MOScout Daily Update: MRL Contra MedEx - New House Caucuses - MMJ Licenses and more...

MRL Contra MedEx

Missouri Right to Life PAC announced its opposition to the Medicaid Expansion proposal working its way through the initiative petition process.  See it here.

The proposed expansion of Medicaid in Initiative No. 2020-063 would greatly increase the number of women of childbearing age who are covered by Medicaid in Missouri. As a result, it will greatly increase the number of unborn babies who are at risk because of Medicaid payment for abortions if and when the Hyde Amendment is brought down by the pro-abortionists. It will also greatly increase the number of abortions resulting from use of so-called “morning after” prescription pills that must be paid for by Medicaid. Missouri Right to Life will energetically oppose such an anti-life amendment to the Missouri Constitution.

MMJ Dispensary Licenses Issued

Yesterday the Department of Health and Senior Services started informing applicants if they were approved or denied for a medical marijuana dispensary facilities license.  This is the final piece of the MMJ framework.  But there appear to be a tangle of legal appeals ahead. 

As I noted earlier this week, DHSS is looking for lawyers to help defend its decisions before the Administrative Hearing Commission.

The News-Leader reports on those disappointed with the outcome. 

Schmitt Hearts Trump

Attorney General Eric Schmitt joined 20 other state AGs to send a letter to the US Senate asking it to reject the Article of Impeachment against President Donald Trump.  See it here.

Razer: Numbness to Gun Deaths?

On Twitter, Rep. Greg Razer asks if we’ve become numb to gun deaths in Missouri.  See it here.  Imagine if there was a new virus loose in Missouri and this tweet said, “...the second death of the day...13th death  in the first 23 days of 2020.”  Do you think leadership in Jefferson City would be silent if that were the case? Of course not - so why silence now? #moleg

·         KCPD is investigating a homicide in 7600 block of Monroe Avenue, the second killing today. It marks the city’s 13th homicide in the first 23 days of 2020. A separate shooting today wounded three people, including a child. https://kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article239590758.html

New House Caucuses

Two new caucuses were approved by Rep. Glen Kolkmeyer, Chair of the Administration and Accounts Committee.

Legacy Waste Caucus.  “The purpose of the Legacy Waste Caucus is to maintain institutional knowledge in the body of the Missouri House of Representatives through election cycles and redistricting regarding Legacy Waste located in the State of Missouri. Legacy Waste are wastes generated during the development, production and testing of nuclear weapons.  The intention of the caucus shall be, but is not limited to, have dialogue on best practices concerning remediation of legacy waste; establish and maintain dialogue with federal agencies regarding current and future work on legacy waste in Missouri; develop and promote public policy regarding legacy waste; and educate the House membership on the subject of legacy waste…”

Caucus Chair: Rep. Doug Clemens; Caucus Co-Chair: Rep. Justin Hill.

Members of the Caucus: Reps. Tommie Pierson Jr; Paula Brown; LaDonna Appelbaum; Rasheen Aldridge; Kevin Windham; LaKeySha Bosley; Maria Chappelle-Nadal; Alan Green; John Wiemann; Alan Gray; Adam Schnelting; Jay Mosley; Keri Ingle; Gretchen Bangert; Mark Sharp; Raychel Proudie; and Ashley Bland Manlove.

Lincoln Conservatives.  “The Purpose of the Caucus is to implement in our duties and actions as members of the Missouri House of Representatives, the ideals of President Lincoln, as exemplified in his statements: With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in...; and Let us have faith that right makes might; and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it…”

Caucus Chair: Rep. David Evans; Caucus Vice-Chairs: Reps. Karla Eslinger, Brenda Shields and Rudy Veit.

Members of the Caucus: Reps. John Black, Bill Falkner, Craig Fishel, Rodger Reedy, Peggy McGaugh, Ann Kelley, Aaron Griesheimer, Kent Haden, Jeff Porter, Lane Roberts, Greg Sharpe, Chris Dinkins, John Wiemann, Dave Griffith, Bob Bromley, Louis Riggs, Hardy Billington, Barry Hovis, Brad Pollitt, Mike Haffner, and Dale Wright.

MEC Opinion

The latest advisory opinion from the Missouri Ethics Commission: Section 105.456.1(3), RSMo, does not prohibit an elected official from accepting compensation to represent a client appealing a state agency decision to the Administrative Hearing Commission. Once such an adversary proceeding has begun, the elected official would not be prohibited from engaging in settlement negotiations with the state agency.  See it here.

State Taxes Skew Toward the Poor

The Visual Capitalist has a report showing the various tax rates of states and how they impact folks at different income levels.  See it here.

States rely more heavily on sales and property taxes than income taxes.  And most state income tax rates are, like Missouri, essentially flat.  That means that poor folks tend to get hit harder.

eMailbag: O’Laughlin for Ed Chair?

If you follow Sen. O’Laughlin’s personal Facebook page, you’ll notice she has probably been inside more public schools in the last year than any other senator. She is a former school board member at her local public school and a former administrator at a Christian school in her district; she knows the issues and she cares. She has proven she will have an open door to all sides of the education debate in Missouri…

Help Wanted

Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation seeks Western Region Director. “Established in 1996, the Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation (501c3) and its lobbying arm, Tobacco 21 (501c4), works to reduce the health and economic impact of tobacco use and nicotine addiction through education, advocacy, and policy change… The Western Regional Director will be responsible for education and outreach to other advocates, coalitions, stakeholders, and policymakers throughout the country with an emphasis on the Western U.S. (states west of the Mississippi River). The position is work-from-home (remote) contract employment with flexible hours of approximately 30-40 hours per week and requires travel (typically 3-5 days per month). All required travel expenses will be paid for by the organization. In partnership with the Executive Director, this position may help manage contracted lobbyists as needed…” See their website here.

New Committees

James “Larry” Kimbrow formed a candidate committee (Friends of Kimbrow) to run for House 153 as a Republican.  The incumbent, Republican Rep. Jeff Shawan, is running for state senate.

Lobbyists Registrations

Cheryl Lynn Adelstein added Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis.

Lou Hamilton added Anheuser-Busch, Bi-State Development Agency, Great Saint Louis, Globe Building Company, QuikTrip Corporation, Schnucks, St. Louis Art Museum Foundation, St. Louis Cardinals, Saint Louis Zoo Association, The Kelley Group Inc, and Haberhill.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Rep. Jim Hansen, Travis Brown, Crystal Williams, and Bill Skaggs.