MOScout Weekender: Long's Mar-A-Lago Fundy - Missourians Split on Gas Tax, Hallway Bearish - Cody Smith Wins Week and more...

Long’s Mar-A-Lago Fundy

Dispatch from Congressman Billy Long’s Mar-A-Lago fundraiser this week…

President Donald Trump signed Long’s red MAGA hat that he wore at the RNC Convention and Billy auctioned it off to the crowd.

President Trump spoke for 12 to 15 minutes and was very complimentary of Long…

Most critically: I believe Billy Long is more likely to run for the US Senate after his Mar A Lago reception than before the reception.

Remington/MOScout Poll: Current Issues

Survey conducted April 27 through April 28, 2021. 941 likely 2022 General Election voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2022 General Election. Margin of Error is +/-3% with a 95% level of confidence. Totals do not always equal 100% due to rounding. Survey conducted by Remington Research Group on behalf of Missouri Scout.  Find the full results here.

Q1: A proposal in the state legislature would increase the gas tax by two and a half cents a year for five years until it is increased by a total of twelve and half cents. Missouri residents would be able to claim a refund to offset the new tax. Do you support or oppose this proposal?

Support: 41%

Oppose: 42%

Not sure: 17%

Q2: A proposal in the state legislature would make any health emergency order which restricts the operations of a business expire after thirty days. Do you support or oppose making emergency health orders expire if they affect businesses?

Support: 46%

Oppose: 31%

Not sure: 13%

Q3: A proposal in the state legislature would give individuals or businesses immunity from liabilities for any COVID-19 exposure, unless it’s proven they engaged in recklessness or willful misconduct. Do you support or oppose this proposal?

Support: 61%

Oppose: 19%

Not sure: 20%

Q4: A proposal in the state legislature would create a tax credit to help pay tuition for private education. Do you support or oppose this proposal?

Support: 40%

Oppose: 40%

Not sure: 20%

MOScout’s Hallway Index: Gas Tax

Lobbyists in my informal survey are bearish on the chances that the gas tax will pass this session.  22 replies…

RESULTS

1.Very likely… 4.5%

2. Somewhat likely… 22.7%

3. Somewhat unlikely… 40.9%

4. Very unlikely… 31.8%

Sample of Comments

·         In this installment of Schatz v. Vescovo, the gas tax loses.

·         Feeling bullish on it this year, think folks would rather pass this year than during an election year.

·         No ESAs means no gas tax

·         The rebate option is a wonderful work around and should be enough for detractors to let it finally pass.

·         Are you joking?? Hmm - this would require the Speaker to actually want to do something for the Senate, especially leadership. I see how that might be enticing for the Speaker given the level of priority the Senate has placed on all of his priorities.

·         House Dems are shopping the idea to kill it. Looks like a narrow path.

·         It all depends on the Schatz/Vescovo exchange. The votes are there in the House if it gets that far. It won't get out of rules or to the floor unless Vescovo agrees.

·         We have more money in the bank than we have the past 20 years and this is the year we pass a gas tax? Take the federal $$ and fix the roads-best one time expenditure available.

Who Won the Week?

Cody Smith – While there will be dozens of small pitched battles on the budget in the coming week, Smith was the prime force behind the biggest shift in the budget: no Medicaid expansion.

Tishaura Jones – A productive visit to capitol shows how her Jeff City experience is already working for St. Louis.

Jeanie Riddle – Not to the finish line yet, but getting the professional registration bill through the Senate gauntlet was impressive display or determination and patience.

The tatted – Springfield Police Department loosens their requirements to aid recruiting and now allows officers to “sport visible tattoos on their arms.”

Find downloadable version here.

$5K+ Contributions

Missouri Democratic State Committee - $10,000 from Eric Schmidt.

Midwest Region Laborers' Political League Education Fund - $17,272 from St. Louis Vacation Fund.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Rep. Aaron Griesheimer, and Bubs Hohulin.

Sunday: Scott Dieckhaus, Jac Cardetti, and David Smith.