MOScout Daily Update: Absentee Voting Before MO Supremes - Community Colleges Led on Recovery? - Local Leaders Grab Spotlight and more...
Driving the Day: Voting Rights Before MO’s High Court
Before the Missouri Supreme Court (virtually, not actually before them) at 10AM this morning are arguments about the state of absentee voting. Among the questions that may be probed: does one’s self-quarantine to prevent the spread of the coronavirus fall under the definition of an “illness?” Does the recently signed SB 631 provide adequate relief?
Reallocation Recovery?
There’s a big question looming as the economy rebounds: will we go back to business the way it was before, or will there be structural changes to some sectors and industries?
Bloomberg reports on this possible “reallocation shock.” See it here.
“[The] heart of the dilemma facing the world economy as it gradually emerges from the virus-enforced lockdown and unprecedented recession: How many of the millions of lost jobs are gone for good?
The hope is the waves of stimulus doled out by governments and central banks should eventually buoy economies and spark a revival in hiring. Furloughed or redundant workers would then return to their employers.
The risk though is that the pandemic is inflicting a ‘reallocation shock’ in which firms and even entire sectors suffer lasting damage. Lost jobs don’t come back and unemployment stays elevated. That would force workers to retrain or relocate, both of which are hard, and governments to do more than just try to spend their way out of trouble…
Unfortunately, new research by Bloomberg Economics reckons 30% of U.S. job losses from February to May are the result of a reallocation shock. The analysis -- based on the relationship between hiring, firing, openings and unemployment -- suggests the labor market will initially recover swiftly, but then level off with millions still unemployed.
Jobs in the hospitality industry… are among the most at risk, alongside retail, leisure, education and health. In many cases, the pandemic will increase the challenge for bricks and mortar companies facing off against e-commerce platforms such as Amazon.com. Inc, accelerating the pre-crisis trend….”
And
One reader thinks that community colleges will be key to meeting the potential challenges of a changing economy. They cite this article.
· Community colleges specialize in career-oriented programs that can get people (back) to work quickly. With more than 43 million Americans filing for unemployment insurance in a matter of weeks after the novel coronavirus started sweeping across the country, helping workers find jobs in a pandemic-battered economy will soon become our nation’s top priority. In particular, demand for short-term training is skyrocketing. Since their inception, community colleges have embraced an open-door mission for offering occupational education and training to serve the workforce development needs of business and industry and the skill needs of students and workers….
· Community colleges have a track record of adapting to changing circumstances and priorities. Throughout their history, community colleges have transformed themselves to respond to the needs of evolving communities and changing times. But their agility is being put to the test as the COVID-19 crisis unfolds. To meet the urgent needs of their students, community colleges have had to overcome many challenges, including the need to transition to remote instruction. This fall will undoubtedly bring more challenges—and more opportunities. Community colleges should lean into the challenge, not just by making small adjustments to courses and programs, but by working to realize longstanding goals to transform the college experience.
Locals Lead Response
Axios reports this morning on the extent to which the response to the twin crises of the coronavirus and police brutality are being directed by local leaders.
“[L]ocal governments are calling the shots that will have far-reaching ramifications for Americans, from re-opening their economies amid the coronavirus pandemic, to reforming police departments and responding to protests. And they're back in the spotlight as a result. The crises facing cities are inherently local, requiring a detailed, block-by-block understanding of neighborhoods' needs. COVID-19 has affected communities of color at alarmingly high rates. Police are under fire for mistreating many of those same communities…”
This has been especially true in Missouri where the epicenters of the COVID outbreaks and the protests for police reforms have been on the urban coast. It’s put those mayors in the spotlight. But not just those mayors.
But by design, Governor Mike Parson has abdicated leadership on the coronavirus to local governments across the state. They have been charged with enforcing restrictions, and with determining the speed of reopening.
This has been agreeable to members of both parties, with the recognition that the diversity of the state required varying strategies.
What It Means
· The credit or blame, for the response may not fall to the 2nd floor as it normally would. Folks may hold their local leaders more responsible that they have in past crises.
Suspect Released Day Before
Columbia Tribune reports that “the day before a burglary that left one suspect dead and another wounded, Circuit Judge Jeff Harris released the surviving suspect from the Boone County Jail over the objections of prosecutors. Fabian D. Goldman, 28, was charged Thursday with second-degree murder and burglary after his arrest for a burglary Wednesday evening in the 6000 block of Bentpath Drive. Darion J. Logan, 27, was killed and Goldman was wounded by a homeowner who confronted the intruders. On Tuesday morning, Goldman appeared before Harris via video link to the jail for a probation revocation hearing related to a 2017 robbery. At that hearing, the state argued for Goldman to be ordered to serve his seven-year sentence that was suspended while he was on probation… Harris did formally revoke Goldman’s probation, but he immediately placed Goldman on a new five-year term of supervised release…”
Gubby Appts
Governor Mike Parson made several appointments….
· Robert (Bob) L. Rice was appointed Associate Circuit Judge for the 4th Judicial Circuit. He will fill the Associate Circuit Judge vacancy created by the appointment of the Honorable Doug Thomson to Appellate Judge of the Western District Court of Appeals.
· Joshua C. Devine was appointed Circuit Judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit. He will fill the Circuit Judge vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Jodie Capshaw-Asel.
· Dr. Jeffrey Coughenour was appointed to the State Board of Health and Senior Services.
· Dr. Patrice Komoroski was appointed to the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee.
· Randy Little was appointed to the State Fair Commission.
· Mark Stidham and Mike Snider were appointed to the Missouri 911 Service Board.
Wood to Wife: Thanks!
As David Wood moves onto his new gig as Director of the Missouri Department of Social Services’ Children’s Division, he posted on Facebook: Today is my last day as a State Representative and tomorrow a new adventure begins. None of this would be possible if it wasn't for the support and encouragement from my wonderful wife. Cheryl Charlson Wood has been with me every step of the way and has stepped out of her comfort zone to go to multiple events, dinners, presentations, and whatever else I was invited to attend. Her never ending faith in me has given me the strength to accomplish goals that I never dreamed were possible. She has kept me grounded by making sure that I know what is real and that family needs to come first. I get credit for a lot of things that happen but the truth is that I wouldn't have been a Representative and I wouldn't have my upcoming opportunity without her love, support, and encouragement. Thank you Cheryl and I promise that someday I will finally retire so that we can do all the things that are on your travel wish list.
New Committees
Arthur Schaaf formed a candidate committee (ArtSchaaf4MO30) to run for House 30 as a Democrat.
Deshon Porter formed a candidate committee to run for lieutenant governor as a Republican in… 2024.
Lobbyist Registrations
Jane Dueker added National Restaurant Association.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Martin Rucker.