MOScout Daily Update: Rex Sends CL PAC $100K - Bracing for Another Round of Budget Cuts - Everyone Wants a Special and more....
Rex Becomes CL PAC Funder
Rex Sinquefield gave $100,000 to CL PAC yesterday. CL PAC has been the main vehicle for the Conservative Caucus to back candidates in the upcoming primary election. Their goal is to add to their ranks for the next legislative session.
Until Sinquefield’s check, the most prominent funder has been businessman David Stewart, who has given CL PAC over $1.1 million.
Sinquefield’s entry adds some additional firepower to the PAC.
Bracing for the Coming Withholds
The extent of the fall-off in state revenues is forcing Governor Mike Parson to implement another round of withholds. One lobbyist says emphatically, “[Parson will] withhold May and June payments to K-12 schools...” And looking toward the next fiscal year which starts July 1, that “budget passed by legislators was feel-good façade,” suggesting that the fast-moving events will render it quickly irrelevant.
Another lobbyist sent me this summary of the call sent by DESE: As the Governor shared, the State of Missouri is faced with tough budget decisions during this unprecedented time. Across the state, approximately $500-$700 million must be cut or withheld – on top of the cuts and withholds already announced. These additional budgetary measures will impact both the current and next fiscal year. Missouri public schools must plan for a year or two of tight budgets, as we wait for the economy to recover from COVID-19. This means school leaders will be forced to make difficult choices in the coming months.
· The expectation is that higher education will not be spared in these withholds either.
· Restrictions in the upcoming FY2021 will happen across all departments. The only hope of avoiding this scenario right now appears to hinge on Congress passing another stimulus bill to “bail out” crumbling state budgets.
What It Means to 2020
Less than six months ago, Governor Mike Parson could expect to run on a strong economy. He’d spent his short tenure as governor focusing on infrastructure and work force development, and could point to an historic low unemployment rate – below event the nation’s low rate.
Now he’s navigating the public health response to the coronavirus, second-guessed by Democratic critics, and having to manage a budget which has jumped the rails with an unemployment rate at 9.7%.
We’ve gone from peace and prosperity to chaos and carnage. He can no longer run a cruise control campaign.
Still, he retains two advantages…
· Huge financial resources.
· An unshakable Republican base across rural Missouri.
No Surprise: Everyone Wants a Special
· Post-Dispatch reports that the “Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants Gov. Mike Parson to call a special session to limit lawsuits stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak.” See it here.
· Kansas City Star report that “mayors from around the state are urging Missouri Gov. Mike Parson to call the legislature back into session this summer to authorize collecting sales taxes from out-of-state online retailers.” See it here.
Follow-Up on Ballot Timing Talk
Folks say that the same issues which might drive the governor to place CLEANer on the August ballot, also apply to the Medicaid Expansion effort.
Sain Withdraws
Rep. Matt Sain withdrew his filing for House 14. He’d announced months ago that he planned to do this, and he endorsed Ashley Aune for his district. She is the only Dem filed currently.
But the secretary of state notes: “pursuant to Section 115.361, RSMo., candidate filing is currently open for the office of State Representative in District 14. Filings will be accepted for these offices until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.”
Lobbyist Registrations
K. Andrew “Drew” Weber added Fischer & Frichtel Custom Homes LLC, Estates at Kohl Farms, and Calvin Schneider Living Trust.
Aaron Baker and Hannah Beers deleted Missouri Soybean Association.
Aaron Baker deleted Independent Colleges & Universities of Missouri.
Andy Blunt, Chris Moody, Jay Reichard, and Angela Schulte deleted Oaktree Oaktree Transportation Infrastructure Fund LP.
Andy Blunt deleted STL Aviation Group LLC.
Chris Moody deleted Tri County Lodging Association.
Miranda Renee Pratt deleted Humane Society Legislative Fund.
Randy Scherr deleted Chemistry Council of Missouri, and Ciox Health LLC C/O Multistate Associates Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
Megan Green for St. Louis - $10,221 from Megan Green for 15th Ward.
MO State Teachers Assoc Legislative Impact Co - $7,500 from Central Region – MSTA.
CL PAC - $100,000 from Rex Sinquefield.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Rep. Travis Fitzwater.
Saturday: Zach Monroe, and Meredith Shadwick.
Sunday: Jake Hummel, Sam Page, Heather Navarro, Byron DeLear, and Gregg Christian.
Monday: Sen. Ed Emery, Tim Jones, Amy Blouin, Jason Hall, and Gus Wagner.
MOScout Schedule
No Weekender tomorrow. I’m taking Monday (Memorial Day) off. See you Tuesday. Hopefully have a new feature to roll-out next week…