MOScout Daily Update: Cannon to Liberty - Health Seeks Diversity - No Ball - Long's DC Party - Axiom Octopus and more...
Cannon to Liberty
Joelle Cannon will be the new Midwestern director of government relations for Liberty Utilities. A 12-year veteran of Capitol Hill, she has worked for Mike Pence, Tom Coburn, and, most recently, Senator Roy Blunt – first in DC, and then back home in Missouri. Cannon is also an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins University, where she teaches courses on the federal budget. The Joplin native will bring her deep policy background and a strong set of relationships with the SWMO delegation to her new role.
Long Hosts Party
Politico reports that Congressman Billy Long isn’t letting COVID stand in the way of his holiday party. See it here.
The majority of Washington's lavish holiday parties have, of course, been called off. And the Capitol physician has specifically instructed lawmakers to avoid dinners, receptions and other events… Still, groups of dozens or more people have flocked to congressional hangouts… GOP members have also gathered at swanky downtown restaurants. That includes a holiday party Monday night hosted by Rep. Billy Long (Mo.) in a backroom at Joe’s Seafood, an upscale surf ‘n turf restaurant near the White House, according to a person familiar with the plans.
PD: No Ball
Following-up on what I wrote yesterday, a reader sent me this clip from the Post-Dispatch which indicates that an inaugural ball is already off the table.
Inauguration Day 2021 in Missouri might look a lot different than the swearings-in of past years… in a memo Monday to lawmakers and Missouri House staff, Dana Rademan Miller, chief clerk of the House, said that “we have been informed by the governor’s office that there will not be an inaugural ball on the evening of January 11th, the day of swearing-in of the statewide elected officials.”
The Many Arms of the Axiom Octopus
Yesterday, in listing the various payments from campaign committees to political consultants, I listed Axiom Strategies with $3.2 million in 2020.
It was pointed out to me that “Axiom Strategies” only includes the mothership, not the many smaller Axiom companies. Jeff Roe spent a few years assembling a collection of companies to handle every facet of campaigns. Here’s a more comprehensive list – with a grand total at the end. And let me re-issue the general caveats again: these numbers don’t include federal campaign and corporate clients. Also many of these figures include reimbursements (for example, mailers, or TV buys).
Axiom Strategies - $3,232,001
Ax Media (media buying) – $604,318
Clout Public Affairs (various assistance) – $81,799
Madison McQueen (tv production) – $73,500
Cannon Research (opposition research) – $70,000
High Cotton (fundraising) – $69,789
Prosper Group (digital) – $64,235
Vanguard (field) – $11,750
HenryAlan (compliance) – $500
Grand total: $4,207,892
No There There
Post-Dispatch reports on a FB message interaction between a rebellious restaurateur and the fundraiser for County Executive Sam Page.
Benjamin Brown (restaurateur) shared the messages “through an intermediary… because he felt the contact was inappropriate.” Yet the whole interaction with Angela Bingaman (fundraiser) appears friendly. No strong-arm, no quid-pro-quo, no code-words.
There’s no ask for money, not even mentions of previous donations. There’s no promise of government action, but rather repeated declarations that she has no control over policies.
I don’t know who the “intermediary” is, but my two cents is that Brown should hire a real lobbyist instead of randomly burning bridges.
Dept of Health Seeks Organizational Assessment
In the state RFP’s the Department of Health is embarking on an assessment of its diversity and inclusion practices. See the RFP here.
The Department of Mental Health desires to achieve a diverse workforce particularly in supervisory, management, and senior leadership roles. Promoting and sustaining equity and inclusion practices will remove barriers to full participation by marginalized groups and increase innovation and productivity. A more effective organization and better outcomes for the people served by the Department will then follow. The Department of Mental Health is seeking an experienced vendor to conduct an organizational assessment of its current practices and readiness for a culture in which prioritizes equity, inclusion and diversity…
The report shall also identify strengths and areas for change/improvements in the Department… It is highly desirable the assessment, analysis and report, and recommended implementation plan should be completed by April 30, 2021…
Help Wanted
Maryville University seeks Vice President for Community & Government Relations. “The Vice President for Community and Government Relations will report directly to the President of the University and will serve as a member of the President’s Advisory Council. The VP for CGO will provide executive oversight for the development and alumni relations division and will directly supervise the Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations who will be responsible for the performance and day-to-day activities of that unit. The VP for CGO will lead the university’s community and government relations efforts to support the university’s strategic plan.” See the ad here.
eMailbag on Auditor’s Race
One caution current legislators should have in their minds about the auditor race is that in recent times....the electorate chooses auditor candidates and auditors who often aren’t in the legislative branch. See: Schweich, Montee, McCaskill (large break between her moleg time), and Margaret Kelly…
New Committees
Blue Springs Democrats was formed. It’s a PAC. Its treasurer is Travis Hagewood.
Lobbyists Registrations
Meagan Forbes added Institute for Justice.
Ward Cook deleted Gate Way Group, and Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.
David Sweeney deleted Outworx Group.
$5K+ Contributions
MO Opportunity PAC (pro-Schmitt) - $10,000 from KBA Investments LLC.
Missouri Farm Bureau Fund for Real Representation - $8,023 from Missouri Farm Bureau.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays John Brunner, Linda Rallo, and Patrick Bonnot.
Congratulations
To Missy and Sammy Panettiere on the birth of their baby girl, Hope Palmer Panettiere.