MOScout Daily Update: No MNEA IP? - Big GM Announcement - Uninsured MO Children - Jami Seeks COS and more...
Source: MNEA To Drop IP Plans
I’m told that the Missouri National Education Association “is ditching their IP pursuit. The polling came back bad and they determined it wasn’t worth it.”
Earlier this year they had created a campaign committee, “Put Our Students First,” and filed several versions of initiative petitions. The IPs would have removed money for public education from the budget calculations of general revenue when determining income tax rates, and added “equality of opportunity” language to ensure equity between schools.
What It Means
• MNEA is a potent political force with a large membership and burgeoning PACs. The prospect of an IP on the ballot could have motivated their members to vote.
• But they will likely be heavily involved in the 2020 election nevertheless.
And
One legislator had told me that future budget years looked tougher citing a clutch of issues. MNEA’s IP was one of them (perhaps requiring more money to schools). This removes that concern, but others remain (possible recession, Medicaid expansion, Department of Corrections settlement).
Driving the Day: GM Announcement
Governor Mike Parson will join General Motors (GM) President Mark Reuss, government officials, and community leaders for a major announcement at the Wentzville Assembly and Stamping Plant.
See AP’s preview here.
Clay Circus Continues
Press release: Today, Clay County refused to answer questions from auditors as required by a subpoena issued more than two weeks ago. On Nov. 22, State Auditor Nicole Galloway issued a lawfully executed subpoena demanding records and testimony associated with a citizen-mandated audit of Clay County.
Clay County's attorney would not allow the assistant county administrator to answer questions asked by audit staff. Under state law, the auditor or her authorized representatives have the authority to take testimony of auditees under oath… To avoid further delay, the State Auditor's Office will now take Clay County to court for a second time to demand compliance…
Meanwhile
On Facebook Commissioner Jerry Nolte writes: “RIDGEWAY AND OWEN WASTE MORE OF YOUR MONEY IN APPEAL TO SUPREME COURT...THEY NEED TO RESIGN!
In yet another show of contempt for law enforcement, the courts and you the citizens, Commissioners Ridgeway and Owen are appealing their discredited war on the Sheriff to the Missouri Supreme Court. THIS WILL NOT BE CHEAP.
This vast waste of tax money and indefensible attacks on the Sheriff shows why they must resign now. Citizens can not wait a year to vote Ridgeway and Owen out, they do more damage with every passing day….”
More Uninsured Children in Missouri
Post Dispatch reports that “over the past two years, Missouri saw the biggest increase in the country in the rate of uninsured young children, according to a new analysis by Georgetown University… Missouri was one of 14 states with rates of uninsured children significantly higher than the national average rate of 4.3%. Overall, the number of uninsured young children in Missouri went from 16,051 to 23,431 — a 46% increase…
In Missouri, state totals show that more than 100,000 people, mostly children, were dropped from Medicaid between August 2018 to July of this year — a nearly 11% drop.
The Missouri Department of Social Services, which administers the public health program, points to an improving economy as well as a new computerized renewal system and other efforts to purge Medicaid rolls of people who are not eligible.
Advocates helping clients who have lost coverage, however, say that nearly all those they help are actually eligible. Advocates see renewal letters sent to wrong addresses, lost paperwork and glitches in the computer system. Clients wait hours on the phone to get coverage reinstated.
State Rep. David Wood, R-Versailles, says overall, he feels confident a majority of those losing Medicaid coverage are not eligible…”
November Revenues
Running behind on this… “State Budget Director Dan Haug announced today that net general revenue collections for November 2019 increased 4.7 percent compared to those for November 2018, from $676.5 million last year to $708.5 million this year. Net general revenue collections 2019 fiscal year-to-date increased 6.8 percent compared to November 2018, from $3.4 billion last year to $3.7 billion this year…” See it here.
Help Wanted
Senate Jamilah Nasheed seeks Chief of Staff. “Successful candidates must have an advanced knowledge of public policy and the legislative process, the ability to multitask effectively in a fast paced work environment and the ability to interact with members of the General Assembly on a variety of legislative and procedural issues. The position also requires the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, work with sensitive issues, and maintain a professional standard of confidentiality…” See it here.
$5K+ Contributions
HealthPAC - $10,500 from Health Care Leadership Committee State Account.
Missourians for Healthcare - $6,250 from Swope Health Services.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $25,000 from Kevin Knasel.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $10,000 from Health Systems Inc.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $10,000 from National Health Corporation Missouri Federal Committee.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $30,000 from Rolla Health & Rehabilitation Suites.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $10,000 from Midwest Long Term Care Services LLC.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $10,000 from SNF Management Services Inc.
Majority Forward - $15,000 from Centene Management Company LLC.
Lobbyists Registrations
Cruz Giovanni Garibay added Enova Online Services Inc; and deleted Online Lending.
Jerry Burch added Arrow Oil & Gas LLC; and deleted Donald Hermann on behalf of Cryptic River Management.
Jacqueline Clark deleted LafargeHolcim NA.
Mike Gibbons deleted Coalition of Ignition Interlock Manufacturers.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays Rep. Dan Shaul, Gary Fuhr, Jennae Neustadt, and Curt Dougherty.
Saturday: Cheryl Dillard.
Sunday: Ric Telhorst.