Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Follow-Up on RSLC $$$ to Stumpe

The Republican State Leadership Committee, which just plowed money into the 19th Circuit judicial race, has some ties to Missouri.  Two intriguing connections are: Speaker Tim Jones and donor Rex Sinquefield.

Jones sit on the executive committee of one of its sub-groups – Republican Legislative Campaign Committees.  If RSLC is coming in with six-figures for a judge, one wonders how much they’ll plop down for a Jones statewide contest.

Sinquefield has been a donor in the past to RSLC.  He gave $475,000 to them two years ago, so one reader wonders if he’s giving again this year, and if this money is Rex-targeted since those “interested in Cole County judges (are) those whose ballot initiatives and referenda are headed for the ballot.”

MO Club’s New Secret Donor Situation

Rex Sinquefield has been up-front about his enormous appetite for political spending.  But in the latest Missouri Club for Growth ad, which has previously been almost entirely funded by Sinquefield, they’ve decided to hide their donors.

Jo Mannies (read it here) quotes Todd Abrajano, a “consultant,” saying that they’re hiding their donors on purpose so they can’t be a target.

One wonders if this will provide the legislature with the backbone to close the anonymity loophole in the campaign finance laws.  Republicans have long argued that transparency was the key to our no-limits system.  However they have conveniently ignored the trick of creating a non-profit (which doesn’t have to report its donors) and then funneling the cash through it.

Because Missouri Club for Growth had the audacity to attack Republican incumbents in August, perhaps they will take this violation of the spirit of law seriously now.

Perhaps not….

Rumorville: Koster Maxwell Sit

Attorney General Chris Koster and former lieutenant governor Joe Maxwell were spotted having lunch yesterday in Columbia at Booches. Maxwell made a fuss when Koster endorsed the Amendment 1 right to farm proposal, and started talking of a spoiler gubernatorial run.  One tipster thinks Koster sees value in Maxwell though and “potential discussions might have include Maxwell for AG? Lt. Gov?..”

Boeing to Land 700 Jobs in St. Louis

The press release: “Gov. Jay Nixon joined legislative leaders and Boeing officials today to announce the creation of up to 700 jobs in St. Louis to build parts for the 777X, Boeing's next generation commercial aircraft. Today's announcement marks the first time Boeing has brought commercial aircraft production to St. Louis and strengthens the State of Missouri's long-standing partnership with Boeing to position its St. Louis operations to compete for future commercial and defense opportunities…”

Big Winners: The EcoDevo chairs.  In the Senate, Sen. Eric Schmitt; and in the House Rep. Anne Zerr.  They’ll both have something tangible to show constituents – and donors in the business community.

But

Rep. Jay Barnes tweets that the jobs bonanza is not directly related to the special session… “Special session legislation very likely does not apply to recent Boeing announce, despite Gov. Nixon claims. Read: http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C600-699/6200002475.HTM”

“Good news on new jobs announcement - but major question over applicability of spec. legislation -Gov. can't just re-write the law on his own”

“Boeing would still be eligible for benefits, but it would count against global cap on so-called jobs tax credits”

Koster: No Appeal on Gay Marriage

Public Radio reports that AG Chris Koster won’t appeal the KC judge’s ruling allowing gay marriages from other states to be recognized here.  Read it here.  Pull Quote: "Our national government is founded upon principles of federalism – a system that empowers Missouri to set policy for itself, but also obligates us to honor contracts entered into in other states," Koster said in a statement.  Missouri's future will be one of inclusion, not exclusion."

Meanwhile

Missouri Family Policy Council’s Joe Ortwerth prepares for the freak-out… “The news that Missouri families have feared has now come to pass…”

New Stenger Ad

Steve Stenger’s new TV ad in the St. Louis County Executive is one part defense, and one part offence.  He starts saying he’s a CPA and will do a full audit of the county to eliminate waste (translation: I’m not Charlie Dooley); then he hits Rick Stream on his voting record in Jefferson City again.  See it here.

