MOScout Daily Update: Hatfield for Western US Atty? - Carpenters Back Reed - Delivery Fee Dispute - After the Exile - Parson Goes Small and more...
Talk: Hatfield for US Atty?
On the heels of Tim Garrison’s resignation, comes this item from a plugged-in reader: Missouri Government Superlawyer Chuck Hatfield as Western District United States Attorney? That’s the rumor flying in Jefferson City. Hatfield is probably the most prominent private practice attorney in the capital city, certainly the most quotable. Hatfield was an early Joe Biden supporter and never wavered, even when Biden’s primary fortunes slumped. He has experience running a large and diverse governmental/prosecutorial law office, serving for a decade as Jay Nixon’s chief of staff in the Missouri Attorney General’s office.
Delivery Fee Dispute
St. Louis Business Journal’s Jacob Kirn reports that “food delivery apps are charging customers in the city of St. Louis more money after lawmakers implemented regulations meant to help restaurants amid the pandemic.”
· Last July, city aldermen unanimously approved legislation capping fees third-party delivery services could charge restaurants at 20%. The bill also mandated that the services disclose what portion of tips drivers actually receive. It's to sunset 60 days after city pandemic health orders expire.
· At least two of the services, though, have begun tacking on extra charges to residents' bills — and they're blaming local authorities for them.
· "St. Louis has temporarily capped the fees that we may charge local restaurants," the app explains. "To continue to offer you convenient delivery while ensuring that Dashers are active and earning, you will now see a charge added to St. Louis orders."
· Similarly, Uber Eats (NYSE: UBER), which didn't respond to a request for comment, says its $1 add-on "may include other fees to offset the cost of government fees and regulations imposed on food delivery apps."
FYI
DoorDash’s Missouri lobbyists is Nexus Group (Rodney Boyd, Kate Casas, Brian Grace, and Kelvin Simmons).
After the Exile
MOIndy’s Rudi Keller reports on the accommodations being given the three legislatrs who have been kicked out of their parties’ caucuses. Read it here.
Republican state Reps. Rick Roeber of Lee’s Summit and Tricia Derges of Nixa have been moved to tiny, windowless rooms, not much larger than closets. The third lawmaker who is an outcast, Rep. Wiley Price, D-St. Louis, is also in an isolated, windowless space on the first floor.
And, like the inhabitants of the Island of Misfit Toys in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the three have their own space on the House floor, where seating is normally arranged by party and seniority…
Parson Goes Small
At yesterday’s press conference Governor Mike Parson once again wasted one of his most valuable resources – his bully pulpit – by engaging in “punching down,” instead of leading.
· He once again told the Missouri Independent that he didn’t view them as a legitimate news source, adding an odd twist that he thinks they’re in cahoots with the KC Star.
· And he blasted Dr. Alex Garza, a trusted medical expert in St. Louis, for claims that St. Louis isn’t getting its fair share of vaccines. KC Star noted Parson and “health director Dr. Randall Williams did not provide the state’s estimate of how many vaccines really went to the St. Louis region.” And the state’s vaccine dashboard appears to back Garza’s complaint. 6.6% of St. Louisans have been vaccinated versus 9.4% of the state’s population. And dozens of rural counties are over 10%.
Carpenters Back Reed
In the large contributions, the Carpenters’ union PAC (CHIPP) sends $100K to the pro-Lewis Reed committee One St. Louis PAC. According to last week’s MOScout poll, Reed is likely to secure one of the wo run-off spots in next month’s St. Louis City mayoral primary.
· City Treasurer Tishaura Jones’ PAC, has received $38K, including $15K from St. Louis American publisher Donald Suggs.
· Alderwoman Cara Spencer’s PAC, Gateway to Progress, received $10K from former Wells Fargo exec Daniel Ludeman. Democratic operative Jordan Overstreet is listed as the PAC manager on MEC paperwork.
Prison Gerrymandering
I came across an intriguing question I hadn’t considered before: how should the state’s inmates be counted in the redistricting process?
The Prison Policy Initiative (see their website here) estimates that six House districts have populations that are between 5-10% incarcerated.
· House 2 (J Eggleston)
· House 10 (Bill Falkner)
· House 40 (Chad Perkins)
· House 59 (Rudy Veit)
· House 117 (Mike Henderson)
The upshot, according to Prison Police Initiative, is that “the actual residents of those districts get more representation than residents of districts without prisons.” They refer to this as “prison gerrymandering." And argue that incarcerated people should be counted in their home districts. Read more about this issue here.
House Appts
Minority Leader Crystal Quade made changes to the Ethics Committee.
· Rep. Mark Ellebracht was removed and replaced by Rep. Robert Sauls.
· Rep. Richard Brown was named ranking member.
Gubby Appts to Board of Higher Ed
Governor Mike Parson appointed three people to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education.
· Anne-Marie Clarke, a Democrat from St. Louis.
· Hollie Elliott, a Republican from Fair Grove.
· C. Phillip Hoffman, an Independent from Trenton.
And
Parson also appointed Abigail Pinegar-Rose to the State Lottery Commission, and appointed Heather Miller as Associate Circuit Judge for the 26th Judicial Circuit.
Lobbyists Registrations
Eryka Porter added Premier Consulting Firm LLC.
$5K+ Contributions
One St Louis PAC (pro-Lewis Reed) - $100,000 from CHIPP Political Account.
American Property Casualty Insurance Association Political Account - $126,615 from American Property Casualty Insurance Association.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to…
Saturday: Jay Nixon (65), and Sen. Steven Roberts.
Sunday: Jeff Altmann, Michael Moorefield, and Katie Jamboretz.
MOScout Schedule
No Weekend editions. I’m off for Valentine’s Day of course. See you Monday. That’s Presidents’ Day. But the legislature’s in session so I’ll be sending out a Monday update….