MOScout Daily Update: Graves Gets Curator - Jones Wins Mayor - Jockeying for Hartzler's Seat - Approps Schedule and more...
Graves Gets His Spot
Early this morning the Senate confirmed Todd Graves for the University of Missouri Board of Curators. Post-Dispatch reports here.
When the filibuster finally ended, Graves was confirmed 19-13 with two senators absent.
Sen. Brian Williams was the only Democrat to vote in favor of the appointment. Sens. Bill Eigel, Denny Hoskins, Mike Moon, and Paul Wieland joined Democrats in opposition.
· The big question came from a House-side observer: With only six weeks left, why did the Senate burn through this much floor time on Graves? The only working theory I heard about the gossipers was that Team Parson “owed” the Graves/Roe camp for giving the governor a primary-free re-election.
Hartzler Seat Gets Hot
Politicos are apparently expecting Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler to jump into the US Senate race. One insider says that “calls are starting” for those who are considering running for her seat.
Some of the names being mentioned…
· Floor Leader Caleb Rowden
· Sen. Denny Hoskins
· Rep. Sara Walsh
· Cass County Commish Ryan Johnson
· Former Boone County Clerk Taylor Burks
· And former Rep. Caleb Jones who one MOScouter says “has more raw political talent than the rest of em combined… [he can] transcend the Boone/rural gap.”
And
Remember Hartzler’s 4th Congressional District, like all districts, will be redrawn before the 2022 elections. So it’s impossible to know who the new district will favor geographically. But one would think if Rowden is interested, he’s in a pretty good spot to influence where the lines go.
Election Results
St. Louis City
Former Rep. Tishaura Jones won the St. Louis City mayoral race. Results tracked with Remington/MOScout poll from a month ago showing that the race never really shifted after the primary. Jones ran on a progressive agenda promising to enact policies with an emphasis on equity, and to build a city where everyone feels welcomed. She’ll have $500+ million in federal cash to help make that a reality.
· Inside the building, Rodney Boyd and his team at Nexus (Kate Casas, Brian Grace, and Kelvin Simmons) have represented Jones in her role as treasurer. Despite this long-standing relationship, it’s not clear that they’d lobby for Jones now that she’s in the mayor’s office. The issue portfolio of a mayor is much larger than that of a treasurer. It might conflict with other Nexus clients – particularly on school choice issues. We’ll see…
Rep. Smith
David Tyson Smith was elected to House 45, succeed Kip Kendrick. Read a bio piece here.
Other
· St. Louis and Kansas City both easily approved their city earning taxes. It’s one of Rex Sinquefield’s policy victories that every five years they must re-approve the taxes which account for a big chuck of their operating budgets.
· Springfield Mayor Ken McClure won a third term, swatting away a challenge. See the Springfield News Leader report here.
· Poplar Bluff rejected a 2.25% tax on internet purchases – by 4 votes! See it here. The use tax failed by four votes (381-377)… Poplar Bluff City Manager Matt Winters said Tuesday night. “Our city desperately needs the increased revenue to meet the growing demands on our services.
· Butler County saw maybe record low turnout. See it here. Butler County Clerk Tonyi Deffendall said she would need to confirm that the 6.61% turnout of active registered voters was the lowest in the county’s history, but that it was certainly the lowest in recent history… The city of Fisk will be able to impose a license tax of 4% of gross receipts from the retail distribution and sale of utility services in the city. The issue was decided by 34 voters, with 21 in favor and 13 against the measure.
· Former Rep. Sharon Pace won her race for mayor of Northwoods.
· Angela Silvey, wife of former Sen. Ryan Silvey, lost her municipal judge race.
Driving the Day: Tobacco 21
Rep. Dan Shaul’s HB 517 gets a hearing in Downsizing Government today (Noon). The bill would raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21.
See it here. This is part of a national movement to increase the age.
Biden Appts
· President Joe Biden announced yesterday that he intends to appointment for Secretary of State Robin Carnahan as Administrator of GSA. See the press release here. Senator Roy Blunt, Carnahan’s former adversary, offered his support for the appointment.
· And one reader whispers that St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts is “the leading contender for the US Marshal of Eastern District of Missouri.”
Approps Schedule
Senate Appropriations Chair Dan Hegeman outlined his tentative plan for budget mark-up.
· Monday April 19, 1PM
· Tuesday April 20, 8:30AM
· Wednesday April 21, 8:30AM
· Thursday April 22, upon adjournment.
“We will work up util session and potentially after session each day as the floor schedule allows. Mark-up will continue on Thursday when session adjourns and run until we are finished. Please be advised that we may be here late into the evening on Thursday.”
eMailbag
· On Graves: You used the word “purely political” to describe a Gubby appointment. Senators might be careful to make that the standard given the number of ex-Senators who have been appointed to boards and commissions they have no qualifications for.
· On Schmitt: Do you honestly think the attorneys in the AG office are volunteering to work on these ridiculous, frivolous lawsuits in the spare time? Of course they take away from important work to protect consumers and prosecute actual criminals. But Eric got his pickup truck and now has 3 arrows in his pro-Trump, anti-Biden lawsuit quiver, which should be enough to at least fight to a draw against Greitens with the unwashed masses in rural MO, he figures.
Committees
American Federation of Teachers Local 420 AFT St. Louis COPE was formed. It’s a PAC. Its treasurer is Theresa Kemper.
Lobbyists Registrations
Susan Goldammer added Missouri School Boards' Association.
$5K+ Contributions
Together KC - $6,154 from IAFF LOCAL 3808.
314 Forward - $10,000 from UAW V CAP.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Suzie Pollock, Ryan Rowden, and Kaycee Nail.