MOScout Daily Update: Plenty O Money - MOIndy on Graves Appt - Eigel Calls Out Colleagues - US Sen Talk and more...
1 Big Thing: Plenty of Money
As the state budget takes center stage over the next few weeks, it’s increasingly difficult to find any reason to worry about state revenues.
The fiscal policy remains incredibly “accommodative.”
· American Rescue Plan will flood the state coffers with billions of dollars. That’s billion with B, and billions with an S. Plenty of money.
· And local government entities will also receive their own portion of federal money.
· Politicos aren’t worried about the ability to fund priorities; they’re worried about the potential for waste and fraud.
Meanwhile, the economy is poised for a boom.
It’s not just rescue money. The underlying economy will deliver what might be the most economic growth of my lifetime.
· The 2.3% economic growth of the Trump administration (pre-COVID) is projected to more than double.
· 5%+ growth will be fueled by pent-up demand (for example, 47% of those who planned to wed in 2020 delayed their weddings), returning of the sectors of the economy which have been offline for a year, and sustained low interest rates enabled by the Fed.
· That means a forecast of continued growth in state tax revenues.
US Senate Talk
Schatz to “Partial Self-Fund?”
In their end-of-the-week press conference, both Senate Pro Tem Dave Schatz and Floor Leader Caleb Rowden took shots at President Joe Biden’s roll-out of gun control measures. Post Dispatch’s Kurt Erickson reports on it here. The Second Amendment is a non-negotiable issue in Republican primaries, so these comments are viewed as an indication that Schatz and Rowden are eying higher office. And one tipster says that not only is Schatz serious about running for Senate, but he’d be looking at a “partial self-fund” of the race.
The Hit on Hartzler
Meanwhile one politico texted me an old Rudi Keller story on the amount of federal aid that Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler’s family farm has received. You can imagine the campaign commercial. See the article here.
More Eastern MO Atty Talk
A reader sent in this nugget… Congresswoman Cori Bush interviewed left-leaning candidates for the US Attorney all agreeing follow her lead of unjust incarceration, police reform and more lenient bail requirements for people who are arrested. Names discussed are Joan Miller, Jerryl Christmas, Gabe Gore and Reggie Harris…
MOIndy on Graves Appointment
Missouri Independent reports on the deal to put Todd Graves on the University of Missouri Board of Curators. Read it here.
· Republican Gov. Mike Parson cut a deal this week with Senate Democrats to break a filibuster over the nomination of former Republican Party Chairman Todd Graves…
· Democrats were promised a chance to screen potential nominees so at least one of two St. Louis-area seats will be given to a graduate of the university’s Kansas City campus, said Sen. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City.
· But the governor refused a deal with Graves’ Republican opponents that would have extended the time curator David Steelman of Rolla remained on the board, sources told The Independent on Thursday.
· Parson is reportedly furious with Steelman, sources said, for releasing emails under a Sunshine Law request that pertained to one of the governor’s advisers. But the Senate is not hurrying confirmation of his replacement, nominated the same day as Graves, so Steelman will likely participate in the board’s next meeting on April 22.
And
Rumors are that there will be more curator emails released. We’ll see….
Eigel Calls Out GOP Colleagues
Sen. Bill Eigel took to Facebook yesterday to call out Republican senators who didn’t support his amendment phasing out the state income tax.
Today the Missouri Senate adopted another amendment I offered to completely eliminate the income tax in the state of Missouri. It would be phased out slowly as existing state sales tax revenues increase. This ultimately means a $5.2 BILLION TAX CUT for Missouri citizens. Imagine not having to file a state income tax return anymore and keeping more of your money!
A supermajority of Republicans voted to support this enormous tax cut. However, a few Republicans refused to support this measure. The following Republicans vote NO on cutting your taxes:
Senator Elaine Gannon (R-3) Jefferson County VOTED NO
Senator Bill White (R-32) Newton County VOTED NO
In addition, the following Republican senators refused to take a vote on this tax cut:
Senator Lincoln Hough (R-30) Greene County *ABSENT *
Senator Mike Cierpiot (R-8) Jackson County *ABSENT *
Senator Karla Eslinger (R-31) Ozark County *ABSENT *
We need 2 more votes to get this bill over the Missouri Senate finish line! Please contact your senator and let them know you are a fiscal conservative and support my amendment to cut the income tax!
Lewis Rice on City Results
Lewis Rice attorneys/lobbyists Dave Sweeney and Sonette Magnus give their rundown of the St. Louis City election results. See it here.
In her first 100 days, she is promising to close the north St. Louis jail known as the Workhouse and to address the ongoing problems at the downtown jail. Mayor-Elect Jones stated that she will work with the Board of Aldermen and the St. Louis City’s budget office to spend nearly $500 million in federal coronavirus relief.
Lobbyists Registrations
David Sweeney added HomeWAV.
Frank Harris added Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
James Foley deleted Missouri Cattlemens Association.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Casey Wasser and Matt Lieberman.