MOScout Daily Update: Clinton Gets "Poor" Rating - Ashcroft on IP Reform - Regulating the New Economy and more....
Let’s Start Here…
Here are the top headlines from the last week while I’ve been loafing…
First, with the close of 2018, we saw folks closing the chapter on the Greitens Era. One of Josh Hawley’s last act is to end his office’s investigation into various Greitens misdeeds (see the story here). And soon-to-be termed Rep. Jay Barnes released his Oversight Committee’s final report (see it here).
Second, the state budget may be moving to center stage soon. Rudi Keller reports on the continuing fallout from the Department of Revenue’s bungling of the withholding guidance. “[DOR] hasn’t issued any public notices of this result except a vague reference to it in a news release issued in September stating the tax tables were being adjusted… No one from the department was available to comment Friday after Gov. Mike Parson and legislative budget leaders announced the annual consensus revenue estimate that will be the basis for budget decisions in the session that begins Jan. 9. But the worksheet for the estimate shows the magnitude of the statewide issue… Total individual income tax refunds are expected to fall by $231.5 million, or 20.5 percent, and remittances — payments that accompany income tax forms — are expected to increase by $134.4 million, or 15.4 percent, according to the estimate worksheet…”
Third, St. Louis County continues to be a drama factory. The Post-Dispatch ran a story about undue political influence (see it here) at the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, and the St. Louis Business Journal ran story about a big reveal coming to change the governmental structure in the St. Louis region. More on this soon I’m sure.
Finally, RBC’s Kathy Osborn was named St. Louis’ Citizen of the Year. She’s only the third woman to win the prestigious award. See the story here.
Meanwhile….
Clinton Depletes Reserve Fund
Auditor Nicole Galloway released an audit of Clinton County (see it here) showing that “the cash balance of the county's General Revenue Fund went from $512,000 at the end of 2016 to a projected balance of only $264 at the end of 2018…” Yikers!
Clinton County is represented by Sen. Dan Hegeman and Rep. Jim Neely.
Ashcroft on IP Reform
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft says on Twitter that “our office has a number of priorities for the legislative session, but none more important than initiative petition reform.” It sounds a little whiny (listen to it here), like the current process is too much work for his office….
Pols Are Watching
One MOScouter writes, “The Eastern District of Missouri now has a second District Judgeship open. Catherine Perry took Senior Status. Sets up an early test of how our Senators will work with one another. Roy Blunt is now the Senior Senator and Josh Hawley was appointed to the Judiciary Committee…”
Regulating the New Economy
Axios reports on the desire of emerging industries to have government regulations. See it here.
Regulation is a dirty word in most Republican administrations [however] there are a number of sectors that are pleading with the feds to impose new rules. Without them, they say, their industries can't grow…
What It Means
Although Axios was writing about federal regulations, the same principle applies to state regulations. Of course, there’s overregulation in some facets of the economy, but some emerging industries in particular want regulations. State regulations can prevent a hodge-podge of contradictory rules from local jurisdictions. They can provide reassurance to customers skeptical about a new product. They can ensure basic levels of safety or quality to which all competitors must adhere to prevent a nascent industry’s reputation from being tarnished.
Recently lawmakers made Missouri a place where Uber and Lyft could operate more easily. And in the upcoming session they’ll have similar challenges, for example, sports betting is poised to become a new Missouri industry.
On the Move
Sarah Juergensmeyer terminated her lobbyist registration. She had previously worked for Brent Hemphill and Associates. She’s joining the Senate Appropriations staff.
Governor Mike Parson notes on social media… “Happy retirement to my dear friend Marylyn Luetkemeyer! Since 2011, she has served Missouri alongside our team in the Senate, Lieutenant Governor’s office, and the Governor’s office….”
Final MOScout Readers’ Poll Results
YEAR IN REVIEW
Best fit for the office to which they weren’t elected
Mike Parson – governor… 43.7%
Eric Schmitt – attorney general… 26.5%
Mike Kehoe – lieutenant governor… 15.6%
Scott Fitzpatrick – treasurer… 14%
Who was most responsible for Eric Greitens downfall?
