MOScout Daily Update: More Appt Rumors! Curls to Labor? Romine to Tax? - Tilley Fires Back - Haahr on Tax Ideas - Valet Parking and more...
More Rumors… Curls to Labor? Romine to Tax?
The rumor of Sen. Jason Holsman going to the PSC has gained currency and seems now completely expected within the building.
In fact, there are now rumors of even more appointments coming… Sen. Kiki Curls is said to be in line to join the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission. This is likely to be on the same timeline as the Holsman appointment – next week.
And
Sen. Gary Romine is headed to the Tax Commission. He’d joined former Sen. Will Kraus and Victor Callahan there. The Romine appointment may not be happening as soon as Holsman and Curls, but it’s thought to be a lock at this point.
What It Means
Assuming these rumors are all true, the Senate Democratic Caucus will shrink from its small number of 10 to an even smaller 8 members.
That counterintuitively could result in slower floor action.
With only 8 members, Dems will likely be stretched thin to make all the committees. And that could lead to more questions (and negotiations) when legislation actually hits the floor instead of in committee.
Tilley Fires Back
After the Galloway campaign released a “memo” accusing lobbyist Steven Tilley of having excessive influence over Governor Mike Parson, Tilley punched back via tweet. See it here.
Scorned - @nicolergalloway invited me to breakfast—even paid the bill. She called me almost a dozen times seeking my support. Begged for $1000’s in campaign cash, while asking how she could ‘help’ on issues important to me. Nicole wanted me on her team - I chose team @govparsonmo
Follow-up on MO’s Slow Growth
A few folks asked for the link to the (depressing) GDP stats I wrote about yesterday. Find it here. “Between 2009 and 2018, Missouri’s compound annual GDP growth rate was 0.8 percent—almost a third of the US annual growth rate (2.3 percent) during the same period.”
And
Reacting to those numbers and the fact the legislature has been fixated for the past ten years on tort reform and tax rates, one reader noted that Site Selector listed the top factors that companies look for. See it here. #1: “work force skills.” #2: “transportation infrastructure.”
Reader: I think legislators should review this list every day before the bell rings and consider prioritizing bills that emphasis investments in workforce training - and that includes PK-12 education and infrastructure above anything else.
Haahr: No Gas Tax, Yes Internet Tax
In a press conference yesterday afternoon Speaker Elijah Haahr said that he didn’t think that the House would have much “appetite” for the gas tax proposed by Sen. Doug Libla. Haahr referenced the fact that voters have rejected taxes for roads in the past.
But Haahr said that he expected that a “Wayfair fix” could be among the early movers in the House, noting that Missouri was one of the few states which hadn’t taken action to level the playing field between internet retailers and “bricks-and-mortar” stores.
Lembke Working for No One
Former senator Jim Lembke was on hand for the opening day festivities. He previously mentioned in a Facebook post being excited for his 18th year in the capitol this session. But I was also told he wouldn’t be staffing the Conservative Caucus, and according to CLEAN Missouri, he can’t lobby yet. So I asked him who was working for. The answer: “Officially no one.”
Valet Parking Perk?
Post-Dispatch reported on a surprising change to the capitol: valet parking for legislators. See it here.
Nearly four years after first suggesting the idea, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has launched a valet parking service in the Capitol parking garage… In a statement, Office of Administration Commissioner Sarah Steelman echoed Parson’s reasoning for the attendant, saying the new hire will bring an end to Capitol police rearranging cars in the garage, which is a security concern. Funding for the valet parking is coming from the Office of Administration budget, and is expected to run up to $15,500 per year… During Parson’s bid for lieutenant governor in 2016, his opponent, Democrat Russ Carnahan, ran an ad criticizing the parking idea.
From the 3rd floor: Legislators didn’t request nor approve the “Governor’s” valet to park their cars… the poor guy probably won’t have anything to do because no legislator will allow them to touch their car. Not a good first day of session for the Governor to have a story that bashed legislators for the appearance of having valet service. Look for bumper stickers to show up that read “this car was not parked with taxpayer dollars”.
Schmitt Handles Case
The press release: In a case prosecuted by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt himself and assistant attorneys general Christine Krug and Gregory Goodwin, Antonio Muldrew was found guilty of murder in the first degree, three counts of armed criminal action, first degree armed robbery, and first degree assault on Wednesday, January 8…
“I appreciated the chance to roll up my sleeves and prosecute this case alongside the talented attorneys in my office." Attorney General Schmitt himself provided the state’s opening statement and questioned two witnesses, including medical examiner Michael Graham.
Finally
George Will takes a swing at Senator Josh Hawley’s anti-market Republicanism. See it here.
New Committees
David Giarratano formed a candidate committee (Committee to Elect David Giarratano) to run for House 142 as a Republican. The current incumbent, Republican Robert Ross is running for state senate.
Deere & Company Political Action Committee MO-Federal was formed. Its treasurer is Geoffrey Andersen.
Lobbyists Registrations
Rich AuBuchon added Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.
Cheryl Lynne Dozier added Flotron and McIntosh.
Kelley Ogletree and Carol Eighmey added MO Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund (MO PSTIF).
Sharon Geuea Jones added Missouri NAACP State Conference.
Chris Lutick added UPS (United Parcel Service).
Mary Fox added Missouri State Public Defender.
Kristin Czubkowski deleted 46 PC Investors LLC, Brookfield Residential Services LLC, Hope City Fellowship, KC Executive Park LLC, KC Hotel Property Owner LLC, KWB LLC, High Aspirations Inc., Polsinelli PC, White Oak Community Improvement District, 302 North 3rd St LLC, Development Associates LLC, KDM 4400 LLC, and Development Associates Smithville LLC.
Korb Maxwell added 46 PC Investors LLC, Brookfield Residential Services LLC, Hope City Fellowship, KC Executive Park LLC, KC Hotel Property Owner LLC, KWB LLC, High Aspirations Inc., White Oak Community Improvement District, 302 North 3rd St LLC, KDM 4400 LLC, and Development Associates Smithville LLC.
Sherri Durk-Farrell added Policy Solutions LLC and its clients.
Jim Farrell deleted Historic Alliance For Missouri
William Shoehigh added Breathable Baby, and ACT Inc.
William Solomon added Noble Health.
LuAnn Madsen added Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys.
James “Chad” McLaurin added Secular Coalition for Missouri, Race Matters Friends Inc, and Secularus LLC.
Chris Moody and Jim Moody added The Moody Report LLC; and deleted Alkermes Inc, and Comcast/NBC Universal.
Chris Moody added CHC Strategies, Fabius River Drainage District, and Monarch-Chesterfield Levee District; and deleted Concentra, Jordan Valley Community Health Center, and Trilogy Integrated Resources Inc.
Ginger Steinmetz added Missouri Soybean Association.
Jay Reichard deleted Systems & Methods Inc., and MTC Truck Driver Training.
Noel Torpey and Chris Moody deleted Paraquad.
Noel Torpey, Jay Reichard, Chris Moody and Ginger Steinmetz deleted Johnson & Johnson Services Inc.
Noel Torpey, and Jay Reichard deleted ChargePoint, Orexo US Inc., and Rockwood Asset Management.
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $30,000 from Hegeman for Missouri.
Committee to Elect Judge Brittney R Smith – $20,000 from Brittney Smith.
Missourians for Healthcare - $16,920 from Missouri Organizing and Voter Engagement Collaborative.
Missourians for Healthcare - $33,392 from Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action.
MO Opportunity PAC - $10,000 from Roy Pfautch.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,001 from Citizens for Eggleston.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Friends of Rob Vescovo.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Caleb Jones.