MOScout Daily Update: Pro-Fitz Ad - Special Session Set - Poll Shows Parson Lead - Mundell Named ACEC Prez - Defund Pentagon and more...

Fitz’ PAC Releases AD

Missourians for a Responsible Budget, a pro-Scott Fitzpatrick PAC, released an ad touting his time as state treasurer.  See it here.

It says Fitzpatrick protected tax dollars, supported entrepreneurs and “fought back against the socialism agenda.”

Tagline: When you got to vote don’t forget Scott Fitzpatrick because Scott Fitzpatrick won’t forget about you.

Cygnal Poll Shows Parson Lead

I’ve never heard of Cygnal before, but they did this week of the governor’s race.  See it here.  They show Parson up 48% to 41% with third-party candidates getting 3% and 7% undecided.  The poll has a margin of error of +/-4%.

Parson Calls Special Session

Governor Mike Parson announced that the special session to pass a supplemental budget.  It will convene on the Thursday after Election Day, November 5.  See the call here.

From Parson press release: Since the General Assembly passed the FY 2021 budget in May, additional federal funding has been made available to the state, including funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The supplemental budget will provide access to this funding, which is intended to appropriate additional resources to respond to COVID-19… The supplemental budget contains funding for several items, including the School Nutrition Services Program, the Emergency Solutions Grant Program for homelessness prevention, job training grants, and child support payments, among others.

Dem Response

Minority Leader Crystal Quade’s statement: “When the legislature passed the current state budget in May, it granted the governor broad authority to spend federal coronavirus relief funds precisely so he would have the flexibility to act without calling lawmakers back to Jefferson City. As a result, it is highly questionable whether this special session is even necessary… Calling a special session this close to an election he is in jeopardy of losing seems more like a desperate political move than leadership.”

Parson Cheers Unemployment Rate

Governor Mike Parson crowed about the state’s unemployment rate at yesterday’s press conference. 

Somehow I’m unaffected by misleading statistics in political commercial, and yet feel disappointed when the same words are said from the podium. 

The last jobs report was nothing to cheer.  It showed a feeble economy. On a season adjusted basis, Missouri lost jobs. 

The unemployment rate plunged because lots of Missourians left the labor pool.  That’s a sign of weakness in the economy, not strength.

That’s the exact opposite of what a jobs report should look like in a recovery.  The number of jobs should be increasing.  People, encouraged by a growing economy, would be joining the labor pool.

If by chance Parson doesn’t understand this, and actually thinks the unemployment report is something to be proud of, we’re in bad shape.

Mundell Named New ACEC Prez

Press release: The board of directors of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Missouri has named Morgan Mundell as its President and CEO. Mundell will replace Bruce Wylie, who has served more than 35 years in the same position…

Mundell, a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia and Southeast Missouri State University, currently serves as the Executive Manager of the of the Missouri Limestone Producers Association. Also, Mundell has served as Managing Director of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association and Deputy Director of the National Lieutenant Governors Association…. Mundell resides in Jefferson City, Missouri, with his wife Jessica and two children.

Defund Pentagon Tweet

So-to-be Congresswoman Cori Bush tweeted a twist on the “defund police” slogan, using the phrase “defund the pentagon.” 

Governor Mike Parson jumped on Bush’s tweet calling it “irresponsible and unacceptable and tying her to his opponent, Nicole Galloway.

Dems ran for cover.

·         Galloway: I don’t support defunding the Pentagon and Gov. Parson knows it.

·         Schupp: I do not believe we should defund the Pentagon.

FWIW

The federal government is running a $3 trillion deficit this year.  So the notion that the Department of Defense might see a reduction in their $750 billion annual budget shouldn’t be considered a radical point of discussion.  I guess only I can say this because I’m never running for office!

Lobbyists Registrations

David Sweeney added Chase Security LLC.

Brian Lane Baker added Lexmark International.

Matt Troesser added Missouri AFL-CIO.

$5K+ Contributions

A Stronger Missouri (pro-Galloway) - $625,000 from Democratic Governors Association - Missouri.

A Stronger Missouri - $250,000 from Democratic Governors Association - Missouri.

A Stronger Missouri - $500,000 from Keep Government Accountable.

Democratic Governors Association - Missouri - $625,000 from Democratic Governors Association (Washington DC).

Democratic Governors Association - Missouri - $250,000 from Democratic Governors Association (Washington DC).

Keep Government Accountable (pro-Galloway) - $25,000 from Operating Engineers Local 101 PAC.

Freedom's Promise PAC (pro-Koenig) - $20,000 from Missouri Senate Campaign Committee.

Missouri Action PAC (pro-Judy Baker) - $10,000 from A.W. Smith Law Firm, PC.

CLEAN Missouri (anti-Amendment 3) - $12,500 from Advocateds of Planned Parenthood of St. Louis and Southwest Missouri.

CLEAN Missouri - $90,000 from Laborers Union Local #110 PAC Fund.

Protect Missouri Freedom (pro-Dem) - $75,000 from CHIPP Political Account.

Protect Missouri Freedom - $32,500 from Majority Forward.

Protect Missouri Freedom - $20,000 from Anne Moroh.

Protect Missouri Freedom - $10,000 from The Accurso Law Firm.

House Democratic Campaign Committee - $15,000 from MSCEW PAC Federal Committee.

House Democratic Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Beck For Missouri.

House Democratic Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Iron Workers Local No 10 PAC.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $95,000 from American Federation for Children.

Citizens For Missouri Courts - $10,000 from Capes Sokol Goodman Sarachan PC.

Missouri Women Vote - $750,000 from Women Vote! (Washington DC)

Missouri Women Vote - $750,000 from Women Vote! (Washington DC).

MR PAC (Missouri retailers) - $24,250 from Schnucks Markets, Inc.

Sheet Metal Workers Local No 36 Voluntary Political Fund - $100,000 from SMART PAL (Washington DC).

United Steelworkers District 11 Missouri Non-Federal Account - $20,000 from United Steelworkers (Pittsburgh PA).  

United Steelworkers District 11 Missouri Non-Federal Account - $50,000 from United Steelworkers (Pittsburgh PA).

Dem Leg Camp Com Missouri-Out of State Committee - $10,796 from Dem Leg Camp Com (Washington DC).

Dem Leg Camp Com Missouri-Out of State Committee - $10,000 from Dem Leg Camp Com (Washington DC).

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Sen. Caleb Rowden, Rep. Rocky Miller, Kathy Licklider, and Chris Kelly.