MOScout Daily Update: More Senate Talk: Kehoe, Schmitt, Wagner Making Calls - Session Second Half Looks Bright and more...

Senate Race Captivates

The legislature chugged across the finish line to Spring Break, but talk was mostly about the wide-open US Senate race.  From a variety of capitol observers…

·         Talked to [Mike] Kehoe earlier today- he’s gotten a lot more serious about the US Senate race since Ashcroft made his decision. Know he’s been calling some of the big state donors and the response has been very positive…

·         Eric Schmitt has been burning up the phone lines calling Republican donors.

·         On the thought that Jason Smith would risk his spot on Budget: US House Budget isn't a very powerful committee. The two power committees are Ways and Means (which determines taxes/revenue) and Appropriations (which determines spending)…

·         Why John Brunner won’t run: There is no path on the right for Brunner… [with] Greitens in a race. Schmitt takes the establishment lane.

·         Ann Wagner has been making calls. She and Ray Wagner are a powerful force in the Republican circles.

·         On the lack of women in the mix: A bit disappointing that the only female name being tossed around for the Senate seat is Wagner, who would have to give up her seat to run.  Parson’s decision to nominate all white males to the vacant statewide offices will impact the political landscape for years. 

Legislature Finishes Strong

The House and Senate passed a number of their priorities before pausing for Spring Break.

·         In the Senate, the trimmed down gas tax was passed, and a tax bill which included the Wayfair provision to tax internet sales.  And Sen. Bill Eigel’s bill to eliminate the personal property tax was resurrected to have life in the second half of session.

·         In the House, they passed a bill changing the initiative petition process, a bill dealing with emergency powers of local governments, and their own Wayfair tax bill, among many other items.

And

With the coronavirus in retreat, redistricting on ice until later this year, and the Senate and House playing nicely together, this is suddenly shaping up to be a very productive session for the Republican supermajority.

eMailbag on Senate’s First Half

If there’s multiple spots for “winning the week” I think at least two of them need to go to Dave Schatz.  Obviously a long way to go but more progress than I thought he would get on some big ticket items.  As Biden would say “this is a big fucking deal”. 

Columbia School District Sued

KOMU reports: A whistle blower lawsuit filed in the 13th Circuit Court accuses Columbia Public Schools' gifted education criteria of discriminating based on "race, color and national origin." The plaintiff in the case is Dr. Beth Winton, a gifted education faculty member. According to her page on the CPS website, Winton has worked for the district for more than two decades.

The lawsuit claims that in the district's gifted education program, white and Asian students are overrepresented, while Black and Hispanic students are underrepresented. Winton said she tried to bring this to the attention of district leaders, but was rejected.  "Families with resources will always be able to make up the difference and provide enrichment for their kids that the public schools don't," Winton said. "And families without resources or without cultural capital need us to do our jobs."

Gubby Appts

Governor Mike Parson appointed Nathan A. Carroz as Associate Circuit Judge for the 12th Judicial Circuit. He will fill the Associate Circuit Judge vacancy created by the appointment of the Honorable Kelly Broniec to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District.

Lobbyists Registrations

Nexus Group added Good Day Farm Missouri LLC.

George Oestreich added RxE2 LLC.

Guy Black added TC Energy; and deleted Transcanada Corporation.

Francis Slay deleted Delmar Gardens of Meramec Valley, Inc       

$5K+ Contributions

Cigna Corporation Missouri PAC - Federal Committee - $50,000 from Cigna Corporation Political Action Committee.

314 Forward (pro-Jones) - $10,000 from Leadership Counts (pro-Reed).

Supporters of Health Research and Treatments - $65,000 from Sam Fox. 

American Property Casualty Insurance Association Political Account - $16,901 from American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Rep. Travis Smith.

Saturday: Rep. Brad Hudson.

Sunday: Jason Klindt, Sara Howard, Mark Bruns, and Ryan DeBoef.

Monday: Sen. Jason Bean, Rep. Bennie Cook, Adam Gresham, and Gary McElyea.

MOScout Schedule

With the legislature taking Spring Break, I’m taking a mini-Spring Break.  I’ll be off this weekend, and Monday.  See you Tuesday!