Help Wanted

Missouri Community College Association is looking for a new executive director as Zora Mulligan moves on… “MCCA’s mission is to provide advocacy, education, information, and networking opportunities for Missouri’s community colleges.  It is an individual and institutional membership organization. The ideal candidate will have: Familiarity with and understanding of the mission of community colleges.  Knowledge of statewide higher education issues and experience working with higher education institutions. Understanding of state and federal political processes...”  See the ad here.

ACLU is looking for a lobbyist.  “The term of the contract will be for a six month period – to begin in Fall 2014 and continue through the 2015 Missouri legislative session. The contract can be renewed or extended on an as-needed basis…. Assist ACLU Direct of Advocacy and Policy in: Developing short-term legislative agenda and issue advocacy plans in the area of constitutional rights and civil liberties… Monitoring and tracking state legislation and policy/initiatives specifically relating to ACLU-MO civil liberties issues… Crafting legislative strategy, executing lobby meetings, and delivering written and oral testimony on behalf of ACLU…”  See the ad here.

eMailbag on Diehl

“Rep. John Diehl is handling his own campaign like he handles anything else...by not taking anything or anyone for granted. This campaign, like each of his campaigns before, is no exception. He working hard and is running is campaign in a way that will help turnout voters for Republicans throughout the region and state.  As for the negative mail...check your sources. Flat wrong.”

Fundraising Calendar

Today’s fundraising events from Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:

Rep. Mike Bernskoetter Pork Steak Dinner – Wardsville Lions Club, 3505 Rt. M – 4:30-7 p.m.

Rep. Paul Wieland Reception – River City Casino & Hotel, the Mtg. Rm. – 5-7:30 p.m.

Rep. Michele Kratky Reception – StL Police Officers Assn., St. Louis – 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Sen. Mike Parson Reception – Sunset Country Club, St. Louis County – 5:30-7 p.m.

Lobbyist Registrations

From the Gate Way Group website:

Richard M AuBuchon deleted Hunt Midwest, Consumer Electronics Association, St. Louis Zoo, Britton Group LLC, Express Scripts, Missouri Rental Dealers Association, EMass, Missouri Association of Electric Cooperatives, Missouri land Title Association, Missouri Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors, R.L. Polk & Co, Sonny’s Solid Waste Service Inc, Motion Picture Association of America, Missouri Dairy Products Association, Anheuser Busch Inc, AuBuchon Law Firm LLC, Luxottica Retail, Community Associations Institute, Entertainment Software Association, BNSF Railway Company, Enterprise Holdings Inc, and Missouri Housing Authorities.

Charles E Giger added Hirner Associates LLC/

Rodney R Hubbard deleted Missouri Deer Association, and Best Friends Animal Society.

Lacie L Shook deleted Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.

Anne Silea deleted Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri, and Adoption and Foster Care Coalition of Missouri.

Harry Styron deleted Tri-State Water Resource Coalition.

David Winton and Scott Penman deleted Missouri Retailers Association.

$5K+ Contributions

MO Democratic State Committee - $50,000 from Claire McCaskill.

Jackson County Democratic Committee - $10,000 from Sanders for Jackson County.

Citizens to Elect John Wright - $45,000 from John Wright Farms LLC.

Laclede Political Action Committee - $50,000 from Laclede Gas Company.

MO Democratic State Committee - $50,000 from Committee to Elect Jeff Roorda.

MO Democratic State Committee - $6,550 from Fauss Campaign Fund.

Citizens for a Better Columbia - $10,000 from Plaza Commercial Realty.

Citizens for a Better Columbia - $10,000 from Harold E Johnson Companies Inc.

Citizens for a Better Columbia - $10,000 from  Mid-City Lumber Co.

Citizens for a Better Columbia - $10,000 from Tompkins Homes.

Citizens for a Better Columbia - $10,000 from Emery Sapp and Sons.

Citizens for a Better Columbia - $10,000 from Jennifer Bukowsky.

Citizens for a Better Columbia - $10,000 from  Robert Pugh.

MO Republican Party – $32,106 from Wieland Now.

MO Republican Party - $300,000 from HRCC Inc.

Schupp for Senate - $11,648 from Missouri Democratic State Committee.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthdays to former Rep. Zach Wyatt-Gomez (30), Kenny Ross (30), Jeff Harris (the big 5-0), and Sam Barbee.