MOScout Daily Update: Hoskins Seeks More Seats on MHDC - Onder Does CPAC - Gregory Eyes Meatpackers and more...
Hoskins: Give the Legislature Seats At the Table
In Tuesday’s Senate Economic Development Committee, Chair Denny Hoskins will present two bills to give the legislature some voice in influential government bodies.
· SB 466 - Modifies the membership of the Missouri Housing Development Commission.
· SB 469 - Modifies the membership of the Missouri Development Finance Board.
Each bill would add four seats to each body. Two would be appointed by the Senate Pro Tem and two appointed by the Speaker. They would each be required to make their appointments bipartisan – that is, one Dem and one GOPian.
Why It Matters
These bodies direct hundreds of millions of dollars in aid and incentives. MHDC has often been in the news related to the Low Income Housing tax Credit. Eric Greitens used the commission to end the state program when he was governor. Presently, MHDC is administering over $300 million in federal rent assistance.
Gregory To Start Meatpacking Investigation
Press release: State Rep. David Gregory, chairman of the Special Committee on Government Accountability, is leading an initiative to investigate price fixing and other anti-competitive practices in the cattle industry that are unfairly hurting Missouri agricultural producers… Rep. Gregory, and 26 Missouri House members, sent a letter to House Speaker Rob Vescovo urging his support in an investigation into the meatpacking industry that would be initiated by the Special Committee on Government Accountability… The scope of Rep. Gregory’s investigation would include an examination of the meatpacking industry’s efforts at reducing purchase and slaughter volumes of fed cattle; orchestrating and enforcing anti-competitive procurement practices; continuing to import foreign cattle after it became uneconomical and closing and idling plants…
FYI
According to “Beef Central,” The annual Top 30 Beef Packers report compiled by Cattle Buyers Weekly shows that the top three operators – Tyson, JBS USA and Cargill – controlled 60.4pc of the US commercial cattle slaughter in 2019.
· There are no lobbyists registered in Missouri for those companies.
Onder Does CPAC
Sen. Bob Onder, and his wife Allison, attended the conservative pow-wow known as CPAC over the weekend. Pics to prove it on Twitter. See them masked here; with MyPillow CEO here.
What It Means
· Onder is clearly one to watch as a potential congressional candidate down the road. His future in this regard will depend mightily on how redistricting goes.
· Onder ran for Missouri’s 9th Congressional District in 2008, grabbing 29% of the vote in a five-way primary, placing second to Blaine Luetkemeyer.
Lincoln Days Line-Up
Next Saturday’s Greene County Lincoln Days features an “all-star” line-up. While it certainly has a lot of elected officials, the picture (see the line-up here) composed entirely of white men is sure to give fodder to those who think the Republican Party continues to face a long-term demographic challenge.
And
Later that night Senator Josh Hawley will headline the nearby Joplin Lincoln Days.
Parson Tackles Clemency Apps
Press release from Friday: Governor Mike Parson granted 15 pardons and two commutations pursuant to Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Missouri. Official pardon documents have been filed with the appropriate government agencies and are being sent to the individuals… Governor Parson has instructed his legal team to continue reviewing clemency files and working to reduce the backlog inherited by his administration. At last report, there were approximately 3,300 pending clemency applications.
eMailbag from the Weekender
· Doesn’t surprise me a bit that Hegeman far outpaced everyone else in the poll. One reason - he still brings his earlier life pre-term limit qualities to the legislature. We all see it, but can’t do anything about it.
· Ms. Rallo’s list should have included the City of Kansas City. Kansas City, MO lies in Jackson County, Clay County, Platte County and Cass County. Therefore, Kansas City residents of Platte and Cass Counties are also impacted as are the school districts.
Lobbyists Registrations
Guy Black and Matt Jessee added Justice Action Network.
Casey Wasser added Dish Network LLC.
Bennie Lewis added Jackson County Legislature, and Fred Dreiling LLC.
Erica Benson added Project 28 MO.
Noel Torpey and Jay Reichard added The Timken Company.
Noel Torpey added Rockwood Management Corporation.
Andy Blunt and Jay Reichard deleted Ensono.
Andy Blunt and Chris Moody deleted CHC Strategies.
$5K+ Contributions
Citizens for Wagner - $5,631 from Frederick Wagner.
Clay County Democratic Central Committee - $25,000 from UAW Region 5 Midwest States CAP Council.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Harry Gallagher.