MOScout Daily Update: Lager Hearts Parson - MNEA IPs Filed - AVs Ahead? - AGs Hate Google and more....

Lager Hearts Parson

In the large contributions (below) Herzog Contracting contributed $250K to Uniting Missouri PAC.  That’s the PAC aligned with Governor Mike Parson.

Stan Herzog passed away recently.  Former Sen. Brad Lager is directing the political giving from Herzog’s companies.

What It Means

·         These huge donations will translate into dollars for voter contact next year, and that’s important.  But the immediate effect is a sort of psychological jabbing to the hopes of Democrats.  They’re far behind in the money race.  And it’s looks like they’re falling farther behind every day.

·         For all the talk last year about Parson getting a primary, this is one more indication that MOGOP has closed ranks behind the governor. 

·         One MOScouter says: another nail in the Greitens comeback coffin as it’s the loss of a major backer.  “That [wad] should spook Greitens…”

·         Finally, it’s easy to forget what’s at stake in this election.  If Democrats were able to snag the governor’s mansion again – vetoes happen, a return to override battles.  The era of Republicans conveyor-belting their agenda would end.  With that in mind, the amount of money flowing to Team Parson is understandable.

And

This a signal that Lager is poised to take a larger role in state politics.  Lager is tight with the Jeff Roe–Todd Graves camp.

MNEA’s IPs

DeeAnn Aull, MNEA Executive Director, filed four initiative petitions with the secretary of state’s office yesterday.  This follows the creation of a campaign committee, “Put Our Students First.” 

They all contain identical language which removes money for public education from the budget calculations of general revenue when determining income tax rates.  That would appear to make the threshold to trigger income tax cuts harder to achieve. Additionally all versions have “equality of opportunity” language to ensure equity between schools.

But beyond these similarities, there are substantial differences. Two include early childhood provisions (2020-118 & 2020-120) that guarantees Pre-K programs in public schools with a publicly elected school board as a fundamental right.

The other two (2020-117 & 2020-119) don’t have the section on early childhood.

The language about “publicly elected school boards” is in all but one (2020-117), and it appears to be a way to cut out charter schools.

And

MNEA is a potent political force. 

·         Their large membership can be mobilized. 

·         And they have large war-chests.  As of the July quarter, MO National Education Assoc-PAC had a cash balance of $534,300; their Unite. Inspire. Lead PAC had $152,976 cash on-hand.

Hints of Coming Battles

In the lobbyists’ registrations today, there are clear signs of some issues which will be coming before the legislature next session.

·         The executive director for Partnership for Transportation Innovation and Opportunity [PTIO] registered for that organization.  It’s a national organization which appears to be pushing for a regulatory framework to allow driverless vehicles.  See the website here.  Autonomous vehicle technology will create opportunities and challenges for American workers. Together, the Partnership for Transportation Innovation and Opportunity will find solutions that ensure Americans benefit from adoption of this technology.

·         James Harris registered for American Bail Coalition.  They’re pushing back against the current trend of reducing bail requirements.  See the website here.   FACT OR MYTH? Proponents of bail reform often argue with the same talking points to bolster their claim that monetary bail is unfair…but do they get it right?  Are people really “stuck in jail” solely because they cannot afford a $200 bail?

Schmitt Contra Google

Attorney General Eric Schmitt joined almost every other AG from across the country to launch an investigation of the business practices of Google.

From the press release: The bipartisan coalition announced plans to investigate Google’s overarching control of online advertising markets and search traffic that may have led to anticompetitive behavior that harms consumers. Legal experts from each state will work in cooperation with Federal authorities to assess competitive conditions for online services and ensure that Americans have access to free digital markets. Additionally, Missouri’s existing investigation into Google’s practices will roll into this multistate investigation.

IE PACs

I received a few additions to the IE PAC list.  It’s here as a PDF.  I will continue to make updates to this going forward.  New listings…

KC Neighbors for Progress – Greg Razer

Bold PAC – Elijah Haahr

Mighty Missouri PAC – Rob Vescovo

Ozark Gateway Leadership PAC – Cody Smith

Conservative Solutions for Missouri – Mary Elizabeth Coleman

RFP for Analysis of Health Insurance Innovation Recommendations

The state is seeking “actuarial and economic analysis services to demonstrate the feasibility of recommendations of the Health Insurance Innovation Task Force for a 1332 State Innovation Waiver Application.”  See it here.

The Governor of Missouri formed the Health Insurance Innovation Task Force to identify innovations that can be made to improve, as well as substantially change, many aspects of the current Missouri health insurance market.  The Governor charged the Health Insurance Innovation Task Force with developing formal recommendations for a Section 1332 State Relief and Empowerment Waiver Application….

[The Health Insurance Innovation Task Force’s] recommendations will come in the form of a final report to be submitted to the Governor and Missouri General Assembly no later than January 31, 2020.

The Health Insurance Innovation Task Force requires an actuarial and economic analysis of the selected innovative concepts to demonstrate the feasibility of the recommendations in terms of meeting the current 1332 Waiver guardrail requirements for comparable coverage, affordability and comprehensiveness and to ensure that any recommendations are neutral with regard to both federal and state budgets…

New Committees

Stephen Cookson formed a candidate committee (The Good Folks For Cookson) to run for Senate 25 as a Republican.

$5K+ Contributions

Operating Engineers Local 101 Political Fund - $60,000 from Operating Engineers Local 101 Kansas Political Action Committee.

WPG PAC - $7,000 from Winton Policy Group LLC.

Missouri Leadership Forum - $15,000 from Warrenton Oil Company.

Majority Forward - $10,000 from Ameren Missouri.

UFCW Local 655 Elect Club - $5,911 from UFCW Local 655.

Uniting Missouri PAC - $5,100 from W K GMC.

Uniting Missouri PAC – $50,000 from William Darr.

Uniting Missouri PAC – $25,000 from RightChoice Managed Care Inc.

Uniting Missouri PAC – $25,000 from Rivertown Enterprises Inc.

Uniting Missouri PAC – $10,000 from Spire Missouri Inc.

Uniting Missouri PAC – $5,001 from MOSFA PAC Inc.

Uniting Missouri PAC – $10,000 from Missouri Senior PAC.

Uniting Missouri PAC – $75,000 from CL PAC.

Uniting Missouri PAC – $250,000 from Herzog Contracting.

Lobbyist Registrations

Brett Emison added Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys.

Kathleen “Kathy” Ann Becker added Kathleen A. Becker.

Kathryn Branson added Partnership for Transportation Innovation and Opportunity.

James Harris added American Bail Coalition.

Amy Blouin deleted Missouri Budget Project.

Vicki Englund deleted Ygrene Energy Fund.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Erika Leonard, Ian Dunlap, Jill Kline and Tom Madden.