Thursday, April 19, 2012
Special Report: Democratic Primary Races for State Senate
Today under the “Special Reports” tab of the website is a rundown of the Democratic primary races for state senate. See it Here.
These reports include the maps of the new districts with county and House district breakdowns, fundraising numbers, racial demographics and early analysis. I encourage you to download or print them out for future reference, but they will also be on the website under “Special Reports.”
If all goes as planned I’ll have House primary reports done early next week.
MNEA Poll
Missouri NEA released a poll earlier this week to rebut a poll last week by StudentsFirst. This poll was conducted by Public Policy Polling, over the weekend with 593 respondents. The questions, as you can see, often frame the issue as MNEA would like. For example, they don’t use the words “teacher tenure.”
Highlights:
Schools Doing a Good Job?
In general do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “I think the public schools and teachers in my area do a good job educating children.”
Strongly agree ................................................ 44%
Somewhat agree............................................. 32%
Somewhat disagree........................................ 13%
Strongly disagree............................................ 6%
Not sure ......................................................... 5%
Local Control?
In general who do you trust more to make decisions about how to evaluate and pay teachers: your local school board or your legislator in Jefferson City?
Trust local school board much more ............... 63%
Trust local school board somewhat more........ 15%
Trust state legislator somewhat more ............. 9%
Trust state legislator much more..................... 4%
Not sure ......................................................... 9%
Currently there is a bill in the Missouri Legislature that would remove local control from school boards when deciding how to hire, fire, pay and evaluate teachers. School administrators, school board members, and teachers oppose this bill. Would you be more or less likely to vote for your state legislator if they supported the bill that removed local control, or would it not make a difference?
Much more likely............................................. 13%
Somewhat more likely..................................... 10%
Somewhat less likely....................................... 18%
Much less likely............................................... 47%
Wouldn't make a difference ............................ 11%
Only Tests to Evaluate Teachers?
Some argue that experience or length of employment should not be considered when evaluating teachers but instead teachers should be evaluated on how students perform on standardized tests. Do you agree or disagree that only standardized tests should be used to evaluate teachers?
Strongly agree ................................................ 12%
Somewhat agree............................................. 18%
Somewhat disagree........................................ 23%
Strongly disagree............................................ 45%
Not sure .......................................................... 3%
Teacher Tenure?
Missouri has the longest mandatory probationary period in the country for teachers at 5 years. During the first 5 years of employment a teacher can be fired without just cause. Now some in the Missouri legislature want to make a teacher probationary for 10 years. Would you support or oppose increasing the length of time that a teacher is considered probationary from 5 to 10 years?
Strongly support.............................................. 15%
Somewhat support.......................................... 12%
Somewhat oppose.......................................... 19%
Strongly oppose.............................................. 49%
Not sure ......................................................... 5%
Bits
Lots of worrying about the budget when it hits the Senate floor next week. One source says there’s a chance of “dueling” budgets being debated. The constitutional deadline for passing the budget bills is May 11 – three weeks from tomorrow.
Sen. David Pearce’s foundation formula bill stalled on the Senate floor yesterday as Sen. Eric Schmitt conducted a bipartisan parade of senators representing hold-harmless districts who oppose the change. Schmitt argued that a complete re-write is the only equitable solution, one which addresses numerous factors including the number of students currently attending districts, and assessment rates in various parts of the state.
St. Louis City Democratic Chair Brian Wahby, running for City Treasurer, raised a fresh $56K, bringing his cash on-hand to $115K. That’s almost four times as much on-hand as Rep. Tishaura Jones, also running for treasurer. She has $30K in the bank. The four-way Dem primary (which includes two aldermen) is one of the best races in the city this cycle, as the incumbent, dogged by allegations of ghost employees, isn’t seeking reelection.
Still no April report from Redditt Hudson running in Senate 13.
Sen. Jim Lembke’s SJR51, changing the make-up of the appellate commission, made it out of Judiciary Committee last night. The committee substitute relaxed the original (absurd) proposal that lawyers be banned from serving on the commission.
House Republican Campaign Committee fundraising juggernaut continues. They raised more last quarter than the HDCC, and both the Democratic and Republican Senate campaign committees, COMBINED.
Lobbyists’ Principals Changes
From the Pelopidas website:
Jorgen Schlemeier added Southern Wine and Spirits.
$5K+ Contributions
MBA Truman Region PAC - $6,000 from Country Club Bank.
Spence for Governor - $10,000 from Schnuck Markets Inc.
7th District Congressional Republican Committee - $15,000 from David Humphreys.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Sen. Bill Stouffer (65), Reps. Sylvester Taylor (46), Rep. Bert Atkins (57), and former Rep. Jean Peters-Baker.