Monday August 20, 2018 - Summer Caucus Rumor Mill: Special Session During Veto? - RTW DOA - Cornejo Appt? and more....

Summer Caucus Bits

A few notes on the House Republicans’ Summer Caucus…

Rah-Rahs

You’ll see in the $5+Contributions (below) the usual parade of check from the House members.  The event is said to have raised over $1 million.  That’s in addition to the $1 million that David Humphreys gave earlier in the month.  

Republicans are happy with their candidate roster, saying that they “match up well” with the districts.  Their dig at Dems: Dems recruited for numbers, GOP recruited for quality.

Color

Lots of people pulling Speaker-elect Elijah Haahr aside and pitching their wish-list for committee assignments and/or chairmanships.

The contrast between Governor Mike Parson and Eric Greitens couldn’t have been bigger.  “Parson came 30 minutes early to mingle, gave a speech about getting along, shook everyone’s hand…” Compared to Greitens who zipped in “surrounded by a protective cocoon of staff, didn’t work the room, and then was gone…”

Talk

Making the VIC (Very Impressive Candidates) list: Mary Elizabeth Coleman (House 97), “the perfect social conservative to run in Jeff County,” is an attorney; Jon Patterson (House 30) is a “super smart surgeon,” and great fundraiser; Aaron Griesheimer (House 61), is Alferman II, a former lobbyist, and son of former state senator, he already understands the building; and Sarah Mills (House 18) is a former CIA analyst, current public administrator in Clay County where she knocked out a two-time Dem incumbent to become first Republican to hold that job. “Would be first female Hispanic elected to legislature.”

Palm Strategy’s Scott Dieckhaus, and Jonathan Ratliff, along with Becky Willard (Axiom Strategies) were announced as Senior Advisors to HRCC for the remainder of the cycle.

RTW seems DOA in the MO House.  No movement or momentum to revisit it during the next session.

Rumors

There’s talk of calling a special session concurrent with veto session.  Apparently there have been discussions between the governor’s office and legislative leadership about “tinkering” with a few bills that the governor vetoed to see if they can quickly re-work them into something he’d sign….

Folks think that we’ll see a departure or two from the caucus before session starts in January.   Hottest rumor in this category: Rep. Rob Cornejo getting an appointment to Labor and Industrial Relations Commission… Totally unconfirmed of course, so “we’ll see….”

Fundys

We’re in full-on fundraising season right now.

Tonight a firecracker is scheduled at State Treasurer Eric Schmitt’s house for Rep. Jean Evans.  On the host committee: Gregg Keller, Mike Gibbons, Sue and Mike Allen, Jeff Aboussie, David Winton, Todd Randall, Eldon Weinhaus, Nexus Group, MO Soybean Association, J&J Enterprises, Well Care, St. Louis Realtors, and Major Brands.

Tomorrow night, another humdinger…. This one at the home of Nick and Tyan Ragone.  It’s for Josh Hawley with special guests Jack Danforth, and Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe.  Others on that host committee besides GOP bundler Nick Ragone are Tony Terisgni, and Gregg and Lori Keller.

Other fundraisers Tuesday…

The Dollar Law Firm hosts a 5PM fundy for Rep. Mark Ellebracht, expected to be a target for his rebel-rousin’ ways.

Rep. Judy Morgan will host a fundy for Keri Ingle (5PM), the Democrat running in House 35 where Rep. Gary Cross is termed.

And Auditor Nicole Galloway will have a fundy at Charlie Hoopers in Kansas City.

And

The Democratic candidate for Cole County Prosecutor, DK Hirner, is swinging through St. Louis on Tuesday as well.  She’ll be at the home of Bill and Joan Ruppert (5:30PM).

Harris: Maybe Residency is Unconstitutional

Republican political operative James Harris tweeted out a 1978 court case which argues that a residency requirement to run for political office is unconstitutional. See the court case here.

The first-rate Jason Hancock covered some of this in his recent article.  See it here.

Short answer: Maybe.

BUT

A skeptic would surely ask: If the Republicans and Saundra McDowell are so sure the 10-year law is unconstitutional, why did McDowell make up that fairy tale about how she became a Missouri resident 10 years ago when she formed the "intent" to be a Missouri resident nearly two years before she actually moved here?

Rumorville: Richardson Eyes New Gig?

One MOScouter sends in this rumor… Lame duck Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson is angling to be hired as executive director of the office of prosecution services which doubles as top staffer for the Missouri Prosecuting Attorneys Association.

