Growth Committee
A new campaign committee was formed, Tax Cut For Growth. Its treasurer is Brad Ketcher. (See his company website here.) The paperwork filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission says that the committee is in support of a statewide “targeted tax cut” for the November 2016 ballot.
JAMI: Thanks Gov!
On Facebook, Sen. Jamilah Nasheed celebrates funding: I am proud to announce that today, the Governor released an additional $400,000 I put in the budget for math and science tutoring.
George on Education Funding
UMSL Chancellor Tom George did an interview with St. Louis on the Air. See the story here.
It was an example of the paradox many observers make regarding the medical industry or higher education, where there are seemingly omnipresent cranes and constant building, while also a consistent pleading for more dollars.
When George points out that they have more capital construction in the history of the university… an optometry building, new fitness center, new business building – all state of the art with all the “bells and whistles,” host Don Marsh comments that it sounds like you are “awash in cash.” George replies “we really don’t have the money,” but they also just bought a golf course because it was a “good deal” and we can extend our “footprint and maintain green space.”
White House to Honor Crosslin
The press release: On Thursday, June 25th, the White House will recognize ten individuals who are making a difference in the lives of refugees in the United States and abroad as World Refugee Day “Champions of Change.” The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White House to feature individuals doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities….
Anna Crosslin has served as President and CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis (IISTL) for nearly 37 years. Founded in 1919, the IISTL is the region’s Welcoming Center for New Americans. The Institute provides integrative services to 7,500 clients annually from 80 countries. IISTL’s services include Missouri’s largest refugee resettlement program with 600 refugees sponsored annually, and the organization has helped start or expand more than 600 refugee-owned businesses since 1999. Anna has also been instrumental in the founding and operation of the St. Louis Mosaic Project, a nationally-recognized multi-sector led immigration attraction initiative. Born in Tokyo and raised in America, Anna is uniquely aware of the challenges that language and culture present to refugee newcomers.
Today
Municipal elections in Kansas City today. No upsets expected.
eMailbag: On Basye and Flag
What of tone deaf comment from Rep. Chuck Basye? Between him Rep. Jeff Pogue and a few others they should seriously start a 1800s caucus.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Capitol Com. Golf Classic – Osage National Golf Course – Osage Beach – 11AM
Lobbyists Registrations
Noel Charshe added Aegerion Pharmaceuticals.
Andrew Blunt and Jay Reichard added Caremed Pharmaceuticals.
Tim Green added Arnold and Associates; and deleted Weis Design Group.
$5K+ Contributions
Koster for Missouri - $10,000 from United Food & Commercial Workers District Union Local Two.
MO Democratic State Committee - $10,000 from CHIPP Political Account.
MO Republican Party - $10,000 from Anheuser Busch Companies.
Lewis & Clark Ozarks Mountain Forum - $25,000 from Positronic Industries.
Grietens for Missouri - $50,000 from Frank Kavanaugh.
Eigel for Missouri - $100,000 from William Eigel.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Reps. Nick King and Kevin Engler (56), Steve Harmon (52) and Rachel Hassani.