MOScout Daily Update: Galloway Calls for Statewide Mask Mandate - House GOP Summer Caucus Talk - Big Issues for the Next Gov - House Reconvenes and more...
Special Session Reconvenes
Four weeks after initially gaveling in for special session, the House reconvenes today at Noon. They’ll be taking up the six bills comprising the governor’s legislative package on violent crime, with the ai of sending them over to the Senate later this week.
The Big Issues
I did a quick survey over the weekend, asking a few people what they thought would be the biggest issues to face the next governor.
Budget
The budget is the issue on the top of most lists. Revenues have been strong so far this fiscal year, and the governor’s pre-emptive withholds have already created an atmosphere of austerity. Still, folks feel like we’re just waiting for the other shoe to drop…. What they’re saying:
· The budget is going to be a train wreck
· I truly believe the budget will be biggest issue. Between COVID, Medicaid expansion, and schools wanting additional resources due to COVID and tech needs.
· Budget may depend on more federal aid.
· If/when stock market finally pulls back, what’s that impact on MOSERS.
COVID
The coronavirus will shape the next term perhaps as much or more than it shaped the present one.
· The next governor has to keep people vigilant to reduce the spread until a vaccine comes. And then they have to convince Missourians to get the vaccine. Remember there’s a small but not insignificant anti-vaxx group that has lobbied the legislature before.
· Get ready for a long autumn as public schools wrestle with safety and education in the COVID era. From grade school to graduate school, the virus has every administrator facing lose-lose decisions.
Economy
It’s the economy, stupid.
· I think the biggest challenges will involve MO’s economy. I’m a believer that the recession is deeper than it appears even now. It will have starkest long-term implications for women, communities of color and low wage workers. So supporting that workforce will be a challenge.
· Biggest challenge any MO governor faces is how to get our population growing again. We have had stagnant population growth for a generation… what policies will cause people and businesses to want to move here… It is not tort reform or corporate welfare which have driven Republican agendas…
Medicaid Expansion Implementation
The voters have spoken, but to what extent will conservative legislators attempt to hobble implementing Medicaid expansion. One observer thinks the amount of resistance will depend on the personalities involved.
· If the Senate Conservative Caucus’ influence grows, they might take aim at it? With a tight budget they might think it’s time to “reform our Medicaid program not just talk about it.”
· If Parson wins and foes along with it, Republican legislature might not make a fuss; but if Galloway wins and it could become a rally point.
Medical Marijuana license
One lobbyist says that this is “issue isn’t going away.”
· The House investigation was continuing to raise more questions.
· There are reports of an active FBI investigation.
· And with budget constraints, there will be pressure to lift the caps and thereby raise millions of dollars in license fees, sales tax and job creation.
Other issues to watch…
· Congressional Redistricting (especially if Jill Schupp wins).
· Staff turnover (if Parson wins) or setting up a new administration (if Galloway wins).
Driving the Day: Galloway’s COVID Action Plan
Media Advisory: Auditor Nicole Galloway will deliver remarks in Kansas City and Springfield where she will lay out what steps, as Governor, she would take to contain COVID-19 in Missouri, help local communities rebuild, and put the state on the path to economic recovery.
Due to COVID-19, these events are not open to the public, masks will be required, and social distancing strictly observed….
Top of the list: statewide mask mandate.
Talk from HRCC’s Summer Caucus
I asked around how the House GOP’s summer caucus went…
Missing Parson
· Notable: every statewide except Parson came by to speak and glad-hand. At this point, Eric Greitens was trying harder to build relationships then the current Gov.
· Probably the thing that caused the most heartburn was that Gov. Parson was in Republic this weekend but could not find the time to drive 30 minutes to Branson to meet with the House Republican caucus just days before they take up his special session crime bills… Mike Kehoe was there for the entire event, Fitzpatrick was there for 2 days, and even Schmitt was working the members.
Floor Leader Race
Depending on which side you talk to, their guy has the momentum/votes…
· It’s pretty clear to anyone who can count to 60 that Trent will be the next Floor Leader. After the primary, Dean needed to change the dynamic to win. He wasn’t able to do so this weekend.
· I would say there’s been a big move towards Plocher in the floor leader race. The Curtis Trent camp made a big mistake trying to beat an incumbent Republican (Dale Wright). A lot of people feel this was beyond anything the conservative caucus had done before and felt like it represented a real movement in the race.
· Curtis clearly has things locked up… He picked up 15 seats at the primary and Dean only picked up 9.
Schroer’s “Sleeping at a Friend’s House”
· I spoke with about a handful of reps about Schroer. Most think he will survive the lawsuit and remain on the ballot but they also worry about him convincing his constituents to vote for him.
· Legally, it’s almost impossible to prove a negative so he probably survives. Politically, can’t possibly overstate how dumb he looks.
MVP?
· Claudia Kehoe was the MVP of summer caucus. It was the first time a lot of representatives have had the chance to hang out with her and she made a great impression. Warm, inviting, fun... everything a politician wishes their spouse could be.
And
· No masks so can’t wait to see how many get covid.
Galloway PAC Transfers $500K
The pro-Nicole Galloway PAC, Keep Government Accountable, sent $500K to A Strong Missouri over the weekend.
A Strong Missouri is a PAC (see the paperwork here) which was formed with the purpose of opposing Mike Parson. Its treasurer is Linda Locke.
eMailbag on Crime
Regarding the focus on crime, find it interesting that we separate issues like the “economy” and growth from escalating violent crime levels in MO….do we ignorantly think crime doesn’t have an impact? Or give MO a black eye on development? Or we that short sighted?
$5K+ Contributions
A Stronger Missouri - $500,000 from Keep Government Accountable.
Purple PAC - $10,000 from Laborers' International Union of North America Local 110.
Committee to Elect Beverly Thomas Commissioner - $9,162 from Beverly Thomas.
Lobbyists Registrations
Mark Richard Ames added American Industrial Hygiene Association.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Bob Holden, Rep. Dan Stacy, Mary Cottom, and Anna Crosslin.