The mirror: Eric Greitens… 75%
The special interests: LIHTC, Unions, lawyers… 14%
The former employees: Michael Hafner, Danny Laub… 7.8%
The gavel: Jay Barnes… 3.1%
The agitators: Gregg Keller / Jane Dueker / Roy Temple… 0%
Best explanation of Scott Faughn handing Al Watkins $100,000 in cash?
He was bagman for a special interest trying to oust the governor… 71.6%
It was his own money to do with as he saw fit… 11.6%
It was to retain Watkins’ legal services… 11.6%
It was to purchase the “tapes” for his forthcoming book… 5%
Under-reported story of the year
House LA arrested after a sting operation concerning underage sex… 50%
The campaign that led to New Approach’s passage and Bradshaw’s defeat… 25%
Eric Greitens’ administrations fake deregulation crusade… 18.3%
The battle over Samuel Goldstein’s estate spilling into Jefferson City… 6.6%
Upset of the year
May over Hummel – Senate 4 primary… 68.2%
McDowell over Wasinger – Auditor primary… 22.2%
House Republicans holding even against House Dems… 9.5%
Media Person of the Year
Jason Hancock – Led the KCStar team to scoop after scoop… 55%
Lauren Trager – Took the heat to break the adultery story… 16.6%
David Lieb – Got Greitens on the record lying about using TMC list… 15%
Jack Suntrup – Dogged and tireless… 13.3%
Help Wanted
Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry seeks Director of Legislative Affairs and General Counsel. “This position will work with state and federal legislators, as well as the executive branches and the courts, to maximize the effectiveness of the Chamber’s mission, legislative agenda priorities, and public policy initiatives, as well as handle all legal matters and issues for the Chamber. The successful candidate will have political or legislative experience and must be a member of the Missouri Bar. Competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience…”
Generate Health seeks Manager, Policy and Advocacy. “Generate Health mobilizes and inspires the St. Louis region to advance racial equity in pregnancy outcomes, family well-being, and community health. Reporting to the Director of Community Mobilization/Advocacy, the Manager of Policy and Advocacy will help Generate Health prioritize and strategize policy and advocacy campaigns targeting institutional, legislative, and administrative policy changes. This position will participate in local and statewide coalitions to find intersectional advocacy partners and help train/prepare community residents and other stakeholders for participating in issue-based education and advocacy. This position will help frame communications and narratives that support positive policy changes…” See it here.
New Committees
Richard West formed a candidate committee (Go West for Missouri) to run for House 63 as a Republican.
Sandy Van Wagner formed a candidate committee (Committee to Elect Sandy Van Wagner) to run for House 12 as a Democrat.
8th Senatorial District Democratic Committee was formed. Its treasurer is Jalen Anderson.
$5K+ Contributions
Advance Missouri - $68,000 from American Democracy Alliance.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $10,000 from Pfizer Inc.
Truth in Campaigns - $10,000 from Alliance for Economic Progress.
Friends & Family for Judge Scott Bernstein - $12,919 from Scott Bernstein.
Citizens to Protect Tax Revenues and Jobs - $161,781 from Penn National Gaming Inc.
Treece for Mayor - $10,000 from Carpenters Helping in the Political Process (CHIPP Political Account).
Progress KC - $10,000 from Husch Blackwell LLP.
House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $8,000 from Sun Solar LLC.
Lobbyists Registrations
Eapen Thampy added Cash Cow Systems.
Richard AuBuchon added Missouri Civil Justice Reform Coalition Inc.
Ryan Johnson deleted United For Missouri, Missouri Century Foundation, State Policy Network, and Exemplar Public Affairs LLC.
Josh Schisler deleted Hemp Life, Patrick Welch, Pharmlabs LLC, Kansas City Concentrates, and Proteam Brady LLC.
Rochelle Reeves deleted Missouri Lottery Commission.
John Cozad deleted Missouri Flagship Council.
Samuel Klarich terminated his lobbyist registration.
Sarah Juergensmeyer terminated her lobbyist registration.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Brittany Robbins, and former Rep. Lyle Rowland.