Thursday, December 27, 2013

Sinquefield Plays Santa to Reformers

On Christmas eve, Rex Sinquefield sent $750K to Teachgreat.org.  See the website here.

It’s the organization to support the initiative petition which would change the state constitution to weaken teacher tenure.

It would

·         ensure teachers are evaluated based on an objective measure: their students’ academic growth;

·         protect great teachers and their students by requiring teachers to be dismissed, retained, demoted, promoted, and paid primarily using quantifiable student performance data as part of the evaluation system;

·         end the unfair “last-in-first-out” rule, which often means that effective teachers are let go, while ineffective teachers stay;

·         require teachers to enter into contracts of three years or fewer with public school districts, so that their performance can be re-evaluated as it would be in any other profession; and

·         protect the rights of educators to collectively bargain for salary, benefits, and working conditions.

Nixon Plays Santa

Governor Jay Nixon released $40 million of withholds.  See the KWMU article here.  (Thanks to the peerless John Combest).

MOScout Readers’ Polls

First, the results from Tuesday’s poll.

Power Move 2013

John Diehl – Speaker-designee… 38.64%

Tim Jones – He did it his way... 4.55%

Jay Nixon – Second term Jay… 19.32%

Jason Smith – Congressman for life...  37.50%

Readers’ picks: Francis Slay, Chris Koster, Ryan Silvey and Todd Richardson.

Quixotic Legislator 2013

Jay Barnes… 60%

Joe Keaveny… 7.78%

Mike Kehoe… 32.22%

Best Positioning for 2014

Chuck Gatschenberger – Senate 2… 8.99%

Jill Schupp – Senate 24… 60.67%

Tom Schweich – Auditor… 28.09%

Jay Swearingen – Auditor… 2.25%

Readers’ picks: Republican House Majority, and Jeff Roorda.

Best Positioning for 2016

Barry Aycock… 2.17%

Tim Jones… 10.87%

Chris Koster… 80.43%

John Lamping… 1.09%

Jean Peters Baker… 5.43%

Best Landing

Jane Cunningham – Monarch Fire Board… 28.17%

Josh Haynes – Jason Smith’s right hand… 50.70%

Randy Turner – Inside Joplin blog… 21.13%

Readers’ picks: Commissioner Luann Ridgeway, Judge Rob Mayer, Director Ryan McKenna, General Counsel Ted Wedel, Public Radio reporters Jo Mannies and Jason Rosenbaum, and StudentsFirst Kit Crancer.

And here’s today’s poll…  See it here…  Enjoy…

Help Wanted

AP seeks a temporary Jefferson City reporter (beginning 1/6/14, for 19 weeks).  “Candidates should have demonstrated excellence as a beat reporter, and have a proven record of developing sources, breaking news, originating story ideas and writing about complex issues in a clear and engaging way.”  See the ad here.

Minority Leader Jake Hummel seeks chief of staff.  “This is a highly professional position responsible for assisting and advising House minority leadership on legislative, policy and legal matters which may impact legislation pending in the General Assembly.”   See the ad here.

The House seeks a Reading Clerk.  “This position requires a clear, precise speaking voice, the ability to work well under pressure, good organizational skills and basic computer skills.”  See the ad here.

The House seeks an administrative assistant for House research.  “The position is responsible for editing and proofing bill summaries for accuracy, consistency and ease of understanding by legislators and the general public prior to publication; updating and maintaining the House Internet bill tracking system; assisting legislative analysts with preparation of reports; and miscellaneous other administrative functions in support of House Research.”  See the ad here.

$5K+Contributions

Missourians for Excellence in Government - $25,000 from Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield.

Teachgreat.org - $750,000 from Rex Sinquefield.

Lobbyist Registrations

From the Pelopidas website:

Brent Hemphill and Kristian Starner deleted Pelopidas LLC; and added Gate Way Group.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Reps. Stanley Cox (64), and Todd Richardson (37).