Friday, February 10, 2012

Teacher Tenure Can Wait?

The controversial proposal to eliminate teacher tenure will likely be dropped from the House omnibus education package.  There are political calculations trying to determine how much can be rolled up and still get the whole enchilada across the finish line.

History Books to Kinder:  You Can Do It

From the encyclopediac Marc Powers comes this stroll through Missouri political history:

“The only other Missouri lieutenant governor to seek a third term was Democrat Frank Harris, who served from 1933 to 1945. On his third go in 1940, he faced a primary challenge from House Speaker John Christy and another candidate, and won with 46.1 percent to Christy’s 41.9 percent, a difference of  15,442 votes out of nearly 618,000 cast. Harris won the 1940 general election with 51.95 percent of the vote, which was well below his previous performances of 59.8 percent in 1936 and 62.13 percent in 1932.

“An incumbent Missouri lieutenant governor has lost a general election only once, but that one sort of comes with an asterisk since the incumbent in question hadn’t previously been elected to the office. In 1903, Lt. Gov. John Adams Lee, a Democrat, resigned over his role in a legislative bribery scandal. Under the rules in place at the time, Senate President Pro Tem Thomas Lewis Rubey, also a Democrat, was elevated to lieutenant governor and served out Lee’s term. Rubey ran for election in his own right in 1904 but lost to Republican John C. McKinley, who claimed 48.84 percent of the vote to Rubey’s 47.44 percent, a difference of exactly 9,000 votes out of nearly 645,000 cast.

“No incumbent Missouri lieutenant governor has ever lost in a party primary, although the Christy/Harris election of 1940 was basically the only time an incumbent faced a legitimate primary challenger.”

Congressman Chris for Casas

Running in House 79, Martin Casas announced he’ll have a DC fundraiser headlined by Congressman Chris Van Hollen.  Read it Here.

Congressman Blaine for Bahr

Rep. Kurt Bahr also announced a fundraiser with Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer on Friday March 16 at the Trigg Banquet Center.  $50/couple.  Luetkemeyer’s new congressional district now swoops down and grabs the northern half of St. Charles.

Is the Sinque About to Blink?

The mighty Jason Rosenbaum over at the Beacon reports that the initiative proposal to eliminate the income tax may wait until 2014.  Read it Here.

Pull Quotes: “Sinquefield said it’s still not certain which version of the ballot initiative shifting from an income tax to a sales will make it onto the ballot -- or if any proposal will be put up for a statewide vote this year.

“‘We’re looking at the various approaches to this,’ Sinquefield said. ‘And we poll them. And as I said, it’s going to be difficult. First of all, we have to see what ballot it’s going to be on. We don’t know if we’re going to be on 2012 or 2014.’

“‘Ask Missouri voters would you like the opportunity every two years to vote on lowering your income tax one point and raising the sales tax enough to offset those revenues so it’s always revenue neutral,’ Sinquefield said. ‘And just have that come up every two years until the income tax is gone. That’s another approach.’”

Tweet of the Day

Aaron Baker @aaronbaker50 – “Answer: 3. Question: How many @billstouffer death threats this week for shoot-to-kill mountain lions proposal?”

2012 Watch

Jim Hansen started a committee to run as a Republican in House 40.  This is Rep. Paul Quinn’s district.  It’s a toss-up district now.  But before he could face Quinn, Hansen has a primary with John Kallash.

Scott Fitzpatrick started a committee to run as a Republican in House 158.  This is David Sater’s district.  He’s termed.  It’s a very strong Republican district.  Fitzpatrick faces Frank Washburn in the primary.

Elaine Gannon started a committee to run as a Republican in House 115.  It’s a solid Democratic district, but Republicans believe Gannon has a strong chance to take this district given the Gannon family’s deep roots.

Victor Hurlbert started a committee to run as a Republican in House 16. This is one of the offshoots of the old Ryan Silvey district.  Hurlbert is a former Clay county auditor and his wife, Pam Mason is presiding commissioner.

Lynn Morris started a committee to run as a Republican in House 140.  140 doesn’t have an incumbent.  Morris runs a pharmacy.  Matthew Block has also indicated he will run in the Republican primary.

eMailbag

On the Employment Discrimination Divide

Advocate: “Listening over the internet to House debate on HB 1219, the workplace discrimination bill Gov. Nixon vetoed last year, House members who themselves are members of historically discriminated-against groups say this bill makes it easier for employers to discriminate.  House members who are privileged white guys say it does not.”

On Vittert donating to AG Chris Koster

“Mark Vittert and Koster’s dad, Rich, were longtime friends and possibly business partners over the years, which explains the contribution. Rich was a long time employee of the St. Louis Globe Democrat and a founder of the Donnybrook TV show.”

Lobbyists’ Principals Changes

From the Pelopidas website:

Gary Burton, Chris Liese, Jim Foley, and Mark J Bruns, added Strategic Compliance Solutions LCC.

Francis E. Flotron added Packaging Service Co, Inc.

David McCracken added AOC Solutions Inc.

Philip Smith added Missouri Lottery.

Sheri L Bilderback deleted Pelopidas LLC and all their clients.

Harry Gallagher, Heath Clarkston, and Jodi Winegar deleted Citizens for Fire Safety Institute.

Harry Gallagher and Heath Clarkston added Better Courts for Missouri.

$5K+ Contributions

Missourians for Health and Education - $82,500 from American Cancer Society.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $6,250 from Citizens to Elect Sue Allen.

MO Democratic State Committee - $25,000 from Kenneth McClain.

Friends of Peter Kinder - $5,000 from St. Louis Cardinals LLC.

Other Contributions of Interest

Friends of Wayne Wallingford - $1,000 from TR Cole III.

Judy Baker for Missouri - $1,000 from James Kimmey, former CEO of Missouri Foundation for Health.

Montee for Missouri - $2,500 from IUPAT Political Action Together Political Committee.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to SNR Denton’s Brian Grace (31).
Saturday:  Rep. Don Wells (62) and former Rep. Steve Brown (45).