MOScout Daily Update: MO Dems Can't Escape Prez Race - Razer's NYC Fundy - Big Biz News and more...
MO Dems Can’t Escape National Dems
News broke yesterday that Democratic presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand was planning a visit to Missouri. See it here. “Gillibrand is planning to hold a reproductive rights town hall in St. Louis, home of Missouri's last remaining abortion clinic… The New York senator has made defending women's rights the bedrock of her presidential bid. Gillibrand's campaign says the town hall will be held Sunday, and she's also meeting privately with providers and patients…” One left-leaning reader texted me: “Wow, just what MO Dems need for our rebrand!”
It raises a very important point: No matter how much Nicole Galloway and other Dems want to frame the 2020 campaign, it will probably be impossible for them to escape the larger narrative of the cycle which will be driven by the presidential election.
Big Biz News
Big business news hit both of Missouri’s coasts yesterday.
On the eastern side: “Bunge Ltd., an agriculture, food and ingredients company, will move its global headquarters from White Plains, New York, to its offices in Chesterfield. The relocation is expected to be completed in second quarter 2020…” Governor Mike Parson cheered: HUGE NEWS: Bunge is moving to St. Louis! This fortune 250 company has decided to move their global headquarters from New York to Missouri. One more reason our St. Louis region is an agtech industry hub. As did the new County Executive, Sam Page: We’re excited by Bunge’s decision to relocate its global HQ to St. Louis County. This announcement underscores our region’s growing status as an international leader in ag tech.
On the western side: “Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday celebrated what they said is an end to the longstanding economic border war and pledged to usher in a new era of cooperation between the two states, whose rivalry spans more than a century. The pair signed an agreement pledging to end the use of tax incentives to lure companies across the state line that do not create new jobs for the region. They said that practice has cost the states hundreds of millions of dollars with little to show for it….” Shout out to Hallmark’s Erin Brower who provided muscle and hustle in pushing for the reform.
What It Means
This is likely the central theme of the Parson re-election campaign: jobs, jobs, jobs. Low unemployment and a governor who’s working his tail off to keep delivering more jobs. Of course, message may not matter as everything is drown out by President Donald Trump’s cultural war on imports and immigrants, but it does seem like the best strategy.
Razer NYC Fundy
Tomorrow night, Rep. Greg Razer is holding a fundraiser at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. Tipster says that it’s “being promoted by one of the stars of Queer Eye. Greg was instrumental in bringing QE to KC and he must have made the right connections… Razer has all the potential to be Missouri's next big thing… Rural Missourah roots with a southern drawl of sorts, while also able to fit the Left's need for personal progressive street cred. He studies and engages in serious issues (higher Ed and Transportation) while passionately fighting for a personal issue, MONA…”
[NOTE: I deleted a blurb here about Higher Ed RFP. I mistakenly referenced an old RFP]
Bauer Fined
The Missouri Ethics Commission fined St. Louis aldermanic candidate Tom Bauer $1,100. See it here.
Congratulations
To Teresa Coyan who was promoted to Vice President of Public Affairs at Cox Health.
And
To former Senator Claire McCaskill who joins “the speaking circuit at $40,000 a pop…”
eMailbag: Plocher Pushback
The pushback on Rep. Dean Plocher being tied to trial attorneys is laughable considering the same was said about our current speaker of the house. It hasn’t stopped the house from prioritizing significant tort reform proposals that ended up on the Governor’s desk…
Help Wanted
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City seeks Public Policy Analyst. “This role partners with associations, and non-profits to research specific policy proposals, identify top influencers, and assess their connectivity on public policy issues related to the social determinants of health. They will conduct qualitative analysis of current public policy issues and execute against tight deadlines to develop professional and intellectually sound deliverables…” See it here.
The Missouri Ethics Commission seeks reporting analyst. “Assist candidates for state and local office, committee treasurers, and public officials required to electronically file campaign finance disclosure reports with the MEC. Duties also include entering and updating information in automated systems, and reviewing campaign finance reports for completeness and accuracy… Salary range from $27,000 - $32,000…” See it here.
New Committees
Amber Moyers formed a candidate committee (Committee To Elect Amber Moyers) to run for House 147 as a Democrat. The current incumbent, Republican Rep. Kathy Swan, is running for Senate.
Chris Beyer formed a candidate committee (Citizens For Beyer) to run for house 62 as a Republican. The current incumbent, Republican Rep. Tom Hurst, is termed.
Spirit Of Missouri was formed. It’s a PAC. Its treasurer is Mary Pierce.
Cigna Corporation Missouri Pac - Federal Committee was formed. Its treasurer is Sam Hallemeier.
Lobbyists Registrations
Greg Porter added Shryne Group, and EBC - Missouri, LLC.
Jeffrey Altmann added MOVA Management.
Amy Anderson deleted Jeffersonian Project dba ALEC Action.
$5K+ Contributions
HCA Missouri Good Government Fund - $50,000 from MidAmerica Division Office.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $12,500 from Charter Communications.
MILA PAC - $9,240 from World Acceptance Corporation.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Nancy Cross, Locke Thompson, John Loudon (the big 5-0), Rep. David Griffith, and Doug Moore.