MOScout Daily Update: Farm Bureau For CLEANER - COVID Hospitalizations Continue to Rise - Pro-MedEx Committee Fined and more...
Farm Bureau Starts Pro-A3 Committee
Missouri Farm Bureau Fund for Real Representation was formed. It’s a campaign committee to support Amendment 3 (CLEANER) on the November ballot. James Koepke is the treasurer; he’s also the treasurer of the Bureau’s PAC. And Dan Cassidy, Farm Bureau’s chief administrative officer is the deputy treasurer. See the paperwork here.
· The Farm Bureau has never been a financial powerhouse in campaigns, but they do have an extensive network which can be utilized to disseminate information or engage voters.
· The name indicates that the Bureau will focus its message on the point which some Republicans have made: that the CLEAN process will necessitate that some rural areas are drawn into districts with suburban or even urban areas. (For what it’s worth, I’ve heard good government types argue that this would be great for the legislative process. It would facilitate more nuanced positions and more compromises.)
· Last election, the Bureau opposed Medicaid expansion.
Hospitalizations Continue to Rise
I wrote months ago that the best indicator for how well Missouri is controlling the spread of the coronavirus was hospitalizations. It’s a lagging indicator so it’s useful to look at other metrics as well. But hospitalizations happen regardless of how many tests are being employed. Sick people go to the hospital.
By this measure, Missouri has failed to contain its COVID outbreak. The “boxed in” strategy continues to yield unimpressive results.
After the early surge in late April, hospitalizations decline to the 500-600 level in mid-May through mid-June. Since then, they’ve slowly but steadily risen. First to the 800 level throughout July and now we’ve been over 1,000 for the past several days. Yesterday DHSS reported 1,125 hospitalizations – a new record.
The administration’s actions look like a rope-a-dope strategy at this point. Just take the punches and hope to not get knocked out before the vaccine arrives.
Missourians for Healthcare Fined
The Missouri Ethics Commission fined the pro-Medicaid campaign committee, Missourians for Healthcare, $1,000 for filing their 15-Day After Filing Report late. See the consent order here.
Entering the Audit Quiet Period
Press release: The Missouri State Auditor's Office today reiterated its long-standing policy of not issuing audits in the weeks leading up to Election Day. State Auditors from both parties have followed the policy since at least the tenure of State Auditor Margaret Kelly (R), who served from 1984 to 1999.
During the 30 days prior to Election Day, the Auditor's Office will not issue audits of state and local offices that are impacted by that election cycle. The date for the 2020 general election in Missouri is Nov. 3, meaning those audits would not be issued from Oct. 2 until after the election. Work by the State Auditor's Office continues during this period…
STL BOA African American Caucus Against Prop D
The African American Caucus of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen announced that they oppose Prop D on the November ballot. Prop D would end partisan elections for St. Louis City Mayor and institute approval voting.
I believe it would increase the chances of City Treasurer Tishaura Jones unseating Mayor Lyda Krewson and becoming the city’s first Black female mayor.
African American Caucus Chair Jeffrey Boyd has run against Jones multiple times.
AFP for ACB
Americans for Prosperity Missouri State Director Jeremy Cady issued the following statement: “Justice Amy Coney Barrett is a highly qualified and experienced jurist who will rule based on the Constitution, rather than a personal agenda. We encourage Senators Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley to do what’s best for Missouri and support Judge Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Our activists stand ready at the opportunity to help support this qualified nominee who will defend the freedom of every American.”
Judicial Ratings
If you’re like me, you have friends ask you on or near Election Day how to vote on judges…
· Find Missouri Bar’s review of judges up for retention here.
· MO Lawyers Weekly has crunched some numbers here.
Gubby Appts
Governor Mike Parson announced eight appointments to various boards and commissions.
Kristy Lee Boresi, and Mary Beth Harper were appointed to the State Committee of Marital and Family Therapists.
Dr. Stacia Brown, Judge Richard G. Callahan, and Terry Rackers were appointed to the Lincoln University Board of Curators.
Brian Gerau was appointed to the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority.
Donna Gloe was appointed to the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Monica McCollough was appointed to the Board of Therapeutic Massage.
eMailbag: MO TITS Jokes
Folks got a hoot out of the SOS’ latest project….
· …a follow-on program coming from the Secretary of State that would be Trusted Info from Trusted Sources for young children? If so, “TITS for TOTS" would seem to work.
· Regarding the Secretary of State's new initiative, he needs his dad to come in and cover it up.
· Love the Mo TITS initiative...no one in MO politics is mature enough to let that go...that being said I looked into the initiative. There were a couple of good nips and mounds of information.
New Committees
Missouri Farm Bureau Fund for Real Representation was formed. Its treasurer is James Koepke.
Citizens for Enhanced Fire and EMS was formed. It’s a PAC. Its treasurer is Eric Johnston.
Citizens For Missouri Courts was formed. It’s a PAC. Its treasurer is Sidney Dulle.
Lobbyists Registrations
Tom Dempsey added First Capitol Advisors, LLC.
Phil Stalboerger added Medical Transportation Management.
Trent Watson added Dascena Inc. and AmplioSpeech, Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
MSCEW PAC Federal Cmte - $61,500 from IBEW PAC.
Civic Progress Action Committee - $7,500 from Edward Jones.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Scott Fitzpatrick, Tommie Pierson Jr., Phil Arnzen, Alix Cossette, Michael Brown, Nathan Cooper, Sam Gladney, and Dana Loesch.