MOScout Daily Update: Parson Extends Emergency - 2021 Issues - Fitz Follow-Up - Guesses 2.0 and more...

Parson Extends Emergency, Outlines Expectations

Governor Mike Parson extended the state of emergency in Missouri through next Spring.  See the order here.  

He also issued new “public health warning.”  The document sets “expectations for all individuals living and/or working in Missouri” that they will wear a mask when they can’t socially distance, wash their hands etc.

Additionally, it provides “expectations for communities based upon their localized public health data.”  The worse off a county is faring with COVID cases, the more stringent the “expectations.”  See it here. 

Fitz Follow-Up

Forget what I wrote yesterday.  I’m told by a very good source that Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick hasn’t ruled anything out.  All options are on the table.  He may in fact look at the auditor’s race in 2022.

Stay tuned…

Senate Committee Guess 2.0

A few folks told me they’re guessing that Sen. Jeanie Riddle will stay at Professional Registration.  So, I’ve redone my “guesses” spreadsheet.  Find the 2.0 Version here.

It keeps Riddle where she is, and accordingly makes some changes so my jigsaw doesn’t fall apart. 

·         I’m putting Sen. Denny Hoskins at Eco Devo;

·         and Sen. Eric Burlison at Government Reform (Emery termed).

MO GOP Chair Follow-Up

One more name mentioned to me for Republican Party Chair… outgoing speaker Elijah Haahr…

2021 Legislative Issues

We’re weeks away from pre-filing, but here’s a quick look at some of the biggest issues that could drop in January.

·         Medicaid Expansion – Republicans are mulling several different paths forward after the ballot initiative passed.  Some are arguing that the legislature shouldn’t fund the expansion of MedEx and let it be litigated in the courts.  They believe the amendment unconstitutionally deprives the legislature of its budgetary power.

·         Redistricting – Among politicos this is the hot issue. Although there should be less drama than 10 years ago because Missouri isn’t losing a congressional seat, it’s still a multi-sided tug-of-war.  The St. Charles delegation wants St. Charles County all in one congressional seat; the Jefferson County folks want JeffCo all in one congressional seat; the Mid-MO delegation has their preferred lines…

·         Emergency Powers – There’s some pushback on the local health departments and local political authorities imposing lockdowns.  Some would like to rein in the emergency powers.  One idea floated is to give First Amendment rights the same protection that Second Amendment rights have in Missouri.  Just as you can’t shut down a gun shop now during an emergency, you wouldn’t be able to prevent churches from holding their worship services.

·         Education – Reformers believe that the pandemic has brought a new awareness to education issues.  Working parents have been necessarily much more involved with their children’s education during this time and are more interested in seeing improvements.  Look for tax credits for scholarships or even straight up voucher bills to be filed.  Also, charter schools will seek funding equity with their traditional public school counterparts as Rep. Doug Richey’s bill sought last year. to a wider group of citizens.  We’ll see how new senators Karla Eslinger and Elaine Gannon react to the reform agenda. Will it be compromise or lots of standing?

House Ethics Committee

There are still two outstanding cases before the House Ethics Committee.  I’m told it’s possible that the Ethics Committee will meet again after Thanksgiving when the House reconvenes as part of this special session.  At that time, they may bring closure to the cases.  If they don’t the cases have to start from scratch with the new legislature in January or be dropped.

eMailbag on Gov and COVID

·         Whomever said that it is only the liberals in the city asking for mandate must not know where those rural hospitals are located.

·         To your Republican MoScouter -  the pandemic is in its 8 month and is worse than ever according to the data, which represents actual human beings that are liberal and conservative, hospital administrators and farmers, and who live throughout all of Missouri…

·         From a Democrat MoScouter:  The current pandemic doesn’t discriminate on the basis of political philosophy, party or geographical area of our beloved state.  It does rank us amongst the worst states for risk of contracting the virus.  The White House and scientists have urged us to take definitive action.  Mr. Parson should demonstrate leadership by a mask mandate at the same time placing a limit on the number of people in confined spaces.  He should implement the tools that we are given.  It isn’t and shouldn’t be a conservative or liberal issue….

$5K+ Contributions

Missouri Democratic State Committee - $6,750 from Clean and Accountable.

American Property Casualty Insurance Association Political Account - $12,682 from American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Matt Blunt, Dan Houx, Sharon Pace, Michael Vogt, and Myron Neth.

Saturday: Ginger Steinmetz, John Valenti, and Henrio Thelemaque.

Sunday: Therese Sander.

MOScout Schedule

No weekend editions this week.  No Weekender or Sunday6.  See you Monday….