MOScout Daily Update: Holsy, Curls Appted - Trent PAC Spreads $$$ - Still Waiting on 2018 Refunds?! - Lavender Raised $90K - and more...

Holsman, Curls Appts

As rumored, Governor Mike Parson appointed Sens. Jason Holsman and Kiki Curls to the Public Service Commission and the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission respectively.

Pro-Trent PAC Spreads $$$

The pro-Curtis Trent PAC, 417 PAC, filed its latest funding raising quarter.  It showed $215,100 raised in the last three months.  The majority of that came from a $184,900 contribution from Rex Sinquefield.

417 PAC made dozens of contributions to committees of Republican House members – and Republicans running for House seats.  Trent is running for Majority Floor Leader.  The Republican House Caucus will vote on that position after the November election.

Contributions were made to: Alex Riley for State Representative ($1,750); McGirl For State Rep ($500); Dottie Bailey For Missouri ($1,500); Missourians For Vic Allred ($500); Elect Ben Baker ($1,000); Friends For Hardy Billington ($1,000); Committee to Elect Bob Bromley ($500); Danny Busick 4 Rural MO ($500); Committee to Elect Jason Chipman ($1,500); Citizens for Jeff Coleman ($500); Cupps for House ($1,000); Dirk Deaton for Missouri ($1,500);

Citizens to Elect Bruce Degroot ($1,500); Friends of Chris Dinkins ($500); Committee to Elect David Evans ($500); Craig Fishel for State Representative ($1,000); Friends for Travis Fitzwater ($1,000); Citizens to Elect Kurtis Gregory ($1,000); Citizens for Derek Grier ($1,500); Dave Griffith for State Representative ($500); Haden for State Representative ($500); Haffner for Missouri ($500); Hannegan for State Representative ($1,000); Friends of Steve Helms ($1,000); Hill for Missouri ($1,000); Friends of Barry Hovis ($500); Citizens for Brad Hudson ($1,000); Committee to Elect Ann Kelley ($500); Friends of Hannah Kelly ($1,000); Citizens for Lovasco ($1,000); Donald B Mayhew FSR ($500); McDaniel for State Representative ($1,000); Friends of Peggy McGaugh ($1,000); Friends of Ron Hicks ($1,000); Southeast Missourians for Morse ($500); Citizens for Murphy ($2,000);  O'DonnellForMissouri.com ($500); Citizens for Owen ($1,000); Patterson for Missouri ($1,000); Pietzman for the People ($500); Patricia Pike for State Rep. – 126 ($500) Friends of Suzie Pollock ($1,000); Friends of Rodger L Reedy ($500); Riggs for Missouri ($500); Citizens to Elect Doug Richey ($1,000); Friends of Lane Roberts ($500); Citizens for Shane Roden ($500); Committee to Elect Rick Roeber to 34th ($500); Schnelting for Missouri ($1,000); Friends of Nick Schroer ($1,000); Citizens for Schwadron ($1,000); Citizens for Simmons ($1,000); Citizens for Dan Stacy ($1,000); Stephens for State Rep ($500); Friends for Jered Taylor ($1,000); Friends of Terry Thompson ($1,000); Citizens for Cheri Toalson Reisch ($1,000); Friends of Sara Walsh ($2,000); Go West for Missouri ($1,000); and Committee to Elect John Black ($1,000).

Other Early January Quarters

Tomorrow evening is the deadline for the January Quarter, but here are some other early filings of interest…

·         Keep Government Accountable (the pro-Galloway PAC) raised $181,525; spent $2,905; and has $711,072 on-hand.

·         Lavender For State Senate (Deb Lavender running for Senate 15) raised $93,296; spent $26,879; and has $274,443 on-hand.  And the pro-Lavender PAC, Purple PAC, raised $26,500; spent $23; and has $26,516 on-hand.

·         Scism For Senate (Kent Scism running for Senate 3) raised $131,997 (that includes a $100K loan); spent $28,864; and had $123,863 on-hand.

·         Razer for Missouri (Rep. Greg Razer running for Senate 7) raised $29,431; Spent $6,994; and has $86,188 on-hand.

Driving the Morning… Tort Reform

At this morning’s Government Reform Committee, Sen. Bill White will present his SB 591.  It makes punitive damages harder to win as it would require intentional or deliberate actions rather than the current standard of recklessness or conscious disregard for the safety of others.

One reader notes that, “as it happens, each member of the committee hearing this bill tomorrow represents counties or cities currently suing to hold opioid manufacturers accountable for the ongoing crisis that is wreaking havoc across the country. The suits seek punitive damages.

