Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Ameren Strikes Back?
Post-Dispatch’s Jacob Barker has the story. See it here.
Pull Quote: St. Louis-based Ameren filed notice Tuesday it would challenge the Missouri Public Service Commission’s April order that granted the utility a rate increase while allowing Noranda Aluminum to pay less for electricity. Also Tuesday, Noranda disclosed that Ameren intends to let its contract with the New Madrid aluminum smelter expire in 2020, giving the smelter five years to find a new supplier or renegotiate with Ameren.
And
Meanwhile in Jamaica… “Saying that it is wary of the company's ability to pay if allowed to rack up arrears on production taxes on bauxite it ships from the island, the Government of Jamaica has sought a court injunction to stop Noranda from exporting the ore. Or it should pay at the rate the Government says it is contractually obligated to, until their dispute is resolved by arbitration to be held in Bermuda… Noranda yesterday accused the Government of disrupting the arbitration process by seeking a court order to halt its bauxite shipments from Jamaica until the arbitration is concluded.” See it here.
Kinder: We Must Muster Votes
Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder writes an opinion piece in the Daily Caller that Missouri Republican leaders (like himself I would guess) must muster the votes to override Governor Jay Nixon’s presumed veto of the right to work legislation. See it here.
May Revenue Solid
The press release from State Budget Director Linda Luebbering showed solid tax revenue in May. “[F]iscal year-to-date net general revenue collections increased 7.5 percent compared to 2014, from $7.32 billion last year to $7.87 billion this year…. Net general revenue collections for May 2015 increased by 5.7 percent compared to those for May 2014, from $614.4 million to $649.6 million…. Individual income tax collections increased 8.8 percent for the year, from $5.78 billion last year to $6.29 billion this year… (and) increased 12.1 percent for the month.”
PSC Cool to Grain Belt Express
Yesterday in discussion, the Public Service Commission appeared to lean against the Grain Belt Express proposal. Hannibal Courier-Post’s Trevor McDonald has the story here.
Pull Quote: While the commission discussed the Grain Belt Express Clean Line case, the commissioners have not yet cast votes. Public Service Commission spokesperson Kevin Kelly said hearings like this one are open to the public. Before commissioners can formally vote, a regulatory law judge must draft an order related to the case. Once the judge creates the order, commissioners may discuss the order during subsequent hearings before reaching a vote, Kelly said. Representatives from Clean Line Energy Partners were not pleased with the Tuesday discussion, and members of Block Grain Belt Express – an opposition group composed of landowners and farmers in Missouri – declared the hearing’s results a victory.
The Rise of ‘Programmatic’ Advertising?
Ad Age has an article this morning… “Programmatic Buying Coming to the Political Arena in 2016.” See it here.
Pull Quote: Political ad buyers often follow the digital example of their commercial counterparts, and in some cases have even gotten ahead of consumer marketers' tactics. Now political campaigns and advocacy groups seem poised to buy ads through programmatic systems to a much greater degree than in recent election cycles, in this case enabled by the technology's broader acceptance in the general market… Programmatic sometimes refers to automated, audience-based advertising bought through real-time bidding platforms and exchanges… Convincing old-school political media minds to move more money away from traditional TV isn't easy, but there's growing appetite for targeting that employs voter file data and layered-in third-party information.
Cleaver’s Backyard BBQ
This Saturday Congressman Emanuel Cleaver holds his eleventh annual barbeque. Tickets are $100. And the event takes place…. in Cleaver’s backyard. Not too often you get to party in a congressman’s backyard.
Offer Contreras Encouragement
Pat Contreras’ campaign manager Shawn Borich sent an email blast updating followers on the state of the campaign… “We have been getting great traction across Missouri. Kansas City's Mayor Sly James endorsed Pat's campaign. We just got back from a great trip to St. Louis, where Pat taped a TV interview and had some amazing meetings… We are going to keep working hard to make you proud and we appreciate your support. Please take a moment to send Pat a note of encouragement…”
Bryan Cave Shows Danforth the Door
Post-Dispatch’s Lisa Brown has the story. See it here. After Jack Danforth testified at a trial involving a Bryan Cave client, things got ‘uncomfortable’…
Pull Quote: “The trigger for this was the Morriss trial,” Danforth said about his departure from Bryan Cave. “Reuben was one of my very closest friends, and we were in each others’ weddings,” Danforth said. “I helped find legal representation for them, and I testified at the trial. The way I saw it, Barbara Morriss didn’t have any protection, therefore that’s what I had to do.” His testimony included his opinion that Wells Fargo was legally to blame for the Morriss family trusts’ losses… Following the jury’s verdict on May 11 — believed to be the largest plaintiff verdict in St. Louis County history — Bryan Cave’s chairman, Therese Pritchard, called Danforth a week ago to tell him he could no longer keep an office at Bryan Cave, according to Danforth. “It clearly created an uncomfortable situation for Bryan Cave,” Danforth said. “After the jury verdict, they felt it was better that I no longer be there.”
eMailbag on Parson
I agree with the tipster on Mike Parson. Parson has worked hard to make relationships in Sedalia and Lebanon, both out-state and with deep pocket donors. He continues to build on his already impressive network across the state. If he’s raising $40k in Sedalia, that is very impressive!
Help Wanted
Missouri Senate seeks Communications Director “to work in a nonpartisan, fast-paced, multi-faceted legislative environment. This highly responsible professional works to develop, coordinate and direct a diversified information and public relations program. The position oversees the accurate and timely conveyance of traditional communications, such as print, audio and video while incorporating Web and social media outlets that drive information instantaneously to convey the actions and accomplishments of the Senate and its 34-members to constituents and the media.” See the ad here.
Today’s Events
From Mary Scruggs’ indispensable events calendar:
Sen. Paul LeVota Reception “Gridiron Glory: Pro Football Hall of Fame – Union Station – KC – 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Sen. Kurt Schaefer Golf x 2 – The Club at Old Hawthorn or Eagle Knoll.
Lobbyists Registrations
Michael White added White Goss, a Professional Corporation.
Courtney Anvender deleted BJC Healthcare.
$5K+ Contributions
Parson for Governor - $10,000 from Starline.
Freedom Incorporated - $17,500 from Heavy Constructions Association.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to former Reps. Ward Franz (52) and Ray Weter (70), Lynda Brotherton, Parkinson’s Nick Haynes, and Kander’s Abe Rakov.