MOScout Daily Update: Moody on Revenues - Franks Fined - Plocher Fundy Invite - Jones in House 93? and more...
Moody Warns on Revenue
Lobbyist Jim Moody is warning that the state revenue data might not be as rosy as it appears.
The governor’s office cheered the October revenue numbers as a “significant increase” showing “strong fiscal health.”
But Moody points out that the 7.3% fiscal-year-to-date increase is in comparison to 2018 – when withholding tables were incorrect and leading to mass under-withholding.
The under-withholding then created a very large influx (hundreds of millions of dollars) in tax dollars at April.
It’s misleading to compare current months to the under-withholding months of last year.
Moody: “I think there’s a real risk with this erroneous data that people are going to look at it and say ‘let’s cut taxes’ and it would be the wrong thing to do.”
To view Moody’s presentation, to go his website (https://themoodyreportllc.com/), enter your email to view the sample report. There’s no gimmick or hidden charges, just requires your email address.
Plocher’s Fundy
The invite to Rep. Dean Plocher’s fundraiser later this month (Nov 18) shows strong business support, plus all House leadership – and the Senate Pro Tem.
Host committee: Mary & Amy Dunn, Anheuser Busch, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Liberty Utilities, Charter Communications, Centene, Missouri Banker’s Association, Missouri Insurance Coalition, Nick & Tyan Ragone, Cerner, Missouri American Water, BSNF Railroad, Mark & Annemarie Milton, and Missouri Soybean Association.
Special guests: Pro Tem Dave Schatz, Speaker Elijah Haahr, Floor Leader Rob Vescovo, Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, Rep. David Gregory, and Rep. Dan Houx.
Plocher is running to become the new House floor leader. The House Republican Caucus will vote on that leadership position days after the November election.
Rumor: Jones in House 93
Tipster: “I hear Gabe Jones is running for the state House to replace Bob Burns, who is terming out. Gabe is a Republican.”
See Jones’ bio here.
Rep. Burns is term-limited in a South St. Louis County district that leans Democratic.
Franks Fined
Post-Dispatch reports on former Rep. Bruce Franks’ many campaign finance violations.
Bruce Franks Jr., who resigned in August, signed a consent order with the Missouri Ethics Commission on Thursday, agreeing to pay the state at least $250 per month until the $14,169 fine is paid off. He may pay the fine personally or from his campaign account.
If the commission finds probable cause of other violations of state campaign finance law, Franks will have to pay the state $89,105, according to a copy of the consent order posted online on Thursday… The order says Franks made 28 transactions from October 2017 to December 2018 totaling $2,392 that "appeared to be for personal use."
“Other Than Cash”
News-Leader reports on a new wrinkle for medical marijuana companies. See it here.
[T]he Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issued a proposed rule governing the way licensed medical marijuana facilities should pay taxes and other money owed to state government. The rule says that state-licensed companies that handle cannabis — for example, dispensaries or growing outfits — will be required to pay their Missouri taxes and fees "via any payment method normally acceptable to those agencies other than cash."
That could be a problem. It's not the way state-legalized cannabis companies have done business so far. Since the inception of medical marijuana in California in the 1990s, they've typically been all-cash operations…
Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the state health department, said in a Tuesday statement… "What we do know is that large amounts of cash-handling will create challenges for state agencies and may create safety issues for medical marijuana facility employees. As we have done with all of our rules, we have put this out for public comment in order to hear from the public whether they have concerns with this proposal and, if so, what they are. The emergency rule has not been filed, and we will consider all comments we receive before determining whether to file it."
DHSS will take public comments on the rule until Nov. 12, according to its Monday news release.
Yokley on Trump GOP vs Reagan GOP
Eli Yokely draws on polling data to look at how Trump Republicans differ from Reagan Republicans. See it here.
Spoiler: Trump Republicans are…
· Less educated.
· Less Christian.
· Less wealthy.
Not a Great Look
Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler unwilling to answer if it’s “OK for a president to pressure foreign governments to interfere in our elections?”
Her answer (see it here): “I gotta get to the airport.”
MOScouter: WOW. Not a hard question.
New Committees
Bob Nance formed a candidate committee (Citizens For Nance) to run for Clay Treasurer as a Republican. Nance was appointed to the position over the summer.
$5K+ Contributions
Keep Government Accountable - $10,000 from Holsman Schiavone LLC.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $10,000 from The Madison PAC.
DougPAC - $10,000 from Teamsters Local 618 Drive Fund.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $10,000 from Schupp for Senate.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $10,000 from Schupp for Senate.
Lobbyists Registrations
Jorgen Schlemeier added Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Steven Webb, Tony George, Catherine Hanaway, Ed Bushmeyer, and Ellie and Eric Harmon (isn’t that cute?).
Saturday: Rep. Kathy Swan.
Sunday: Chris Schappe.