MOScout Daily Update: US Senate Rumors - Uniting MO Video - Graves Gets Appt - Vaccine Eligibility Expansion and more...
US Senate Talk
From the rumor hotline…
· Attorney General Eric Schmitt will be in DC for several days next week.
· Former governor Eric Greitens is calling fundraising consultants to assemble a fundraising team.
What It Means
The two Erics still are out in front of the field – in terms of making moves to officially enter the race.
Meanwhile there’s about a dozen maybes eying each other as they try to decide whether to jump in.
Uniting MO: Parson > Cuomo
The pro-Mike Parson Uniting Missouri PAC released a web video contrasting Parson’s COVID response with that of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. See it here.
Parson has said he’s not running for higher office, but the PAC continues. These types of activities will theoretically help Parson’s approval rating and give him more political capital to accomplish his priorities.
Parson Outlines Increased Vaccine Eligibility
Governor Mike Parson announced that “Missouri will activate Phase 2 of the state's COVID-19 Vaccination Plan on Monday, March 29, 2021, and Phase 3 on Friday, April 9, 2021.”
The expansion in eligibility comes as the state expects a rapid increase in the number of doses available in the coming weeks.
· Somewhat concerning is that only 60% of those eligible to be vaccinated are opting to do so. At the press conference, Parson shrugged at this, “People’s gonna make up their own mind.”
Parson Appts New MU Curators
The press release: Governor Mike Parson announced two appointments to the University of Missouri Board of Curators. The appointments will be submitted to the Missouri Senate on Monday, March 22, 2021, upon return from the legislative spring break. The current board members will continue to serve on expired terms until their successors are confirmed.
Todd P. Graves, of Edgerton, will be appointed to the sixth congressional slot currently held by Curator Phillip H. Snowden. Upon confirmation by the Missouri Senate, his term would expire January 1, 2027…
Keith A. Holloway, of Cape Girardeau, will be appointed to the eighth congressional slot currently held by Curator David L. Steelman. Upon confirmation by the Missouri Senate, his term would expire January 1, 2025.
MOIndy reports on the nomination…
· Parson did not announce appointments to the other two available seats. The terms of Julia Brncic, of the 1st District, and Maurice Graham, of the 2nd District, expired on Jan. 1.
· Republicans and Democrats have warned Parson that [Graves] faces a difficult confirmation fight by appointing Graves. In January, Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, said there were “potential issues from both sides” over Graves.
And
One observer wonders, “Will Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer abstain from voting on Todd Graves’ University of Missouri Curators appointment since his wife, former Eric Greitens gubernatorial legal counsel Lucinda Luetkemeyer, works for Graves’ law firm in Kansas City?”
Residency and Redistricting
With the census data and redistricting process delayed, there will likely be greater attention given to the residency eligibility. One reader notes that a candidate must “have been a resident for one year in the county or any district from which a portion was incorporated into the new legislative district.”
He cites the 2012 Missouri Supreme Court Case involving Rochelle Walton Gray and Sylvester Taylor. See it here.
Simply put, is he a resident of the county or district from which the new 75th district was created? Yes. Taylor currently resides in a district from which the new 75th district was created. As such, he satisfies the constitutional residency requirement for the 2012 election.
How to Spend $517M
Mayor Lyda Krewson offered a blueprint for how St. Louis City could use the half-billion dollars it’s expected to receive form the federal government’s latest stimulus package. See it here.
Approximately a third of it would be earmarked to replace general revenue losses. But there is also a fair amount targeted at needs like infrastructure and public safety.
Of course, this largesse will fall to Krewson’s successor – to be determined next month. But the document offers a nice roadmap.
eMailbag: Congressional Redistricting Talk
I would watch is how Springfield and Joplin are divided. Regardless of Vicky Hartzler's decision on the Senate, I don't think she has a lot of heavy hitters ready go to bat for her on the House side of the redistricting committee. I could see a scenario where she loses maybe a Pettis or worse for her Johnson County and to make up the difference she gains Jasper and Newton; splitting Joplin and Springfield into two congressional districts and giving more opportunities for members in SW MO
eMailbag on Kunce
You may start seeing a progressive backlash against Lucas Kunce. People love the story until they hear he ran for State Rep as a pro-life Democrat… if there is anything close to a litmus test for Ds, it is reproductive rights.
Lobbyists Registrations
Keith Gulley added Amgen.
Angela Williams added Stride, Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Franklin County Leadership PAC.
SEIU Missouri State Council PAC - $6,000 from SEIU MO/KS State Council.
Yes on Prop E - Earnings Tax STL - $25,000 from Civic Progress Action Committee.
UAW Region 5 Midwest States Political Action Committee (PAC) (MO) - $6,000 from UAW Region 4 Exchange Account.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Mun Choi.
Sunday: Thomas Long, Clay Rodgers and Trent Summers.
MOScout Schedule
Taking the weekend off. See you Monday!