Thursday, January 6, 2011
Exclusive: Special Committee to Investigate Rizzo Election
As expected Speaker Steve Tilley didn’t move to block Rep. JJ Rizzo from being seated yesterday, however the saga is not over.
Look for Tilley to appoint a special committee to investigate the election, which Rizzo won by one-vote, and his opponent has disputed. Although it’s hard to envision a scenario in which Rizzo loses his seat, the committee will keep the murky election details in the spotlight.
It’s said that Majority Leader Tim Jones will chair the committee which would be evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.
According to one source, there will be five legislators from each party, but all will be appointed by Speaker Tilley. And the committee will be endowed with subpoena power. That’s presents the possibility of more messy details to come out.
This is the run-up to a renewed push for Voter ID legislation.
Exclusive: Hughes Ducks Opening Day
Rep. Jonas Hughes didn’t come to Jefferson City yesterday for the swearing in. His absence is being blamed on an old Missouri Ethic Committee fines.
Last year’s ethics bill contained a provision now found in Chapter 130 of the Missouri statutes. It reads:
130.071. 1. If a successful candidate, or the treasurer of his candidate committee, or the successful candidate who also has served as a treasurer or deputy treasurer of any committee defined by section 130.011 fails to file the reports which are required by this chapter, the candidate shall not take office until such reports are filed and all fees assessed by the commission are paid.
It is unclear the amount of the fines Hughes owes. I searched through Casenet and found a few cases in the database, but only saw one judgment – for $1,900. However a legislator familiar with the situation put the number upwards of $30,000.
I would think that the difference between those two numbers would matter. Hughes’ campaign account only has about $1,847 in it. Raising the higher number as he enters his final term in the minority is a harder task.
Listening
Both Pro Tem Rob Mayer and Speaker Steve Tilley focused on business-related legislation in their opening remarks. Together with balancing the budget, this will be the thrust of the session.
The business-friendly legislation mentioned by Mayer was: capping the franchise tax, reversing parts of the whistle-blower law and workers’ compensation law, and passing “right to work.”
Tilley’s did not mention the right to work issue. He has indicated in the past that he saw that issue as more of a Senate priority than a House one.
It’s worth noting that one of the biggest applause lines of Tilley’s speech was his insistence that people take their driver license tests in English. It was a clear reminder how easily economic issues can be derailed by the slightest war-call to cultural conservatism.
Budget News From the Speeches
Mayer put the FY2012 budget gap between $300 - $500 million, a push downward from the previous $500 million number being used.
Mayer called on Nixon to send a budget that was balanced and “does not rely on special legislation to pass in order to be balanced,” a warning shot against using hypothetical savings from tax credits.
And Tilley said he would give his budget committees subpoena power to help them “root out waste fraud and abuse.”
Both ruled out any new taxes.
Joining HRCC
House Republican Campaign Committee is getting fleshed out.
Here’s the line-up. Majority Leader Tim Jones is the chair of the committee. Rep. Scott Dieckhaus is political director and Rep. John Diehl is the finance director. Rounding out the executive committee will be Rep. Tom Flanigan will be a liaison with the GOP Caucus. Rep. Ryan Silvey will represent the senior class and Rep. Todd Richardson will be the freshman on HRCC.
The Sign on Silvey’s Office
Welcome to the House Budget Office
Please ask yourself the following:
1) Am I here to ask the Chairman for more money than last year? (If yes, proceed to question 2)
2) Have you lost your mind?
Bits
Damon Porter, previously Time-Warner’s lobbyist, was named the new head of Missouri BroadbandNow.
The St. Louis Beacon reports that a Kit Bond aide sent an email to clients of a new firm – Kit Bond Strategies – which explained their services and said that “Senator Bond is also going to be spending a minor percentage of his time completely separate with the Thompson Coburn Law Firm.”
Lobbyist Principal Changes
From the Pelopidas website:
Michael Grote added Health Management Systems, Heartland Health, Missouri Propane Gas Association, Missouri Restaurant Association, Penn National Gaming, Dunn Construction, Port Authority of Kansas City, and Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association; and deleted Citizens Association for Sustainable Environmental Solutions, and A.R.G. Investment LLC.
James Harris added Humane Society of the United States.
Barbara Schmitz added Missourians for the Protection of Dogs.
$5k+ Contributions
Friends of Peter Kinder - $15,000 from Menlo Smith.
Birthdays
Rep. Genise Monticello blows out candles today. Former rep. Mike Daus turns 37. And former rep. Bob Onder turns 49.