MOScout Daily Update: AVR Comes to MO? - KC Votes Today - Tisby Indicted - Gubby Appts and more...

1 Big Thing: Automatic Voter Registration

16 initiative petitions were filed by Mary Ann Sedey to make voter registration an automatic process for Missouri residents who qualify.  While the petitions have some variations, all of them use this language as the basis…

The secretary of state shall establish a process to conduct automatic voter registrations based on driver’s license information and state issued nondriver’s license information.

The department of revenue shall, on at least a weekly basis, provide the secretary of state with a list of eligible citizens who have applied for, applied to renew, or changed the address related to a driver’s license or state issued nondriver’s license, are citizens of the United States, residents of Missouri, and meet the criteria to be eligible to vote in the State of Missouri.

What It Means

·         How many times have you seen calls for volunteers for voter registration drives? Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) is a shortcut.

·         It’s seen by progressives as a way to increase turnout about constituencies that vote at lower rates, but generally vote Democratic – the young and the poor.

·         It appears that this is trend happening around the country, so it wouldn’t be surprising if we see big national checks coming in from lefties groups to help the effort.

And

For those keeping score at home, Sedey, an attorney, is also the treasurer for campign committee established to push AVR.  It’s called Vote 2020, and it was formed late last month.  Its deputy treasurer is Mike Pridmore who is part of Team Galloway.  See a bio of Sedey here.

Driving the Day

Kansas City mayoral race… ELECTION DAY.

Tisby Indicted

William Tisby, a former FBI agent hired by St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner to help investigate misconduct by Eric Greitens, was indicted on seven felonies.  Read the indictment here.  He’s accused of perjury.  And this isn’t “gotcha” stuff.  These are blatant lies.

What It Means

·         Republicans who were so glad to be done with Greitens will worry that apologists are putting the comeback narrative out there.  Two words: WITCH HUNT! Greitens lawyer Scott Rosenbaum gets quoted in the Post-Dispatch story: “Eric Greitens should still be governor.”

·         Reminder: Greitens for Missouri had $737,000 cash on-hand as of April.

And

It’s hard to read the indictment and not think that Gardner will also be in some kind of legal trouble.  Throughout the indictment narrative, she appears willing enabler of Tisby’s lies.

PP Wins Round in Court

Post Dispatch reports on yet another battle in the ongoing abortion war.  See it here.

A St. Louis judge has blocked Missouri’s Republican-led Legislature from cutting off funding to abortion providers and their affiliates. In a decision that adds another legal front to the courtroom battles already underway between a state government controlled by the GOP and affiliates of Planned Parenthood, Judge David Dowd said the attempted funding prohibition was constitutionally flawed and couldn’t be completely enforced. The ruling potentially protects health care options for an estimated 7,000 people. The case stems from a 2018 initiative by lawmakers to block funding from going to "any abortion facility" and "any affiliate or associate thereof."  It has become a common practice for lawmakers to use the budget to legislate policy initiatives…

In a statement, Gov. Mike Parson suggested the ruling would be appealed. "Our office is still reviewing the court's decision, however, we will always defend our position that no state taxpayer dollars should be used to fund abortion," the statement noted…

But SuperAttorney Chuck Hatfield on twitter corrects the governor’s misstatement. The issue here is whether Medicaid pays for birth control and regular exams given by PP (it does for all other providers).  A different law prohibits funding for abortion.

Lembke and Stanley

Grumbles from a few Republicans about photos on social media showing former Sen. Jim Lembke enjoying the Blues victory in various settings and asking if he should be taking “gifts.”

I don’t know the particulars of any of this, but… worth noting that Lembke left the employ of the Senate at the end of May.  He’s no longer listed on the Senate website, and so would not be bound by CLEAN Missouri’s gift limits.  His wife apparently works for the Blues organization.

Gubby Appts

Governor Mike Parson announced 27 appointments yesterday.  Some of them kind of interesting.  From the press release….

·         Dr. Sam Alexander, of Fair Play, was appointed to the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts.  Dr. Alexander is an Emergency Physician at Cox Medical Center South…

·         Caleb Arthur, of Springfield, was appointed to the State Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority.  Mr. Arthur is the President of Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association (MOSEIA) and the Owner and CEO of Sun Solar LLC. He previously contemplated a state senate run.

·         Dr. Matthew Brandt, of Springfield, was appointed to the State Board of Health and Senior Services. Dr. Brandt is a Physician and EMS Medical Director at Cox Health.

·         Sarah Burkemper, of Troy, was reappointed to the Truman State University Board of Governors.

·         Nancy Gibler, of Jefferson City, was appointed to the State Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority.

·         Nancy Gingrich, of Clarence, was appointed to the Truman State University Board of Governors.

·         Jonathan Hayashi, of Troy, was appointed to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights.

·         Barbara Hayden, of Sedalia, was appointed to the State Fair Commission.

·         Kaylyn Lambert, of Nixa, was appointed to the MO HealthNet Oversight Committee. Ms. Lambert is the System Director of Patient Experience at CoxHealth…

·         James Ludden, of Bolivar, was appointed to the Missouri Fire Safety Education / Advisory Commission.

·         Sarah Mills, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Missouri Achieving a Better Life Experience Board. Ms. Mills serves as the Clay County Public Administrator, and was elected in November, 2016. She previously ran for state representative…

·         Douglas Mitchell, of Warrensburg, was appointed to the Board of Private Investigator and Private Fire Investigator Examiners.

·         Mary Nichols, of Maryland Heights, was appointed to the State Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority. Ms. Nichols previously served as a State Representative for the 72nd District from 2011-2018.

·         Sarah Oerther, of Rolla, was appointed to the MO HealthNet Oversight Committee.

·         Mark William O’Neill, of Warrenton, was appointed to the Warren County Coroner.

·         Dr. Nick Pfannenstiel, of Willard, was appointed to the MO HealthNet Oversight Committee.

·         Philip Prewitt, of Macon, was appointed to the Administrative Hearing Commission.

·         Nick Ragone, of St. Louis, was appointed to the State Board of Health and Senior Services. Mr. Ragone is Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Ascension…

·         Deborah Roach, of Grant City, was appointed to the Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents.

·         Dr. Naveed Razzaque, of Bridgeton, was appointed to the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts.

·         Martha Staggs, of Paris, was appointed to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights.

·         Allen Shirley, of Joplin, was appointed to the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

·         Dr. Marc Taormina, of Lee’s Summit, was appointed to the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts.

·         Jeff Ussery, of Republic, was appointed to the Amusement Ride Safety Board.

·         Traci Wiley, of West Plains, was appointed to the Missouri Fire Safety Education / Advisory Commission.

·         Dwight Wyatt, of Oakville, was appointed to the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

·         Brian Zaitz, of St. Charles, was appointed to the Missouri Fire Safety Education / Advisory Commission.

New Committees

Chris Brown formed a candidate committee (Chris Brown For Missouri House) to run for House 16 as a Republican.

James Shackelford also formed a candidate committee (The Committee To Elect James Shackelford) to run for House 16 – but as a Democrat.

The current incumbent, Republican Rep. Noel Shull, is termed.

$5K+ Contributions

MO State Teachers Assoc Legislative Impact Co - $10,000 from Southwest Region Teachers Association.

Jackson County Democratic Committee - $6,000 from Carpenters Help in the Political Process (CHIPP).

Lobbyists Registrations

Andy Blunt and Chris Moody added The Accountants Coalition.

Andy Blunt deleted PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Rep. Jay Mosley.