Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Education to Get Its Reward
Governor Jay Nixon addressing educational leaders yesterday promised that his 2015 budget would include substantially higher funding for education. See the Post-Dispatch article here; and the Missouri Times article here.
Educational organizations were huge supporters of Nixon this summer during his veto session fight over the HB 253 tax cut. The argument was that depriving the state of revenue would have the effect of depriving them of funding. Nixon’s coming full circle now, and promising the dividends of that position.
Peters Baker Tapped for Maryville Role
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker was appointed special prosecutor in the Maryville rape case. Outrage over the case was sparked after a Kansas City Star article which suggested that the charges were dropped because one of the boys was the grandson of a local politician.
AG Watch? Some have mentioned Peters Baker as a potent Democratic attorney general candidate in 2016. This will give her a spotlight to prove her mettle.
Also Just Permanent Interests PAC…
One astute reader pointed out that I missed the leadership PAC of Congressman Lacy Clay: Just Permanent Interests PAC, from which the law office of Michelle Clay is sometimes paid.
And
While we’re on the subject of finances of Congressmen… Tony’s KC yesterday had a bit about Congressman Emanuel Cleaver… “Recently, Kansas City Insiders considered the garnishment order against Congressman Cleaver by way of a judgement for Bank of America following a car wash settlement and it doesn't look good.” See it here.
Another Land Assemblage Push Coming?
One building denizen sees the lobbyist registrations for The Bank of Washington (see below) and imagines it will be part of a “full court press” for the land assemblage tax credits.
In the past few sessions Governor Jay Nixon has hinted distain for the McKee project, so if that’s the case a next session strategy would need to include second floor resistance.
Jewish Light: Court Should Overturn “Bullying” HB 278
St. Louis Jewish Light rips the override of Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of HB 278, the celebrating Christmas law. Read it here.
“This potential mishmash, all opened up because of the inanity of HB278, is likely to waste a whole lot of taxpayer time and money, when the supporters won’t even get the result they seek, which is to elevate Christmas and Christianity above all other religions. If that weren’t really their intent, they wouldn’t have used the bogus trick of tying the statute to federal holidays, of which there is only one that is truly religion specific – Christmas.
“While health care, economic development and social justice concerns fall on deaf ears in Jefferson City, the majority continues to focus on rhetorical trickery to try to further its disrespectful religious bias. The bullying nature of this kind of law cannot be overstated. HB278 is terrible law, and we hope it is judicially overturned at the earliest opportunity.”
White House Interns
The White House Internship Program announced participants for the Fall 2013 session. Here are ones with a local connection…
Nicole Carter - Hometown: Saint Louis, MO; Harvard University, MA
Sonaya Hamza - Hometown: Overland Park, KS; Kansas State University, KS
And
A Skiddie makes it to the White House… Devin Mellor - Hometown: Boothbay Harbor, ME; Skidmore College, NY.
MEC Fines Carpenters
The Missouri Ethics Commission fined the Carpenters’ PAC (CHIPP) $4,100 for failure to file expenditure reports and inaccurate “paid for” disclaimers. See it here. This occurred during the last St. Louis mayoral primary. The Carpenters supported Lewis Reed.
Help Wanted
Congresswoman Ann Wagner and Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer seek interns for the Spring. See it here.
“The office of Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO-02), is seeking unpaid full-time and part-time interns for the Washington, DC office. Interns will gain valuable Hill experience while working to advance Rep. Wagner’s legislative agenda. Intern responsibilities include correspondence with constituents, leading tours of the Capitol, assisting with projects including press and legislative research, and administrative duties as needed. Interns will have the opportunity to attend briefings and hearings on the Hill as well as network and learn from senior staff…”
“Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) is looking for Spring interns for his Washington D.C. office, available to start in January and lasting through May. Applicants should possess conservative values, be personable, and have strong writing skills. Duties include performing administrative tasks, attending Congressional hearings, leading Capitol tours for constituents, and helping legislative staff with research on important projects. Interns will also have the opportunity to work on issues that interest him or her. This position is great for Capitol Hill experience…”
America’s Homeowners Alliance is seeking a webmaster who can manage content needs and post messages daily. Requirements are mastery of WordPress and ability to evolve website into the next level of engagement through posting/design enhancements and some website development. Ideal candidate will have campaign knowledge and understanding and interest in housing policy issues. Compensation according to experience. Send resume to elconsulting@outlook.com.
And in the journo world… Missouri Times seeks Head of Editorial Content; Post-Dispatch seeks Metro Editor; Bryan Cave wants Director of Digital Content; and Southeast Missourian needs Managing Editor.
Tweet of the Day
On September’s employment numbers… “Michael R. Strain @MichaelRStrain: Why go to college? Unemployment rates for: High school dropout = 10.3 HS grad = 7.6 Some college = 6.0 BA or higher = 3.7”
$5K+Contributions
Missouri Farm Bureau’s Fund to Protect Farming & Ranching - $12,500 from Missouri Farm Bureau Federation.
Missourians for Koster - $10,000 from St. Louis Rams.
Stand Up Missouri - $5,875 from Security Group Inc.
Missourians for Safe Transportation & New Jobs Inc. - $11,166 from Industry Advancement Fund.
Committee for Research Treatments and Cures - $25,000 from Burns & McDonnell.
Lewis & Clark Ozarks Mountain Forum - $25,000 from Dwayne Holden.
Lobbyist Registrations
From the Pelopidas website:
Mark J Bruns, Gary Burton, Neal English, Andy Foley, Jim Foley, Chris Liese and Don Soph added The Bank of Washington.
Katharine Marrs added Governmental Services Group Inc.
Larry Rohrbach added Wellcare Health Plans Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Reps. Rocky Miller (48), Caleb Rowden (31), and Chris Kelly (67).