MOScout Daily Update: MRL Picks New Fights - Panettiere Hangs Shingle - Cattlemen for Kehoe - Klumb to Bond and more...
MRL Picks New Fights
Missouri Right to Life entered two hot debates yesterday, neither directly related to abortion policies. Still, the organization argues both fights are critical to their mission.
· MRL Executive Director Susan Klein testified before the House’s Special Committee on Redistricting that “now is the time to push for a 7-1 map.” This referred to creating 7 congressional seats likely to be won by Republicans and only 1 by a Democrat. Currently there are 6 Republicans and 2 Democrats. Klein cited the hostility to MRL’s agenda from Biden Administration and Nancy Pelosi. See MRL’s memo to legislators on redistricting here.
· MRL opposed a procedural change debated in the Senate that increases the number of signatures (from 5 to 10) to make the written motion necessary to close debate. See MRL’s memo on that rules change here.
Klein’s testimony was politely rebuffed by Republican pro-life members on the Special Committee. They noted that lack of votes for an emergency clause with a 7-1 map. That means that without a special session called by the governor, it was impossible to enact the map before the August primaries. Furthermore, the consensus is that a 7-1 map will be challenged in court. Republican legislators are scared to cede control of redistricting to the judiciary branch.
During Senate debate on the rules change, Sen. Bob Onder informed the body of MRL’s position on the proposal. It did not prevent the body from moving ahead with the change.
What It Means
· A rumor – which sounds credible – is that MRL will rate the House vote on redistricting. It’s a situation which recalls the 2007 MOHELA debate. MRL opposed Governor Matt Blunt’s plan to fund higher education capital expenses. They feared some research facilities might end up advancing stem cell research. That year, because of the MOHELA vote, many pro-choice Democrats had higher MRL ratings than pro-life Republicans.
· Some Republicans are bristling at MRL’s new fights. One legislator texting me, “Maybe some groups need to stay in their lane.”
· Despite the grumbling, the MRL imprimatur could be important in some Republican primaries ahead…
Panettiere Hangs Out a Shingle
Melissa Panettiere has left Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas City after 9 years where she was Director of Government Affairs and Regulatory Compliance. Prior to BlueKC, Panettiere was the Legislative Director for the Missouri Department of Insurance. She’s started her own lobbying firm, Imperium Strategies, where she will represent clients primarily in Topeka, Kansas.
Cattlemen for Kehoe
Alisha Nelson reports that “MO Cattlemen's Association has endorsed Lt. Gov. Kehoe in his 2024 run for governor. Kehoe, a cattle farmer, says he wants to continue several of the priorities of Gov. Parson – workforce development, infrastructure, & broadband, as well as boosting MO's ag economy…”
What It Means
The 2024 cycle has started.
Driving the Day: Parental Oversight
The House continues its fast start today with a couple of education bills in its Elementary and Secondary Education Committee this morning (8AM, HR 7).
Of particular note, two bills which would create “parents bill of rights” aimed at counteracting the perceived liberal agenda in public school curricula.
· Rep. Doug Richey’s HB 1995.
· Rep. Nick Schroer’s HB 1474.
Who Wins from Better Elections’ IP
I asked various politicos about the Better Elections initiative petition proposal yesterday. The general consensus was that the ranked voting method would favor more moderate candidates, and make it harder to run base-focused campaigns.
Some of the feedback…
· Ranked voting tends to favor moderates, and indeed that is what its proponents have designed it to do. While this may have been helpful in allowing Republicans to get the Governorship in Virginia, in a very Republican state like Missouri it will instead reward Democrats and make it less likely that conservatives like Josh Hawley would prevail in primary elections. Bottom line, it is a HORRIBLE idea for Republicans. Missouri Republicans should oppose and instead adopt a primary election runoff.
· It’s a national movement. Some states have it already. It isn’t good for far right or left or party candidates.
· [Right now] you run to the right in R primaries to the left in D primaries because the primary is all that matters in most cases. This is an attempt to get at that but not clear it will work.
· I think it helps less ideological candidates of both parties… it should make it harder for the Mike Moons and easier for the David Coles when they are competing among a broader electorate.
· [This is a response to the feeling that] we have too many Eigels and not enough Rowdens.
· Finally, this kicker, “good luck on polling race [with ranked voting]…”
Klumb to Bond Shop
Jason Klumb has joined the KBS Group. See the announcement here.
Klumb is a former state representative. Kit Bond Strategies is a business development and consulting firm. Bond and former Congressman Kenny Holshof are the most prominent partners of the company.
Prayers for Ruth, Justice
Becky Ruth writing on Facebook last night: Don’t often ask for prayers for myself, but tonight I need them please. I was taken by ambulance this afternoon to Mercy Jefferson. I’ve been dealing with COVID since December 29th. I’m having some neurological issues as a result, and they just told me I have COVID pneumonia. My O2 Sats are at least staying in the good range for now. They started an IV antibiotic, and I just had a neurologist consult. They are going to do a brain MRI to check for inflammation. Your prayers are very much needed and appreciated.
Eddy Justice writing on Facebook: When rumors fly it is usually best to just put the facts out there so there is no confusion. Over a week ago I contracted the Covid Virus for the first time. It got into my lungs and I now have an infection in both lungs. Per my very able physicians, I am no longer contagious but the lung infections have continued to get worse, which now have led to hospitalization. Let me be clear—-I have not been or am I on a ventilator. God has blessed so far and we believe He will continue to bless until full recovery is upon us. Please continue to pray for us and we humbly thank each and everyone of you for your thoughts and prayers.
Help Wanted
Beyond Housing seeks Director of Government Relations and Community Engagement. “The Director of Government Relations and Community Engagement (GRACE) is responsible for directing the organization’s comprehensive community engagement, public policy, and local government initiatives. Serve as key organizational representative for community partners, elected officials, and residents. The Director will report to the Deputy COO, with additional reporting to and support from the President/CEO on local government issues… Salary: $69,000 - $75,000.” See the ad here.
Lobbyists Registrations
Leo Akselrud added Commonwealth Missouri, LLC.
Jacqueline Bardgett, John Bardgett, Erika Leonard, and Chris Roepe added Insurance Auto Auctions.
Ron Berry added Missouri Budget Project.
Michael Grote added American Wagering Inc; and deleted Missouri Gaming Association.
Daniel Pfeifer, Alex Eaton, Rebecca Lohmann, Greg Porter, Jasmine Wells, and David Willis added Unite Us.
Mark Johnston added Missouri Insurance Coalition.
Sean Ostrow added FanDuel Group, Inc.
Alia Laura Toran-Burrell added Code for America Labs, Inc.
Jackie Wood added Jones Advocacy Group.
Zachary Paul Voudrie added Strategic Capitol Consulting LLC.
Dick Wiles and Sam Wiles added Boone County Fire Protection District, and Missouri Task Force 1.
Caroline Hoover deleted Delaware North.
Irl Scissors deleted American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, National Strategies OBO American Infrastructure Partners, and Express Medical Transporters, Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
PT-PAC of Missouri - $15,000 from Central Missouri Physical Therapy.
Minchew for Mayor - $10,000 from Richard Miller.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Judy Morgan and Scott Intagliata.