MOScout Daily Update: Parson-PP Battle Continues - More Senate 5 Names - Gray in House 77 - Tilley's Big Year and more...
Parson Says It’s Not About Abortion
Governor Mike Parson held a press conference yesterday about the reports that Missouri’s only abortion clinic was in danger of losing its license. He said it wasn’t about abortions, just following regulations. Obviously, this is a departure from the typical Republican “cut red tape” talk. Instead it was about how the clinic needs to comply with the bureaucracy if they want their license… “This is not an issue about the pro-life issue at all. This is about a standard of care for women in the state of Missouri.”
Meanwhile
· Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin on Facebook: Shut them down. #Abortionisnothealthcare. Thank you to Governor Parson for enforcing regulations and demanding compliance.
· US Senator Roy Blunt quoted in Springfield News-Leader: In a later meeting with reporters, Blunt broke with statehouse Republicans on a key issue in the abortion debate, saying he favors exceptions to regulations for victims of rape and incest… But Blunt was quick to say he had no problem with the state’s action. “My position on (the exceptions) has not changed,” he said, “but I'm not at all critical of the state trying to take a leading role on how these issues should be dealt with."
Driving the Day: PP in Court
Post-Dispatch reports: Attorneys for Planned Parenthood and the state of Missouri had been scheduled to meet in court Wednesday afternoon in a dispute that will likely determine the fate of the state's only licensed abortion clinic. But, Circuit Judge Michael Stelzer said in open court, a hearing on the case had been postponed until 10:30 a.m. Thursday… Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region sued the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on Tuesday, alleging the state agency was "unlawfully" holding up renewal of the St. Louis abortion clinic's license until the department could finish an investigation into an unidentified patient complaint. The clinic, in the Central West End, will see its license expire on May 31 unless the state relents and renews the license, or the court intervenes…
More on Senate 5
Tonight Rep. Steven Roberts kicks off his Senate 5 campaign. He’s the first out of the gate, but it’s assumed that he won’t get a free pass.
· Rep. Peter Merideth is said to be looking at it very seriously;
· Other names mentioned…. former Rep. Chris Carter and Alderwoman Megan Green.
· Traditionally there is a racial calculation involved in these St. Louis City. However white progressives are increasingly willing to back black candidates making the old formula less ironclad.
And
Darryl Gray announced on Facebook that he’d be seeking the Roberts’ seat, House 77. Gray ran unsuccessfully for 18th Ward alderman earlier this year.
St. Louis IS my home, and I am totally committed to improving the State that we are in. We must ensure that our rights are protected; our communities are safe; our families are heathy; our schools are adequately funded; our justice system is fair; our environment is protected; our elected officials represent people, not special interests; and that workers receive livable wages. I will be posting our platform soon…
One Year Later
Post-Dispatch ran a one-year later article marking the anniversary of Eric Greitens resignation. See it here.
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, months into a scandal involving a 2015 extramarital affair, announced on May 29, 2018, that he would step down. Greitens admitted he had the affair, but denied allegations he threatened his lover with a compromising photograph. Greitens' resignation meant the city's circuit attorney dropped a felony invasion of privacy case against the governor… “I have not broken any laws or committed any offense worthy of this treatment,” he asserted.
And
Those in the rotunda have noticed that Steve Tilley has had an exceptional year as well. According to the latest tally from the Missouri Ethics Commission, he now represents 70 clients. He has added 50 of those 70 in the last twelve months.
This is partially because Tilley is tight with Governor Parson. The two were close when they served in the House together. And Tilley has remained a confidante of the governor, as well as a prominent fundraiser. See large contributions below where another $150K from Tilley’s clients was recorded into the governor’s PAC.
The other dynamic super-charging Tilley’s lobbying business is the medical marijuana industry. He recognized the potential of the industry very early, and positioned his firm to be in the middle of it. His client list has a bunch of MMJ names (Bootheel CannaCare LLC, CanMedLabs LLC, Gateway Green LLC, Green Farms Missouri LLC, Herbal Health LLC, Swamp East Growers, and MO Holistic Healthcare, for example).
Finally, the addition of workaholic Thomas Robbins as a partner in Tilley’s Strategic Capitol Consulting also added capacity to the firm to take on more clients.
Revenue Watch
With a few days left in the month, May revenues have held steady from their surge in April. As of close of business May 28, state receipts were $159 million higher than a year ago, or up +1.88%.
Help Wanted
Liberty Utilities seeks Vice President, Government Affairs. “We are looking for an ambitious business leader to be responsible for the development of governmental policies and strategies for the company… Establishing governmental affair strategies in collaboration with internal and external groups to compliment and facilitate the business strategies of the Company; Help organize, facilitate and report on governmental affairs issues related to the Company’s business; Collaborate on the resolution of technical, interpersonal and political conflict through effective issues management; Work with corporate functions and business units to develop and advocate dedicated policy positions and execute corrective legislative and regulatory strategies; Assist with the leadership, serving as a spokesperson, ambassador and facilitator for governmental affairs both internally and externally. Acts as a company contact for governmental affairs issues; Develop local, Municipal, Provincial, State and Federal governmental relations strategies and programs for education, promotion and lobbying efforts with elected officials, senior management and other business and community leaders…” See the ad here.
New Committees
Missouri Citizen Voters was formed. It’s a campaign committee to support a 2020 constitutional amendment changing the qualifications of voters by changing the phrase “all citizens of the United States” to “only a citizen of the United States.” Its treasurer is Linda Ragdale.
New IPs
Damien Johnson submitted two petitions stating that the right to reproductive freedom shall not be abridged. See it here.
Lobbyists Registrations
Brian Bernskoetter deleted Kingdom Principles Inc.
Heath Clarkston, Doug Nelson, and Kurt Schaefer added Orscheln Management Co.
Steve Tilley and Thomas Robbins added MO Holistic Healthcare, and deleted Wolf PAC, and Healthcare Management Inc.
Kevin Roy added Shatterproof.
Lynn Schlosser deleted Midwest Industrial Hemp Association.
$5K+ Contributions
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Charter Communications.
Pfizer Missouri Political Action Committee - Federal Committee - $5,200 from Pfizer Inc PAC.
City of Fountains Committee - $25,000 from CHIPP Political Account.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $10,000 from Missouri Leadership Forum.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $25,000 from MO Majority PAC.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $25,000 from Anheuser Busch Companies.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $10,000 from Torch Electronics LLC
Uniting Missouri PAC - $10,000 from TBPKM LLC
Uniting Missouri PAC - $25,000 from Phoenix Home Care LLC
Uniting Missouri PAC - $25,000 from Sterling Bancshares Inc.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $25,000 from MACO Development Company LLC.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $10,000 from Spire Missouri Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Stacy Reliford, and Galen Higdon.