MOScout Daily Update: Senate Passes Workforce Bill - KERI PAC - Haahr Case Dismissed - RIP Bob Wilson - Danforth Path and more....
Legislative Update
The Senate had a second productive day. They passed Sen. Lincoln Hough’s SB 672 dealing with incentives and programs for workforce development. It passed with a bipartisan vote, only 8 against – the 7 Conservative Caucus members, plus Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder.
The House passed another resolution to change the initiative petition process as well as HJR 117 which asks voters to revise the Medicaid Expansion approved in 2020. HJR 117 passed by a mostly party line vote. A few Republicans (Reps. Billy Kidd, Shamed Dogan, and Brenda Shields) joined Dems in opposition.
Keep An Eye on the Calendar
As I wrote yesterday, the gummed-up Senate means there’s less capacity (time-wise) to pass controversial legislation. Two weeks until Spring break, and then eight weeks afterwards. Both IP reform and MedEx changes will face resistance in the Senate.
· Assuming the Senate passes the congressional map before Spring break and returns to some version of normalcy, they’ll still need to prioritize what they can achieve this session. I’d be extremely surprised, for example, if they passed both IP reform and MedEx revisions.
Danforth Plan Path
One politico offers the circumstances where he sees the Jack Danforth Plan of running an “Independent Republican” working out: “If Donald Trump's absurd Putin cheerleading continues and discredits him some more, and Mitch McConnell goes all in with $25M or whatever, and Eric Greitens comes out bloody with 26%, and Lucas Kunce gets damaged by allegations… it’s plausible. Lotta big things have to go right. “
Keri PAC
KERI PAC was formed to support Rep. Keri Ingle. These independent expenditure PACs allow legislators to raise money in excess of the contribution limits that apply to candidate committees. The legislators can raise money for the PACs, but can’t direct the spending. That has to remain independent of the candidate. The formation of an IE PAC for state representatives usually signals that they’re looking at a leadership race or a state senate race down the road. Well see…
Haahr Vindicated
About a year ago, House staffer Tad Mayfield sued after being fired. According to the Kansas City Star article his suit centered “on complaints he made to his supervisor — and later to legislative leaders in both the House and Senate — about the fact that there is no requirement that lawmakers, staff and visitors wear a mask while in the Capitol to combat the spread of COVID-19. Mayfield believes he was fired because he ‘exercised his rights guaranteed by the First Amendment by speaking out before all of the defendants upon matters of public concern.’ He’s asking the court to reinstate him to his former position and award punitive damages.”
Yesterday the case was dismissed.
MO COVID Hospitalizations Continue Free Fall
Roorda Out As Police Spox?
KSDK reports… The St. Louis Police Officers Association voted Wednesday against renewing a contract with its controversial business manager Jeff Roorda, but he remains employed by the union, the I-Team has learned. The police union voted in a closed session against renewing a contract with Roorda, who recently announced his candidacy as a Republican for state Senate.
Had the union not taken a vote Wednesday, the contract would have automatically renewed, according to multiple sources familiar with the vote… St. Louis Police Officers Association President Jay Schroeder said Roorda’s employment status has not changed, and would not comment beyond that.
Roorda said: “As everybody knows, I’m running for Senate and I might take a leave of absence to concentrate on that.”
Wilson RIP
Former lobbyist Bob Wilson passed away. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Freeman Mortuary. A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Saturday in the Freeman Chapel. See his obituary here.
· Tom Crawford on Facebook: Bob was one of, if not the best, in the business. So many lives he impacted in trucking and beyond for the better. I was proud to call him friend and a colleague. Always was better to be working beside him than across from him. Fortunately I was rarely if ever on the opposite side for long, and got to work beside him in his final couple of years working the halls in Jefferson City. We will miss you Bob. RIP my friend.
· Brian Grace on Twitter: I was deeply saddened to learn today of the passing of my dear friend Bob Wilson. Bob was a legendary Missouri lobbyist and the reason I chose this career… an absolute legend.
Gubby Appts
Governor Mike Parson appointed Jim Arnott and Michael Wiegand to the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission.
New Candidate Filings
Kevon Graves filed in House 22 (Kansas City) to run a Democrat. This creates a three-way primary, including Rep. Yolanda Young. Young was elected in a special election in 2019, succeeding Brandon Ellington. She won a five-way primary in 2020 with 67% of the vote. Graves placed second in that race with 15%.
Rep. Kevin Windham (D) filed for re-election in House 74 (St. Louis).
New Committees
KERI PAC was formed. Its treasurer is Stephen Eisele. This is a PAC to support Rep. Keri Ingle.
Christian County MO Republican Assembly was formed. It’s a PAC. Its treasurer is Paulette Overall.
$5K+ Contributions
Schimmelpfenning for Missouri - $34,000 from Bing Schimmelpfenning.
Lobbyists Registrations
Nexus Group added Missouri Beverage Association.
Aaron Dorr added American Firearms Association.
Rebecca Novak added JPMorgan Chase Holdings, LLC.
Jason Zamkus added DirecTV LLC.
Tracy King, Brittany Robbins, Thomas Robbins, Christopher Schoeman, and Garrett Webb added Ernst & Young LLP.
Tracy King, Thomas Robbins, and Steven Tilley deleted Concierge Testing Solutions, LLC.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rob Mayer and Jaime Jo Walz.