MOScout Daily Update: Parson to Sign Bills - Smith Says Still Has Student Loans - SLPOA's Letter About Roorda - Supremes Resurrect Kehoe Bill and more...
Parson to Sign Special Session Bills
Press advisory… October 5 at 10:15 a.m., Governor Mike Parson will hold a press conference and sign agriculture tax credits and income tax cut legislation recently passed by the Missouri General Assembly during special session.
Governor Parson will conduct the first part of the press conference alongside Missouri agriculture leaders before moving to sign HB 3. During the second part of the press conference, Governor Parson will speak on income tax cuts for Missourians and then sign SB 3 & 5.
Politico on Smith’s Chairmanship Race
Politico has a look at the race to become the next Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee – assuming Republicans take control of the House. See it here.
From the article…
· But members say you still can’t count out Jason Smith. In addition to his vow last month to match Buchanan monetarily, he impressed Steering members with a pitch about his humble beginnings, revealed for the first time in his career.
· “I lived in a single wide trailer most of my life and then we upgraded to a double wide,” Jason Smith said, describing how he bought his family farm that had an outhouse and a water pump where he’d wash his hands.
· “I always felt like I never needed to tell anyone and probably to be honest, I didn’t want people to know because I serve with millionaires and I’m not one. I still have student loans,” said the Missouri Republican, who said he shared his story because those experiences can help him “be a better leader for the committee on those issues.”
MOSupremes Reverse Decision on Kehoe Bill
Post-Dispatch reports on a Missouri Supreme Court decision which reversed a lower court’s ruling which blocked the 2018 bill from changing the merit system of state employees.
· The bill at the center of the case is SB 1007 from 2018. Its sponsor was then-Sen. Mike Kehoe. The House handler was Rep. Curtis Trent.
SLPOA on Roorda Drama
In a letter to police officers, SLPOA President Jay Schroeder attempts to set the record straight on the firing of Jeff Roorda.
· As you are likely aware, effective October 1, 2022, Jeff Roorda is no longer the business manager of the SLPOA. Unfortunately, in an apparent attempt to create division within the SLPOA, Mr. Roorda has decided to engage in a media campaign in which he makes false claims regarding the reason the SLPOA Executive Board decided not to renew his contract. While disappointing, this is not unexpected...
· [T]he Personnel Committee recommended to the Executive Board that the SLPOA hire retired SLMPD Det. Joe Steiger as the next business manager, and further recommended retaining Mr. Roorda as a consultant to the SLPOA upon mutually agreeable terms. The Executive Board voted 12-3 to accept the Personnel Committee’s recommendation and further instructed me as President to negotiate the terms of consulting agreement with Mr. Roorda. Unfortunately, we were unable to come to mutually agreeable terms. Due to his threat of a lawsuit if terms acceptable to him weren’t reached (terms which included a non-refundable retainer of $5,000 per month for 2 years), the Executive Board, upon a unanimous recommendation of the Personnel Committee, voted to relieve Mr. Roorda from further duties for the reminder of September and agreed to pay him through the end of the month. He was also paid all of his accrued leave time and sick days….
· Among Mr. Roorda’s claims is that his contract was not renewed in exchange for a “deal” with Mayor Jones on a pay raise. This is patently false…
· Now we move forward. We are excited Joe Steiger is on board. He is a highly respected retired member of the SLMPD, and he believes in the SLPOA’s mission. Having served for many years on the SLPOA Board, including as President, he has the institutional knowledge and understanding that will allow him to hit the ground running. Joe will always put the organization first. It will never be about him…
West on Ballot
Steve West, who was rejected as a Republican candidate when he tried to file last spring, has qualified for the ballot and will be an Independent candidate in House 15. West has espoused anti-Semitic and racist views.
· Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern is expected to win re-election in the district. It’s a +7% D district. Adam Richardson is running for Republicans.
AFP Makes Endorsements
Press release: Americans for Prosperity-Missouri today announced additional general election endorsements of candidates for the Missouri House of Representatives: Bill Allen (HD-17), Bob Mahacek (HD-92), Adam Schwadron (HD-105), and Melanie Stinnett (HD-133). These candidates received AFP-MO’s endorsement because of their commitment to supporting policies that get state government out of the way of hardworking Missourians seeking to build businesses, improve their communities, and give their families opportunities to grow and prosper.
What It Means
· These are four Republicans in swing districts.
· If they do what they did in the primary races, AFP will bring volunteers and staffers into their district to bolster their ground game, as well as send mail pieces.
eMailbag on Senate Dems Message
So Missouri Democrats think democracy would be safer if Eric Greitens or Billy Long or Vicky Hartzler had won the Republican primary? In their world where Superman turns back the clock, did they also not so alienate rural voters that a flawed Donald Trump wins the state by double digits or did they eliminate all Republican candidates like in Terminator? Head scratching stuff.
Help Wanted
The Missouri Catholic Conference seeks legislative analyst/lobbyist “to help advance the public policy priorities of the Catholic Church in state legislative work. Bachelor’s degree or higher, or equivalent experience, and excellent written and verbal communication skills are required. Prior experience in government relations is preferred, but not required. Must be a Catholic in good standing, residing in or near Jefferson City or willing to relocate. Salary commensurate with experience.” See the ad here.
Lobbyists Registrations
Rich AuBuchon added Missouri United School Insurance Council.
Catalyst added Cargill Inc.
Gamble & Schlemeier added Create Every Opportunity.
Tim Green added Arnold and Associates, and Lake Regional Health System.
Noel Torpey added TEG (Trinity Education Group).
Tupac Hunter added Tupac Hunter.
Trent Watson deleted Missouri Insurance Coalition.
$5K+ Contributions
House Democratic Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Elliott Denniston.
Protect Missouri Freedom - $15,000 from United Food & Commercial Workers International Union (Washington DC).
Together KC - $25,000 from Health Forward Foundation.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $8,886 from Antonia Grilikhes-Lasky (Brooklyn NY),
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Joe Keaveny, and Nick Marshall.