MOScout Daily Update: It Start Today Raises $185K - Vaping Action Coming? - MEC Opinion - Ice Cream Wars to JCity! and more...
Parson Preps Vaping Action
Governor Mike Parson will hold a press conference tomorrow morning “regarding the use of vaping devices among youth in Missouri.”
· It’s a bit of a hot-button issue right now with two conflicting impulses.
· On the one hand, parents are worried about this new phenomenon. It’s become very popular among young adults, and they’re reading stories about hospitalization.
· On the other hand, conservatives are always watchful against government overreach, and telling folks how they can or can’t live their lives.
· But Parson appears to be set to navigate the issue by targeting vaping action to “individuals age 15 - 24.”
It Starts Today Raises $186K
It Starts Today Missouri reported raising $185,908 in the last quarter. This is a Democratic online fundraising entity. It was founded by Jonathan Zucker who was the first COO and second CEO of ActBlue. Zucker grew up in Missouri (a year behind me in high school).
It Starts Today asks folks to contribute a small amount each month to be distributed among state legislative candidates. See it here.
Why such a strange amount? Because all 163 seats in the Missouri House of Representatives, as well as 17 seats in the Missouri Senate, are up for election in each cycle. Missouri’s Senate districts are five times the population size of its House districts, so we’re sending them five times as many pennies. 5 × 17 = 85, and 85 + 163 = 248. Voila! A fully funded slate of Democrats for less per month than the cost of a pumpkin spice latte.
Meanwhile
House Victory Committee raised $117,619 last quarter. No filing yet from House Republican Campaign Committee.
Rumorville: Wheat to Team Parson?
I’m told that Casey Wheat, who was let go by the House Republican Campaign Committee board last month, has received a few offers, and is weighting her next move. One tipster says that it’s the governor’s campaign that may be hiring her. However, there’s some pushback from those who led to her ouster at HRCC. And that means… we’ll see….
Follow-Up on Lieberman
The state re-filed charges against Democratic fundraiser Matt Lieberman. This comes after charges were dropped last week.
MO Ethics Opinion
The latest Missouri Ethics Commission opinion looks like it addressing a specific case, though I couldn’t find anyone who knew what it was. See it here.
Section 105.456.1(3) prohibits members of the general assembly and statewide elected officials, who are also attorneys, from negotiating on behalf of paying clients with state agencies prior to the formal initiation of an adversary proceeding. The statute does not prohibit negotiation and informal contact after the filing of a complaint or petition or other similar pleading, nor does it prohibit such contact when no consideration is given.
Gubby Appts
Late last week, Governor Mike Parson appointed Chris Berndt, Patrick Seamands, and Kermit Hargis to the Missouri Emergency Response Commission; Mary Jane Almandoz and Cathy Jo Loy to the Missouri Charter Public School Commission; Keith Stevens to the State Soil and Water Districts Commission; Mark Owen to the Peace Officer and Standards Training Commission; Colby Baker as the Linn County Public Administrator; and Ashley Gum as the Washington County Circuit Clerk.
Ice Cream Wars to JCity?
One MOScouter raised an eyebrow at a new player on the ice cream scene in Jefferson City… Ice Cream Factory. “Central Dairy is such an institution for school trips to the Capitol. This gentleman is opening an ice cream shop a few paces from Central Dairy - and he is calling out the established and popular neighbor as he promotes his product” From the article: “It's a premium-quality ice cream which cannot be found in a scoop shop in Jefferson City," he said. "We're providing a very good experience that cannot be matched in Jefferson City, and we are providing a very good product that cannot be matched in Jefferson City. I don't feel like there is a business that sells scooped ice cream that will compete with our quality or our experience."
Finally
Former Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders’ committee (Sanders for Jackson County) is still sitting on $400K+
eMailbag on MNEA Cost
“That preK number is a max. It’s not realistic because so many families would opt for private preK…”
Help Wanted
Edward Jones seeks Head of Federal Government Relations. “Edward Jones has an exciting opportunity for an individual with a strong interest in political and regulatory issues affecting the financial services industry. Edward Jones has effectively engaged in the DC policy-making process for past 30 plus years, but we believe it is the right time to build a more sustained presence in DC and deepen our relationships with elected officials and other policy-makers. The individual selected for this role will enjoy the benefit of working for a well-established 97-year old Fortune 500 firm; but will also have the opportunity to be a key influencer within the Firm by focusing on the issues most impactful to the firm and our clients. They will not only develop and implement strategies to address current federal issues, but will also develop long-term networks and coalitions to advance important political and societal issues that are consistent with the mission of the firm. The position will be based out of Washington, D.C…” See it here.
Lobbyist Registrations
Dave Berry, Tom Dempsey, and Tracy King added ACCEL Entertainment Gaming LLC.
Michael Barrett deleted Missouri State Public Defender System.
Heath Clarkston, Harry Gallagher, and Kurt Schaefer deleted Perfect Commerce LLC.
Rachel Hassani deleted Missouri American Water, Primary Marking System Inc, and Ranger Power LLC.
Tyler McFadden deleted Herban Rootz.
$5K+ Contributions
Catalyst PAC - $10,000 from RS LLC.
Missourians for Healthcare - $5,772 from Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St Louis Region & Southwest Missouri.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Casey Guersey and Jeremy LaFaver.