MOScout Daily Update: COVID Liability Shelved - More House Committee Talk - Pre-Filing Starts - Solid Nov Revs - Suthy to Gubby Appts and more....

Gov Retreats on COVID Liability

Just weeks after expanding the special session to include COVID liability, Governor Mike Parson did an abrupt U-turn and yanked the topic.  The change of heart was a surprise – even to the bill sponsor.  MOIndy reported that Sen. Ed Emery “said that the decision to pull the bill was ‘a surprise’ as he had not spoken with the governor’s office and did not know the reasons behind it.

One lobbyist scratched their head over the move and questioned whether Parson needs a cleaer legislative strategy... I figured [Tony Luetkemeyer and Scott Sifton] would have their usual face off on the floor...come to some kind of complex legalese language that [Rich] Aubuchon and MATA would figure out. And let Emery have his last day in the sun as the carrier of one more, very timely, tort reform bill... But sometimes I wonder can Mike [Parson] be a leader? Being in the senate means you’re a capable navigator but navigating isn’t leading. I like Parson, I thought he’d be a good Gov and I def was happy to see [Eric] Greitens go.  But I mean... get it together... have a good plan... and see it through.

The best guess is that the second floor saw some resistance forming, and didn’t want to watch another lengthy special session unfold with uncertain results.  And then they just blinked, and waved the white flag. 

COVID liability will now join a thousand other bills at the start of the new session, subject to the same competition for attention, and subject to the same hostage and horse-trading scenarios.  By the time session wraps up in May, the vaccine will likely be in the midst of mass distribution and COVID liability might seem less of a priority.

What It Means

Republican donors gotta be wondering: what good is having supermajorities in both chambers and the governor’s mansion, if we can’t get our act together to pass a tort reform bill in a special session?

Gregory Seeks Early Lead in Auditor’s Race

Tipster: Rep. David Gregory is already working hard on a run for Auditor. He has locked some major support… He's taking this far more seriously than most people realize.

What It Means

Earlier this month I’d mentioned the various names that were being floated to run for auditor.  There was a half dozen.  But if Gregory is racing ahead, it puts pressure on others to make a decision.

COVID Pushback

Watch yesterday’s press conference by Republican legislators “pushing back” against COVID restrictions.  The video comes compliments of the mighty Jason Rosenbaum.  See it here.

In addition to Sen. Andrew Koenig’s pre-filed bill on the matter (see SB 21 here), a number Republican legislators pre-filed bills as well, signaling it’s a hot priority…

·         Sen. Rick Brattin’s SB 68.

·         Sen. Bill Eigel’s SB 26.

·         Sen. Denny Hoskin’s SB 20.

·         Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin’s SB 56.

·         Rep. Mike Henderson’s HB 288.

·         Rep. Jim Murphy’s HB 75.

·         Rep. Adam Schnelting’s HB 61.

More House Committee Talk

·         MOScouter: Speaker Rob Vescovo’s inner circle definitely includes Dan Shaul and Don Rone, but also Reps. Becky Ruth, Travis Fitzwater, and Randy Pietzman.  Ruth and Fitzwater already chaired relatively powerful committees (Transportation and Utilities, respectively).

·         It’s likely all or most of Vescovo’s fellow senior classmates will receive chairmanships.  But it’s possible some talented sophomores like Reps. Jon Patterson and Doug Richey will end up in good positions.

November Revenues Solid Again

November state tax revenues notched another solid month, increasing 14.5% over November 2019’s total.  Sales tax revenue was 7% higher, and individual income tax receipts climbed as well, rising 5.2% above. 

Fiscal year to date revenues are running 23.2% ahead of last year, or $855 million. At yesterday hearing on the supplemental budget, Director Dan Haug estimated that the delayed Tax Day accounts for about $700 million of that surplus.

Still, the strong numbers are surprising.  Some believe that sales tax strength could be the result of a shift in consumer spending.  The pandemic has reduced purchases of “experience” goods and services which often aren’t taxed.  Instead people are reallocating their household budgets to buy tangible goods, which are subject to a sales tax.

Meanwhile it’s hard to figure what’s driving the income tax revenue as there are over 100,000 fewer Missourians working now than there were a year ago.

House Pre-Filing Nuggets

Rep. Mark Ellebracht pre-filed the most bills of any House members, leading the pack with 33.

The issue – based on pre-filings – that still gets the most bipartisan support: regulating the use of phones while driving.

And a number of incoming freshmen showed some gumption and pre-filed bills.

·         Republican Rep-elect Bill Hardwick pre-filed two bills.

·         Democrat Rep-elect Bridget Walsh Moore pre-filed four.

·         Republican Rep-elect Chad Perkins pre-filed one.

·         And Democratic Rep-elect Marlene Terry pre-filed four.

Sutherland to Gubby Appts

Chris Sutherland, previously chief of staff to Sen. Mike Cierpiot, has joined the Senate Majority Caucus as Director of Gubernatorial Appointments.

Wagman Leaves Oppo Game

Former St. Louis Dispatch reporter Jake Wagman who started the opposition research firm Shield Research, announced that he’s stepping down from that company. “New challenges await -- now seems as good a time as any to pursue them… It's been a terrific ride.”

Sarah Truckey is taking over.  See Shield’s website here.

According to the Missouri Ethics Commission, recent Missouri candidates using Shield included: Judy Baker, Doug Beck, Jamilah Nasheed, Scott Sifton, and Jake Zimmerman.

Lobbyists Registrations

Richard AuBuchon added Missouri United School Insurance Council.

Gamble & Schlemeier added Missouri Center for Public Health Excellence.

Stacey Preis added Aligned.

Randy Scherr added Kirkland Woods and Martinsen; and deleted Curaleaf.

Patrick Fucik added T-Mobile USA Inc; and deleted Sprint.

Pat Kelly added Municipal League of Metro St. Louis; and deleted St. Louis County Municipal League.

Angie Schulte added Casey's General Stores, Inc.    

Aaron Baker and Hannah Beers added Johnson Controls Inc, and deleted Winter Group.

Steven Tilley, Tom Robbins, Travis Brown, and Tracy King added Access Group Capital LLC, and Meyer, McClamroch & Williams LLC.

Steven Tilley and Tom Robbins deleted St. Charles County Ambulance District, Root Weaver Missouri LLC, and Show-Me Organics, Inc.   

Michael Winter deleted Missouri Dietetic Association.

Jerry Burch deleted Arrow Oil & Gas LLC.

Michael Grote deleted Independent Colleges & Universities of Missouri, and Missouri Association of Municipal Utilities.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Brent Hemphill, Stephen Bough, Jeanne Sinquefield, and Theckla Spainhower.