Wednesday, January 23, 2013
CD-8
Congresswoman JoAnn Emerson resigned yesterday. Governor Jay Nixon set June 4 as the date for the special election. And eyes turn now to Eddy Justice, chair of the 8th Congressional Republican Committee. He must call a nominating meeting within two weeks…
The Hill has a nice article here.
And for those imagining a Democratic run at the seat, one MOScout reader notes: “In 2012, Cook Political Report released its updated figures on the Partisan Voter Index, which measures each congressional district’s partisanship relative to the rest of the country. Missouri’s 8th congressional district has a PVI of R+13, which is the 74th most Republican district in the country…”
Jones to Rebut Nixon
Eli Yokley reported (via twitter) that Speaker Tim Jones will present the Republican response to Jay Nixon’s state of the state speech next Monday. It’s consistent with several moves by Jones to elevate his statewide profile as he positions for 2016…
Schmitt, Lamping File Stan the Man Bill
Sens. Eric Schmitt and John Lamping filed what look like exactly the same bills – SB 176 and SB 192 – which would name the new Mississippi bridge after recently deceased baseball player Stan Musial.
The legislation would name the Missouri side of the bridge; Illinois gets to name their side. So a real coup of diplomacy though would be to get the Cubbies fans to agree and name the whole bridge after Musial…
Chappelle-Nadal Files St. Louis City-County Merger Bill
Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal filed a bill – see it here – which would return St. Louis City back into St. Louis County. This goal of the city re-entering the county has gained currency with the civic crowd in recent years. It also appears to be the end game of many of Mayor Francis Slay’s reforms.
Gaines Turns 50, Starts Fresh at Flotron
Lobbyist Kent Gaines celebrates his fiftieth birthday today. He recently joined the firm of Flotron & McIntosh. It’s a new beginning of sorts for the veteran lobbyist who was caught up in the Jetton grand jury maelstrom three years ago. The stress of that federal investigation along with the bad publicity and inevitable rumors took its toll on his practice.
Gaines did receive some cold consolation – a letter from Gene Porter, criminal division chief of the US Department of Justice which acknowledged that although Gaines was a target in their investigation, “no grand jury action will be taken.” These letters are said to be rare.
It’s interesting as Gaines gets a fresh start, so does Rod Jetton – another player in that investigation. Jetton disappeared for a few years but has been slowly raising his profile to the point where he is now front and center, speaking at events, publishing a paper.
Market Observer
Lynne Flowers of Flowers Energy Consulting is launching a report called the Market Observer. It will contain market-oriented news and the strategic interpretation of key energy developments across the United States with a focus on natural gas, renewable energy, and electricity markets.
The report is currently being offered on a complimentary basis (see back issues and sign up here) and will be available for a $600 monthly subscription beginning February 1. For those who subscribe prior to March 1, the MO will be offered at a 50% discount for the first six months of the yearly subscription.
Here’s a bit from her latest report:
MISSOURI: Public Service Commission To Bolster Pipeline Safety Rules
Most of the changes to the current rules are technical and explicit in places where some procedures were implied. The new rules would update the regulations to incorporate cyber and physical security protections now used by the US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. A hearing is planned for 2/5/13.
OUR TAKE: Passing these rules would enable the gas distribution companies to reinforce their systems in a best-practices way, knowing reasonable costs will be reimbursed by ratepayers. Infrastructure hardening across the energy industry is underway and with clear rules for pipeline safety, MO utilities will have a green light to make smart investments in their systems with the long term in mind. And as a bonus, the attention to detail needed to develop and write up step-by-step formal procedures where none have existed before will ultimately help utilities lower training costs for new employees…
Schneider Bounced
Former state representative Vicki Schneider was removed from the ballot in O’Fallon apparently for owing taxes. She was running for city council. Read it here.
Help Wanted
Liberty Utility seeks assistant general counsel. See it here.
Springfield News Leader wants a digital news reporter. See it here.
Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan is hiring a general counsel. See it here.
Lobbyist Registrations
From the Pelopidas website:
Dale Amick added Missouri Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus, and Missouri Diary Association.
Peggy Brand added Celgene Corporation.
Richard S Brownlee III added Google Inc.
Jack Cardetti added Fair Energy Rate Action Fund.
Lisa Christie added Vernon County Ambulance District.
James Farnsworth added Missouri Attorney General’s Office.
Julie Murphy Finn added Kit Bond Strategies LLP, and Missouri Coalition for Data Centers.
Alison Gee deleted Planned Parenthood of St. Louis Region, and Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, and added Parents as Teachers National Center.
Mark Gordon added Missouri Broadcasters Association.
Aaron G. March added Lowkap and Company.
Kevin E Masters added Kansas City Public Schools, Administration.
Whitney ODaniel added National Rifle Association – Institute for Legislative Action, CMMG Inc., Grote & Associates, Missouri Whitetail Breeders and Hunting Ranch Association.
John B Scott added Office of the Missouri Secretary of State.
James K Sharp III added Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceutical Inc.
Claudia Starr added Kingdom of Calloway Chamber of Commerce.
Kent Thomas added Missouri State University.
Steven Tilley added Anheuser-Busch.
Michael T. White added Deron Cherry – United Beverage Company.
$5K+ Contributions
Stand Up Missouri - $9,600 from World Acceptance Corporation.
Friends of Peter Kinder - $10,000 Centene Management Company LLC.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Doug Libla staffer Kyle Aubuchon (25).