MOScout Daily Update: Skelton Out in Senate 19 - $425K to Rowden PAC - Parson OKs Refugees - SCOMO on Special Laws and much much more....
Skelton Out in Senate 19
News Tribune reports that “Michela Skelton, a Democratic candidate, has announced she has withdrawn from her campaign for Missouri's 19th state Senate district.”
What It Means
· Good news for Dems who are eyeing Senate 19 as a possible pick-up. Former Democratic Rep. Judy Baker now becomes presumptive nominee to face Sen. Caleb Rowden.
· While this is a definite positive for Dems, the greater asset they have on the ballot is President Donald Trump. I imagine he’ll create Democratic enthusiasm – and turnout – in this district.
· MOScout/Remington polling from September showed the race in a statistical tie: Rowden at 49% and Baker at 45% with a margin of error +/- 4.7%.
But Big $$$ Back Rowden
On the final day of the year, Rex Sinquefield contributed $150K to the pro-Caleb Rowden PAC, Missouri Forward PAC. And more than matching him, pro-stem cell advocates Supporters of Health Research & Treatments added another $275,000 to the PAC.
What It Means
· The business community likes Rowden.
· He’ll lack no resources when it comes to fighting for his seat.
SCOMO on Special Law Test
On Christmas Eve, the Missouri Supreme Court issued an opinion rejecting the City of Chesterfield’s claim that the state law formulating St. Louis County’s sales tax scheme was a “special law.” See the opinion here.
The constitution prohibits special laws. In the capitol, lawmakers often considered a law bordering on “special” if it appears to be crafted to target a specific entity.
In this opinion, the Court said that if there is a “rational basis” for the law, then it’s not a special law. It appears to significantly narrow the grounds for challenging laws by arguing that they’re “special.”
What It Means
Lobbyist: [The opinion will have a] “huge impact on a variety of bills/lawsuits, as it basically green lights special laws…”
Parson: Give MO Your Tired, Your Poor Yearning to Breathe Free
Governor Mike Parson sent a letter telling the Trump Administration that Missouri would accept refugees for resettlement. See it here.
· While accepting refugees and immigrants has a long tradition in America, it’s lately fallen out of favor amid President Donald Trump’s “America First” platform.
· Parson announced the decision on New Year’s Eve, ensuring it would likely escape high scrutiny.
· An email from the governor’s office noted that these individuals “enter this country legally after proper scrutiny,” also that they “enhance this state’s workforce.”
Green’s Platform
St. Louis Alderwoman Megan Green running in the Democratic primary for Senate 5 released her platform. See it here.
It’s a liberal dream, and it signals that Green would be a different state senator than the largely transactional Jamilah Nasheed. Nasheed pragmatically put the interests of her district first; it appears that Green would emphasize her ideological principles.
At the top of the platform is “Climate Justice”
As State Senator, Megan is committed to: Supporting the Ready for 100 initiative to equitably transition Missouri to 100% clean, renewable energy; Green New Deal legislation, such as what was passed in Maine, that integrates workforce development with the need to urgently address our climate crisis; Requiring meeting green building standards to be eligible for state tax credits; Supporting the repeal of legislation that stripped local municipalities of the local control to regulate Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)…
And
Last month’s MOScout/Remington poll asked Senate 5 voters…
Q4: When thinking about your representatives in Jefferson City, is it more important that they stand up to Republicans on issues that you care about or that they work with Republicans to get things done for the city?
Stand up to Republicans on issues that you care about: 34%
Work with Republicans to get things done for the city: 50%
Not sure: 16%
MMJ Drama
· News-Leader reports that Paul Callicoat, whose applications to run a grow facility were denied, has filed suit contending that the licensing process runs afoul the “right to farm” constitutional amendment which was passed a few years ago. Callicoat’s attorney is Joe Bednar. In the lobbyists registrations (below) Gamble & Schlemeier have started representing Callicoat’s Sarcoxie Nursery.
· One MOScouter tips that “a group of African American business leaders and elected officials are discussing options to challenge the discrimination in the Mo Health Dept cannabis selection process. Most states give extra points for diversity. To date no minority transportation companies or testing companies were selected. They are asking the Governor to intervene in this embarrassment…”
What It Means
The medical marijuana industry may have bumpy few years as all of this gets ironed out. And that means business for lawyers and lobbyists as legal challenges and administrative rules jostle to construct the regulatory framework.
MEC Consent Orders
· Jon Dalton, a lobbyist and also a municipal mayor, agreed to dissolve his candidate committee according to a consent order with the Missouri Ethics Commission. See it here. This is the same situation that lobbyist (and mayor) Brian Treece faces.
· Mike Sanders was order to reimburse his campaign committee $2,500. See the consent order. The MEC determined that his cell phone use (which was paid by the committee) was personal in nature because it did not decrease even after he resigned.
