Monday, May 20, 2013

May 20

Monday morning after session = cleaning out the in-box…

Carpenters Start PAC?

The Committee to Protect MO Families (see it here) files with the Missouri Ethics Commission. The address it lists is the Carpenters’ Hall in St. Louis, and the treasurer is Martin Walter, general counsel for the Carpenters…

Three Reasons Medicaid Expansion Doesn’t Happen Next Year

First, it’ll be an election year.

Second, there’ll still be other “big ticket” items (bonding, SMR-related item, transportation tax, tax credit reform, education reform) competing for that scarce commodity – legislative will.

Third, if the hospitals’ doomsday scenario of red ink and cutbacks doesn’t materialize legislators might do a shrug.

During the Off Season

Rep. Stephen Webber will get some law experience, working for attorney Ken Vuylsteke (see bio here). Vuylsteke is vice-president of MATA.

Sen. Jamilah Nasheed may use the time to find a residence within her district? Maybe?...

Seeking Sisyphus?

The Missouri Medicaid Expansion Coalition seeks campaign director. “The Missouri Medicaid Expansion Coalition, first formed in Fall 2012, is seeking a full-time Campaign Director that will be responsible for the daily tasks and operations of moving forward the work of the Coalition to implement Medicaid Expansion and reforms as it relates to the Affordable Care Act in Missouri… One year contract position: July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014 / Possibility of extension for a second year.” See it here.

Tilley hosts Fundy

Former speaker Steve Tilley is hosting a fundraiser for Speaker Tim Jones and future speaker John Diehl later this month. The host list for the event – May 30 at the home of Kevin and Susan Knasel – reads like the roster of his clients… MACO Development, Supermarket Merchandising, Noranda Aluminum, Environmental Operations, and Gardner Capital. Checks may be made payable to Citizens for Tim Jones or Citizens for Diehl…

ABCTE Whatever

One interesting non-event this year was when ABCTE extension was approved. It was a yawn. Just a few years after teachers’ unions grinded their teeth at the alternative licensing organization, their opposition was muted. Could it be the “reform agenda” is never as disruptive to the status quo as both sides imagine?

Liquor Franchise: The Final Spin

Major Brands

Sue McCollum, CEO of Major Brands, said she was encouraged that the legislation received such an outpouring of support, and that the legislators that were able to vote on the legislation supported the bill at every opportunity. She said Major, which employs more than 700 people in the state, would now concentrate on rebuilding itself.

"We passed the legislation through a Senate Committee, a House Committee, and with a super-majority of the House of Representatives supporting the legislation on the House floor. We had enough support and nearly enough momentum. We just ran out of time. Major will continue to fight for Missouri jobs, our customers, and consumers. That will require us to rebuild a company that was terminated by its two largest suppliers, which account for 50 percent of its spirits business.”

Anti-Major Brands

“We would like to thank the Missouri legislators who opposed giving the state’s largest liquor distributor monopoly protections,” said Ed Rhode, spokesman for Missourians for Fair Competition. “We will continue to fight for legislators who stand for a free market economy because they understand that competition will help create jobs and move this state forward.”

Call Him Thunderburk

From Rep. Doug Funderburk’s Facebook page: “My final effort on the House floor this year was a commitment to fight the undue influence a small group of powerful entities appear to have in Jefferson City. It won’t make me a popular guy with some, but Missourians need to come first in our State’s Capitol. So I thank you for the privilege of being allowed to represent you in the Missouri Legislature; it is an honor! And please keep me in your prayers.”

Monday, May 20, 2013

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Friday, May 17, 2013