Thursday, September 1, 2011
Professor Purgason
Students in attendance at the Sen. Chuck Purgason study group Tuesday: Sens. Jim Lembke, Jason Crowell and Luann Ridgeway.
The fear among supporters of the economic development proposal is that Purgy and Crowell will jump the barbwire and start rewriting the compromise.
The assumption of Senate watchers is that Pro Tem Rob Mayer and Floor Leader Tom Dempsey – while allowing amendments to be offered and debate to be aired – will keep the compromise bill in tack. If they don’t, special session becomes a quagmire pretty quickly.
Mayer’s motivation for playing hardball (if necessary) is that he put his prestige on the line by being part of the fly-around saying there was a deal. If he can’t deliver, it’ll be yet another blow to his standing.
Why Finish the EcoDevo Debate By Friday
You are cordially invited to Senator Jason Crowell’s Eleventh Annual Luncheon and Golf Tournament… Monday, September 12, 2011
DALHOUSIE GOLF CLUB
4763 CORD’S WAY - CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO 63701
FOUR-PERSON GOLF SCRAMBLE FORMAT
11:30 A.M. Lunch
12:30 P.M. Tee Off
Jones Fundy
Rep. Tim Jones held a fundraiser Tuesday in his district with real, normal regular constituency-type people. The only folks from our crowd: lobbyists Jorgen Schlemeier, Chuck Simino and Darryl Duwe.
Also spotted Sen. Jane Cunningham and freshman Rep. Todd Richardson. And what was Richardson doing so far from home? Same thing Rep. Caleb Jones has been doing in the off-season, traveling around, building relationships, getting to know the state. Another sign of who’s stepping up as the next generation of House leadership.
Huddled at the fundy were St. Louis Police Officer Association veep Joe Steiger and Sen. Jim Lembke who had previously been skeptical about the local control movement. It’s said that Steiger told Lembke the coppers are fine with the bill, and Lembke said he wouldn’t stand in the way.
The Knock on Jones
One Republican questions the Caleb Jones for AG talk… “He’s only been an attorney for three years and has never tried a case in Missouri is a serious candidate for AG? Come one.”
The Toughest Role You Ever Played
In a business where public officials are constantly introducing their “good friend,” and building “relationships,” most are usually on their own at the end of the day.
Phrased another way: does Lieutenant Peter Kinder (or any high level politician) have any real friends?
Campaign people don’t count. They have a vested interest in the campaign – they get paid as long as he’s running. The same thing goes for a lot of people in the inner circle of Kinder (or any candidate). It’s not their name on the line, so they have no risk. Rather they’re betting on the chance (whether realistic or slim, with no risk there’s no difference) that if their guy gets elected governor, they’ll be in line for a job or appointment. Or at least an invitation to the Governor’s ball and maybe a ride on the state airplane.
Where are the friends now?
Case in point: St. Louis’ African American community. In terms of Republicans reaching out to the African-American community in Missouri, only Kit Bond can credibly say he’s done more outreach than Kinder.
Yet, here we are with the chips were looking down, and nobody in the African-American community publicly expressed any support for Kinder. To be fair, nobody else has either.
Count those who have been supportive – not the eyes darting for an exit “don’t want to get caught in the crossfire” types. Supportive comments have comes from a very small contingent: Speaker Steve Tilley, Party ED Lloyd Smith, and publisher Gary Rust.
Bits
Today the commission finishes interviewing candidates for the panel for the Missouri Supreme Court and will vote for the three names to send to the governor. Read it Here.
Missourians for a Balanced Energy Future tell supporters to come to next week’s Ethical Society debate. See it Here.
No retraction/apology forecoming, Auditor Tom Schweich settles with op/ed in Post-Dispatch. Read it Here.
And
At this hour, former state senator Jeff Smith’s wife Teresa is in labor…
Lobbyist Principal Changes
From the Pelopidas website:
Gamble and Schlemeier added Coalition of Service Providers of St. Charles County.
James and Chris Moody added Public Communications Services.
$5k+ Contributions
Friends of Tilley - $10,000 from Noranda Aluminum Inc.
Dooley for St. Louis County - $5,001 from Rex Sinquefield.
Jay Nixon for Missouri - $25,000 from UA Political Education Committee.
Sanders for Jackson County - $9,000 from Vance Brothers.
Sanders for Jackson County - $10,000 from Dollar, Burns & Becker LC.
Sanders for Jackson County - $10,000 from Humphrey, Farrington & McClain.
Birthdays
Sunday, Sen. Jane Cunningham celebrates a birthday. And Monday birthdays are former representatives Rachel Storch and Jenee Lowe.
MOScout Schedule
I will try to get the Weekly Summary out this afternoon for those who are starting their long weekend early tomorrow. Then no Daily Update on Monday (Labor Day). But don’t leave me lonely over the weekend. Text, tip, gossip… 314-255-5210