MOScout Daily Update: Next Phase COVID War - Ed Groundswell - Like the Local, Not the Control - Cap Security and more...

Getting the National Guard In On It

Governor Mike Parson announced yesterday that he’s activating the National Guard to help with COVID vaccinations.  They’re going to create mass vaccinations sites across Missouri.  The first one – which will operate as a pilot to work out any logistical issues – will start this week.

The administration has said that “vaccine supply remains extremely limited. Current demand for the vaccine far outweighs the current supply that the state is allotted by the federal government.”

But DHSS Director Randall Williams is hopeful that as new drugs come online in March, there’ll be an increase in supply from the current level of about 80,000 doses a week.

What It Means

The administration is moving into a new phase in the coronavirus war.  I believe this phase – marshalling the resources for effective distribution – is more suited to Parson’s strengths than the last one.  That one – attempting to change Missourians’ behaviors to curtail the virus’ spread – fell victim to a partisan cultural divide in which some Republicans denied the value of masks, rebelled against government “telling us what to do,” and were generally aghast at the economic damage inflicted by lockdowns.

eMailbag on Building COVID Outbreak

Lobbyist: “As someone who is still sick with covid from my exposure in the Capitol last week, I wonder how many others who aren’t on official member and staff rosters contracted the virus. The 30-50 estimate could in fact be much higher. Would love to contract trace but there’s no system in place.”

Driving the Day: Schatz’ Gaming Bill

One of Senate Pro Tem Dave Schatz’ top issues is getting a hearing this morning.  Schatz has tried for a couple of years to pass legislation which would clamp down on the so-called “gray” gambling machines at truck stops around the state.  Some folks say these machines are illegal; others insists that they are outside of current regulations.

Schatz’ SB 10 will be heard in Lincoln Hough’s Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee.

Ed Groundswell

It’s no secret that education reformers think this could be their breakthrough session.  Both Senate Floor Leader Caleb Rowden and Speaker Rob Vescovo have called it a top priority. Also adding momentum is increased engagement of parents.   One lobbyist notes that many witnesses at Tuesday’s Senate Education Committee hearing were members of large Facebook groups, a sign of greater organizing efforts.

·         CoMO Parents for In-Seat School – 1.2K members

·         Open Missouri Schools – 1.4K members

·         [Wentzville] Our Children our Choice – 100 members

·         Open Our Jackson County Schools – 3.8K members

Chair Cindy O’Laughlin is set to vote out those bills this morning at a 9AM committee meeting. 
And

The House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee (Chair: Chuck Basye) will hold its first hearing of the year next Tuesday.  It will feature two ESA items: Rep. Phil Christofanelli’s HB 349, and Rep. Travis Fitzwater’s HB 540.

They Like The Local, But Not The Control

Sen. Bob Onder held a long hearing yesterday dealing with reining in the powers exerted by local health officials.  

The half-dozen proposals varied in how far they went.  But they were generally seeking to broaden the decision-making power so that economic impacts were considered in addition to health outcomes.  The thrust of a couple of them is to require that the decisions of health boards are ratified by an elected body like a county commission, injecting some democratic accountability into the process.

·         See Missouri Independent’s coverage here.  And Post-Dispatch’s coverage here.

·         Many of the comments from witnesses and senators were focused on St. Louis County, with many directed at County Executive Sam Page.  It’s interesting to note that Page stood for election – and won – during his handling of the crisis.

And

The House Special Committee on Small Business (Chair: Nick Schroer) will hold a hearing on its bills on this matter next Tuesday.

Also On The Agenda: Security

Following the DC riot, the House has put forth a few proposals to change the framework of the capitol’s security.  I’ve heard from folks grumbling that the second floor hasn’t communicated well about security issues in the building.

·         Rep. Lane Roberts, chair of the Crime Prevention Committee, will hold a hearing on his HB 784.  It “authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tem of the Senate to appoint ‘House marshals’ or ‘Senate Marshals’ to serve their respective house of the General Assembly.”

·         Rep. Ron Hicks, chair of the Special Committee on Homeland Security, will hold a hearing on his HB 785.  It establishes a “Capitol Police Board,” composed of five members: (1) The governor, or designee; (2) The speaker of the house of representatives, or designee; (3) The president pro tempore of the senate, or designee; (4) The chief justice of the Missouri supreme court, or designee; and (5) The chair of the state capitol commission.

Lobbyists Registrations

William Gamble added Bluebird Network LLC.

Leah Elizabeth Wiggs Martin added American Lung Association.

$5K+ Contributions

Committee to Elect Jason Goodson - $10,000 from Jason Goodson.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Farrah Fite.