MOScout Daily Update: Grain Belt Gets Court Win - Eigel Takes At at Local Bonds - DHSS Eyes MMJ Vaping Regs and more...

Grain Belt Wins in Court

Post-Dispatch reports that “the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District rejected claims that the Public Service Commission had erred in giving a green light in March to the construction of the Grain Belt Express Transmission line.

The 19-page ruling is the latest victory for backers of the project, which aims to bring Kansas wind energy east to Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.

In a unanimous decision from PSC commissioners in March, the project received “a certificate of convenience and necessity” — a designation recognizing it as being in the public interest, and lending developers the right to use eminent domain as needed to construct the line.

Landowners in the path of the transmission lines, as well as the farm bureau, appealed the decision, arguing the PSC had misinterpreted evidence and state utility laws in granting the approval. The court disagreed with the opponents, known as the Missouri Landowners Alliance.”

Schupp as Liberal as Parson?

Dave Helling dings the National Republican Congressional Committee for hitting Sen. Jill Schupp over favoring a Wayfair fix.  He notes it’s the same position that governor Mike Parson – and most Republicans in the legislature hold.

New Senate Pre-files of Interest

·         Sen. Bill Eigel, who has shaken a fist at local jurisdictions raising taxes, pre-filed SB 791 which would bring some attention to local bond issuances.  “This act requires a county, municipality, or other political subdivision to mail a notice to each impacted taxpayer at least thirty days prior to any vote authorizing the extension of one or more bonds… indicating the dollar amount by which the taxpayer's property tax liability shall be decreased and the amount by which the debt service levy or other tax levy enacted for the purpose of retiring such bonds will be reduced if such bonds are not extended and new bonds are not issued.”

·         Sen. Jill Schupp takes aim at “dark money” with SB 789.  It “requires all non-profit organizations exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)4 of the Internal Revenue Code to make certain disclosures regarding expenditures for the purpose of electioneering activities… The act imposes a 48-hour reporting requirement once expenditures or certain contributions exceed $5,000, in the aggregate…”  This issue has been a non-starter in previous session, but now that progressive groups are using the loophole more, perhaps it will get a second look.

And

Springfield New Leader reports on Rep. Tony Lovasco wanting to rein in the MODoT clever signs.  See it here.

National News From New Spending Bill

·         NYTimes says it’s a show of political strength from doctors.  See it here.

·         Washington Post reports on “dismantling” of ACA.  See it here.

·         The Hill says gun control advocates happy with research funds.  See it here.

DHSS to Hold MMJ Vaping Listening Session

Press release: The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Section for Medical Marijuana Regulation, will hold a public forum to receive input on how the Medical Marijuana Program should regulate medical marijuana vaping products. The forum will be held on January 9, 2020, from 5:30 – 7 p.m., at the Governor Office Building, Room 450, 200 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101. The Department is now also accepting public comments regarding regulation of medical marijuana vaping products….

What It Means

We’ll see if the MMJ regulators take a tougher look at vaping than the administration has done.

eMailbag More Sight’ems at Parson Fundy

Also seen at the packed house for Governor Mike Parson Monday were Cliff Illig, Don Hall Jr., Terry and Steve Dunn, and the GOP leader who serves as the straw that stirs the Kansas City drink, Warren Erdman. And a surprising number of former Nixon democrats. From OA, former Commissioner Doug Nelson, and Melissa Panettierre with her husband Salvatore, to Microsoft lobbyist William Shoehigh (wife Julie Gibson from Division of labor). Other Democrats included Jerry Riffel and former McCaskill campaign advisor Richard Martin now with JE Dunn. Strong showing for the Governor less than one year out….

Help Wanted

Missouri Democratic Campaign Committee seeks Executive Director.  See the ad here.

See the Missouri House Victory Committee website here.

New Committees

Gregory Moore formed a candidate committee (Citizens for Bridget Walsh Moore) to run for House 93 as a Democrat.  The current incumbent, Democratic Rep. Bob Burns, is termed

$5K+ Contributions

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Nexus PAC.

Missourians for Healthcare - $7,332 from Sierra Club.

MO Republican Party - $7,500 from Enterprise Holdings Inc. PAC.

Friends for Hardy Billington - $10,000 from Hardy Billington.

Friends for Hardy Billington - $15,000 from Hardy Billington.

Lobbyists Registrations

Wyatt Suling added Missouri Attorney General’s Office.

Michael Grote added Posinelli, and Columbia Chamber of Commerce.

Brent Hemphill added Missouri Soybean Association.

Lee McGrath deleted Institute for Justice.

Matthew Ross Patton deleted Lyft Inc.

Luana Gifford terminated her registration.  She had represented American Federation of Teachers St Louis Local 420 (AFT).

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Kelvin Elmer and Derrick Good.