MOScout Daily Update: Policing Reform Outlook - Rex Contra MedEx? - Retort on WSJ Virtual Ed - Tilley's MMJ Work - Galloway Retiring and more...
Policing Reform Outlook
From NYTimes: Inspired by the protests sweeping the state and nation, New York legislative leaders on Monday began to approve an expansive package of bills targeting police misconduct, defying longstanding opposition from law enforcement groups, including police unions. The measures range from a ban on the use of chokeholds to the repeal of an obscure decades-old statute that has effectively hidden the disciplinary records of police officers from public view, making it virtually impossible for victims to know whether a particular officer has a history of abuse…
I asked around a bit yesterday to see if the Missouri state legislature might feel moved to take up police reform. There’s no consensus – even among Republicans.
· Some conservatives are ready for it. These tend to be more libertarian type Republicans who were already uncomfortable with civil liberty abuses and asset forfeitures. The idea that “law and order” in a limited government would allow an unarmed citizen to be killed by police is infuriating.
· Other conservatives think the loony train has left the station. Any talk of defunding police is ridiculous, they mock the notion of de-escalation training and they have other issues that are a much higher priority than “police reform.”
· And some are wait-and-see, can a reasonable compromise can be found? “I do think this black lives matter moment feels different than the first one. Literally everyone thought the cop in Minnesota should go to prison. But now it seems like the other side wants to push too far and go from having broad support to alienating a large group in the middle. Don’t know how it plays out.”
Most folks I spoke to said they didn’t think it was likely. They ask:
· Can House leadership corral their farther right members into action?
· Can Minority Leader Crystal Quade accept a compromise?
· Would Governor Mike Parson’s staff let him stick his neck out in an election year and lead on this hot-button issue?
But there are some who see hope.
· Republican legislator: “I can see there being some common ground on the use of force/chokeholds issue as well as the issue of checking the power of police unions.”
· Republican consultant: “I suspect they (moleg and they Governor) will need to do something. Not sure what that looks like, other than it would be pro-law enforcement/keep families safe. Important issue to suburban voters…”
Rex Against MedEx?
I’m told that the expectation is that Rex Sinquefield will be funding the anti-Medicaid expansion campaign.
No on 2 in August Committee was recently formed. But there haven’t been any large contributions recorded yet.
Healthcare hasn’t been one of Sinquefield’s signature issues, but my source explained, “Rex is a private option, not public option, kind of a guy.”
A well-funded opposition campaign would make passage substantially more difficult.
Meanwhile
SuperAttorney Chuck Hatfield gave a play-by-play yesterday of the appeal of the lawsuit against the ballot measure, culminating in this tweet: Missouri Supreme Court has now denied transfer, thus ending litigation to remove Medicaid Expansion from the August ballot. Missouri voters will have their say.
Tilley’s MMJ Work
KCStar reports on lobbyist Steven Tilley’s advocacy for his medical marijuana clients, presenting a picture of an unfair playing field among applicants. See it here.
The article draws on “hundreds of pages of emails obtained by The Star show Tilley in direct contact with [Lyndall] Fraker and other state regulators.”
However, “the emails don’t appear to represent illegal activity.”
This is why folks hire a lobbyist: for access. In this respect, the article is a pretty good commercial for hiring him.
But
Is this a problem for Governor Mike Parson? Will Team Galloway offer this as another example of insider politics and business-as-usual?
Hemphill: COVID Emergency Was No Test Run for Virtual Ed
This is in response to today’s comments pulled from a WSJ article calling the coronavirus remote classes a “forced test-run to the long-promised notion of virtual schools.”
Virtual learning is a great tool and absolutely has a place within the education system.
When the Covid 19 shutdown began, the problem we saw was every traditional brick and mortar school in the state forced to come up with a virtual education plan within days followed by implementation with their students.
Teachers that are trained in a traditional classroom setting simply cannot flip a switch in the middle of the semester and begin teaching virtually. This is not only unfair to teachers but their students as well. To expect teachers to completely change their lesson plans with almost no notice does not qualify this experience as a “test run” of virtual learning.
The article also mentions students in various areas of the state having limited access to the necessary technology and equipment which left students and parents in limbo as to how to proceed.
In contrast, proven full-time virtual school providers offer the technology and equipment necessary for students to succeed in an online setting. To essentially say the full-time virtual school model is a failure based on what happened this past semester is not accurate and quite frankly is insulting to the thousands of virtual students around the country receiving an excellent education. Reputable on-line providers have invested tens of millions of dollars in research, development and teachers in order to provide the best methods and opportunities for full-time online learning.
Virtual schools have a place in our education system yet the bill that was passed in Missouri a few years ago did almost nothing to allow students to enroll in a full-time model. The legislature needs to pass a better bill next session that will open the doors for the expansion of full-time virtual schools in the state so that students have the opportunity to benefit from this style of learning, especially during this COVID-19 era.
There is so much uncertainty as we look to the future of educating our children next fall. We must make full-time virtual school options a priority to ensure an equitable framework for all parents and schools.
Sincerely,
Brent Hemphill
Galloway Retiring From CenturyLink
In a note to friends, long-time government relations executive Doug Galloway announced the closing of a chapter…
You may have heard; yes, the day has been selected….After almost 44 years I am retiring from CenturyLink this Friday, June 12. I started with United Telephone, who became Sprint, who became EMBARQ, who became CenturyLink…You could call me a survivor….The good news is Claudia Sands will still be with CenturyLink….
Someone once said, “Find something you enjoy doing and you’ll never work a day in your life.” I didn’t have a job, I had a great career…
Just like your favorite book, when one chapter ends, you turn the page and a new chapter begins….Until I begin to write that new chapter I’ll work on my golf game, bike the Katy Trial, spoil my grandkids, and travel with Cathy….
This is not good-bye – this is a note to say I hope to see you soon. We have worked on issues for several years and I appreciate those working relationships that became life long friendships….I’ll always be available to help you…
Next time you see me, I’ll be the guy dress casual!
NRA Meeting to Springfield
The National Rifle Association tweeted that “the 149th Annual Meeting of Members, previously schedule for Saturday, April 18, 2020 in Nashville, TN, has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 5, at the Springfield Expo Center located at 635 E. Saint Louis Street, Springfield, Missouri.”
Candidate Withdrawal
Democrat Bridget Gibson withdrew from House 2. That leaves Mindi Smith as the only Dem in that district. She’ll face Rep. J Eggleston in November.
New Committees
Democrats of Norwood Township was formed. It’s a PAC. Its treasurer is James Hill.
Lobbyist Registrations
Timothy O'Connell added Ultimate Fitness Group LLC.
Miles Ross deleted Mashino's.
Heath Clarkston, Doug Nelson, and Kurt Schaefer deleted Navigant Consulting, Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
Lathrop Gage Consulting Political Action Committee - $65,000 from Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits of Missouri.
Lathrop Gage Consulting Political Action Committee - $12,000 from Missouri Time Sales Service, Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Matthew Michelson, Karen Englert, Lon Lowrey, and Kevin Stamps.