MOScout Daily Update: Latest Ads - Imagining a Rowden-less Senate - House Rules Talk - In-Person Ed Debate - Galloway Would Fire Fraker and more....
Ad Parade
· In tight tight tight Senate 19, Sen. Caleb Rowden speaks to the camera with a contrast message. See it here. He says that Judy Baker has “literally never passed a bill.” His final promise to the voters: “I’ll show up every day, bring people together and keep delivering for this community.”
· In an ad that had Dems howling charges of sexism, the pro-Parson PAC, Uniting Missouri, says Nicolle Galloway is corrupt and unqualified for the office. See it here. The tag: “Nicole Galloway can’t be our governor.”
· In the ferocious CD-2 race, Sen. Jill Schupp’s final message is a traditional positive background music, look-in-the-camera, repeat campaign themes. See it here. Her promises: affordable healthcare, reducing gun violine, economic recovery.
· CLEAN’s final Anti-A3 ad “It’s Doggone Awful,” features a dog as it reiterates the message. See it here.
Senate Watchers Fret Over a Possible Rowden Loss
With Senate 19 locked in a tight race, lobbyists are starting to consider the possibility that Floor Leader Caleb Rowden won’t be returning in January.
Rowden is well-liked and respected for his ability to keep the Senate on-track. The inevitable blow-ups have been few and far between under his tenure.
But one lobbyist shakes his head with concern: With Nicole leading Parson by double digits in Boone Co, I’m hearing from a good source that Rowden [is down]…
I’d asked about this possible scenario a few months back. The MOScout Hallway Index gave no clear consensus on the question of who would be the next floor leader if Rowden lost. Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer was one leading name with 30%, but he tied with “someone else.”
Word now among lobbyists is that they expect Luetkemeyer and Sen. Bill Eigel to be leading candidates for the job – if Rowden loses.
Both recently contributed $100K to the Senate’s campaign committee aimed at protecting incumbents. It was a demonstration that they’re team players.
But
If Rowden loses, look for a frenzied week of intra-caucus politics. Deals would be likely be offered to find a coalition of senators to win spots. This could include someone running against Pro Tem Dave Schatz, as well as promises of chairmanships and prioritization of issues.
House Rules Talk
Meanwhile on the House side, folks are starting to wonder if Speaker-elect Rob Vescovo will shake up the committee structures. Speaker Todd Richardson instituted dual Rules Committees giving himself greater flexibility in assigning bills to a certain path.
Right now I’ve heard two names mentioned as possible Rules chairs.
· Rep. Phil Christofanelli is currently vice-chair of a Rules Committee. And one lobbyist notes he’s “emerged as a fundraising leader for the caucus, having brought in over $30,000 to his candidate committee in the month of October alone and over $50,000 to HRCC this cycle.”
· Rep. Dan Shaul, whose district is geographically close to Vescovo’s, is said to be both politically and personally close with Vescovo. Shaul will be starting his final term this January.
HDCC Hits $1M Raised
The House Democratic Campaign Committee reached a milestone yesterday… $1 million raised in this cycle.
Their 8-Day Report had showed over $950,000 raised. And a few big checks hit (see the large contributions below) pushing them about the $1M mark.
This is a huge leap from their 2018 cycle. The 30-Day After report in 2018 showed $620K raised during that year.
Still, Democrats trail their majority counterparts. The House Republican Campaign Committee’s 8-Day Report earlier this week showed that they’d raised over $1.8 million so far.
The Intersection of Health and Education
The Joint Committee on Education provided a venue last Friday for Columbia Public School families to vent their frustration with the school board’s delay in returning to in-person school. The hearing was streamed over Facebook live. Sympathizing with the families who urged officials to open schools, Chair Cindy O’Laughlin said, “We have upended our society all in the name of saving children from a virus they - from every indication - are unlikely to get in anyway or have serious complications from.”
Columbia Public Schools Superintendent agreed that there’s a consequence of not learning in-person, but also reminded members that Columbia’s state-level COVID-19 infection rates are among the highest in the state. O’Laughin asked Commissioner Margie Vandeven to support a solution where the local health department could agree to modify quarantine guidelines and send kids back to school with masks. Vandeven says she’s in constant contact with the CDC and agreed the quarantine protocol has challenges but said, “When you are talking about altering the state and national guidance, that is not something I am comfortable doing.”
The CPS board voted earlier this month to return Pre-K through 5th grade for four days a week and will vote again on November 9th on a measure to allow middle and high schoolers to return to seated instruction.
Also
· Axios reported that the flip-flopping and instability is taking a toll on student learning and mental health.
· The Missouri Independent ran a commentary on how virtual and hybrid education models are wearing teachers out.
MMJ Talk
· Post-Dispatch reports that Auditor Nicole Galloway would replace the state’s medical marijuana director Lyndall Fraker if she becomes governor. See it here.
· Meanwhile KSN quotes Fraker saying he sees full legalization down the road… “We’ve already heard that they are going to try and work and get it on the ballot, but I don’t think the legislature will do it, I think it will have to be a petition. It’s going to be on the ballot in 2022, I’ve very confident in that but I don’t know what that language will look like.”
Gubby Appts
Governor Mike Parson appointed Jeffrey P. Medler as Associate Circuit Judge for 21st Judicial Circuit, and William P. Devoy as Associate Circuit Judge for 9th Judicial Circuit
Lobbyists Registrations
Rodney Boyd, Kate Casas, Brian Grace, and Kelvin Simmons added WellHealth, LLC.
$5K+ Contributions
Uniting Missouri PAC (pro-Parson) - $1,700,000 from Republican Governors Association Missouri.
A Stronger Missouri - $925,000 from Democratic Governors Association – Missouri.
Democratic Governors Association - Missouri - $925,000 from Democratic Governors Association.
A Stronger Missouri - $850,000 from Democratic Governors Association – Missouri.
Democratic Governors Association - Missouri - $850,000 from Democratic Governors Association.
A Stronger Missouri - $200,000 from Keep Government Accountable.
Keep Government Accountable - $10,000 from Jason Holmes.
Clean and Accountable (pro-Dem) - $50,000 from John and Laura Arnold (Houston TX).
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $25,000 from Friends of Eric Burlison.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Missourians for Mike Cierpiot.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $20,000 from Hegeman for Missouri.
House Democratic Campaign Committee - $50,000 from CWA COPE Missouri.
House Democratic Campaign Committee - $21,800 from MO National Education Association PAC.
House Democratic Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Local Union 124 Volunteer Political Fund.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $7,350 from IBEW Local 1439.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $7,350 from Sara Morgan.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $7,350 from North America’s Building Trades Unions Political Educational Fund.
United Steelworkers District 11 Missouri Non-Federal Account - $30,000 from United Steelworkers.
Missourians for Effective Leadership PAC - $19,000 from Burns & McDonnell Inc.
Planned Parenthood Votes-St Louis and Southwest Missouri - $11,000 from Missouri WIN.
Citizens For Missouri Courts - $10,000 from The Driscoll Firm, P.C.
Greater Kansas City Woman's Political Caucus Segregated Fund - $8,170 from Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Dave Schatz, and Katie Steele Danner.