More… The incumbent executive director, former Audrain County Prosecutor Jason Lamb, is the unopposed GOP nominee for circuit judge in the 12th Circuit, comprised of Audrain, Warren and Montgomery counties, so he’s on a glide path to a new job in January just as Richardson departs the Cole County prosecutor’s office after being beaten for re-election in his Republican primary. Richardson is president-elect of the prosecutors’ association, but because of his defeat he won’t get to be president. But he’s currently vice chairman on the committee that is in charge of hiring Lamb’s successor, so he is in position to try greasing the skids in his own favor.

BUT Josh Hawley is specifically empowered by state law to unilaterally veto the hire (RSMo 56.760)… From a political viewpoint, why should Hawley open himself up to an attack from former prosecutor Claire McCaskill that the AG could have stopped the hiring of the spineless incompetent who was afraid to prosecute Eric Greitens but failed to do so?...

Appeals Judge Process

Tipster: The governor’s office will interview the three panelists (Judges Thomas Chapman, Ann Hansbrough and Douglas Thomson) for the Western District Court of Appeals this week.  Said to be driving the process for the governor’s office are: Chris Limbaugh, Robert Knodell and Aaron Willard.

Help Wanted

Missouri Public Service Commission seeks Legislative Director.  “The Missouri Public Service Commission is seeking a responsible professional to coordinate and direct legislative affairs. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: representing the Commission before the legislature, industry-related organizations and other government agencies; developing and implementing strategies to accomplish the Commission’s legislative and budgetary goals; establishing and maintaining strong relationships with legislators, stakeholders, other policymakers and their staff; monitoring, analyzing and reporting on state and federal legislation affecting  the Commission, Commission–regulated utilities and legislation on topics that  may  become issues before the Commission; coordinating and participating in testimony before legislative committees; coordinating the Commission’s response to legislative requests; and corresponding with individual legislators….”  See it here.

House seeks various positions…

Director, House Drafting Division.  See it here.

Legislative Analyst.  See it here.

Drafting Services Attorney.  See it here.

New Committees

Taney County Democrats Club was formed.  It’s a PAC.  Its treasurer is Shannon C Bowers.     

Enterprise Holdings, Inc. PAC was formed.  Its treasurer is Rick Short; its deputy treasurer is Gary Cunningham.

Real Justice Pac-Federal Committee was formed.  It’s a PAC.  Its treasurer is Demarco Davidson.

Team Cindy PAC was formed.  Its treasurer is James C Thomas III.

Lobbyists Registrations

Ryan Rowden added Brent Hemphill & Associates.

Jason Zamkus added Missouri Soy Bean Association.

Brandt Shields deleted Missouri Western State University.

$5K+ Contributions

Citizens to Protect Tax Revenues and Jobs - $14,858 from Penn National Gaming Inc.

Citizens to Protect Tax Revenues and Jobs - $100,000 from Penn National Gaming Inc.

Association of MO Electric Cooperatives PAC - $10,000 from Associated Electric Cooperative Inc.

Missouri Leadership Forum - $10,000 from T&N Inc.

Missouri Leadership Forum - $10,000 from Witte Bros. Exchange Inc.

Missouri Leadership Forum - $10,000 from Warrenton Oil Company.

UAW Region 5 Midwest States Political Action Committee PAC - $6,000 from UAW Region Exchange Account.

Friends of Wesley Bell - $35,000 from Real Justice PAC (San Francisco).

Real Justice PAC-Federal Committee - $50,000 from Real Justice PAC 45.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $40,000 from Fitzpatrick for House.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $16,000 from Missourians for Cody Smith.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $17,200 from Citizens for Wiemann.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $7,000 from Friends of Rob Vescovo

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $17,750 from Friends of Kirk Mathews.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $22,700 from Friends for Travis Fitzwater.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $70,000 from Friends of Elijah Haahr.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $5,500 from Jeffrey Shawan.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $20,000 from Citizens for Rocky Miller.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $5,800 from Citizens for Gary Cross.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $12,025 from Committee to Elect Houx.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from FEAPAC of Missouri.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from MOSFA PAC Inc.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $15,000 from Dealers Interested in Government.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $50,000 from Uniting Missouri PAC.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from AGC of MO PAC.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $25,000 from Ameren Missouri.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $15,000 from CFM Insurance.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from Kansas City Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from Right CHOICE.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from Drury Development Corporation.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,200 from Michael J Stephens.

House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $10,000 from Howard Wood.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Trent Watson, Rep. Stacey Newman, former Sens. Wayne Goode and Chuck Gross (the big 6-0), and Rose Windmiller.