MOScout Daily Update: COVID Beyond the Cities - Imagining The Next Rex Advisor - Unemployment Supplement Runs Out - MMJ Hit Day? and more...

COVID Is No Longer a “City Thing”

COVID has spread out across Missouri.  In the early phase it spread quickly in the densely populated urban areas.  Rural Missouri was able to largely ignore the virus without consequence.  That’s changed.  Despite the natural advantage of a more spread out populace, COVID now is just as prevalent across Missouri rural communities as it is in the cities. 

Statistics show on a per capita basis the urban areas are no longer the hardest hit. Here are the top ten counties in Missouri, cases per 100,000 people.

1.      McDonald – 4,402

2.      Sullivan – 2,973

3.      New Madrid – 2,763

4.      Saline – 2,686

5.      Perry – 2,678

6.      Pemiscot – 2,587

7.      Jasper – 2,574

8.      Nodaway – 2,555

9.      Newton – 2,371

10.  St. Francois – 2,360

What It Means

·         Missouri is highlighted by the New York Times as one of seven states where new cases are “higher and staying higher.”

·         The state’s “boxed-in” strategy failed to seriously limit the spread of the virus.

·         There’s no reason why we should expect this trend should reverse in the coming weeks without some new policy interventions.

·         You may see a growing backlash in rural communities against the laissez faire approach to the virus.  For example, this editorial in Lafayette County’s The Odessan.

The Next Sinquefield Advisor

Working under the assumption Rex Sinquefield will stay involved in politics and public policy, the foremost question is: who will fill the shoes of Travis Brown?  Brown acted for years as the chief strategist and operational manager to fulfill Sinquefield’s agenda.  Who fills that void now?

I don’t think Sinquefield is in a hurry to “find the next Travis.”

Although I think it’s a safe bet that Sinquefield stays involved in.  It wouldn’t surprise me if there’s a pause, and some reflection.

This is perfect time to focus.

Politically, Sinquefield is known for wanting to lower income tax rates and inject competition into education.  This is the perfect time to re-evaluate, to add or subtract to his priorities.  And then to cut away any distractions, or “mission creep.”

I would guess it’s likely that Sinquefield constructs an organization that is quite different from the Pelopidas approach.

For starters, there’s a natural human tendency to move away from one’s more recent experience, often times exaggerating the weaknesses and downplaying strengths.  This operates across all life experiences (dating a new boyfriend/girlfriend, picking the next book to read or movie to see, choosing a president).  Second, the common proverbial wisdom that if you want the different results, you have to act differently.  Third, I’m not sure there’s anyone who could sell the product of being the sole director/gatekeeper.

It’s possible we’ll see a “team of teams” approach.

Rather than rely on a single individual or firm, I think it would make sense for Sinquefield to split up the various aspects of his portfolio.  This could be done along policy areas or along geographic lines, or according to the various audiences or stakeholders that need to be addressed to effect change.

It could happen in many ways, but a smart division of labor is the surest way to harness expertise and ensure professionalism.

Ultimately, trust is the cornerstone of all relationships.

The biggest risk is always – can you trust the person you’re dealing with. This operates across all life experience (choosing a husband/wife, financial transactions, reading information, choosing a president).

Are the incentives aligned so that there’s no conflicts of interest? Is their personal integrity such that they deliver bad news even about themselves, or information that doesn’t always conform to a certain worldview?

Driving the Day: MMJ Talk

I’m told that Dems will be hitting Governor Mike Parson today on his administration’s roll-out of the medical marijuana licensing.

This follows a big Post-Dispatch article about it.  See it here.

Seven months after state officials finished awarding medical marijuana business licenses, regulators have spent $1.3 million in court to defend themselves against a wave of lawsuits filed by businesses whose applications the state denied.

Rejected applicants originally filed 853 appeals against the state through the Administrative Hearing Commission, and as of Wednesday, 785 cases were unresolved, said Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Senior Services, which runs the medical marijuana division.

The lingering caseload is a reminder of the state medical marijuana program’s rocky rollout, which consumed discussion in the state Capitol early this year before lawmakers high-tailed it from Jefferson City amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Legislators aren’t done probing the program just yet….

Unemployment Supplement Fund Empty

Columbia Tribune reports that the “$300 federal unemployment supplement expected to last to the end of the year is exhausted… The supplement was authorized by an executive order signed Aug. 8 by President Donald Trump after a $600 pandemic unemployment supplement program ended on July 31. The program was funded by a $44 billion disaster relief fund under the management of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, which manages the state’s unemployment compensation program… issued a news release shortly after noon on Friday notifying the public that the money is gone.”

Mansion Tours Resume

File Under Mixed Messages: If your family has never toured the Missouri Governor's Mansion now is a great time to visit. The "People's House" is open for tours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 9 a.m.-12 pm, 1-3 pm.  The docents giving the tours will be wearing masks, and though it's optional for the people on a tour, masks and hand sanitizer are provided…

New Committees

Warren County Democratic Central Committee was formed.  Its treasurer is Gregory Roth.

Pulaski County Democrat Club was formed. It’s a PAC.  Its treasurer is Danielle Swartz.

$5K+ Contributions

Keep Government Accountable - $10,000 from David Roberts.

A Stronger Missouri - $750,000 from Missouri Women Vote.

A Stronger Missouri $50,000 from Democratic Governors Association – Missouri.

Democratic Governors Association - Missouri - $50,000 from Democratic Governors Association.

Lobbyists Registrations

Mary LeFabvre added ACT Inc.

Ryan Rowden added Quantify Health LLC.

Tom Dempsey deleted First Rule Media, Gate Way Group, HHS Technology Group LLC, Flint Hills Resources, SRG Global, 7 Point Farms LLC, 9 Points LLC, Black Fox Manufacturing LLC, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company DBA AT&T Missouri and its Affiliates, RAI Services Company, Koch Industries Inc, and Georgia-Pacific LLC.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Gene McNary, Don Hinkle, and Jon Dalton.