MOScout Daily Update: Judge Rewrites CLEANER Language - Birx Day - Toss-Up in CD-2 - McCloskeys to GOP Convention and more...

Judge Rewrites CLEANER Ballot Language

Judge Patricia Joyce delivered a potential deathblow to the CLEANER proposal, rewriting the summary language.  See it here.

The first bullet point would now read: “Repeal rules for drawing state legislative districts approved by the voters in November 2018 and replace them with rules proposed by the legislature.”

And the lobbyist gift ban is now: “Lower legislative gift limit from $50 to $0, with exemptions for some lobbyists.”

One longtime building denizen wasn’t sure it would get even 30% of the vote with this language.

It’s expected that the ruling will be appealed.  But time is running out on the deadline for finalizing the November ballot.

·         Would it better for Republicans to abandon this effort entirely at this point, and focus on a new redistricting proposal for the 2022 ballot?

Driving the Day: Birx In the House

Press advisory: [Parson] will also host Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx at the Missouri Governor's Mansion for a roundtable discussion with Cabinet members and community and state health officials on Tuesday, August 18.  Missouri is one of several states Dr. Birx is visiting to meet with state officials and provide guidance on COVID-19. Dr. Birx will be available to the media after the roundtable at 11 a.m. at the State Capitol. Immediately following, Governor Parson will hold a briefing to provide updates on current events in Missouri.

And

It looks like we’ll get details on the latest unemployment package.  Springfield News Leader reports: The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Sunday it had approved Missouri’s application to participate in a program restoring half of the $600 weekly supplement approved by Congress that expired at the end of July…. The program also invites states to kick in $100 per week to make it a $400 bump. It was not immediately clear Monday whether Missouri would take that option or how it would pay for it, though the state could use leftover CARES Act money it got from the federal government earlier this year.  Kelli Jones, a spokeswoman for the governor, said Monday evening that she would have that information available Tuesday.

House Approves Bills

House committees approved the individual bills of the governor’s legislative package. 

·         Chair Shamed Dogan changed some language on HB 12 to ease concerns from both Democrats on his committee, but also some of the more libertarian Republicans.

PPP Poll Shows Toss-Up CD-2

The Dems’ House Majority PAC (see website here) released a poll conducted by Public Policy Polling which shows how the Second Congressional District has shifted into “toss-up” territory with both Jill Schupp and Joe Biden holding slim leads over their Republican opponents (within the 3.2% MOE).

See the poll here.

·         Donald Trump approval underwater: 46% approve, 51% disapprove.

·         Biden leads Trump: 48% to 46%

·         Schupp leads Ann Wagner: 45% to 42%.

And

One must assume that Senate 15 is similarly looking more difficult for incumbent Andrew Koenig to fend off Rep. Deb Lavender.

Applicants for Judge

The applicants for the circuit judge vacancy in Division 1 of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit (Jackson County) created by the August 11, 2020, retirement of Judge Sandra C. Midkiff are: Jeremy J. Baldwin, Sarah A. Castle, Sara H. Christensen, Randell G. Collins, P. Benjamin Cox, Cynthia M. Dodge, Arimeta R. DuPree, Jo Leigh W. Fischer, Ashley N. Garrett, Justin J. Kalwei, Brandon A. Lawson, Alicia C. O'Connell, Janette K. Rodecap, Jordon T. Stanley, James A. Witteman, Jr., and Jerri J. Zhang.

McCloskeys Get GOP Conventions Time

Post-Dispatch reports that Pat and Mark McCloskey will be featured at the Republican National Convention.

Mark McCloskey, charged last month with a felony for pointing an AR-15 rifle at St. Louis protesters, is scheduled to speak at next week's remote Republican National Convention, his lawyer confirmed Monday night… The incident has become a contentious political issue… Samantha Zager, deputy national press secretary for Trump's reelection campaign, said in a Monday news release that Patricia McCloskey will also speak at the convention, but the couple's lawyer did not confirm she will speak.

eMailbag on MDP Protests

I know the young, idealist staffers think they’re doing something noble here. Unfortunately, in reality, they have announced to any REAL candidate for a big office that these are the people who will stab you in the back 80 days out from an election.

$5K+ Contributions

Planned Parenthood Votes-St Louis and Southwest Missouri - $100,000 from Planned Parenthood Action Fund (Washington DC).

Believe in Life and Liberty - BILL PAC - $25,000 from Richard McIntosh.

MO Opportunity PAC - $10,000 from Evergy Metro, Inc.

MO State Council of Machinists PAC - $25,000 from Machinist Non-Partisan Political League (Marlboro, MD).

Lobbyists Registrations

Dave Sweeney added Blue Arrow Botanicals.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Pat Thomas and Charles Denison.