Cavey for Bloomberg
According to LinkedIn, Kaitlin Cavey is now “Regional Organizing Director” for Team Bloomberg. Cavey previously had stints with PROMO and the St. Louis Regional Chamber. And she has an active candidate committee to run for House 83 where Rep. Gina Mitten is termed.
And
This fits with Axios’ recent reporting that “Mike Bloomberg’s 2020 campaign will open a field office in the U.S. Virgin Islands in the next few weeks… Why it matters: It’s rare for a presidential campaign to open shop in an American territory, and the Virgin Islands aren't scheduled to hold their caucuses until June 6. But the Virgin Islands have 11 delegates up for grabs in 2020. This is further evidence of Bloomberg's non-traditional campaign, focusing on delegate count rather than Iowa and other early states…”
Nelson to STLCO
The press release: State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, announced her Director of Community Affairs, Jefonte “Jay” Nelson, will be leaving her office to pursue new opportunities with the St. Louis County Executive’s administration… Jay’s last day in Sen. Nasheed’s office will be Jan. 4, 2020, marking three years and one day since he began working there. During his time in the Missouri Senate, Jay was named in The Missouri Times 30 Under 30 list and The Missouri Times Top 100 list.
Todd to CCR
The press release: Capitol City Research and The Barklage Company are proud to announce that Ethan Todd will be assuming duties as Vice President and Senior Partner of Capitol City Research starting on January 1, 2020. Capitol City Research is a comprehensive political, legal, and corporate research firm based in Jefferson City, Missouri… Ethan will be leaving his position as Vice President of The Barklage Company, a full service political consulting firm in St. Louis run by veteran political consultant David Barklage… Founded in 2014 by Willis Jones, also a former employee of David Barklage, Capitol City Research has grown to provide award-winning research services for political campaigns, PACs, corporations, and law firms in 28 states…
More News
· UnitedHealth Group VP Brian Bunten and his wife Maggie are infanticipating their first child… due in July.
· In the large contributions, Rex Sinquefield tossed another $250K into the pro-Eric Schmitt PAC, MO Opportunity. That brings his total contribution to that PAC to $750,000.
· News Tribune reports that “Jefferson City will begin the new year without a cab service… Checker Cab has been in operation for 40 years and lasted as the city's final taxi service until owner Tom Landwehr recently announced the business would close, leaving Jefferson City without a taxi service. However, Jefferson City residents aren't entirely out of options for vehicular transportation. Two transportation network companies, Uber and Lyft, currently operate in the city…”
· From the Post-Dispatch…. Missouri’s minimum wage rate will hit $9.45 an hour beginning Jan. 1, up from the current $8.60 an hour mandated by the state. Voters in 2018 approved a plan to raise wages for some of the state’s lowest-paid workers. The plan requires wages to go up by 85 cents an hour every year until the minimum wage rate hits $12 an hour in 2023… New minimum wage requirements took effect in 20 states and nearly two dozen cities at the start of 2019, affecting millions of workers…
$5K+ Contributions
Page PAC - $50,000 from Laborers' International Union of North America Local 110.
Keep Government Accountable - $25,000 from IUPAT Political Action Together PAC.
MO Opportunity PAC - $250,000 from Rex A Sinquefield.
Missouri American Water Company Employees Political Action Committee - $5,400 from G & S Construction and Farms, Inc.
Health Care Issues Committee of the Missouri Hospital Association - $6,487 from Ozarks Medical Center
Committee To Elect Bob Bromley - $20,000 from Robert Bromley.
Missourians For Vic Allred - $20,000 from Victor Allred.
McDonough for Judge - $16,000 from William Christopher McDonough.
Citizens For Jim Arnott - $10,000 from Greene County Sheriff PAC.
Page PAC - $15,000 from Robert G. Clark Revocable Living Trust DTD.
Missouri Forward PAC - $150,000 from Rex Sinquefield.
Page PAC - $25,000 from Sam & Marilyn Fox General Expense Account.
Missouri Forward PAC - $275,000 from Supporters of Health Research & Treatments.
Missourians for a Responsible Budget - $25,000 from Michael Ketchmark.
Lobbyists Registrations
Alex Curchin added Home State Health Plan, and Centene Corporation.
Joe Dantin added Associated Students of the University of Missouri.
Gary Behrens added Sanofi US.
Gamble & Schlemeier added Missouri Primary Care Association, and Sarcoxie Nursery.
Craig Mischo added Bayer Corporation.
Maura Gray added American Heart Association.
Scott Swain added Missouri Police Chiefs Association.
Dale Ludwig added Midwest Hemp Assn; and deleted Missouri Organic Assn., and Missouri Hemp Association.
Matthew Hedberg deleted Mead Johnson Nutrition Company.
David Barklage deleted Centene Corporation.
Philip Scaglia deleted Ash Grove Cement Company.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Brittany Robbins, and Lyle Rowland.