MOScout Daily Update: Abortion Back As Top Issue - Time for Vax Prizes? - Parson's Criminal Justice Legacy - UI Limbo and more...

Biden Move Could Shake MO Politics

President Joe Biden’s proposed budget would repeal the Hyde Amendment, bringing abortion to the center stage of Missouri politics. 

When the news broke last Friday, Missouri Right to Life sent an email blast…

Because of this horrendous move by President Biden, Missouri Right to Life continues our call on our State Officials and State Legislators to respond to pro-abortion Washington leaders by passing pro-life protections on the Federal Reimbursement Allowance (FRA) legislation in an upcoming special session.

One lobbyist foresees this Biden move as upsetting efforts to find compromise on some healthcare issues, putting abortion back at the top of the GOP agenda…

·         “It is now impossible for GOPers to renew the FRA without pro-life protections.”

·         “Medicaid expansion now equals abortion expansion, which complicates things if the court forces funding for expansion.”

·         “There will also be a fight in next year’s budget as GOPers will have to add language to prohibit tax dollars from being used for abortion.”

But others say “not so fast.”

·         Joe Manchin isn't gonna vote for budget reconciliation with a Hyde repeal. Medicaid expansion doesn't now "equal abortion expansion," although we'll hear a lot of that demagoguery in the coming months, I am sure.

·         I don’t agree that Biden’s budget proposal to do away with the Hyde amendment makes much difference. There are not the votes in the Senate to pass a budget without Hyde so it won’t actually happen. The only impact would be if the proposal is still seen as alive by the time FRA is addressed in special session.

And

As this debate returns to the spotlight, there are Republicans who worry that MO GOP will go too far. 

·         This concern was behind donor David Humphreys’ previous break with Republican lawmakers over abortion prohibitions that don’t make an exception in cases rape. 

·         From another Republican: The family planning option that works for some women and their bodies is considered an abortion in some language versions. Fine line between family planning and religious view of abortion. [We’re moving beyond] the heartbeat or 12-week after conception bill…

Parson’s Criminal Justice Legacy

Press release: Governor Mike Parson granted 36 pardons pursuant to Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Missouri. Official pardon documents have been filed with the appropriate government agencies and are being sent to the individuals.

What It Means

This could be one of Parson’s more substantial legacies.  It’s typical for chief executives to make the pardons and clemency decisions as their-last-on-the-agenda, on-the-way-out-the-door actions.  Parson isn’t waiting until the final days of his term, but rather appears to be integrating the process into his regular office work.

And Parson isn’t playing maverick here.  This movement has significant backers from Republicans in the legislature – and elsewhere.  For example, this DailyBeast article about criminal justice quotes GOP powerbroker Jack Oliver.

·         On a Sunday night in February 1981, Rolf Kaestel robbed an Arkansas taco restaurant using a toy water gun. No one was injured in the stickup. He stole $264—and was sentenced to life in prison.  Forty years later, Kaestel is still behind bars for aggravated robbery.

·         “Part of America’s story is the story of grace and redemption, and he’s gone beyond that in a way,” Oliver told The Daily Beast. “So if we believe in the concept of grace and forgiveness, then we have to actually follow through on it. It can’t just be talking points, it can’t just be words from a pulpit, you have to put action behind it.”

Time for Vax Prizes?

Missouri’s vaccination rates have withered in recent weeks.  See the chart here.

We’re at 44.1% of our 18+ population fully vaccinated; only 34.6% (about one in three) of our total population vaccinated.

Maybe it time for Missouri to consider a new campaign to boost vaccine demand.

Axios reports that Minnesota (currently at 61% 12+ population vaccinated) is offering incentives as they try to hit 70% vaccination rate.

How it works: The first 100,000 Minnesotans to receive their first dose between May 27 and June 30 can take their pick of:

·         One entrance pass to the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth.

·         A 30-point ride pass at Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America.

·         A Minnesota resident annual fishing license.

·         One Minnesota State Parks annual pass.

·         One adult admission at the Minnesota Zoo.

·         One reserved ticket to attend a Northwoods League baseball game in Mankato, Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud or Willmar.

·         Two admission tickets to the State Fair.

·         One Valleyfair admission ticket, plus additional tickets at a discount

·         A $25 Visa Card.

Walz said the prizes will be paid for by federal COVID relief funds. He didn't rule out another round of perks.

Back to the UI Issue

Kansas City Star reports on the issue of overpayment of unemployment benefits, since the bill to prevent a clawback on Missourians didn’t pass the legislature last session.

·         The labor department suspended most collections on the money in April as the bill moved through the state Capitol. Since the legislature adjourned two weeks ago without passing it, officials have been mum on whether they will now restart the clawbacks.

·         “We are examining the options available and will provide notice to affected claimants widely should the state begin collections processes,” department spokeswoman Maura Browning wrote in an email.

Haahr’s New Gig

News Tribune reports on former Speaker Elijah Haahr’s new job as executive director of Noble Health Foundation.  Read it here.

·         The Chartis Center for Rural Health has released reports about the stability of the rural health care system. According to their data, more than 130 rural hospitals have closed across the country since 2010, with seven of those being in Missouri. The research also shows 43 percent of rural hospitals in Missouri are at risk of shutting down.

·         Haahr acknowledged rural health care faces challenges, and he said health care needs to be relocalized. Instead of relying on city hospitals, Haahr said, rural areas need to have their own hospitals.

·         "We need to go back to the model where the county hospital can be your resource for a lot of the problems that you face," he said.

Lobbyists Registrations

Terry Brewer LaFont added Missouri Health Care Association.

Doug Stone deleted US Realty Advisors LLC, and KC Engineering Property HQ LLC.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Rep. Randy Pietzman, Miles Ross, Steve Lynch and John Wright.