Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Bass Pro: Don’t Override Ag Bills

In a letter dated September 5, Bass Pro CEO John Morris urges the Republican leadership and caucus to let Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of the agriculture bills stand…

The Honorable Speaker Tim Jones,

The Honorable Speaker Pro Tem Denny Hoskins,

The Honorable Majority leader John Diehl:

It has come to my attention that during the legislative session the General Assembly passed two omnibus agriculture bills (House Bill 1326 and Senate Bill 506) that attempt to redefine the term “livestock” in Missouri statues to include captive deer and put them into the same classification as cattle, sheep and chickens.

I understand that Governor Nixon vetoed the Bill from a constitutional perspective as the Missouri Constitution gives the Conservation Commission authority over the management and control of all game and wildlife resources of the State.

White-tailed deer are wildlife, regardless of whether they are held in captivity or are free-ranging. The same is true of other wildlife species held in captivity, such as quail, black bear, mountain lions, timber rattlesnake, raccoons, and squirrels.

Hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation have a significant positive impact on our state’s economy and quality of life. Over half a million citizens go deer hunting every fall throughout Missouri. This has a positive economic impact on our state’s economy and many small businesses. Deer hunting in Missouri generates over $1 billion dollars of business activity annually. That activity results in over $95 million dollars in state and local tax revenue each year.

A major loss to the white-tailed deer population in Missouri would be devastating to our company and to Missouri. White-tailed deer and deer hunting are a multi-generational and important family heritage for many generations of Missouri families.

All white-tailed deer face serious threats from diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The Department has been working diligently to address disease management for white-tailed deer, including regulation changes to help slow the spread and limit the prevalence and impact of diseases such as CWD.

I know the Missouri Department of Conservation is currently taking the pulse of Missouri citizens on policy related to captive deer facilities and shooting preserves. I also know that our citizens are supportive of taking steps to protect our deer population through improved regulations for deer breeding facilities and shooting preserves.

I am very much opposed to the override of the Governor’s veto. An override could put our wild deer population in jeopardy. We can’t take that chance.

Thank you for your consideration.

John L. Morris

Founder/CEO BASS PRO SHOPS

Ferguson Starts Reforming Its Way

Post-Dispatch reports that the Ferguson City Council announced it would modify its traffic court system and institute a Citizen Review Board.  Read it here.  “One of the ordinances that will be introduced tonight ensures court fine revenue stays at or below 15 percent of the city’s total revenue, and that any court revenue over that amount is used for special community projects instead of general revenue uses.”

McCaskill Signs on to Campaign Limits Amendment

The press release: “Aiming to rein in special interest money pouring into campaigns across the country, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today voted to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to restore reasonable limits on money in politics. The Constitutional Amendment would overturn the Supreme Court’s controversial decision in the case Citizens United v. FEC—a ruling that struck down large parts of federal campaign finance law and opened the door to large donations to political campaigns by American and foreign-owned corporations, among others…”

Koster for Englund

Attorney General Chris Koster will headline an event for Rep. Vicki Englund, running for re-election against former Rep. Cloria Brown in a swing district.  So far the district has swung Democratic in presidential cycles and Republican in non-presidential cycles.  Englund is tryng to break that pattern.  The event will be Thursday, September 18 at the home of stalwart Democrats Joan and Phil Barry.

Party Time in KC?

From the Missouri Municipal League’s latest newsletter: “*LIQUOR CONTROL TO CLOSE OFFICE* … Due to the retirement of both the agents working out of the Kansas City Office and recent budget cuts, the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control will be closing the Kansas City Office as of close of business on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014… Until positions are fill there will only be two agents for the entire State of Missouri.”

Bits

CDT’s Rudi Keller writes a very nice profile of retiring state representative Chris Kelly.  See it here.  “Many legislators focus their careers on a single area — legislative topics such as criminal law or budgeting, or political roles such as party leadership. Kelly has specialized in being involved in everything.”

In the lobbyists’ registrations, below, Don Stamper terminated his registration.  He is now at the Department of Economic Development, working as “executive director of the Missouri Community Service Commission, which serves as the administrator of AmeriCorps funding allocated to the state and awards grants to local organizations for the purpose of establishing AmeriCorps programs.”  Read about it here.

Auditor Tom Schweich released an audit accusing the governor’s office of misusing the withhold power.  This has been a constant theme among legislators for the past few years.  Read about it here.

Help Wanted

Missouri Hospital Association seeks Director of Rural Advocacy and Regulation. “The Director of Rural Advocacy and Regulation analyzes the implications of applicable proposed state and federal regulations on member hospitals and manages initiatives concerning the regulation of rural hospital operations. The Director of Rural Advocacy and Regulation reports to the Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs and Senior Vice President of Governmental Relations.”  See the ad.

