Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Kelley Pre-Files Teacher Conceal Carry Bill
Yesterday Rep. Mike Kelley pre-filed a bill which would allow teachers and administrators to carry concealed firearms on school premises. See it here. As of this morning the text of the bill was no yet available.
Sadly it appears the debate is going to devolve into a “more guns” versus “less guns” divide. See gun control polling here.
NRA Promises Meaningful Contributions To Gun Policy
In a sparse statement (see it here) the National Rifle Association said it is “prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure [the Newtown mass murder] never happens again. The NRA is planning to hold a major news conference in the Washington, DC area on Friday, December 21.”
AuBuchon to Polsinelli
Rich AuBuchon is leaving the Missouri Chamber where he’s been general counsel and will join the Jefferson City office of Polsinelli Shughart. Before the Chamber, AuBuchon was chief of staff to Peter Kinder.
This is second departure from the Chamber’s legislative team as yesterday word came that Richard Moore was headed to CenturyLink.
PSC Vacancy Looms
When session reconvenes next month, Steven Stoll, a Democrat, will need Senate confirmation to remain on the Public Service Commission. He was a recess appointment by Governor Jay Nixon. And the only way for Stoll to gain confirmation is for his nomination to be paired with a Republican. There’s been a vacancy in one of the Republican slots on that commission since Jeff Davis resigned.
So far, there are no indications who the governor will bestow that appointment upon. One name mentioned is out-going Rep. Jerry Nolte. But it’s hard to see the gain – politically – for Nixon to choose Nolte.
Wagner Staffs Up
Congresswoman-elect Ann Wagner announced her staff yesterday.
Axiom’s Christian Morgan will be her chief of staff.
Desiree Mowry will be legislative counsel/ deputy chief of staff. According to the release, “in her most recent role, she served as a Legislative Assistant to Congressman Billy Long.”
Brian O’Shea “will serve as the Congresswoman’s main advisor on the Financial Services Committee and brings a plethora of real world experience as a former Associate at Morgan Stanley for seven years. Recently, O’Shea served as Congressman Francisco Canseco’s Legislative Director.”
Patrick Howell will be press secretary; Courtney Ellis will be scheduler/ office administrator; Erik Rust will be legislative assistant; Josh Davidson will be legislative correspondent; and Laura Kleffner will be staff assistant
Miriam Stonebraker will be district director. She comes from John Hancock & Associates.
Erin Olson will be case worker. Jacqueline Winship, a pro-life activist, and Brecht Mulvihill will be field representatives.
Nixon Campaign Folks Get New Gigs
It’s said that Damion Trasada is headed to Missouri Housing Development Corporation as deputy director. He’s yet another Nixon campaign staffer transitioning back to the state payroll.
With Joe Duffy heading up the Democratic Party, and Channing Ansley taking over the administration communications duties, there’s a pattern developing of Nixon’s campaign folks being given landing spots.
More Possible MOGOP ED Names
“Add Rob Knodell to your list of ED candidates. Would be hard to put Aaron Willard, who Rob used to supervise in the spot, if Knodell wants it. He’s former House Republican Campaign Commitee head and MRP political director.
“Also Scott Dieckhaus also has a hell of a case as a former legislator who drove the HRCC to veto proof margins.”
Bits
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) published its survey of animal protection laws and found Missouri was in the bottom tier. See it here.
Politico’s Influence reports that Gephardt Government Affairs has been hired by the Human Rights Campaign to lobby Congress to end the taxation of benefits provided for domestic partners under employee health plans, among other LGBT issues. Gephardt’s Rob Epplin, former legislative director to Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), will be lobbying on behalf of the group.
Gov. Jay Nixon, Sen. Kurt Schaefer and Rep. Rick Stream announced the consensus revenue estimate for fiscal year 2014 is $7.929 billion. That’s an increase of $237 million from FY 2013’s estimated revenue. “The estimate for FY 2014 assumes economic growth of 4.8 percent. However, the loss of one-time revenue sources, continued phase-out of the corporate franchise tax, and impact on state revenue of federal payroll tax changes lead to an actual estimated growth rate of 3.1 percent.”
eMailbag: Cliff Not Only Danger
“If a deal is struck that keeps us from going over the cliff Thelma and Louise style, there are still consequences for Missouri. For example, every deficit list includes elimination or a cap on the provider tax that MO uses to fund Medicaid. It's the third largest tax in the state ($900M)--only income tax and sales tax are larger. Forty percent of the savings from eliminating the tax come from MO and curtailing it would create a huge hole in the state’s budget.”
eMailbag: Humphreys Hearts Lawsuits?
Do you find it ironic that David Humphreys’ company is a plaintiff in a lawsuit? I thought he was generally against the filing of lawsuits and that they were really bad for business and job creation. Tamko Building Products Inc. v. Railing Dynamics Inc.
Help Wanted
The Southeast Missourian newspaper, located in Cape Girardeau, Mo., is looking for a business reporter…. See the ad here.
Lobbyist Registrations
From the Pelopidas website:
Melissa Palmer added Good Health HMO Inc, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.
Tricia Workman added Missouri Nurses Association.
L Kent Gaines deleted CenturyLink.
Jeffery N Brooks, Cynthia Gamble, Bill Gamble, Cecile Landrum, Jorgen Schlemeier and Sarah Topp added Kraft Foods Group.
$5K+ Contributions
MO Freedom - $15,000 from Missouri’s Future.
Slay for Mayor - $10,000 from Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Bernard LLC.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Greg Porter.