MOScout Daily Update: Why Gov Signs Crime Bill - More on MRL Endorsements - Pro-Baker PAC Formed - Special Session Coming and more...

Why The Gov Will Sign SB 600

One reader is adamant the omnibus crime bill gets signed.  His thinking: There is no way Aaron Willard and Robert Knodell will advise the Governor to veto a crime bill during a re-elect year when every Republican will likely be running on law and order. They’re way too smart to think anyone you make happy with that decision will actually vote for you. They’ve run too many campaigns to make that mistake.

Gov Says Special Coming

At his briefing yesterday, Governor Mike Parson spoke about a special session as if it’s happening for sure – even as he’s unsure of when it would be or what would be included in the call.

He mentioned wanting to:

·         Add witness protection provisions to help with crime,

·         Help companies facing liability related to the coronavirus.

Meanwhile

The Black Caucus has asked the governor to include police reform in a special session.

DESE To Waive Attendance Incentive Programs

From Aligned’s Hot Take Update: Margie Vandeven, Missouri's education chief, said that imperfect attendance is okay in the upcoming school year. Vandeven explained that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will be recommending that families and school staff stay home when feeling ill and will encourage districts to eliminate attendance incentive programs.

"The state board of education will be waving attendance for the Missouri School Improvement Program, the MSIP accountability metric, and we will be working to make sure that we're addressing ways to make payments to school districts for in-seat learning virtual education or a combination of both of those methods." said Vandeven, DESE's commissioner.

During a webinar presentation to school leaders last week, Vandeven explained that average daily attendance (ADA), written in statute, is the mechanism DESE uses to calculate state aid payments through the foundation formula. She also said making changes requires more than granting a waiver.

"It's not quite as simple as the department being able to say that we will waive that. For districts that do not estimate attendance, you would be able to use the higher of the first or second proceeding year for payment purposes. And we're working on ways to communicate that in much greater detail for you," said Vandeven.

Pro-Baker PAC Started

Missouri Action PAC was formed.  It’s an IE PAC to help Judy Baker.  She’s running in Senate 19 against Caleb Rowden.

Rowden has had an IE PAC in operation for years.  Last quarter it spent $80,000 and still has $460,000 cash on-hand.

Anti-CL Targets

I’m told there’s a collection of interests working to counter the CL PAC in Senate Republican primaries.  They’re top “concerns” are (roughly in this order):

·         Senate 29 – supporting Cole over Moon.

·         Senate 31 – supporting Bondon over Brattin.

·         Senate 25 – supporting Bean over Justice or Shawan.

More on MRL Endorsements

·         It was pointed out to me that taking money from Supporters for Health Research and Treatments is hardly a disqualifier for MRL.  Among those who have taken money from Supporters and received MRL’s endorsement: Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, Senate Floor Leader Caleb Rowden, Sens. Denny Hoskins, Wayne Wallingford, House Budget Chair Cody Smith, and Reps. John Wiemann, Mike Henderson, Rick Francis, Louis Riggs, Nate Tate and Jeff Shawan.

·         And I’m told that Rowden “hasn't been endorsed yet pending the return of his survey…. [But MRL hopes to] endorse him…”

New Committees

Darren Grant filed an exemption committee to run for House 72 as a Republican.

Missouri Action PAC was formed.  Its treasurer is Suzanne Renee Hoagenson.

$5K+ Contributions

Missouri Senate Conservatives Fund - $50,000 from Herzog Contracting Corp.

Democratic Governors Association - Missouri - $15,000 from Democratic Governors Association.

Centene Corporation Political Action Committee d/b/a Centene Missouri Federal PAC - $5,350 from Centene Corporation Political Action Committee.

House Democratic Campaign Committee - $6,000 from Peter Merideth for Mo Progress.

Missouri's Energy Future PAC - $10,000 from Ameren Missouri.

Campaign for Clean Water STL - $20,000 from River City Casino & Hotel.

Union Pacific Corp FFEG MO Federal Committee - $15,000 from Union Pacific Corp. Fund for Effective Government.

Saint Charles Organization of Republicans - $9,500 from 417 PAC.

Missourians for Life - $9,500 from 417 PAC.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Kurt Bahr, Kirk Mathews, Steve Cookson, and Mark Coulter.

R.I.P.

David Welch, who worked as an attorney for the House for years, passed away. 

David Henry Welch, 66, of Jefferson City, died Monday, June 22, 2020, at his home. He was born August 18, 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri, a son of David C. and Anna L. (Lange) Welch.

David was an attorney and very involved in Missouri politics. He was an active member of The Federalist Society and enjoyed fine wine and fine dining with friends.

Survivors include one brother, Scott Welch and his wife Colleen of Chesterfield; two nephews, Brad Welch and Adam Welch; and many friends.

A Celebration of David’s Life will be held at Bar Vino on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. Private family burial will be held.