MOScout Weekender: Moon Against Vax Incentives - Parson GOP Approval at 67% - Hallway on Reforming GA - WWTW and more...
Moon Against Vax Incentives
In a Facebook post, Sen. Mike Moon explained his views against incentivizing folks to get the COVID vaccine. He was reacting to a news article that Missouri State University – West Plains will randomly give a free year’s tuition to one student who’s vaccinated.
Something is terribly wrong here!
If the “vaccine” is worth receiving, incentives should not be necessary.
AG Eric Schmitt, this appears unethical. I hope you will take time to address this action by MSU-West Plains.
The vaccines are experimental and should not be forced upon anyone (or luring individuals to take the unproven drug with monetary enticements).
Governor Mike Parson:
This is a blatant misuse use of funding by a state funded university. Please exercise your authority and inform them of this fact.
Redistricting Commissions Named
Governor Mike Parson named the appointees to the House and Senate Independent Bipartisan Citizens Commissions.
Find the Commission members here. They are party stalwarts.
FYI
· The usual game here is that each party will try to find a “flippable” commission member from the other party. It’s a puzzle most likely unsolvable, but the idea is to offer some regional accommodation in order to secure a broader, more favorable map.
· Assuming the commissions deadlock, the map drawing gets punted to a panel of appellate judges. They will most likely, wanting to appear apolitical, draw status quo maps.
· Status quo maps favor Republicans.
Reminder
This is the process for state house and state senate districts. The congressional redistricting is separate; it goes through the legislative process of the state legislature.
Remington/MOScout Poll: Statewide GOP
Survey conducted July 7 through July 8, 2021. 1,002 likely 2022 Republican Primary voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2022 Republican Primary 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. See the full results here.
Q1: Do you approve or disapprove of Mike Parson’s job performance as Governor?
Approve: 67%
Disapprove: 16%
Not sure: 17%
Q2: Possible candidates in the 2022 Republican Primary Election for US Senate are Eric Greitens, Mark McCloskey, Vicky Hartzler, Eric Schmitt, and Jason Smith. If the election were held today, for whom would you vote?
Eric Greitens: 30%
Mark McCloskey: 10%
Vicky Hartzler: 13%
Eric Schmitt: 24%
Jason Smith: 9%
Undecided: 14%
Q3: Possible candidates in the 2022 Republican Primary Election for Missouri State Auditor are Scott Fitzpatrick, David Gregory, and Rob Vescovo. If the election were held today, for whom would you vote?
Scott Fitzpatrick: 28%
David Gregory: 5%
Rob Vescovo: 6%
Undecided: 61%
Q4: How closely did you follow the recent special session of the Missouri legislature?
I followed it very closely: 14%
I followed it somewhat closely: 49%
I didn’t follow it at all: 37%
Q5: RINO stands for Republican In Name Only. Which statement best fits your view about the Missouri Republican Party?
There are too many RINOs, and it’s a problem: 17%
There are some RINOs, and it’s sometimes a problem: 26%
There are not very many RINOs, and it’s not a problem: 15%
Not sure: 42%
MOScout’s Hallway Index: Better General Assembly
I was wondering if there were structural reforms which could make the legislative process more productive. I asked lobbyists… What would make the legislature more productive? 27 replies…
RESULTS
1. Rescind term limits… 48.2%
2. Change length of session… 3.7%
3. Increase staff / increase staff salaries... 0%
4. Reduce number of legislators… 29.6%
5. Something else… 18.5%
Sample of Comments
· Too many House members
· I actually would have said “make terms longer and reduce the number” of it was an option
· Term limits have created urgency among legislators to get their priority legislation done without compromising and relationships no longer are a priority.
· [Rescind term limits] everything else will take care of itself. Those who are politically motivated will move on, and those there for the right reason will remain.
· The problems have grown as the size of the Republican caucuses have grown, splitting each chamber into 3 teams (see Kansas). A smaller majority would foster more team spirit.
· All of these options would help. Every other session with a budget-specific session each year.
· Term limits have limited the talent, knowledge and relationships. The only people to benefit are lobbyists.
· Reducing districts would help but I put that last on the priority list.
· [Something else] Implement a cloture vote to avoid nuclear option situations and allow legislation supported by a supermajority to pass.
· The size of the General Assembly for a state with 6M is ridiculous and costly. Both in terms of $ and productivity. Reduce the number of Reps and lengthen term limits.
· Republicans need to start looking for quality, not quantity in their caucuses. There should be at minimum support for the issues in the state platform, other than guns and abortion. Those two issues alone do not make you a Republican.
· I would say all of the above but the constant need to move up or out creates challenges along with the fact that members don’t serve together long enough to get to know one another better.
· No term limits and fewer lawmakers. This may be the only hope. Otherwise Missouri is going to be mostly ungoverned and corporate investment will disappear for the foreseeable future…
· [Something else] One achievable goal is to stop these ridiculous all nighters in the senate. Going all night over and over again and then cancelling hearings the next day doesn't do any good for moving legislation and it certainly doesn't do anything for the vibe. It's become like this "show of force" or proof of "work being done". There are smarter ways to get things done. But hey, everyone's an armchair quarterback ya know.
· Reduce number of lawmakers and either remove term limits or increase staff/salaries. The length of session wouldn’t matter. A couple other ideas… -Adopt joint rules regarding bills filing, when bills from each chamber can be considered in each chamber, etc; Limit number of bills filed by a single lawmaker.
· I think experience helps. And, 8 years is not enough. More experience can only help on long term issues, budget, redistricting...
· Everyone is constantly jockeying for the next step. It is really harmful to the process.
· [Something else] Courage!
Who Won the Week?
Eric Greitens – Still has the touch. Reports this week said he’d separated another gazillionaire from millions of dollars to help fund a pro-Greitens PAC.
Scott Fitzpatrick – According to this weekend’s Remington/MOScout poll, it’s a wide-open auditor’s race on the Republican side. But Fitzpatrick, as a statewide elected official, clearly starts in the lead with the most name ID.
Republicans Taking “Tough” Votes – Also in the poll, few Republican primary voters (14%) watched the recent special session closely, or think that there are too many RINOs in the GOP (17%).
Aaron Baker and Jonathan Ratliff – Can’t hurt your business as a campaign consultant to be one of the commissions to drawing the lines.
Find a downloadable version here.
eMailbag about Schmitt fundraising
Lol. As if the “who’s who of donors” makes a difference in a Republican primary in 2021-22…
$5K+Contributions
Invest in St. Louis Community College - $10,000 from Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562 Political Education Fund.
Invest in St. Louis Community College - $10,000 from Electrical workers Voluntary Political Missouri.
Invest in St. Louis Community College - $25,000 from St. Louis University.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Russ Carnahan, Cole McNary, and Eli Yokley.
Sunday: Reps. Wayne Wallingford and Keri Ingle, Claudia Sands, and Mary Ellen Ponder.