Friday October 25, 2013
Barnes Outlines Concepts
In a blog post yesterday Rep. Jay Barnes offered some statutory changes concerning managed care and cost sharing that he will be looking at for his “Medicaid Transformation” legislation next session. See them here.
Barnes writes that “the inclusion of this proposal does not mean I or the committee will necessarily be endorsing it for passage by the General Assembly. What it does mean is that it contains key concepts which I believe should be discussed for Medicaid Transformation.”
Nixon Reverses Course on SNAP Cuts
Yesterday Governor Jay Nixon reversed course and announced he had withdrawn his proposal to cut the amount of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) the state would accept from the federal government.
The statement: “Ensuring state-administered food assistance programs operate as effectively and efficiently as possible is an important priority of my administration. With greater certainty about what the federal funding level for the food stamp program will be after last week’s budget agreement, we have made a determination that the appropriate course of action is to maintain the policy that is currently in place.”
Observers were scratching their heads at the reversal. Some felt that the “lefties” had brought enough angst to the second floor to force the change, in particular Sen. Jamilah Nasheed’s threat to start zap gubernatorial appointments in the Senate. Another wondered if it was political schizophrenic: first-term Jay wrestling with second-term Jay…
Green Gets New Position
The release: “The Electrical Connection, your source for expert electricians and quality electrical contractors in Eastern Missouri has appointed Timothy Green to the position of Director of Governmental Relations.
“In his new position Mr. Green will be responsible for constantly monitoring and lobbying legislative proposals at the local municipal, county, regional and state government levels. His duties will require continual marketing of St. Louis NECA contractors, assisting contractors and IBEW Local One members with issues that arise with State and Local Governments, and promoting policies that increase construction opportunities and create jobs in the IBEW Local One jurisdiction. With unions facing a continual-onslaught of attacks, this position’s vigilance in policing proposed policies is critical to insuring IBEW/NECA contractors stay competitive in the construction-market…
“The St. Louis Electrical Connection is a partnership between the St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union One.”
St. Louis City Bits
Mayoral Primary Payback Time? Word is that St. Louis 15th Ward Alderwoman Jennifer Florida will soon announce a challenge to Board President Lewis Reed, 2015 March Democratic Primary. Florida was re-elected to her seat this past spring with 62% of the vote. Reportedly she’s been dialing for dollars but yet to convert her alderman account, which in October reported $6,922 on hand and no debt. Florida married Stephen Gregali this summer. In 2012, Gregali stepped down as 14th Ward Alderman to become special assistant to Mayor Francis Slay. Reed ran against Slay in the spring primary with Slay winning 54% to Reed’s 44%. In Florida’s ward, Slay won with 65%, despite her ward organization endorsing Reed.
St. Louis City has hired former Cole County Assessor Shawn Ordway to fill the position of Deputy Assessor under new Assessor Freddie Dunlap, the City’s former Supply Commissioner. Both Assessor and Supply Commissioner are appointed by Mayor Francis Slay. Ordway, a Democrat, was elected Assessor twice but resigned in 2007 to work for the Missouri Tax Commission. He is a past president of the Missouri State Assessors Association and past board member of Missouri Association of Counties.
eMailbag: Drebes Overestimates Limbaugh
“I am a loyal Limbaugh listener and even if he endorsed Kinder, I am and would be with Jason Smith. The new generation of fiscal conservatives is here and must not be underestimated.”
$5K+Contributions
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City Political Action Committee for Missouri - $83,000 from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.
Rockwood Labor Club - $9,100 from Rockwood Labor Club Tug-O-War Committee.
Citizens for Responsible Research - $8,300 from Brad Bradshaw.
MO Cable PAC - $19,000 from Missouri Cable Telecommunications Association.
Committee for Research Treatments and Cures - $10,000 from Tension Envelope Corporation.
Committee for Research Treatments and Cures - $10,000 from The Health Alliance of Midamerica.
Committee for Research Treatments and Cures - $7,500 from Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas City.
Committee for Research Treatments and Cures - $10,000 from Kansas City Chiefs Football Club.
Lobbyist Registrations
From the Pelopidas website:
Mark J Rhoads added The Bank of Washington.
Steven Tilley added Phoenix Home Care.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Pete Rothschild.
Saturday: Ruth Ehresman (66).
Sunday: Rep. Jay Houghton (47).