Tuesday, June 24, 2014
DED Study: Lack of Medicaid = Fewer Hospital Jobs
The Department of Economic Development’s research arm, The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) has released a report on employment in Missouri’s healthcare industry, blaming the lack of Medicaid expansion as a cause for tepid growth.
“Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released last Friday show that employment in Missouri’s Healthcare and Social Assistance industry is growing at less than half the rate of the average growth in peer states that have expanded Medicaid. The Healthcare and Social Assistance industry in Missouri is the state’s largest employing sector, providing jobs to 1 in 6 workers in the private sector and paying an average wage of just over $41,300 in 2013. Hospitals, which account for just fewer than 125,000 jobs, paid an average wage of $51,280 in the same year…
Over the first five months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, the states that expanded Medicaid had increased Healthcare and Social Assistance employment that averaged 2.1% whereas the peer states that had not expanded Medicaid by June 2013 averaged a growth rate of 0.7%. Missouri’s Healthcare and Social Assistance industry employment growth was at 1.0%, which was less than half the 2.1% average growth experienced by peer states that expanded Medicaid.” Read the report here.
More Transportation Tax Money
In the large contributions, another $270K hits the coffers of the campaign to pass the transportation sales tax. The largest of yesterday’s large checks was $160K from the Heavy Contractors.
Nixon Bully Pulpit
According to a press advisory, Governor Jay Nixon will visit EducationPlus (nee Coopertaing School Districts of St. Louis) today to talk about his SB 493 (student transfer bill) veto.
Last Week of the Quarter
The fundraising quarter closes at the end of the month. Here are some of the final week emails hitting in-boxes…
Jill Schupp
One opponent received a $25,000 check from Missouri's single largest donor, another opponent received $50,000 from a single donor, and the third Republican opponent just gave himself $50,000. Those are some big checks! The fundraising quarter ends in just one week, on June 30th. People will be watching to see if we can compete with the mega checks collected by my opponents. With your help, we can!
Vicki Englund
During this past legislative session, I was targetted by the Majority Party. I stood up to crazy, outlandish tax cut proposals that would bankrupt our state and our education system. When I voted NO on Senate Bill 509, robocalls were sent into my district lying about my vote. My constituents were told I had voted to INCREASE their taxes. My one goal is to return to Jefferson City to keep standing up to this nonsense. Enough is enough. I need your help to finish out this fundraising quarter strong. There is only ONE WEEK LEFT before this key fundraising quarter is over.
Cardetti on Politically Speaking
Lobbyist. consultant Jac Cardetti is the latest guest on the mighty Jason Rosenbaum’s Politically Speaking podcast. Listen to it here. Unfortunately, like the spokesperson that he is, Cardetti says nothing very interesting…
St. Louis City Bits
Boyd’s Big Host Committee
Alderman Jeffrey Boyd’s host committee for his License Collector fundraiser tomorrow night starts with Mayor Francis Slay, Collector of Revenue Gregory Daly, and Sheriff Jim Murphy, includes Reps. Mike Colona, Kim Gardner, Jake Hummel and Josh Peters, 17 aldermen, and donors like Thompson Coburn’s Tom Minoque, Kevin Riggs, Steve Stogel, Steve Stone, and Kim Tucci.
McFowland Says Recorder of Deeds Should Resign
Democratic challenger Edward McFowland sent an email to the St. Louis Democratic City Central Committee explaining that he was calling on incumbent Recorder of Deeds Sharon Carpenter to resign. McFowland alleges that Carpenter violated nepotism laws by hiring “a family member with public funds entirely under her control. From 2010 to 2012, during two summers and two weeks in a winter, Sharon paid over $12,000 from the Recorder’s Technology and Preservation Fund to Rudy Brynac for ‘temporary employment’ in her Archives Department. Rudy Brynac is the grandson of Ronnie Brynac, Sharon’s sister, making him the Recorder’s great-nephew, a fourth degree relation according to the Missouri Ethics Commission… The final letter I delivered today was to Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, explaining the situation and providing her with the check numbers, dates, and amounts, and requesting that she proceed with quo warranto removal of Sharon in the event she does not resign.”
Hewitt Contra Messenger
Hugh Hewitt – who I’ve never actually heard of – is able to get under Post Dispatch’s Tony Messenger’s skin in a radio interview about Messenger’s decision to cut the George Will column from their paper. Messenger ends the interview by hanging up on Hewitt…
You can listen to it here. Or see the transcript here.
Help Wanted
Missouri Public Service Commission seeks Senior Counsel. “Duties include: litigation of public utility cases (telecommunications, electric, natural gas, water and sewer) before the PSC on behalf of Commission Staff. Cases involve matters such as utility rates, utility operation financing, mergers and regulatory law enforcement of Commission rules and laws… Starting salary range: $54,864 - $57,168…” See the ad here.
Fundraising Calendar
Today’s fundraising events from Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Rep. John Diehl Golf – Crown Pointe Golf Club, Farmington.
Rep. Jeff Roorda Reception – St. Louis Police Officers Assn, 3710 Hampton, St. Louis - 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Rep. Lincoln Hough Reception – 400 E. Walnut, Apt. 300, Springfield.
Lobbyist Registrations
From the Gate Way Group website:
Erika Leonard added Logisticare Solutions LLC.
Steven R Carroll deleted Medical Solutions Supplier, and Missouri American Water.
$5K+ Contributions
Citizens to Elect John Bailey - $50,000 from The Missouri Club for Growth PAC.
Wieland Now - $15,000 from Missouri Senate Campaign Committee.
Glazer’s Missouri PAC - $50,000 from Glazer’s Wholesale Drug Co., Inc.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City Political Action Committee for Missouri - $75,000 from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.
Missouri Farmers Care - $25,000 from Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.
MO State Teachers Assoc Legislative Impact Co - $10,000 from Southwest Region MSTA.
MO State Teachers Assoc Legislative Impact Co - $40,000 from Southwest Region MSTA.
Citizens to Elect Mike Kehoe - $10,000 from Dealers Interested in Government.
Missourians for Safe Transportation & New Jobs Inc - $25,000 from DeLong’s Inc.
Missourians for Safe Transportation & New Jobs Inc - $25,000 from N.B. West Contracting Co.
Missourians for Safe Transportation & New Jobs Inc - $20,000 from Phillips Hardy.
Missourians for Safe Transportation & New Jobs Inc - $12,500 from Twehous Excavating Company Inc.
Missourians for Safe Transportation & New Jobs Inc - $10,000 from SRA Insurance Agency LLC.
Missourians for Safe Transportation & New Jobs Inc - $10,000 from Vance Brothers.
Missourians for Safe Transportation & New Jobs Inc - $7,500 from Branco Enterprises Inc.
Missourians for Safe Transportation & New Jobs Inc - $160,000 from Industry Advancement Fund/Heavy Contractors Association.
Missouri Farmers Care - $8,000 from Missouri Corn Merchandising Council.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays to Reps. Kevin Austin (49) and Shelley Kenney, Alex Curchin (40), and former Rep. Dani Moore (68).