MOScout Daily Update: Luetky for SCOMO?? - Willard for Treas?? - Fitz for Gregory?? - SBOE Wish List - Bailey $$$ Watch and more...
We’ll start with the rumors, some sketchier than others…
· Luetky Eyes SCOMO?... I’m told that Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer is not seriously considering the attorney general’s race. Instead, he’s more focused on the upcoming vacancy on the Missouri Supreme Court.
· Becky Willard in the Treas Mix?... Still no word on Governor Mike Parson making an appointment for state treasurer. We’re now three weeks away from inauguration, with a couple holidays in between. The latest name making the rounds of the rumor-mill is Becky Willard. She has a background in political fundraising, but is currently executive director of the Hawthorne Foundation. And, of course, she’s the wife of Parson chief of staff Aaron Willard.
· Fitz to Back Gregory?... Rep. David Gregory is expected to formally announce his bid to replace term-limited Andrew Koenig after the holidays. When he does, word is that he’ll have the backing of Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick. Fitz and Gregory traded blows during their primary last summer, but like good pols, they’re apparently burying any hard feelings with the start of a new election cycle….
SBOE Legislative Priorities
The State Board of Education approved its legislative priorities for 2023 with minimal amendments. See them here.
Two matters that received some discussion…
· Open enrollment: The SBOE wants to be at the table as this topic is debated. They “suggests that the Department work with stakeholders to examine best practices for voluntary open enrollment.” Sen. Andrew Koenig has an open enrollment bill pre-filed, SB 5. See it here.
· Foundation formula: Although SBOE President Charlie Shields said he believes the formula is nearing the end of its lifespan, he thinks it’s too complex for the legislature to tackle this session. It sounds like a 2024 possibility.
Crime Package
There’s been a fair amount of attention given to the possibility of legislation taking away local control of the St. Louis police force. (See Post-Dispatch article here. See St. Louis Business Journal article here.)
It’s expected be part of Speaker Dean Plocher’s package of initiatives to get serious about crime. But it will definitely face resistance in the Senate from the St. Louis delegation. And last weekend’s MOScout/Remington poll showed it underwater with Missouri voters (28% to 49%).
· The other vehicle to watch is Rep. Lane Roberts’ HB 301. It’s a curious mix of provisions. It includes a takeover of the St. Louis circuit attorney, as well as allowing folks just out of prison to receive Medicaid. While the former will be looked on with mistrust by Dems, the latter will likely be cheered.
Meanwhile
St. Louis City Mayor Tishaura Jones is scheduled to announce the city’s new police chief (11AM).
Bailey $$$ Watch
One Republican says it’ll be interesting to see the source of Andrew Bailey’s first fundraising burst. He wonders if we’ll see some trial attorney money – like we saw at the end of last quarter for Jay Ashcroft. Ashcroft’s PAC landed to six-figure checks from prominent trial attorneys Eric Holland and Michael Ketchmark.
But… unlike Ashcroft, who’s inoculated with a family brand name in Missouri Republican politics, Bailey is undefined in the eyes of the electorate. And Team Scharf might make it an issue if he raises money from folks who aren’t normally associated with Republican policies.
Onder as Procurator
About to be out of politics, Sen. Bob Onder is jumping into the archdiocesan arena, helping St. Louis Catholics respond to the upcoming parish consolidations.
From the Save Our St. Louis Parishes website…
· When the leadership of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI) rolled out the 42+ pre-planned models for "All Things New," we had little input into these plans that revealed "the most sweeping changes" to the St. Louis Archdiocese in its 196-year history.
· Because we were not given a voice, we have a duty to make our voice heard. In fact, the Church teaches that we have this obligation and includes this in law (Canon 212). It is important and urgent that we let the Church leadership know our opinion on the matter…
· Senator Robert Onder has agreed to be the Procurator, volunteering his time and energy. The mandate allows him to unite hundreds or thousands of people in a single action by following specific rules of Canon Law.
Covenant Marriage to MO?
Following the Missouri legislature has made me a “lifetime learner.” There’s always some new topic or issue I’d never heard of. Today’s example is “covenant marriage.” You can find the Wikipedia entry here. It’s an alternative to traditional marriage that restricts the reasons you can get divorced.
· Sen. Mike Moon’s SB 258 would allow couples to choose covenant marriages in Missouri.
Help Wanted
Auditor-elect Seeks Director of Communications. “Ability to present ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, and a demonstrated ability to quickly comprehend and utilize new concepts and strategies; Thorough knowledge of the principles of public and business administration; Considerable knowledge of the organization of Missouri state and county governments; Ability to develop a thorough understanding of complex and controversial issues, and to deal with those issues in a professional manner; Ability to prepare written reports and make oral presentations…”
Lobbyists Registrations
John Bardgett, Mark Habbas, Carol Kemma, and Chris Roepe added City of Branson.
Mark Habbas, Carol Kemma, and Chris Roepe added TRIAD Bank of Missouri Inc.
Richard McIntosh, David McCracken, John Gaskin added Cress EV, LLC.
Thomas Robbins, Brittany Hyatt Robbins, and Chris Schoeman deleted Ernst & Young LLP.
$5K+ Contributions
Ford Motor Company Civic Action Fund - MO - $50,000 from Ford Motor Civic Action Committee Fund - Federal PAC.
Make Liberty Win Missouri - $22,509 from Make Liberty Win Federal.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Cheryl Dillard.