MOScout Daily Update: GOP's New IP Incentive - Power Baby - Lembke Calls for Peace and more...
1 Big Thing: GOP’s New IP Incentive
Last session one of the Republicans’ top priorities was to reform the initiative petition process. For years, Republicans have grumbled that the process is too easy. But also, it’s been used to circumvent their control over major public policy areas. In recent cycles, initiative petitions resulted in a higher minimum wage, expansion of Medicaid and a brief reconfiguring of the redistricting process.
Rep. Mike Henderson’s HJR 79 was the main vehicle last session. It would have increased the number of signatures needed to qualify for the ballot, and also raise the threshold for voter approval of constitutional changes. The House moved it quickly, passing it in early February. But it stalled amid the trench-warfare in the Senate.
Now, some think Republicans will have even greater incentive to take another whack at the issue in an upcoming session.
· Better Elections ranked choice voting campaign failed to garner enough signatures for the ballot this year. But they vowed to be back again. Republicans are largely (but not entirely) against that proposal.
· Perhaps more importantly, some Democrats are already plotting to bring an abortion-rights constitutional amendment to the ballot in 2024. Assuming the proposal was written strategically – i.e. something that polls well, not just a blanket abortion-on-demand right – it could be very potent for Dems. And it would represent a huge set-back for the pro-life movement in the state.
Power Baby
Congratulations to power couple Hannah Beers Sutton (Axiom) and Wes Sutton (Division of Professional Registration) on the birth of their power baby: Palmer Sutton (born August 9). Palmer was 9 lbs, 9 oz, and 22 inches long at birth.
Lembke Calls for Peace
Against the backdrop of seemingly deepening rift between the Regular Republicans and the Conservative Caucus, Jim Lembke makes a plea for peace on Facebook: Here we are 8 days after the Primary elections and I am very hopeful that this group of newly minted republican senators that were victorious will bring a new tone to the Missouri senate. The republican primary voters embraced the message of the conservative candidates. They spoke loud and clear that they want to get republican things across the finish line. Leadership needs to bring the Republican Caucus together, set priorities and get things done that will prosper our state. It is time for peace in the republican caucus, the only senators we need to be fighting are democrats.
KCATA Finds New Footing
Kansas City Business Journal reports on turmoil at the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. Read it here.
· On Monday, the KCATA board chose Frank White III, vice president of RideKC Development, as the authority's interim leader. [Robbie] Makinen, who had been CEO since 2015, resigned July 27.
· According to reports from The Kansas City Star, city officials forced Makinen's departure after he turned to state and federal groups in an unsuccessful bid to block the diversion of $22.5 million in federal transit dollars for an LED street lighting project.
· Although the START program does not appear to have factored into that dispute, The Star in early July reported, without naming sources, that Mayor Quinton Lucas and others at City Hall recently "complained that the transportation authority's real estate development activity detracts from its main mission."
FYI
KCATA’s Jeff City lobbyists are: John Bardgett, Rodney Bland, Fred Dreiling, Mark Habbas, Erika Leonard, Jerry Riffel and Chris Roepe.
Bayer Spends on Access to Contraceptives
Politico reports that “German conglomerate and pharmaceuticals giant Bayer has added to its team of outside lobbyists, which will include [federal] lobbying on access to contraceptives for the first time… The parent company behind birth control pills like Yaz and IUDs like Mirena has previously been an advocate for expanding access to contraceptives, and last year pledged to invest over €400 million in an initiative to provide 100 million women and girls across the globe — but especially in low- and middle-income countries — with access to “modern contraception” in the next decade.”
FYI
Bayer’s Jeff City lobbyists are: Mike Gibbons, Craig Mischo, Dave Tierney, and Tricia Workman.
$5K+ Contributions
Kingdom Leadership PAC - $10,000 from Missouri Senior PAC.
Union Pacific Corp FFEG MO Federal Committee - $15,000 from Union Pacific Corp. Fund for Effective Government.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Bruce Sassmann, and Doug Healy.