MOScout Daily Update: Phase 2 Starts - MedEx Poll -Ed Lunch - MMJ Sales - MCC Tax - Graves Appt and more...
As of this morning “Phase 2” folks are now eligible for the COVID vaccine. This includes disproportionately affected populations and homeless, as well as workers in the following sectors: Chemical Sector, Commercial Facilities Sector, Critical Manufacturing Sector, Defense Industrial Base Sector, Financial Services Sector, Food & Agriculture Sector, Government, and Higher Education….
Poll: Missourians Favor MedEx Implementation
According to a poll commissioned by the Missouri Hospital Association earlier this year, Missouri voters “overwhelmingly favor the legislature implementing the expansion of Medicaid that voters approved last August.” See the polling memo here. It was conducted by American Viewpoints, on January 4-6, with a margin of error of +/-3.5%.
Among the findings…
• Nearly two-thirds of voters (65%) favor implementing the expansion of Medicaid, with only 26% opposing it.
• Even 18% of those who voted No on Amendment 2 favor the legislature implementing it.
• The key swing voting bloc of Independents favor the expansion 66%-25%.
• Republicans are more split on the issue (45%-44%), but clearly this will not be a defining vote for Republican legislators among their base as only 27% strongly oppose the legislature implementing the expansion.
The poll tested arguments in favor or against implementing MedEx.
With Missouri voters having passed Medicaid expansion in August and the state’s Constitution requiring the legislature to implement this change by July 1st, regardless of their personal opinion, it is each legislator’s sworn duty to listen to the will of voters and implement the expansion. 88% agreed.
The legislature’s constitutional power to create state budgets overrides the new constitutional requirement for Medicaid expansion to begin July 1, 2021. 45% agreed.
And
After voters heard all statements, support for implementing the expansion increases.
• After hearing the statements, 70% of voters favor the legislature implementing the expansion of Medicaid, with only 23% opposing it.
• This includes a majority of Republicans favoring implementing the expansion by a 56%-38% margin.
Next for MedEx
Here what some folks are saying…
· Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin in her capitol report: Governor Parson asked the legislature to fully fund the expansion by appropriating $103 million to leverage $1.4 billion of federal funds… Many Senate Republicans appear more amenable to honoring the Governor's request, so this item is likely headed for a big showdown between the two chambers later in the appropriations process. My priority is to reform the Medicaid system before it completely bankrupts our state.
· Lobbyist: Senate will insert Medicaid expansion in HB 11 & House will eventually swallow it...
And
House Minority Leader Crystal Quade will hold a news conference today at 1PM to hammer Republicans on the MedEx issue.
More on Remington/MOScout Senate Poll
I heard from lots of folks about their take on the Remington US Senate poll from The Weekender. By and large people were surprised that Eric Greitens base was as big as it was (running even in a head-to-head with Eric Schmitt) and that it stayed pretty solid against various scenarios.
Tomorrow I’ll have a run-down of the various theories, and what it means going forward.
Wednesday in Gubby Appts
Todd Graves will be before the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee.
MOIndy reports that Graves was “squired” around the capitol last week by attorney Michael Ketchmark, “who along with his firm has donated more than $1 million to Democrats and Republicans over the past decade.” See the article here.
The heart of the story… “Republicans, who will only speak privately, complain that Graves was too close to former Gov. Eric Greitens and left party finances in a hole as he departed.”
Ed Lunch
Noticed up among this week’s hearings…
Committee: Education, Senator Cindy O'Laughlin, Chairwoman
Date: Monday, March 29
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Room: Room 326
THIS IS AN INFORMAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
• No legislation is being publicly heard at this meeting
• No legislation will be voted on at this meeting under any circumstances
• Public seating will be socially distanced and therefore extremely limited
• There will not be an online audio stream of the hearing
• We ask that if you give notice to the committee chair if you are planning to attend
O’Laughlin explains on Facebook: Our senate education committee is having a series of informal lunches. The idea being we can get to know each other better as persons not political opponents. It has already helped me gain a better understanding of people I have sat near but might as well have been 1,000 miles apart because we are of different parties. But when you get to know someone and hear their stories of growing up (in places like Cooter, Mo.) then you start to see the person not the party. We don’t have much time in the normal course of a day to do this so we have lunch on Mondays before sessions start.
One annoyance is we can’t all be together because that is a violation of the Sunshine Law (if we don’t make a public post letting people know.) I don’t care if people know but then you can expect the press to show up. Nothing like having an informal lunch and seeing something you said published out of context. Sigh…
More on MCC Tax Debate
I wrote last week about the committee forming on either side of next month’s tax increase for the Metropolitan Community Colleges.
Americans for Prosperity is also canvassing in opposition of the tax increase. See MEC reports here. And here.
MMJ Sales
MoCannTrade (The Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association) announced that “weekly medical marijuana sales in Missouri have now topped the $2 million mark. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports cumulative medical cannabis sales of $22.2 million statewide through Friday, March 19. That’s a $2.4 million increase over the previous week, following four consecutive weeks of sales approaching but not eclipsing the $2 million threshold… Medical cannabis sales in Missouri include an additional 4 percent sales tax dedicated to health and care of military veterans.”
Lobbyists Registrations
Dick Wiles added Richard C. Wiles & Associates.
Jonathan Dalton added Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis.
$5K+ Contributions
Professional Fire Fighters of Eastern Missouri 2665 PAC Fund - $10,500 from Professional Firefighters of Eastern Missouri.
Gateway to Progress PAC (pro-Cara Spencer) - $6,500 from Gadwall Investments LLC.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Sean Grove, Ellen Brandom, Zachary Brunnert, Nathan Beard, Neal St. Onge, and Will Scharf.
Condolences
To Ron Richard on the passing of his father Carl Richard.