MOScout Daily Update: Moody on Tax Cut - Hit Coming in House 12 - MEC Quroumless Again - Senate Dems' Pitch and more...
Moody Fears Long Term Impact of Tax Cut
Jim Moody, former budget director, writes with concern in a recent note to clients about the special session tax cut bill. From a recent Moody Report…
· We believe that the fiscal note for Senate bill 3 is not even close to accurate.
· The tax cuts in the short term will spend down the GR fund balance quickly, in our opinion. But when the fund balance is gone… it is very likely that the state will have a permanent imbalance between revenues and expenses.
Senate To Finish Special Session Today?
The expectation is that the Senate will close out the special session today by passing the House’s bill dealing with agricultural tax credits.
The upper chamber can be a mercurial creature so anything’s possible, but the safe bet seems to be for a drama-free final session.
We’ll see…
GOP Preps Hit in House 12
I got a glimpse of the Republicans’ opposition research file on in House 12. This is an open seat in Platte County. Jamie Johnson is a Democrat running against Republican Tom Hutsler. Minority Leader Crystal Quade has mentioned this seat as a possible pickup for the Democrats. It was won by Joe Biden (+5.2%) and Nicole Galloway (+1.5%), but every other statewide race (AG, LG, Treas, and SOS) went Republican. It’s a true swing district.
· From the file I saw, it looks like Republicans will be hitting Johnson on her bumpy financial past. It includes bankruptcy, fines from the Missouri Ethics Commission, a repossessed car and tax liens from the state of Missouri.
Senate Dems’ Pitch: Stop Them Early
Senate Dems are using Eric Schmitt in their latest fundraising appeal, saying that if he had “lost his State Senate election all those years ago, our Democracy would be safer today.” See it here.
In 25 states – including Missouri – MAGA Extremists are running election-deniers as candidates for statewide office. And if we don’t defeat election-deniers running for State Senate, our Democracy may never recover. Because the Missouri State Senate is where many of these Extremists get their start.
As you may recall, back in 2020, Eric Schmitt used your tax dollars through the Missouri’s Attorney General’s office to try and stop votes from being counted in Pennsylvania.
Later, he led a group of attorneys general trying to get the United State Supreme Court to overturn the outcome of the election.
And let’s not forget he was the vice-chairman of a political group whose fundraising operation sent robocalls encouraging people to “march to the Capitol” and “stop the steal”, which resulted in the deadly and treasonous Insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.
Eric Schmitt is an election-denier. He is a MAGA Extremist. And he is a former State Senator.
Had he lost his State Senate election all those years ago, our Democracy would be safer today.
Situational Awareness: Fed Funds Won’t Go As Far
Daily American Republic reports on the impact of inflation on infrastructure projects…
The costs of virtually all construction materials have gone up in this year's inflationary spiral.
The price of asphalt is no exception. Michael Brandon, Missouri Department of Transportation project designer for the 25-county Southeast District, told Southeast Metropolitan Planning Organization (SEMPO) stakeholders this month the increase is marked and substantial.
"We're seeing a 30% to 50% inflationary impact," said Brandon, who has been with the state transportation agency since 2000. "Asphalt, which used to cost $60 a ton, is now around $100 a ton."
· "Those dollars are essentially evaporating," said Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
MEC Again Without A Quorum
The Missouri Ethics Commission is again without a quorum. A recent case before the commission ended with no action. Explaining this outcome, Elizabeth Ziegler, the executive director, wrote, “Section 105.955.6, RSMo requires that at least four Commission members are necessary to constitute a quorum… On September 14, 2022, the Governor withdrew three interim appointed Commissioners due to the legislative special session. Therefore, there are two members of the Commission currently. Because there were not four Commissioners able to consider this investigation within the 15-day timeframe, the Commission could take no action on this complaint.”
Help Wanted
Quality Schools Coalition seeks Vice President of Advocacy. “The Vice President of Advocacy will work to advocate for a state policy environment in which public schools flourish. Reporting to the CEO, the VP of Advocacy will represent the organization in dealings with legislators, state agencies, and key organizational stakeholders. Working closely with senior staff, the VP of Advocacy will be responsible for implementing the Quality Schools Coalition legislative and regulatory strategy. This position will be stationed in or near Jefferson City, with the expectation that a satellite office will be opened there… The annual salary range for this position is $125,000 – $135,000…” See the ad here.
New PACs
Missouri Leadership PAC - Trevor Crist, treasurer.
Nixa Vision 2040 PAC - Freddie Young, treasurer.
Public School Advocates PAC – Nick Clement, treasurer.
ADVANCE – Jan Fisk, treasurer.
Lobbyists Registrations
Michael Lodewegen added Missouri Association of License Offices, and Missouri Council of School Administrators; and deleted Charter Communications, Inc.
Richard McIntosh and David McCracken added Show Me State Gaming, LLC.
Rich AuBuchon and Trent Watson added Missouri State Medical Association.
Jay Hahn added Strata Clean Energy Holdings, LLC.
Amy Blunt added Christopher Woods.
Jeffrey Altmann added Audrain Community Hospital, Callaway Community Hospital, and deleted Platinum Neighbors Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
MO Drive Fund - $150,000 from IBT Missouri PAC - Federal Committee.
Platte County Republican Central Committee - $12,000 from Rebecca Rooney.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Randy Asbury, Jerry Nolte, and John Scott.