MOScout Daily Update: Senate's Interim Committees - Kehoe Gets AGC Nod - Brunner Backers - Burks Gets Cotton? - Labor Before MOSupremes and more...
Senate’s Interim Committees
Pro Tem Dave Schatz established three new interim committees.
Education - This committee shall study and make recommendations regarding transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the state’s public education system.
Sen. Karla Eslinger, Chair
Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin, Vice Chair
Sen. Elaine Gannon
Sen. Rick Brattin
Sen. Lauren Arthur
Sen. Greg Razer
Firefighting Districts - This committee shall study and make recommendations regarding opportunities to increase efficiencies in providing fire prevention and emergency medical services in areas where a fire protection district provides service in a municipality that has a fire department, including tax and bond propositions and municipalities that continue to pay fire protection districts following the annexation of a municipality.
Sen. Brian Williams, Chair
Sen. Andrew Koenig, Vice Chair
Sen. Mike Cierpiot
Sen. Caleb Rowden
Sen. Bill Eigel
Sen. Angela Mosley
Illegal Immigration - This committee shall study and make recommendations regarding workers brought to Missouri illegally, and who do not pay taxes or follow Missouri labor laws.
Sen. Justin Brown, Chair
Sen. Mike Cierpiot, Vice Chair
Sen. Karla Eslinger
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter
Sen. Doug Beck
Sen. Barbara Washington
All the committees shall issue a report as to their findings and recommendations, as approved by a majority of the members of the committee, to the president pro tempore of the Missouri Senate no later than December 31, 2022, at which point the committees will be dissolved.
Driving the Day: Another Kehoe Endorsement
Another day, another endorsement it seems. Today (at 10AM), the Associated General Contractors of Missouri (AGCMO) will endorse Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe for his 2024 gubernatorial bid.
● The leading voice for the construction industry in Missouri, AGCMO represents nearly 550 commercial building, industrial, highway, transportation, and utility infrastructure contractors, industry partners and related firms in 110 counties across the state of Missouri….
● “This is the first time we’ve ever endorsed a political candidate. That’s how enthusiastic we feel about Mike’s candidacy,” said Leonard Toenjes, CAE, president of the AGC of Missouri. “Our Governmental Affairs Policy (GAP) Committee has a long track record of supporting candidates from both political parties for local and statewide offices through its Political Action Distribution Committee. However, Mike’s leadership and advocacy for improving and maintaining Missouri’s infrastructure, building a resilient construction and manufacturing workforce, and supporting a strong business climate convinced us that we needed to take this extra step for 2024 with an endorsement.”
JCity Names for Brunner Event
Lobbyist David Jackson and his wife Claire are hosting a fundraiser for John Brunner, running in House 101 (Grier District). See the invite here. Attorney General Eric Schmitt is listed at the “special guest.”
Among the list…
● Electeds: Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, Sen. Andrew Koenig, House Budget Chairman Cody Smith, Reps. Curtis Trent, Phil Christofanelli, Jon Patterson, Jim Murphy, and Mayors Bob Nation, and Jim Bowlin.
● Fellow lobbyists: Bill & Cynthia Gamble, Jorgen Schlemeier, John Bardgett, Kate Casas, Tom & Molly Dempsey, Heath Clarkson, and Doug Nelson.
● Dark Prince Gregg Keller and wife Lorie.
Local TV Driving Online Engagement
From Byrne PR’s Flack Newsletter…
NiemanLab says local TV has the biggest digital following. Read it here.
● In a typical American city, the local daily newspaper is the outlet producing the most news day after day. But that doesn’t mean it’s the most popular outlet — a local TV station will often edge it out in terms of digital audience. And on Facebook? Forget it, print fans: Local TV is dominant.
● How about Kansas City? The Star has 187,000 followers. Local TV stations claim 298,000, 477,000, 491,000, and 623,000.
● That means that what local TV stations publish on Facebook is important. They retain generally high levels of trust, and they’re reaching an audience that might not be seeking out much other news on digital platforms. That power can, of course, be used for good or for ill.
Bits
· In CD-4, rumor has it that Taylor Burks will be announcing he’s landed the endorsement of Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton. Cue the jokes about the candidate who doesn’t live in the district getting endorsed by the senator from another state… But seriously, can’t hurt, right?
· Arguing before the Missouri Supreme Court today, AFSCME and AFLCIO are still battling SB 1007 passed back in 2018. They won at the lower court, but now the state is appealing.
· Graves Garrett attorney Edward Greim makes a cameo in this news story about voter fraud in Michigan.
HelpWanted
Enterprise seeks Assistant Vice President of DC Federal Affairs. “This is an exciting opportunity for an individual looking to find themselves at the intersection of technology and transportation - in a place where the rapidly evolving public policy will shape the way current and future generations get from point A to B in a secure and efficient manner. Enterprise Holdings, the industry leading total transportation provider is seeking a self-motivated professional to manage federal government & public affairs based in the Washington DC area… Working remotely out of the Washington DC metro area and reporting to the St. Louis-based Senior Vice President, Government & Public Affairs, this is a role ideal for the candidate with strong organization skills that thrives on working independently but still part of a larger team.”
eMailbag: More on Freshmen to Watch
· [Kurtis Gregory] is not going to be in the House long enough to be a Speaker. He has a senate district drawn perfectly for him and will likely run for that in 2024.
· With all due respect to the reader who see Travis Smith as a future speaker, the truth is, passing legislation has very little impact on the path to leadership. The ability to fundraise will make the most difference. Since his election, Travis has raised just over $10,000 - unless he picks up the pace, he will not be able to invest in HRCC and his colleagues like others who have risen in the ranks.
New Committees
Rockwood School Board PAC was formed. Its treasurer, Fabian Marta, has been involved in the anti-mask movement.
Lobbyists Registrations
Shanon Hawk deleted National Elevator Industry, Inc., and Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.
Justin Michael McCarty deleted Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 178.
Michael Winter deleted Conduent Inc. and Its Affiliates, and The Giddens Group.
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri United (pro-Plocher) - $5,572 from Gateway Studios and Production Services.
Conservative Solutions for Missouri PAC (pro-ME Coleman) - $10,000 from 100 PAC.
Conservative Leaders of Missouri - $40,000 from Torch Electronics.
Missouri Senior PAC - $40,000 from Torch Electronics.
Missouri Growth PAC - $40,000 from Torch Electronics.
MO Majority PAC LLC - $40,000 from Torch Electronics.
Missouri C PAC - $40,000 from Torch Electronics.
Missouri AG PAC - $40,000 from Torch Electronics.
Missouri Senior PAC - $25,000 from Protection Plus LLC.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, Jake Hummel, Heather Navarro, and Byron DeLear.