MOScout Daily Update: Barrett in Senate 3 - Herschend Mulls More SBOE Advocacy - MMJ Hearing Today - MEC's Red-Tape Bill To Be Heard and more...
Barrett in Senate 3
It looks like there will be a Republican primary in Senate 3 after all. Joshua Barrett formed a campaign committee to run, joining businessman Kent Scism. Look for a formal announcement from Barrett later this morning.
Barrett is a retired Marine, businessman, and law enforcement officer. And he’s the chairman of Republicans’ St. Francois County Central Committee.
I’m told he’s retained Victory Enterprises to run his campaign.
Meanwhile, Rep. Dale Wright has given his campaign $100,000, but he has yet to declare his intentions.
Driving the Day: MMJ Hearing
Today at 1PM, the House’s Special Committee on Government Oversight will begin their hearings on the medical marijuana licensing process. Director Lyndall Fraker will provide testimony.
One view is that it’s simple math at work. There were many applicants than licenses available. So most people were going to be disappointed. And given that they all spend time – and money – pursuing the licenses, there are going to be “sour grapes.”
But others maintain that there hard-to-explain discrepancies in the scoring, and they wonder if there wasn’t a thumb on the scales at times to aid the politically connected.
Fraker will have a chance to clear the air and dispel any inaccurate information or myths about the process.
And
At the House General Laws Committee (4PM), Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman’s HB 1960 will be heard. The pre-filed bill is suddenly timely as the legislature grapples with thousands of kids missing their healthcare. Coleman’s bill would streamline the paperwork to apply for benefits helping to ensure the kids get what they’re due.
Herschend Suggests More SBOE Advocacy
State Board of Education member Peter Herschend suggested that yesterday’s meeting that the board should be more vocal about supporting legislation.
Following the legislative update by DESE, Herschend inquired which bills DESE supported during session so far. DESE answered that they do testify for informational purposes at times but Margie Vandeven ssaid that the department’s policy is to remain neutral.
That sparked Herschend to ask whether SBOE and or DESE should be more active in taking positions. Herschend apparently feels that advocacy could be warranted in some instances. Vandeven said there could be some political ramifications but it was worth a conversation. Board President Charlie Shields seemed uncomfortable with the notion…
Tort Reform’s First Run in Senate
It seems every year the Republican supermajority targets an item or two dealing with tort reform. Last night the Senate spent several hours debating Sen. Bill White’s SB 591 which changes punitive damages.
As the bill was being laid over, Floor Leader Caleb Rowden said that he expected Sen. Scott Sifton and Sen. Bill White to work toward a common ground on the measure, and it’d be back to the floor later this session…
Thomas to Page
Janson Thomas on Facebook: Exceptionally excited to share that following sixteen years serving Senator Gina Walsh and Senator Tim Green in the Missouri State Senate, that I will continue my public service as deputy chief of staff for Dr. Sam Page, the St. Louis County Executive. Tremendously grateful to both Sen. Walsh and Sen. Green for the experience, encouragement, and friendship and Dr. Page for the challenges and opportunities that await.
MedEx Says They’re Closing In On Signatures
From Twitter…. We’ve collected 75% of the signatures required to place expansion on the Nov. 2020 ballot in Missouri.
· Given the progress they’ve made, it’ll be a shock if Medicaid expansion is not on the ballot.
· That means most candidates will be asked what their position is on the measure.
Quorum Games?
The Senate’s Ways and Means Committee only has seven members now, though in the Senate rules it’s comprised of eight. That means a quorum for the committee is five members. The current make-up is five Republicans and two Democrats. That leads one observer to suggest that Dems’ best move is to skip the committee. They can’t out-vote Republicans, but by being absent, they can stop action unless all five Republicans are present.
Bits
· Sen. John Rizzo was appointed to JCAR, taking Jason Holsman’s spot.
· Rep. Dottie Bailey and legislative assistant Chandler Haynes have parted ways.
· Someone in the parking garage is charging their Telsa on the state’s dime. See it here.
· Rep. Jim Murphy files a resolution about the designated hitter and Ryan Silvey concedes a point. See it here.
New Committees
Phyllis Hardwick formed a candidate committee (Hardwick for MO Senate) to run for Senate 9 as a Democrat.
Joshua Barrett formed a candidate committee (Barrett for Senate) to run for Senate 3 as a Republican.
John N. Castellano III formed a candidate committee (John N. Castellano III for Sheriff) to run for St. Louis City Sheriff as a Democrat.
Lobbyist Registrations
Aaron Baker and Hannah Beers added Independent Colleges & Universities of Missouri.
Shannon Cooper and Nancy Giddens added Royal Oaks Hospital.
Jonathan Dalton added Opus Development Company L.L.C., and The Opus Group.
Josh Haynes added Anthem, Inc. and Its Affiliates.
Salvatore Panettiere added Missouri Port Authority Association.
David Winton and Jessica Petrie added ServiceNow.
Emma Shankland added BusPatrol America LLC.
Erik Woehrmann added Exxon Mobil Corporation.
Jeffrey Aboussie deleted City of St. Louis DBA Fly314 Coalition, and STL Land Development LLC.
$5K+ Contributions
Missourians for a New Approach - $10,000 from HMG LLC.
Keep Government Accountable - $75,000 from United Auto Workers V Cap.
Civic Progress Action Committee - $13,000 from Centene Management Company LLC.
UAW Region 5 Midwest States Political Action Committee (PAC) (MO) - $6,000 from UAW Region 5 Exchange Account.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $15,497 from TM AVIATION LLC.
American Dream PAC - $20,000 from CL PAC.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Louise Tonkovich.