MOScout Daily Update: The Gun Debate - Beck Fundy - Parson to Tout Reorg and more...

Driving the Day

Governor Mike Parson will hold a press conference on the official restructuring of four state agencies… Originally announced through a series of Executive Orders issued by Governor Parson in January, the changes represent the most significant reorganization of state government in decades…. In addition to the press conference, Governor Parson will also attend events throughout the day hosted by each state department involved in the reorganization…

Kids Dying By Guns

Last weekend multiple children in St. Louis were killed by gunfire.  News outlets report that 12 children have died by guns in St. Louis since April.  Democrats had previously peppered Governor Mike Parson’s call for a special session by asking if there weren’t more pressing matters, Medicaid expansion, school safety… But after last weekend Democrats coalesced around the message of emergency measures to deal with the outbreak of violence.  The Black Caucus asked that the special session include a proposal that local municipalities could create their own gun laws.  Parson rejected these suggestions yesterday. 

I spoke to a few folks from different perspectives yesterday.  Here are some interesting observations.

·         There’s a lack of trust on both sides of the aisle.  Republicans think the Dems are politicizing the tragedies to ding Parson on his special.  Dems think Republicans aren’t willing to take the emergency seriously.

·         The best temporary fix would be a flood of money from the state to fund a huge increase in police presence in the hot spots.  But that’s ultimately only a short-term fix.  And it would face resistance from other areas of the state that think they need resources as well.

·         City officials have mulled adding surveillance cameras to aid law enforcement.  But there may be some technical difficulties with that approach.

·         Real progress in reducing violence requires addressing systemic issues – poverty, education – and that’s a long game.  It’s tough for politicians to invest capital in something that won’t pay-off for ten or fifteen years.

·         The idea of letting St. Louis City regulate guns is a political non-starter among Republicans in Jefferson City. 

·         Parson is uniquely positioned as a Republican, a conservative, a former sheriff to pull a Nixon-to-China.  He can speak about public safety in pragmatic terms even violating current Republican orthodoxy that any gun regulations are inherently anti-2A.

And

Look for a Moms Demand Action rally at the capitol during Veto Session/Special Session.

Fundy for Beck

The Dems’ Senate 1 candidate, Rep. Doug Beck, will hold a fundraiser next week, Thursday September 5.  The host committee (see below) includes members of the Roofing & Siding Contractors Alliance, as well as Sen. Scott Sifton and some big labor leaders.  The event will be at roofing magnate Eric Kirkberg’s “Car Barn” in St. Louis.

Eric Kirberg, President, Kirberg Company

With Host Committee

Senator Scott Sifton, Mike Louis, Dan O’ Donnell, Pat White, John Stiffler, John O’Mara, Bill Vierling, and Elizabeth Lauber

Invite you to a reception honoring

DOUG BECK For Missouri

Thursday, September 5, 2019

5:30– 7:00 P.M.

Kirberg Car Barn

1400 South 3rd Street, St. Louis

Bits

·         Governor Mike Parson appointed Matthew Hearne as Associate Circuit Judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit, filling the vacancy created by the appointment of Richard Stewart to Circuit Judge; and he appointed Renée Hardin-Tammons as Circuit Judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Thea A. Sherry.

·         See one MOLeg intern’s life here.

·         Visual Capitalist does an overview of autonomous vehicles.  See it here.  Interesting point about the unfathomable amounts of data they will produce.

Worth the Read

Jason Kander shares the story of his grandmother who recently passed away.  See it here.

Bella Gerzenschtein was born October 1, 1926 to Gregoriy and Faina Belaya in Chernigov, Ukraine...

New Committees

Macy Mitchell formed a candidate committee to run for House 130 as a Republican.

Missourians For Affordable and Clean Energy was formed.  It’s a campaign committee to support a ballot amendment to Missouri’s renewable energy standards.  Its treasurer is Charlie O’Reilly, and its deputy treasurer is James Owen.

Lobbyist Registrations

Dawn Nicklas added Humane Society Legislative Fund of the Midwest Inc.         

Caroline Hoover added Bluestem Cannabis Corporation.

$5K+ Contributions

No Bans on Choice - $10,208 from ACLU of Missouri.

American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Missouri Soybean Association.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $30,000 from Burns & McDonnell.

Missouri Leadership Forum - $15,000 from The Larson Group, Inc.

MO Majority PAC LLC - $5,500 from Phoenix Home Care.

Missouri C PAC - $5,500 from Phoenix Home Care.

Missouri Senior PAC - $5,500 from Phoenix Home Care.

Missouri Growth PAC - $5,500 from Phoenix Home Care.

House Victory Committee - $7,500 from HCA Missouri Good Government Fund.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Rep. Shamed Dogan, John Diehl and Percy Green II.