MOScout Daily Update: Schmitt Supports Opioid Settlement - Roe to WH? - MOST Follow-Up - GOP Fundy and more...
First in MOScout: Schmitt Supports Opioid Settlement
Word is that Attorney General Eric Schmitt will be issuing a statement in support of the huge “settlement framework” proposed by four other state AGs and several healthcare companies involved in the opioid epidemic. Reportedly valued at about $48 billion dollars, it would ultimately mean hundreds of millions of dollars for Missouri.
Schmitt’s support for the settlement rather than continued litigation is based on his belief that “Missourians need help, and they need it now. - they can’t afford to wait for years and years of litigation.”
Roe for WH Chief Strategist?
Current and former administration officials are urging the White House to hire a new chief strategist as President Trump’s allies grow frustrated with the administration’s response to the House impeachment inquiry… Trump’s allies [are] pressuring those around the president to consider bringing in a veteran political operative who could take control of the impeachment inquiry by coordinating with GOP lawmakers and providing crisis communications help…
Sen. Ted Cruz's (R-Texas) former presidential campaign manager, Jeff Roe, and Mike Davis, who led the Senate effort to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh, are among the names being batted around, although White House officials said they’re not aware of plans to bring anyone on at this time…
MOGOP Celebrates Steward
Last night in the Frontenac Hotel in St. Louis – site of countless Republican election night parties – the Missouri Republican Party held big fundraiser. Trump’s 2020 campaign press secretary Kaleigh McEnany gave the keynote.
· Governor Mike Parson and Party Chair Kay Hoflander presented the “Spirit of Enterprise” award to David Steward.
· The event raised over $200K for the party.
· With all the statewides present as well as “party elders” like Jim Talent and Peter Kinder, it was a display of unity ahead of 2020.
MOST Downgrade Follow-Up
Treasurer’s office mind-meld… No one should lose faith in Missouri’s MOST program without understanding the sole cause for the change in rating…
· A Bronze rating from Morningstar makes Missouri's MOST 529 Education Plan a best-in-class plan and places it in the upper echelon of available investment options.
· Morningstar stated in its report that a robust investment process and healthy state resources make this plan a sound choice, and that even under a new treasurer Missouri has proven it is a strong steward through thoughtful oversight of MOST.
· A detailed review of the Missouri report reveals the only factor resulting in the medalist rating change is the plan’s static expense ratios; the result of a contractual fee structure negotiated and locked in long-term two Treasurers ago.
· By the time that contract expires in 2021, it is anticipated that MOST will have negotiated for fees rivaling the lowest offered in the 529 landscape.
IE PACs
I’ve updated the so-called independent leadership PACs. These are political action committee set up to support a politician. They can raise money for the PACs, but can’t control the PAC. The PACs are able to accept large contributions in excess of the limits which apply to the candidates themselves.
Sunshine Lawsuit
Jason Hancock reports on a lawsuit alleging that the House hasn’t been following the Sunshine laws. See it here.
A government transparency watchdog sued the Missouri House Wednesday, alleging that lawmakers are openly violating the state constitution by refusing to turn over certain public records.
House Rule 127 states that legislators can “keep constituent case files, and records of the caucus of the majority or minority party of the House that contain caucus strategy, confidential.”
The rule was in direct response to a constitutional amendment overwhelmingly approved by Missouri voters last year. Among other provisions, it required the legislature to abide by the state’s Sunshine Law…
Bits
· Sen. Denny Hoskins tweets: Congratulations to my fellow Senators #Conservative6 in the MO Senate Conservative Caucus for receiving the top 6 scores from the National Club For Growth for their Conservative leadership!
· Tipster says Missouri Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler was among those storming the House committees taking depositions about President Donald Trump’s actions. See it here.
· Governor Mike Parson appointed Scott J. Schrum as Associate Circuit Judge for the 42nd Judicial Circuit. He will fill the Associate Circuit Judge position created by the retirement of the Honorable Randall L. Head.
eMailbag: Parson’s Tenure Exceeds Greitens
Eric Greitens was governor for 508 days, from Jan. 9, 2017, to June 1, 2018.
Mike Parson has been governor since June 1, 2018.
Yesterday, Wednesday, Oct. 23, Parson officially has been governor longer than Greitens (509 days).
Think back to the chaos of January through June of 2018. And the broad sense of relief when the cheating phony hypocrite Greitens finally left. It’s one of those memories so troubling that it can seem like a long time ago, given today’s relative peace in the Capitol, and yet it’s fresh enough that any reasonable person cannot believe Greitens would publicly show his face, much less ponder a comeback….
Lobbyist Registrations
Dave Berry, Tom Dempsey, Deanna Hemphill, and Tracy King added HHS Technology Group LLC.
Amy Blunt and Jay Reichard added Rave Wireless Inc. DBA Rave Mobile Safety.
Jeremy Roberts added Americans for Equal Shared Parenting.
Andy Blunt and Christian Morgan added STL Aviation Group LLC.
Allyssa Marie Miget deleted Missouri Department of Higher Education.
$5K+Contributions
Midwest Region Laborers' Political League Education Fund – $8,555 from Laborers Supplemental Dues Fund.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Chuck Hatfield, Brian Wahby, Jay Wasson, Jon Galloway, and Craig Stevenson.
Condolences
To Steven Tilley on the passing of his mother. Services will be held today at 11AM at United Methodist Church of Resurrection (13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas 66224).