Thursday, March 27, 2014
Just bits this morning…
Why Stream Loses
Although some Republican argue that Rep. Rick Stream has a chance to win the St. Louis County Executive race, their scenarios sound unlikely. They involve a series of conditions that need to be met for it to happen (Charlie Dooley win primary, but has reputation in tatters and is unable to reload his war-chest, a strong Republican year with nothing on the ballot to turn out Dems…)
On the other hand, the explanation why Stream will lose is much more succinct and therefore more persuasive. In the very strong Republican year of 2010, a credible well-funded candidate, Bill Corrigan, couldn’t beat Dooley. The County is even more Democratic now, and the year won’t be as good for the GOP.
Unions Rally
Unions rallied at the capitol yesterday. The show of force comes as rumors circulated that the latest whip count on right to work in that chamber has fallen below the 82-vote threshold for passage.
Sean McGarvey, President of the North America’s Building Trades Unions, was in the building. And with that sort of national attention being focused on Missouri, I can’t imagine that the national AFL-CIO doesn’t already have people on the ground in the state, organizing in case the issue does make it to the ballot.
Loesch’s Empty Primary Threat
Ah the trip down memory lane… Tea Party Dive Dana Loesch and Rep. Jay Barnes in an exchange on her radio show in November 2012.
Barnes: “Dana, all the arguments are made are counterfactual.... I’m dealing with facts… What matters is what the bill actually says… You want me to cite you the statute in federal law?.. If you want to live in a fantasy world… You want to ignore the underlying facts of the law.”
Loesch: “And I will work to primary you out of office. I will work to primary you out of office. That is the consequence… And that is why I am going to primary this man…”
Rep. Jay Barnes is unopposed in the primary and general.
The Fifth Telecom Bill
Of Sen. Brad Lager’s five telecom bills, four were signed by the governor last week, but one is languishing in the House. SB 652 is on the calendar but hasn’t been brought up for debate.
It deals with railroad right of ways. Last year there were lobbyists for an out-of-state firm who worked against the measure as written, but they are no longer working the case. So it’s unclear what’s stalling the fifth bill.
Senate Passes Tax Cut
Senate finally moved Sen. Will Kraus’ big tax cut bill. See Virginia Young’s story here.
Pull Quote: Breaking a months-long stalemate, Missouri’s Republican state senators coalesced Wednesday night behind an income tax cut that could reduce state revenue by about $500 million annually. The bill would gradually cut the top personal income tax rate to 5.5 percent from 6 percent. The cut would take effect in increments of 0.10 percentage points over five years. Another key provision would phase in a 25 percent deduction, in 5 percent steps, for business income reported on individual tax returns.
Consent Calendar in Senate
The Senate’s Rule 45 says that no House bill will be placed on the Senate Consent Calendar after April 15. Right now there are no House bill on the Senate’s Consent Calendar, perhaps an indication that they haven’t focused on House consent bills yet. Or that the House standard for consent is different than the Senate standard, and they won’t breeze through the consent process without further scrutiny.
Filing News
Jason Buckley withdrew from House 15. That leaves Rep. Jon Carpenter unopposed now in both the primary and the general.
In House 72, the Republican candidate, Paul Berry, is said to be rock and roll great Chuck Berry’s nephew. Will we see the duck walker put on a concert for his kin? Berry is running against Rep. Mary Nichols.
Lobbyist Registrations
From the Gate Way Group website:
James C. Bowers Jr. added Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences.
Richard McIntosh added Intralot Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
Citizens for Torpey - $5,001 from Friends of Jay Barnes.
House Republican Campaign Committee – $5,000 from Citizens for Morris.
House Republican Campaign Committee – $5,000 from Friends to Elect Bill Lant.
House Republican Campaign Committee – $5,000 from Friends of Jay Barnes.
House Republican Campaign Committee – $5,000 from Citizens to Elect Susan Allen.
House Republican Campaign Committee – $5,000 from Citizens for Hinson.
House Republican Campaign Committee – $5,001 from Citizens for Rocky Miller.
House Republican Campaign Committee – $5,001 from Committee To Elect Tom Flanigan.
House Republican Campaign Committee – $7,500 from Missouri for Charlie Davis.
House Republican Campaign Committee – $8,000 from Donna Lichtenegger.
House Republican Campaign Committee – $10,000 from People For Solon.
House Republican Campaign Committee – $10,000 from Missourians for Mike Cierpiot.
House Republican Campaign Committee – $10,000 from Friends of Todd Richardson.
House Republican Campaign Committee – $100,000 from Friends of Diehl.
Citizens for Steve Stenger - $8,500 from Jefferson Barracks Marine Service Inc.
Committee to Elect Lauren Arthur - $5,005 from Committee to Elect Jon Carpenter.
Friends of Bob Cirton - $5,918 from Jerry Sumners.
Sanders for Jackson County - $10,000 from Polsinelli.
Sanders for Jackson County - $10,000 from Charles Laue.
Sanders for Jackson County - $6,000 from Donald Hall.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Reps. Mike Leara (54) and Mike Kelley (39).
Congratulations
Congratulations to Sen. David Sater’s Tucker Jobes and wife Megan on the birth of their daughter McKenna Laine Jobes - 8 lbs 2 oz and 21 inches long.