MOScout Daily Update: Wasson Fundy - Gelner Fundy - Schmitt Contra School Boards - Trump Mum on MOSEN and more...

‘Tis the season of fundraisers.  There’s a December 31 quarterly deadline coming up fast.  But you can’t wait another week or two because folks get their calendar clogged with Christmas events.  And then it seems like half the world goes on vacation between for the last week of the year.  Now is the time for fundraisers….

Wasson Fundy

One reader sends in this dispatch… Trucking Tycoon Robert and Lawana Low of Prime Inc hosted a rare fundraiser at their home for Congressional candidate Jay Wasson. The event had an overflowing crowd, which caused organizers to turn people away from this six-figure event.

Among the "who’s who" of the Southwest Missouri business community were: Peter and Jan Herschend of the Herschend Entertainment Group, Loren Cook and the family of the Loren Cook Company, Ken and Teresa Schwab of Wilhoit Properties, Sam Jr. and Jennifer Coryell of TLC Properties, Bill and Lisa Killian of Killian Construction Company, and his campaign treasurer, former Senate President Pro-Tem and Joplin businessman, Ron Richard and his wife Patty.

This comes on the heels of another A-list fundraiser last month hosted by Doug Pitt, brother of famous actor Brad Pitt.

What It Means

If Wasson blasts out of the gate and takes the fundraising lead in this race on January 15 he’ll be considered the frontrunner by a lot of people.

Gelner Fundy

Brian Gelner, running in Senate 20 where Sen. Eric Burlison is running for Billy Long’s congressional seat, had a fundraiser last night.  See the invite here.

Tipster: I heard Gelner from SWMO had huge fundy tonight. 150 or so people in the room, big host committee and some non-typical SWMO donors on the list. I think the guy may have a monster quarter and is planning to write a personal check in addition.

What It Means

Rep. Curtis Trent is also in this Republican primary.  But it looks at the very least like he has a fight on his hands with Gelner.  Lines will matter in this one.  We’ll see where Sen. Lincoln Hough’s district lies and how Springfield is divided.

Schmitt Contra School Boards

Attorney General Eric Schmitt is taking on school boards across the state over an interpretation of Judge Daniel Green’s order nullifying health authorities mask mandates.  Schmitt has informed districts that the order prohibits their mask and quarantine policies.  A lot of districts are disagreeing.

Schmitt took to social media, asking for “tips” of districts that were still enforcing masks, and then issuing “cease-and-desist” letters.  See it here. 

·         He promises to “engage the full resources” of his office, though hopefully that won’t come at the expense of shooting off prank letters to the President of the United States.

What It Means

Schmitt’s gone all-in on anti-masking as a centerpiece of his campaign, and what will be his legacy as attorney general.  It’s remarkable because the clear consensus of public health professionals is that masking helps reduce transmission of a virus which has killed 15,000 Missourians.  And yet… I don’t disagree with the political strategy; it does seem in tune with the mood of Missouri Republican primary voters.

Trump Mum on MO Senate Race

Politico Playbook reports on an interview Donald Trump did with High Hewitt.  Read the full transcript here.

Hewitt: “Please don’t, please don’t endorse [Missouri GOP Senate candidate] ERIC GREITENS. That’s a nightmare, Mr. President. We’ll lose that seat. But that’s Hugh Hewitt’s opinion, not yours.”

Trump: “Well, that’s an interesting opinion, that’s true. He’s right now leading by quite a bit.”

Hewitt: “I know, but he will lose the seat. We will lose the seat.”

Trump: “I understand that. OK, some people feel that.”

KC Police Dept Draws Legislative Scrutiny

Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer has been vocal about concerns that Kansas City is cutting its police department’s budget.  He’s pre-filed two bills: SB 678 and SJR 38.

But I’m told to keep an eye on Rep. Chris Brown’s HB 1681 which may be the House vehicle on that issue. “Brown has more KCPD Officers living in his district than any other Representative.  His bill will be a priority in ensuring KC Mayor Quinton Lucas and the KC council can’t do an end around they tried this year to defund the police department.  Something the House majority caucus takes very seriously and the entire caucus can rally around…”

Lucas Hearts Bruce

In CD-4, consultant Steele Shippy shares news that Kalena Bruce has received the endorsement of big GOP donor Forrest Lucas.  See it here.

2022 Minimum Wage

Press release: The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announces the state minimum wage rate for 2022 has been established, according to state law, at $11.15 per hour, effective January 1, 2022.  Pursuant to Proposition B, which was approved by Missouri voters on November 6, 2018, the minimum wage will increase 85 cents per hour each year through 2023. All private businesses are required to pay at a minimum, the $11.15 hourly rate, except retail and service businesses whose gross annual sales are less than $500,000.

And

Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon, with its huge hiring spree, is becoming “a de facto wage-and-benefit setter for a large pool of low-skilled workers.”  Read it here.

Something Rotten in Homestead Village

Auditor Nicole Galloway released an audit of the City of Homestead Village (population 189).  See it here.  The lowlights…

·         Auditors identified at least $4,348 in customer sewer payments recorded as received but not deposited by the former City Clerk from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020. At least $4,228 of the missing amount was recorded by the clerk as being received in cash, but was not deposited in the bank. In addition, the former clerk falsified her own 2019 customer ledger by indicating payments occurred on her account when they had not. Based on the timing and amounts of missing money, it is likely additional money is missing in periods prior to January 2018.

·         The report cites a lack of segregation of duties, inadequate controls and the absence of oversight by the Board of Alderman as a contributing cause in missing money remaining undetected for so long. Galloway's audit recommends that the Board of Aldermen work with law enforcement regarding prosecution of the missing money and take the necessary actions to seek restitution.

Homestead Village is represented by Sen. Denny Hoskins and Rep. Peggy McGaugh.

Lobbyists Registrations

Andy Arnold added J & J Ventures, and Barkley, Inc.        

Amy Blunt added Meta Platforms Inc. (formerly Facebook).

Steven Tilley, Thomas Robbins, Tracy King, Brittany Hyatt Robbins, and Garrett Webb added Transportation Employees Association of Missouri.

David Winton and Jessica Petrie added Math Nation.

Michael Michelson added Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Greenwich Biosciences, Inc.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Jeff Smith, Heidi Geisbuhler Sutherland, and Blake Lawrence.