MOScout Daily Update: Derges Indicted, Removed from Committees - COVID Liability to Senate Floor - Gas Tax Hearing and more...

Derges Indicted

Rep. Tricia Derges was indicted on 20 counts yesterday.  US Attorney Tim Garrison unveiled the allegations at a press conference.  See the filing here.  She’s accused of lying to patients, telling them they were receiving stem cell treatment when they weren’t, as well as illegally prescribing medicine, and lying to the FBI.

The only woman in a hotly contested four-way Republican primary, Derges pulled out a victory last summer with 30.3% of the vote.  Her predecessor, Lynn Morris, was term limited.

Derges was defiant on Facebook yesterday writing, “I am here, holding my head up because that’s what you do when you have done NOTHING.  Never before have I seen anything like this.  This is what comes after years of doing nothing but help people.  Keep prayers coming.”

·         Speaker Rob Vescovo removed Derges from committees. So for those of you keeping score at home, that’s now three state representatives who have been ousted from committees: Reps. Derges, Wiley Price, and Rick Roeber.

And

Earlier this year Derges tweeted that she’d received FDA approval to treat COVID.

Dr Tricia Derges, MD  @DergesDr: Excited my stem cell protocol was just approved by FDA for pilot test to treat 10 COVID patients. Provides prevention for high risk and resolution for those sick. Successful with my COPD patients. Could be an answer to this virus! #COVID19

The US Attorney’s office noted: A reporter asks about "Dr. Derges." Again, Derges is not a physician but is licensed as an assistant physician. 

Driving the Day: COVID Liability

It’s anticipated that the Senate will debate COVID liability this afternoon, Sens. Tony Luetkemeyer and Bill White’s SB 42 & 51 (see a summary here).  This has been on Governor Mike Parson and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce wish list after being scuttled in the special session last year.

·         With Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin (Education chair and champion of the big Ed reform bill) still absent due to illness, this is probably the only major action of the Senate this week.

Gas Tax Gets Hearing

Senate Pro Tem Dave Schatz’ bill to put a phased-in gas tax before voters will have a hearing this morning (8:15 AM in Transportation Committee).

·         According to a News Tribune article last week “reporters asked the governor about Senate Bill 262… ‘We've got to do something for transportation in this state,’ Parson said. ‘I'm not sure what that combination looks like, but I'm a supporter of doing something through the use tax at the fuel pumps.’”

House Committees To Watch Today

·         The Special Committee on Government Oversight (2PM) will have “discussion and public testimony regarding unemployment overpayments and subsequent request for reimbursement by the Department of Labor. Director Hui will provide an update to the committee with opportunity to ask questions.”  This debate was previewed yesterday in the House Budget Committee.  The state won’t charge any interest on those who need to pay back the unemployment benefits, but it does still seem to vex lawmakers that some Missourians – who likely already spent the money – will get pinched.

·         Rep. Nick Schroer’s Special Committee on Small Business (4:30PM) is set to vote out bills to limit the powers of county health boards. Bills on this topic are moving in both chambers, but there’s a lot of variety between the various proposals.  Hashing out the differences may prove tricky.

More on Reaction to Gov’s Letter

One day after publication of Governor Mike Parson’s angry letter to legislators accusing Speaker Rob Vescovo of snubbing him, I still didn’t find anyone sticking up for the governor.  I’m told the topic came up briefly in the House Republicans’ caucus.  But most legislators are ready to move on, even as some were still incredulous, and many hadn’t even received the letter yet – only read about it online.

Sue Allen Gets Appts

Former Rep. Sue Allen was appointed to the State Board of Health and Senior Services.

Other gubernatorial appointments yesterday…

·         Brent Buerck was appointed to the Missouri Development Finance Board.

·         Joyce Ennis was appointed as the Barry County Clerk.

·         Dr. Timothy Faber was appointed to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. 

·         Robert Goodrich was appointed to the Missouri Propane Safety Commission.

·         Derek Holland was appointed to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights.

·         Penny Jean Schulz was appointed as the Wayne County Public Administrator.

New Committees

Jerry Adzima formed a candidate committee (Friends of Jerry Adzima) to run for statewide office in 2022 as a Republican.  Adzima lost last fall when he ran for state representative (House 70, losing to Rep. Paula Brown).  Here is his website.

Lobbyists Registrations

Tom Dempsey and Dave Berry added Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

Ryan Johnson added Mackinac Center for Public Policy, People United for Privacy, United For Missouri, and Exemplar Public Affairs LLC.

Gamble & Schlemeier added BDT Capital Partners LLC.

Paul Mouton added Gamble & Schlemeier, BDT Capital Partners LLC, Missouri Society of Anesthesiologists, Graduation Alliance Inc, Signature Medical Group, and National Restaurant Association.

Jessica Pabst added Husch Blackwell Strategies and all their clients.

Joelle Tierney added Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

Doug Galloway added Southwestern Bell Telephone Company DBA AT&T Missouri and its Affiliates.

Travis Brown deleted Southwestern Bell Telephone Company DBA AT&T Missouri and its Affiliates.

$5K+ Contributions

Together KC - $6,000 from Tension Envelope Corporation.

MO Majority PAC LLC (former Tilley PAC) - $10,000 from Torch Electronics.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Sen. Elaine Gannon, Jim Foley, Otto Fajen, Judith Moriarty, and Steve Hodges.