Monday, October 21, 2013
Congressional Leadership PACs
60 Minutes last night ran a piece on the use of “leadership PACs” to circumvent campaign finance laws and allow members of Congress to use funds to “maintain their lifestyle.” See it here.
So I ran a quick search to see which Missouri Representatives have such PACs.
Sam Graves has Show-Me PAC.
Vicky Hartzler has Vicky PAC.
Blaine Luetkemeyer has Building Leadership And Inspiring New Enterprise PAC.
Ann Wagner has Ann PAC.
Former Senator Kit Bond still has a little over $50,000 in Kit PAC.
But none of these seem to contain the egregious malfeasance mentioned in the 60 Minutes report. The only PAC that raises eyebrows is the Arch Leadership PAC. So far this year it’s been paying Debra Carnahan $2,500 a month for “consulting.” Debra is the wife of former Congressman Russ Carnahan.
Rumorville: Parson for Ag?
A tipster says that Sen. Mike Parson is “on the short list for Director of Agriculture Department replacement... With his work on the passage of SB 113 (Prop B fix), Right to Farm Constitutional Amendment, and involvement with Protect the Harvest, Parson has a huge amount of credibility with agriculture community. Would be a great pickup for the Governor if he can convince Parson to forgo the rest of his Senate career to be Director.”
If true, it’s an interesting move by Governor Jay Nixon to seek a Republican senator in a solid GOP district. There’s no obvious political gain…
Casteel’s Announcement
Here’s Chip Casteel’s announcement as sent by email to his colleagues.
After nearly seven years as Senior Vice President of Public Policy for the St. Louis Regional Chamber, the time has come for me to pause, step back and consider possibilities for the future. I look forward to assisting the Chamber with the transition between now and my departure on January 15th. I appreciate the opportunity to serve, as well as the great help and support from our Chamber team and our volunteer leaders. I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish these past several years, but I'm also convinced the Chamber's and the region's best days are still ahead!
Emery Home!
From: Amanda Christian
Date: October 18, 2013, 8:03:32 AM CDT
To: ".All Staff"
Subject: Update on Senator Emery
Senator Emery is expected to leave the hospital today and go home. The bacteria did not damage his heart as expected and he can take his medication by IV at home.
He was in good spirits yesterday and anxious to get back to work. It will be a long process for 6 weeks but encouraging news!!
He does thank everyone for their prayers!!
SNAP Cut Protests
KC Star’s Jason Hancock penned a piece over the weekend looking at the reaction to Governor Jay Nixon’s plan to cut SNAP benefits. See it here.
Pull Quote: “I never would have thought a Democratic governor would contemplate doing something so callous as hurting those who live in poverty’s ability to buy food,” said Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, a St. Louis Democrat. “But you just never know with Nixon. One day he’s a Democrat, the next he’s a Republican.”
Nasheed chairs the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus. They’ll be holding press events today to take up this fight.
“The MLBC will stand in solidarity with the St Louis Baptist Ministers Union, the Kansas City Baptist Ministers Union, the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition, the Missouri Association for Social Welfare and other numerous organizations as the voice that speaks for those who we have pledged to represent and protect… The State of Missouri is proposing to prematurely end the state’s federal waiver that allows adults without dependents to receive food stamps. Missouri and most other states have qualified for the waiver since 2009 because of its unemployment rate.”
Bits
Rep. Rory Ellinger will kick off a round of fundraisers with an event in Kansas City on Wednesday, with other events to follow in the coming weeks in St Charles County where he has practiced law for over 30 years, and Hannibal where he once lived and ran for state representative (losing to in a primary to Steve Carroll). Then in December Russ and Mary Still a Columbia fundraiser where he also lived for some years.
Sen. Jamilah Nasheed is said to have collected around $25K at her birthday fundraiser last week.
$5K+Contributions
MO Right to Life PAC - $15,000 from Fred Sauer.
MO Right to Life PAC - $10,000 from D John Sauer.
Committee to Research Treatments and Cures - $100,000 from Childrens Mercy Hospital.
Citizens for Responsible Research - $17,000 from Brad Bradshaw.
Lobbyist Registrations
From the Pelopidas website:
Karen Strange added Professional Pet Association.
John E Bardgett Jr, Erika Leonard, Brian Millner, John Parris and Kim Tuttle added The Bank of Washington.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Jay Swearingen (47), and KC Realtor’s Derek Ramsey (42).