MOScout Daily Update: AFL-CIO Backs A3 - Police Back Mantovani - AG Appt Talk - Coatar Ad - Pizza Robots and more...

Quick Friday update….

AFL-CIO Says Yes on A3

Press release: Missouri’s largest labor organization is urging Missouri voters to support Amendment 3 to legalize marijuana and automatically expunge past, nonviolent cannabis offenses from Missourians’ records.

·       “Legalizing marijuana for Missouri adults, while also automatically expunging past, nonviolent marijuana offenses is a huge step forward for criminal justice reform in Missouri,” said Jake Hummel, Missouri AFL-CIO President. “Amendment 3 will bring significant revenue to Missouri, while allowing law enforcement to focus on fighting serious and violent crime. We urge Missourians to support this common-sense proposal to make Missouri the 20th state to legalize marijuana for adult use.”

And

The big news on the federal level yesterday was President Joe Biden’s announcement of a blanket pardon for those convicted (federally) of marijuana possession.  NYTimes coverage here.

More Appt Talk

One observer of the 2nd floor tells me that Andrew Bailey has “moved from dark horse to lead candidate” in the appointment sweepstakes as people consider an attorney general vacancy if/when Eric Schmitt wins the US Senate race.

Also in the mix are Tim Garrison and possibly Kurt Schaefer.  But this source worries about Bailey’s lack of experience in the political spotlight.  It’s one thing to be a relatively unknown staffer to the governor.  It’s another to be arguably the second most visible statewide officeholder.

·       Put this together with talk that Kalena Bruce is on the short list for state treasurer. And you could have two new statewide officeholders next year with little elected experience.

Situational Awareness: More Robots Coming

Stories like this (about robots making pizzas) always make me tremble that our education system is going to be caught flat-footed by rapid upheavals in the what skills are (and aren’t!) needed by employers.

While robots are making steady inroads in the restaurant industry overall — flipping burgers, frying chips, brewing coffee — pizza is the place where automation may make its earliest and most transformative mark.

·       If we think that job prospects for high school dropouts is bleak now, it’s going to be non-existent in the not-too-distant future.

Coatar Commercial

I haven’t been following the race for President of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen too closely, but someone sent me Alderman Jack Coatar’s first commercial.  See it here.  It focuses on public safety.

We all want and deserve the same thing.  Safe neighborhoods for our families.  More cops walking the beat accountable to the people they’re sworn to protect.  A 911 system that answers when you call. Keeping people safe is job #1. We must invest in programs that reduce the burden on cops and support those who need help most. For once we have the money. There’s no excuse…

Police Back Mantovani

The St. Louis County Police Association announced their endorsement of Mark Mantovani in the St. Louis County Executive’s race. 

From their press release: The number one issue facing St. Louis County is crime and according to FBI statistics, violent crime in St. Louis County has doubled over the past 10 years.

·       Proposition P passed in St. Louis County in April 2017 with 63% of the vote to support public safety and address the County’s crime issue. First as County Chair and then as County Executive, Sam Page has led the effort in diverting Proposition P funds from voter approved purposes and to other areas of County government.

Lobbyists Registrations

Zach Pollock added Missouri Association of License Offices.

$5K+ Contributions

American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $10,000 from Supporters of Health Research & Treatments.

American Dream PAC - $10,000 from RQC PAC.

American Dream PAC - $10,000 from MO DSV PAC.

Missouri Health Plan Association PAC - $50,000 from Centene Management Company LLC.

Safer Families for Missouri - $10,000 from Simmons Hanly Conroy.

Missouri Leadership Forum - $15,000 from Bruce Oakley, Inc.  (Little Rock, AR).

Citizens for a Better Robertson - $10,000 from North Point Development LLC.

Leadership Counts - $50,000 from SLC Holdings LLC.

Page PAC (pro-Page) - $25,000 from L.I.U.N.A. Local 110 PAC Fund.

Page PAC - $10,000 from BUILD St. Louis PAC, Inc.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Jeff Harris, Kenny Ross, and Zach Wyatt-Gomez.