Ed Emery - Barton, Henry, Vernon counties

Cindy O’Laughlin - Adair, Chariton, Knox, Leis, Pike, Ralls, Randolph, Schuyler, Shelby counties

Justin Brown - Crawford, Dent, Phelps, Pulaski counties

Eric Burlison – Christian County

Tony Leutkemeyer - Buchanan County, City of St. Joseph

Karla May - City of St. Louis

Brian Williams - St. Louis County

The bill’s sponsor, Bill White, also helms a district with entities involved in the suits: the City of Joplin, Dade and Jasper counties…”

Galloway: Folks Still Waiting for 2018 Tax Refunds!

I would think there’d be someone in the Parson Administration would want to clear this up yesterday.

Press release: State Auditor Nicole Galloway today demanded answers from the Department of Revenue on the remaining delayed 2018 tax refunds. The Missouri State Auditor's Office continues to receive complaints from taxpayers who are waiting on last year's refunds, even as many Missourians prepare to file their 2019 returns… Recent media reports have referenced thousands of taxpayers still waiting on tax refunds from 2018…

From Galloway chief of staff Michael Moorefield’s letter to DOR: Most recently, we have heard from frustrated taxpayers who are no longer able to review their information using the department's online refund tracking system. These taxpayers have been checking the status of their 2018 refund since early 2019, but it appears the system will only permit them to check for a 2019 tax year refund. Unfortunately, these taxpayers are still waiting on their refund from 2018. 

As this office continues to receive these complaints, we are asking for specific information

related to actions by the department to address these serious concerns:

1. When will the process of paying taxpayers their 2018 refunds be complete?

2. As there are still pending 2018 refunds and the online tracker is no longer available on the

website for these individuals, how can taxpayers easily access up to date information on their

return?

3. What steps has the department taken to address the issues that have resulted in these extreme

delays?

4. What steps has the department taken to ensure that taxpayers filing a property tax credit with

their 2019 return will not face such extreme delays? 

5. Can taxpayers expect efficiency from the department in processing 2019 tax year returns?

Mayoral Race 2021

Yesterday St. Louis City Alderwoman Cara Spencer announced she was running for mayor.  See her website here. The election is in March 2021

What It Means

The early jump hints that the city could be in for a crowded field.  That plays to the advantage of incumbent Mayor Lyda Krewson.

And as former Democratic operative Glenn Burleigh notes on Facebook: At this pace, there will be even more notable candidates, than '17… nobody built the opposition coalition, and, therefore, nobody has the sway to keep challengers at bay.

Help Wanted

Missouri Insurance Coalition seeks General Counsel/Government Affairs Director. “This position assists the Executive Director in accomplishing all goals of the organization, with a primary focus on governmental affairs, lobbying and public relations duties on behalf of the insurance industry.  The ideal candidate will have a least two years’ experience as a legislative staff member, a state agency legislative liaison, employment with a state trade association, or other relevant experience. Knowledge/understanding of the Missouri legislative process is required. The candidate must be licensed to practice law in Missouri. Salary will be commensurate with experience… Please submit resume with detailed qualifications, experience and salary requirements to: Missouri Insurance Coalition, 220 Madison Street- 3rd Floor, Jefferson City, MO 65101.  Deadline to apply is January 24, 2020.”

New Committees

Wesley Korfe formed a candidate committee (Wesley Korfe For Missouri) to run for House 92 as a Democrat.  The current incumbent, Democratic Rep. Doug Beck, is running for state senate.

Cara Spencer formed a candidate committee (Cara Spencer For Mayor) to run for Mayor of St. Louis City.

Lobbyists Registrations

Andy Blunt added Fabius River Drainage District, and Monarch-Chesterfield Levee District. Dawn Fogarty added Missouri Community Action Network.          

Mike Gibbons and Tricia Workman added Missouri Gaming Association.

Michael Grote added The Grote Group, LLC.

Christopher Hankins added Chris Hankins.

David McCracken, Bill Stouffer, Richard McIntosh, Zach Brunnert, and Franc Flotron added Employment Connection.

Derek Ramsey added Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors.

Janet Louise Waddell added Evergy.

Gary Wheeler added Missouri Soybean Association.

$5K+ Contributions

Friends Of Richard Brown - $50,000 from Richard O. Brown.

Friends of Willard Haley - $12,000 from Willard Haley.

MO Cable PAC - $6,359 from Mediacom Communications Corp.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Sen. Mike Cierpiot, and former Rep. Margaret Donnelly.