MOScout Daily Update: Burlison Vents - More MMJ Licenses? - Cookson Files in Senate 25 - "Nearly 17" Tested for C-Virus and more...

Burlison Lets Loose

On KWOS, Sen. Eric Burlison says that Republicans have “lost their balls.”  Listen to it here.

The problem is that right now the ‘squishes’ are the tail wagging the dog…. The Party cares more about what those liberal and almost Democratic members of the Republican Party, they care more about what their opinions are and push out their agendas, give them all the time in the world to pass their bills and then they give no time whatsoever to any conservative issues like tax cuts…

What It Means

·         The normally mild-mannered and uber-polite Burly vents.  It’s a sign that there’s a bubbling tension between the Conservative Caucus and the Senate Regulars…

Rowden: PDMP Coming

At the end of week press availability, Floor Leader Caleb Rowden said he expected that the prescription drug monitoring legislation would likely come to the Senate floor next week.

And

The internet sales tax (aka Wayfair) is in the pipeline for floor debate, but still waiting for fiscal note.

MMJ Controversy Continues…

Criticism of the medical marijuana process has come from all corners – Republican senators like Doug Libla and Cindy O’Laughlin, House members on the Government Oversight Committee, and yesterday Minority Leader Crystal Quade added her voice, calling it “atrocious.”

Over twitter MMJ Director Lyndall Fraker punched back

·         It has been an honor to lead a team of great hard working state employees helping to bring MMJ to Mo.  Some are attempting to discredit them and me personally because some of their big donors didn’t get a license. Mo voters want a well regulated safe program not the Wild West.

·         And: We are double checking as was noted last night. After 10 hours and 3 hearings, many questions were repeated over and over. I’ve invited Rep. Eggleston our to our office to meet our team and explain the whole program. No response. Just wants to embarrass our hard working team.

… And MOScouters See More Licenses Coming

·         Maybe I am missing something but the DHSS would be smart if they reopened the bidding and allow [more] licenses. It just sort of seems like a shit show and they should get out in front of it. I doubt folks have the intellectual flexibility to do that but goodness…

·         Ultimately, I believe there will be more licenses issued… when a court tells they have to. Would be a huge mistake to do it without a court order.

·         I think [Fraker] resigns and the department expedites the review and resolution of legit appeals which results in an additional 25-50 licenses being issued. The question is how long does the department ignore or deny problems which leads the Oversight Committee to bang them more and generate more bad press.

And

Former Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Wolff opines that the state should allow more licenses for those who meet the criteria.  Read it here.

State Tax Receipts Surge

State revenues surged in February.  “Net general revenue collections for February 2020 increased 22.2 percent compared to those for February 2019, from $561.0 million last year to $685.4 million this year.”  Individual income tax collection drove the results with a 23.4% increase for the month.  Obviously, the leap year gave us an extra day, but still it’s an impressive number.

Bits

·         United of Missouri is the latest to weigh in on the biodiesel mandate.  They’re agin it.  And it’s going to be a “rated” vote.  “United for Missouri will be scoring the bill if it comes to a vote.”

·         Rep. Holly Rehder announced county coordinators for her Senate campaign.  See it here. One supporter cheered: she has “outsider” and “establishment” street cred…

·         Fox2Now reports on “bipartisan support for a bill that would designate the month of April as Limb Loss Awareness month in Missouri. The sponsor of HB 2352 is State Rep. Rasheen Aldridge (D-St. Louis)… Aldridge was born with one leg shorter than the other. That led to the need for a prosthetic. He hopes his bill will bring some comfort to other Missourians who have lost a limb or were born without one…”

·         Eric Greitens continues his comeback tour.  See it here.

Parson Skewered on Twitter

In a coronavirus update, Governor Mike Parson tweeted that “nearly 17 people have been tested.”

·         "Nearly 17 people have been tested." That was a strange way of stating the number.  I guess it means 16 or fewer people have been tested.

·         Just like the white wing dove . . .

·         "she was nearly 17" - Roy Moore

·         love to round to the nearest prime number

·         Wait, what is nearly 17? You counting black people as 3/5's of a person or something...

·         Did one get away before the test was complete?

·         Son this better be a parody account

Help Wanted

Department of Economic Development seeks Communications Manager. Help lead the team driving awareness about the state’s economic development efforts! We help create greater opportunities for Missourians to prosper by fostering business and community growth. You’ll work with business leaders and community partners across the state to celebrate and promote economic development wins as we journey to become Best in Midwest… Salary: $60,000 - $70,000…  See the ad here.

New Candidate Filings

·         Former Rep. Steve Cookson filed to run for Senate 25 as a Republican. He joins Rep. Jeff Shawan, Jason Bean and Eddy Justice in the primary to replace Sen. Doug Libla.

·         In House 14, Eric Holmes filed to as a Republican.  He’ll face Democratic Rep. Matt Sain.  Holmes appears to have run for Congress (as a Democrat) losing to Emanuel Cleaver in the primary.

And

Mark Bliss filed to run in Senate 21 as a Libertarian.

New Committees

Nicolas '"Wick Thomas"' Thomas formed a candidate committee (Wick Thomas For Missouri) to run for House 19 as a Democrat.  He’s facing Minority Caucus Chair Ingrid Burnett in a primary.

Allison Schoolcraft formed a candidate committee (Committee to Elect Allison Schoolcraft) to run House 131 as a Democrat.  Republican Rep. Sonya Anderson is term-limited.

$5K+ Contributions

MO Beverage PAC - $7,173 from Heartland Coca Cola.

Missourians for a New Approach - $15,000 from Seven Points, LLC.

Missourians for a New Approach - $25,000 from Mid America Asset.

Missourians for a New Approach - $10,000 from Kansas City Cannabis Company.

MO Cable PAC - $15,400 from Charter Communications.

American Property Casualty Insurance Association Political Account - $97,498 from American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

Campaign for Clean Water STL - $9,000 from Dierbergs Markets, Inc.

Arizona Democratic Party - MO Non-Fed - $115,000 from Arizona Democratic Party.

Lobbyist Registrations

Tim Green added Viceroy Government Relations.

Allison Maginot added Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Kit Bond, Christine Page, and Todd Patterson.