MOScout Daily Update: ALEC Agenda - Senate Committee (Early Guesses) - GOP's Abortion Problem - Anti-MEC PAC and more....

ALEC Agenda

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) released its “model legislation.” There are 29 items though some don’t really apply to Missouri.  See them here.

This is important because ALEC’s free-market/conservative model legislation is often the basis of some Missouri Republican legislation.

Among this crop…

·       Hospital Price Transparency Act: This measure would require healthcare facilities to disclose prices and services in a user-friendly way to give patients greater transparency into pricing. The goal is to encourage free market competition in the healthcare industry and give states a tool to enforce pricing transparency.

·       State Government Employee Retirement Protection Act: This model strengthens fiduciary rules to protect pensioners from politically driven investment strategies. These strategies reduce investment returns over the long term, which leads to underfunding in state pension plans across the country, with taxpayers ultimately footing the bill for the shortfalls.

Looking Around the Corner: Senate Committees

Obviously, we’re months away from the start of the next session, but I decided to start a little spreadsheet to track how chairmanships might wind up in the Senate.  Here are my initial thoughts.  These guesses assume that Sen. Caleb Rowden prevails in his bid to become pro tem.  If, for example, the recently disbanded Conservative Caucus were to grab that position, these guesses would change.

Agriculture: If Sen. Mike Bernskoetter wins the Floor Leader race, I think we’d see Sen. Jason Bean take over here.

Appropriations: Sen. Dan Hegeman is termed; Sen. Lincoln Hough is the shoo-in.

Commerce: Sen. Mike Cierpiot seems happy and engaged here.

Education: If Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin prevails as Floor Leader, perhaps Sen. Andrew Koenig would take over this committee.  One lobbyist told me he thought Koenig would be given “any committee he wants.”  

Health and Pensions: Previously, Sen. Bob Onder, but currently Sen. Holly Rehder.

Insurance and Banking: Sen. Paul Wieland is termed.  No obvious replacement here.

Judiciary: Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer seems to be at home at this committee.

Local Government: I think if Sen. Sandy Crawford wanted a different committee she could swap, but I think she’ll stay with this one.

Professional Registration: Sen. Jeanie Riddle is termed.  Folks see Sen. Karla Eslinger taking the reins.

Progress and Development: This is the Democrat’s committee Sen. Jill Schupp.  I believe Sen. Lauren Arthur has the most seniority on the Dems side, so she’s a likely candidate for this chairmanship.

Seniors, Families, Veterans: After Sen. Bill White’s loss, this seems like a committee that fits Sen. Holly Rehder’s interests.

Small Business: Sen. Eric Burlison is headed to DC.  Perhaps Sen. Rick Brattin or Sen. Mike Moon takes his spot.

Transportation: I’m penciling Sen. Justin Brown to stay at this committee.

Ways and Means: Taxes are a passion topic for Sen. Andrew Koenig, but if he becomes the next Floor Leader, it would open up and could result in some shuffling.

I think that Sens. Denny Hoskins and Bill Eigel are probably ok with their committee, just a little miffed sometimes at what bills are (and aren’t assigned) to them.  So not sure they’re any change under Pro Tem Rowden.

WSJ on GOP’s “Abortion Problem”

Food for thought for Republicans in today’s Wall Street Journal editorial entitled “The GOP’s Abortion Problem: From Republicans are on the backfoot because they’re talking about abortion as if Roe were still the law, when it was easy to favor a total ban because it didn’t matter. Now the policy stakes are real, and Republicans will have to make clear what specific abortion limits they favor and why.

And

If pro-choice advocates asked for my advice (no one asks for my advice, btw), I’d suggest they focus on finding some suburban districts where they can back a successful pro-choice Republican candidate.  Focus on getting a couple of them elected.

Just as there are pro-labor Republicans, pro-education establishment Republicans, pro-trial attorney Republicans, the pro-choice movement needs allies within the Missouri Republican Party.  Otherwise, they’ll keep getting the steamroller every single time.

LLC Registration

Missouri Ethic Commission has an explainer on the new law regarding LLCs and political contributions.  See it here.

LLCs that wish to make contributions to campaign finance committees in Missouri must register with the MEC prior to making contributions. This law applies to LLCs registered in Missouri which have not elected to be classified as a corporation under the federal tax code.

And they’ve set up a page to list the LLCs that register.  See it here.

Special Accomodations

Post-Dispatch’s Kurt Erickson tweets a picture of the House chambers– mid-renovation – which will have to accommodate legislators for the special session starting September 6.

For Sale

Listed for sale: an unnamed coffee shop and bakery in Jefferson City. “This profitable, Missouri bakery and coffee bar is known for serving delicious baked goods. Patrons in town from east and west coast cities have commented that this establishment is much “swankier” than one would expect to find in mid Missouri.”  See the listing here.

New Committees

Say Yes to Democracy was formed.  It’s a campaign committee to support a constitutional convention for Missouri. The question is on the November ballot. Its treasurer is Annette LePique, and its deputy treasurer is Bryan Struebig.

Jeffco Women for Justice was formed.  It’s a PAC opposing Mary Elizabeth Coleman. Its treasurer is Lori King.

Lobbyists Registrations

Trevor Hamilton added Anheuser-Busch.

Brent Hemphill deleted Pan American Risk Management Associates LLC.

Liz Henderson deleted Brent Hemphill & Associates,endersonH Argosy Casino Kansas City, Hollywood Casino, Missouri Ambulance Association, Missouri Pork Association, Missouri Propane Gas Association, AT&T Missouri and its Affiliates, Freedom's Rest Family Violence Center,

Gainwell Holding Corp., Heartland Healthcare, Port KC, Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, Coalition of Surety Agents of Missouri, BJC Healthcare Systems, Pan American Risk Management Associates LLC, Missouri Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Mosaic Life Care, Pearson Education, Penn National Gaming, Ameren Corp., and River City Casino.

Phillip Scaglia deleted American Traffic Solutions, Inc.

$5K+ Contributions

American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $10,000 from Consulting Engineers Council of MO PAC.

Citizens for Gerling - $9,186 from Geoff Gerling.

Legal Missouri 2022 - $25,000 from Show-Me Alternatives LLC.

Legal Missouri 2022 - $25,000 from Nirvana Bliss II LLC.

Missouri United (pro-Plocher) - $15,000 from Alliance For Progress LLC.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Josh Peters, and Candice Doenges–Lozano.