Missouri Hospital Association seeks Vice President of Policy Development.  “The Vice President of Policy Development is responsible for analyzing legislative and regulatory proposals, researching and crafting advocacy recommendations and proposals and assisting in the implementation of advocacy strategies. The position reports to the Senior Vice President of Governmental Relations…”  See the ad here.

Missouri Medicaid Coalition seeks five Regional Medicaid Organizers.  “The Missouri Medicaid Coalition, along with Jobs with Justice, Missouri Health Care for All, Communities Creating Opportunity, Metropolitan Congregations United and Missouri Rural Crisis Center are seeking five organizers to build capacity, support and action around Medicaid expansion in key areas around the state.  Each organizer will be ‘housed’ in one of the organizations listed below in order to build the long term capacity of that organization, while at the same time working off of a joint coalition plan to pass Medicaid expansion.  Salary: $3,000 per month, insurance stipend, mileage reimbursed.  Status: Temporary, full-time, October 2014-June 2015…” See ad here.

City of Springfield, MO seeks Assistant City Attorney. “Depending upon departmental assignment this position may serve as prosecuting cases filed in Municipal Court, involving violations of City ordinances; or provide a variety of legal services regarding civil issues for assigned departments and/or boards. The current vacancy is at the Springfield-Branson National Airport…  Salary: $43,305 - $58,572…”  See ad here.

White House Honors Missourian

Today the White House will honor local "Champions of Change" who are doing extraordinary work to prepare individuals and communities for disasters and to help build a safer and more resilient nation. Among the honorees is Phil Amtower of Clever, Missouri.  “Phil Amtower is the Emergency Management Director of Christian County, Missouri (MO) and the Task Force Leader for MO Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) 1. Phil started the local county volunteer CERT in 2003 and has since trained over 1,000 volunteers. After seeing several large destructive events in the region, Phil decided to form a regional CERT group, which has since been deployed to Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The team has light search and rescue capabilities, can provide shelter support, and can perform wilderness search and rescues, debris removal, damage assessments, wellness checks, and more.”

Fundraising Calendar

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

Rep. John McCaherty Reception – Bone’s – 6-7:30 p.m.

Rep. Bryan Spencer Reception – Bone’s – 6-7:30 p.m.

Reps. John Diehl, Sue Allen, Tom Flanigan, Mike Leara & Anne Zerr Reception – House Republican Campaign Committee Office – 6-7 p.m.

Reps. Sandy Crawford, Tony Dugger & Sue Entlicher Reception – 106 E. High - JC – 4-6 p.m.

Reps. Kathie Conway, Diane Franklin, Marsha Haefner & Sheila Solon Reception – Gumbo Bottoms – 4:30-6 p.m.

Sen. Eric Schmitt Reception – J Pfenny’s – 4:30-6 p.m.

Reps. Paul Fitzwater, Lyndall Fraker & Craig Redmon Reception – 223 Madison – JC – 5-7 p.m.

Sen. Paul LeVota Reception – Madison’s Café – 5-7 p.m.

Rep. Jeanie Lauer Reception – MCTA Office – 4:30-6 p.m.

Sen. Scott Sifton Reception – Madison’s –7-8:30 p.m.

Speaker Tim Jones Reception – 223 Madison – 7:30-9 p.m.

Reps. Donna Lichtenegger & Kathy Swan Pizza Party – JC Pizza, 1508 E. McCarty – 7-9 p.m.

Sen. Jill Schupp Reception – Madison’s –6-7:30 p.m.

Retirement ice cream party for Larry Rohrbach – Flotron & McIntosh Office – 7-9 p.m.

Rep. Jeff Roorda Reception – KC Police Lodge 99, 527 W 39th – Kansas City – 4-6 p.m.

Lobbyist Registrations

From the Gate Way Group website:

Matthew Lathrop added Yum! Brands Inc.

Don Stamper terminated his lobbyist registration.  His clients were: Con Agg of Missouri LLC., Home Builders Association of Columbia, Emery Sapp and Sons Inc., Columbia Apartment Owners Association, Columbia Board of Realtors, Anna Marie Knipp, Columbia Redi Mix Inc, Central Missouri Development Council, and Boone Quarries.

$5K+ Contributions

Friends of Diehl - $15,000 from AmerenUE.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthdays to former speaker Rod Jetton (47), former senators Delbert Scott (65) and Jack Goodman (41), and lobbyist Jorgen Schlemeier.