MOScout Daily Update: Veto Session & Special Session Today - Rex Gives $240K to Uniting - Cook Rating Change - Another Special? and more...

What To Watch Today

The House and Senate will convene at Noon for Veto Session, and then reconvene again a few hours later to finish of the special session.

·         As I wrote yesterday there’s no expectation that any veto overrides will be attempted.

·         In the Senate, folks are curious to see if there’s some demonstration from Democrats following the use of the PQ earlier this month.  The guess is that there’s not much in the way of foot stomping, but the wound is not forgotten. The resentment is being tucked away and may rear its head next session.

·         For special session, there are three House bills with Senate amendments sitting on the House calendar.  HB 2, which includes jurisdiction, has garnered the most attention.  Last night, speaking to Republicans moving between fundraising events, the consensus was that this bill won’t be brought up.  In fact, the apathy toward this special has grown so thick that some wondered if the House would simply gavel in and gavel out.  We’ll see.

But

Even with this special session limping toward its close, there was talk last night of yet another special session – to cover business COVID liability.  The governor has mentioned this topic as a priority.  And one lobbyist told me that there’s new language circulating from the office of Sen. Ed Emery.  Again, we’ll see.

Sinquefield Sends $240K to Parson PAC

Rex Sinquefield contributed $240,000 to Uniting Missouri PAC yesterday. This is the pro-Mike Parson PAC.  Sinquefield gave the PAC $1 million in 2018, $500K in 2019, and $250K earlier this year.

The contribution is significant because folks are watching to see how Sinquefield’s engagement changes after his spilt with long-time consultant Travis Brown.

I’d heard earlier that Uniting expected Sinquefield to fulfill his previous commitment to the PAC while other Republican entities were less certain about financial support.

I believe that HRCC is still hopeful to see more Sinquefield dollars ahead of the election.

Once more with feeling, we’ll see.

MO GOP Wary

One theme from talking to folks last night is a general wariness among Republicans as they eye this November’s elections.

·         No one thinks Biden will win Missouri, but everyone acknowledges that he won’t be blown out.  And that means the rest of the ballot will be more competitive than 2016.

·         The governor’s race has tightened since the pandemic struck (see Cook Report change below).

·         There’s pessimism about the chances of passing the CLEANer constitutional amendment (although one lobbyist did make a compelling case that the CLEAN redistricting isn’t a near term event for Republicans because of the likelihood of extensive litigation).

·         If suburbs go blue, there’s a strong chance that House Republicans could lose their supermajority.  That would happen with the loss of seven seats.  That’s not a historically crazy swing.

·         Additionally, Dems have the wind at their back in the three battleground Senate races (Districts 1, 15, 19). 

Cook Changes MO Gov Rating

The nonpartisan Cook Report moved Missouri’s gubernatorial race to “Lean Republican” from “Likely Republican.”  See it here.

Several factors, including increased spending from both national Republican and Democratic groups, along with strong fundraising from Galloway, competitive internal polling, newly up-for-grabs suburban areas and miscues on COVID from Parsons make this a more competitive race…

The money pouring into this race reflects its growing competitiveness. The RGA helps fund the Uniting Missouri PAC, which is bolstering Parsons, and through Election Day so far, they've already reserved $12 million in ads, with $6.3 million already spent… The DGA, via the A Stronger Missouri PAC, have reserved at least $5 million through Election Day and has already spent $2.3 million, while Galloway herself has reserved over $2.9 million…

Galloway's best shot is to run up the score in the urban and suburban areas… and she hopes to run at least competitively in the rural areas. However, that's where Parson retains an advantage though, and the state's fundamentals still favor a Republican in a presidential year, albeit even though no one expects Trump to take the 18.5 point win he got four years ago. Governors races are, of course, better opportunities for cross-over voters than federal Senate races, so this one increasingly merits watching.

Help Wanted

Cerner seeks Federal Affairs Strategist.  “This role will allow you to build and maintain strategic relationships with federal government and policy stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers, industry associations and recognized thought leaders, to influence federal policies and legislation favorable to Cerner…”  See the ad here.

Air Evac seeks Regional Director, Government Affairs.  “The Regional Director of Government Affairs will be responsible for directing, managing and supervising Regional Global Medical Response’s (GMR or the Company) government relations programs and government affairs initiatives. Develops, supervises and coordinates use of external consultants. Responsible for coordinating and overseeing local associates of Government Affairs in their activities and assignments…”  See the ad here.

Scotts Miracle-Gro Company seeks Government Relations Manager.  “We are looking to find someone remotely who lives in the central to southern region in the US.  You would travel often and need to be a ‘road warrior’, once travel normalizes again. You will be expected to build relationships with elected and appointed officials, advocate for our company and our issues.  Looking for innovative ways to help support our business objectives and being creative with tackling complex policy issues is critical to the success of this role.  As the Primary point of contact for State and Local Governments for the central part of the United States (Midwest) and would cover the southeastern states, as well…”  See the ad here.

New Committees

Jay Swearingen formed a candidate committee (Swearingen for Mayor) to run for Mayor of the City of North Kansas City in 2021.

Liberty PAC was formed.  Its treasurer is Jane Quick.

Jack Bondon formed a candidate committee (Bondon For Missouri) to run for statewide office as a Republican in 2024.

$5K+ Contributions

Uniting Missouri PAC - $240,000 from Rex Sinquefield.

Keep Government Accountable - $12,000 from Brown & Crouppen PC.

Keep Government Accountable - $7,500 from Andrew Gelbach PC.

Keep Government Accountable - $60,000 from David Bethune Jones.

Missouri Health Plan Association PAC - $25,000 from Centene Management Company LLC.

DougPac - $10,000 from Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562 Political Education Fund.

Missouri American Water Company Employees Political Action Committee - $10,000 from G & S Construction and Farms, Inc.

Protect Missouri Workers PAC - $20,000 from Simmons Hanly Conroy.

Lobbyists Registrations

David Sweeney added Central West End Neighborhood Security Initiative (NSI).

Dave Berry and Deanna Hemphill deleted their clients.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Sarah Henke (nee Schlemeier), Joan Bray, Nicole Brown and Jim Kottmeyer.