MOScout Daily Update: Greitens Fined - House Ethics - KC $$$ for MedEx - MO Opioid Prescriptions and more...
Greitens Fined
The Missouri Ethics Commission fined former governor Eric Greitens a whopping $178,000.
Greitens issued a statement – widely lampooned on social media – in which he declared he was “fully exonerated.”
It was vintage Greitens: platitudes seemingly strung together by a random generator.
This news makes clear what many of you knew all along: in 2018 our justice system was abused. Lies were told and bribes were paid in a criminal effort to overturn the 2016 election. And now, the truth is beginning to come out… Of course, this wasn’t really about me. It was an attack designed for one purpose: to overturn your votes, because we were fighting for you… I feel and I am, incredibly blessed. I’ve always tried to serve to the best of my ability, and one of the greatest blessings was the opportunity to serve you as your Governor. I’m going to continue to serve, and I look forward to walking on this journey with so many of you. Gen 50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good”. The pain that people intended for evil, we can, and will, use to become stronger… Many people have asked about revenge. That’s not what we need. Revenge is about the past. Justice is about the future. And, I’ll tell you, the future is bright…
But
Despite the speechifying the facts remain…
· He was fined six-figures.
· He signed the consent order admitting to the violations.
· He’s on a two-year probation with the MEC.
What’s Next For Greitens?
The Washington Examiner has a “Greitens-friendly” piece. At the end of the “article” it points to Greitens’ plans: “A person close to Greitens told the Washington Examiner at the conclusion of the ethics investigation that the former governor did not intend to run for any political office this year but would likely ‘leave his options’ open for future endeavors. The friend said that Greitens was writing a book and working to launch a new service organization.”
The Funnies
· Catherine Hanaway is Greitens’ attorney on the case – and apparently billed hundreds of thousands of dollars. She was one of the candidates running against Greitens. And was the target of one of the LG PAC’s ads.
· These scandals usually produce a new capitol catch phrase. “Pretty boy to the rescue” might start making its way into hallway conversations. That’s how Team Greitens referred to Nick Ayers.
And
Team Galloway wasted no time using the news to fundraise…
ERIC GREITENS IS GOING ON TV ...TONIGHT!
DONATE TO THE EMERGENCY FUND >>
Missouri’s former governor, Eric Greitens, is going on St. Louis television at 10 PM tonight. No one knows what this means, but the Greitens Comeback Tour might be starting tonight!
A Greiten’s comeback would mean twice as many PACs to face. Twice as many attack ads...
Our campaign is gearing up for the worst. So right now we are launching an “Emergency Fund” in preparation for the announcement. The Greitens Comeback Tour might be starting tonight at 10 PM!
Please donate to our “Emergency Fund” tonight before the interview! We have to be prepared!
House Ethics Committee
In the House Journal this morning Rep. Gina Mitten asks “to be recused in case HEC 20-001.” And Minority Leader Crystal Quade appointed Rep. Jerome Barnes “as a temporary member of the Committee on Ethics for the sole purpose of considering case HEC 20-001… [and appointed] Representative Kip Kendrick as temporary ranking minority member of the Committee on Ethics for the purpose of considering case HEC 20-001.”
What It Means
There are now two separate ongoing ethics cases in the House involving two different members.
KC Biz Hearts MedEx
In the large contributions (below), Kansas City’s top business organizations chip in for the Medicaid Expansion campaign: $25K from the Chamber of Commerce and $25K from the Civic Council.
Kaiser News: MO Opioid Prescriptions Continue
Kaiser News reports… “Missouri began offering chiropractic care, acupuncture, physical therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy for Medicaid patients in April, the latest state to try an alternative to opioids for those battling chronic pain. Yet only about 500 of the state’s roughly 330,000 adult Medicaid users accessed the program through December, at a cost of $190,000, according to Josh Moore, the Missouri Medicaid pharmacy director... Meanwhile, according to the state, opioids were still being doled out: 109,610 Missouri Medicaid patients of all age groups received opioid prescriptions last year.
The going has been slow, health experts said, because of a slew of barriers. Such treatments are more time-consuming and involved than simply getting a prescription. A limited number of providers offer alternative treatment options, especially to Medicaid patients. And perhaps the biggest problem? These therapies don’t seem to work for everyone…”
DC to Deal With College Athletes?
Politico’s Influence reports that maneuverings in Washington DC around the issue of college athletes getting compensation. Missouri lawmakers have put forward proposals this session, and they seem to have some momentum.
From Politico… The Southeastern Conference — better known as the SEC — has hired a lobbying firm as Congress considers whether to allow college athletes to make money using their "name, image and likeness." Hunter Bates, a former chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell; Arshi Siddiqui, a former aide to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; and three other Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld lobbyists started lobbying last month on legislation "promoting the welfare of student-athletes," according to a disclosure filing.
The Senate Commerce Committee's manufacturing, trade and consumer protection subcommittee held a hearing on Tuesday on whether to allow college athletes to be paid. The National Collegiate Athletic Association and its allies have pressed Congress to weigh in on the issue to avoid a patchwork of laws passed by different states, with the help of several lobbying firms. The NCAA retains Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and also has two in-house lobbyists, according to disclosure filings.
Congratulations
To Brian and Stessie Millner on the birth of Winifred Violet Millner. 8lbs, 1oz.
Bits
· The Appellate Judicial Commission announced its panel to fill the vacancy on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District. The nominees are W. Ann Hansbrough, Jalilah Otto and W. Douglas Thomson.
· Ryan Derks announced he’ll take on Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. See the video here.
· Rep. Rudy Veit declared that he has “a potential business conflict” and intends to recuse himself “from participation in hearings and votes relating to the administration of the medical marijuana or any topics related there to.” Apparently, his law firm has done some MMJ work.
New Committees
Southwest Missouri Professional Firefighters PAC was formed. Its treasurer is Adam Grimes.
Ozark Students First was formed. It’s a PAC. Its treasurer is Stephanie Rutledge.
Lobbyist Registrations
Rodney Bland added Samuel Rodgers Health Center.
Amy Blunt added County Commissioners Association of Missouri, and Holistic Industries.
Brent Hemphill added Independent Colleges & Universities of Missouri.
James Harris, Daniel Pfeifer, Alex Eaton, Jasmine Wells, Rebecca Lohmann, and Greg Porter added Anthem Inc and its affiliates.
Daniel Pfeifer, Jasmine Wells, Rebecca Lohmann, and Greg Porter deleted SHI International Corporation.
Richard McIntosh, David McCracken, and Zach Brunnert added Anthem Inc and its affiliates; and deleted Missouri Care, Inc. and its affiliates.
$5K+ Contributions
Cigna Corporation Missouri PAC - Federal Committee - $55,000 from Cigna Corporation Political Action Committee.
Fight For Reform-Missouri - $5,500 from End Citizens United NonFederal.
Missourians for Healthcare - $25,000 from Chamber of Commerce of Greater KC.
Missourians for Healthcare - $25,000 from The Civic Council of Greater Kansas City.
American Property Casualty Insurance Association Political Account - $15,333 from American Property Casualty Insurance Association.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Michael Moorefield, and Jeffrey Altmann.
Saturday: Reps. Hannah Kelly and Jeff Coleman, and Timothy Flook.
Sunday: Chris Pieper.
MOScout Schedule
No Weekender tomorrow. See you Monday. The legislature is in on Monday (Presidents’ Day), so I’ll have an update out that morning.