MOScout Weekender: Alferman to SSM? - Big Check Friday - Hallway on Next Session - Big Issues Poll - WWTW and more...
Rumorville: Alferman to Exit 2nd Floor
Word is that former Rep. Justin Alferman will be leaving the Parson Administration. He’s been serving as the governor’s legislative director since Parson ascended to the top spot.
The rumor is that Alferman is headed to the private side to lobby for SSM Healthcare.
No word on who will take his role for the governor with session now about six weeks away.
Big Check Friday
Two big checks were recorded yesterday (see below).
First, Rex Sinquefield tossed $250K into the Pro-Mike Kehoe PAC, American Dream PAC. Kehoe still doesn’t have a declared Democratic opponent. The rumors of a physician from the western side of the state haven’t materialized yet. Whoever ultimately steps up will face an immediate fundraising challenge.
Second, Washington University added $250K to Missourians for Healthcare. That’s the committee for the Medicaid Expansion campaign.
MOScout/Remington Poll: Big Issues 2020
Survey conducted November 12 through November 13, 2019. 1,641 likely 2020 General Election voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2020 General Election. Margin of Error is +/-2.4%.
Q1: Do you approve or disapprove of Donald Trump’s job performance as President of the United States?
Approve: 53%
Disapprove: 43%
Not sure: 4%
Q2: Do you support an amendment to the Missouri Constitution to expand Medicaid for persons 19 to 64 years old with an income level at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, as set forth in the Affordable Care Act?
Strongly support: 32%
Somewhat support: 25%
Somewhat oppose: 11%
Strongly oppose: 14%
Not sure: 18%
Q3: Do you support House Bill 126 passed by the General Assembly in 2019, which provides the unborn child with the same protections as those already born, and prohibits abortions at eight weeks of gestation (at which time there is a medically detected heartbeat), except in cases of medical emergency?
Strongly support: 49%
Somewhat support: 12%
Somewhat oppose: 9%
Strongly oppose: 20%
Not sure: 10%
Q4: Generally speaking, do you support or oppose expanding charter schools?
Strongly support: 23%
Somewhat support: 22%
Somewhat oppose: 16%
Strongly oppose: 19%
Not sure: 20%
Q5: Generally speaking, do you support or oppose greater gun control laws?
Strongly support: 38%
Somewhat support: 15%
Somewhat oppose: 11%
Strongly oppose: 30%
Not sure: 6%
MOScout’s Hallway Index: Next Session Toughies?
The question this week was: “What’s most likely to be passed next session?” I gave a multiple choice of five items which have previously failed to pass. 26 replies… No clear answer from the Hallway Magic 8-Ball.
RESULTS
1. Education Savings Accounts… 15.4%
2. Internet sales tax… 30.7%
3. LIHTC reform… 23.1%
4. Prescription drug monitoring program… 26.9%
5. Title IX reform… 3.8%
Sample Comments
· Republicans need a win on school choice. It is one of their few issues that work well in the suburbs.
· At some point enough people will die that the Conservative Caucus will want this [PDMP] off the table. An election year seems like a good time.
· A few of these seem pretty likely. I chose the Wayfair fix because it’s the biggest no-brainer with the biggest net positive for the state. Now that I’ve said that out loud, it makes it seem less likely because the GA seems to find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory every year. A wise man once said, “We’ll see....”
· Not sure any of them get done.
· That is the toughest choice - I think “none of the above” may again be the winner however I chose internet sales tax because Koenig has the ability to set his perfect preference aside and reach a consensus.
· Would have chosen none of above if it was an option.
Who Won the Week
Nicole Galloway – Continues her dogged pursuit of facts in Clay County, and inspires fear from nearby local officials who don’t want the bright light of the Auditor shining on their behavior.
Missouri Republicans – With recession fears fading, their number one campaign issue becomes a safer bet and a stronger message.
Kent Scism – Kicks off his Senate 3 with a money in the bank, a solid fundraising event, and no declared Republican or Democratic opponents.
Jim Lembke – The point person of CL PAC and the hundreds of thousands of dollars in its kitty, Lembke is now more of a power player than when he was a senator.
Lobbying corps – Title IX reform rears its head again. Last session the effort employed dozens of lobbyists. When you hear the gravy train a-comin, hop on board….
Find a downloadable version here.
$5K+Contributions
Teamsters Local 955 Political Action Fund - $10,000 from Drive Committee.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from QC Holdings Inc.
American Dream PAC - $250,000 from Rex Sinquefield.
Health Care Issues Committee of the Missouri Hospital Association - $40,095 from Freeman Health System.
Missourians for Healthcare -$250,000 from The Washington University.