MOScout Daily Update: Ashcroft Sued Over Ed IP - Election Day - Axiom for Alford - Engler to Budget - Fitz Hires ESA Director and more....

Ashcroft Sued Over School Ballot Language

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has been sued by the backers of an education initiative petition as they seek to overturn his ballot language.

Sherri Talbott filed the suit last month. Talbott’s IP is seen as the educational establishment’s effort to strike back at Education Scholarship Accounts.  It would prohibit “vouchers” or tax credits subsidizing tuition at non-public schools elementary and secondary schools.

Take a look at Ashcroft’s ballot language.  It does read like it would sink any prospects that the IP could pass….

Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:

·         remove opportunities for disabled, special needs, and those students who are economically disadvantaged by eliminating public funding to non-public elementary and secondary schools through vouchers, tax credits, tuition subsidies and other funding for student attendance and staff employment;

·         limit the influence, power and authority of parents, community members and local school boards by requiring the state board of education to implement and supervise a uniform method of evaluation and accreditation for all public elementary and secondary schools who receive public funding including charter schools?

State governmental entities expect saving of $25 million to $50 million annually. Local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.

Driving the Day: Tax Hikes and Bond Issues

It’s Election Day across many communities today.  On the ballot, in many cases it’s small tax increases or bond issues.  Among some of the questions across the state…

·         The creation of a Transportation Development District in Kirkwood.

·         Use taxes in a number of places, including Cape Girardeau, City of Kearney, and Butler County.

·         A shift in use tax proceeds in Independence away from a no-kill shelter to the police budget.       

·         A sales tax to benefit police and firefighters in Jefferson City.

·         Extending the sales tax in Columbia to fund parks.

Axiom for Alford

The latest entrant into the 4th Congressional race, Mark Alford, is using Axiom as his consultants. 

Alford will presumably start with the best name ID in the field having spent 20 years on TV. But one observer noted, media personalities are generally eyed skeptically by conservatives these days. So it may not automatically translate into support.

Also

It means James Thomas III’s email on the Rick Brattin FEC filling is purely coincidental; Axiom isn’t working with Brattin. 

BTW

For those watching, Axiom is working for Glenn Youngkin in the high-profile Virginia governor’s race happening today.

Another Month of Strong Revenue

State tax revenues in October were once again very strong.  Net general revenues rose 22% compared to October 2020.  Individual income tax was the driver rising 26% in the month.  Fiscal-year-to-date net revenues are only behind last year by 5% which is an astounding number because last fiscal year had two “tax days” due to a COVID delay.

McIntosh Replaced on AHC

Post-Dispatch reports that “more than two years after she became embroiled in a fight over a proposed law involving sexual assault on college campuses, Gov. Mike Parson has replaced Administrative Hearing Commissioner Audrey McIntosh.”

Read it here.

McIntosh, who was appointed to the judicial post by former Gov. Jay Nixon in 2015, was criticized for her involvement in a 2019 push by her lobbyist husband, Richard McIntosh, to allow college students accused of sexual assault to hire attorneys and ask questions under cross-examination about their victims’ sexual history or drinking activities.

Emails obtained by the Associated Press showed Richard McIntosh indicated that his wife played a role in crafting language for the legislative effort, which would have resulted in the either the victim or the accused being able to transfer their cases to the commission where she served as an administrative judge.

Engler Takes Budget Role

Last week, Budget Chair Cody Smith sent an email to members alerting them that he had hired Joe Engler to take Chris Dunn’s place as chief of staff.

“Joe has great deal of high-level legislative experience and will make a great addition to the budget team. We’re excited to get to work…”

Fitz Hires Up for ESA Program

Press release: Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick today announced that Kim Baughman has been named Director of Program Administration for the Treasurer’s Office. In this new role, Baughman will be primarily involved in implementing Missouri’s new K-12 Scholarship Program, MOScholars…

Prior to joining the Treasurer’s Office, Baughman served as the Community Finance manager with the Department of Economic Development (DED), overseeing multiple tax credit and grant programs, including the Neighborhood Assistance and Youth Opportunities programs….

As Director of Program Administration, Baughman will oversee MOScholars, as well as MOST, Missouri’s 529 plan, MO ABLE, Missouri’s savings and investment program for individuals with disabilities, and the Show-Me Checkbook.

 Gubby Appts

Governor Mike Parson announced four appointments…

·         Kerry Casey, of Chesterfield, was appointed to the State Board of Education.

·         Tom Gorsline, of Macks Creek, was appointed as the Camden County Public Administrator.

·         Florence Hill, of Bellefontaine, was appointed to the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners.

·         Shannon Landers, of Sikeston, was appointed as the New Madrid County Circuit Clerk.

·         Denise Smith, of Ellington, was appointed as the Reynolds County Collector.

·         Roger Walleck, of Columbia, was appointed to the Workers' Compensation Determinations Review Board.

·         Katie Jo Wheeler, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Administrative Hearing Commission.

$5K+ Contributions

MO Insurance Coalition PAC - $10,000 from Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Co.

Missouri American Water Company Employees Political Action Committee - $10,000 from C.E. Bollmeier Company, Inc.

American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $15,000 from Supporters of Health Research & Treatments.

Lobbyists Registrations

Richard McIntosh, David McCracken, and John CE Gaskin added Missouri Bottoms Levee District-Bridgeton Sub District, and Josephville Land, LLC.

Ryan Johnson added Exemplar Public Affairs LLC, and People United for Privacy.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Rep. Peggy McGaugh, Susan Carlson, Richard Craighead, and Shane Kinne.