MOScout Daily Update: Special Session Delayed - Meet Justin Sparks - Wiemann for LG? - Taylor Hits OA and more....

Special Session Delayed

A joint statement from the Senate and House leadership yesterday said that they’re going to delay gavelling into special session until the week of September 12.  It was supposed to begin September 6.  Veto session starts September 14. 

Here’s the chatter about the meeting…

·       I’m told it was a cordial meeting.  There’s a spirit of cooperation between the two chambers, no bickering or pettiness.

·       There are a lot of ideas – a corporate tax cut is still in the mix. But mostly folks want to make sure they do something that’s impactful, but also make sure they don’t put the state’s finances in a vulnerable situation 5+ years down the line.

·       The Ag extension wasn’t talked about.  The House views that as a Senate issue, i.e. “they send it to us, we’ll pass it.”

·       It’s unlikely that the Ag and tax cut are bundled into the same bill.

One observer: It’s amazing how the governor did not learn this lesson two years ago and we’re running into the same problems… How does a governor call special without a concrete game plan?

Meet Justin Sparks

Following Rep. Bruce DeGroot’s withdrawal from re-election, Justin Sparks was nominated to replace him on the ballot.  Although there is a Democratic candidate, the district (House 110, west St. Louis County) is solidly Republican, so it’s a safe bet that Sparks will be in Jefferson City in January.  That brings us to the question a few folks have asked me lately: who is Justin Sparks?  Here are the basics…

·       He grew up in Granite City.  His dad was a police officer.  He attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

·       He met his wife at church. He have six children – 5 boys and 1 girl.  The youngest is 6-months old.

·       He’s a sergeant with the Special Response Unit of the St. Louis County Police and deputy U.S Marshall in the Eastern District.  He describes becoming a police officer as “a calling,” but he’ll be resigning when he enters the legislature.

·       Similarly, he views his entry to public service as answering a call to service.

Hough For Treasurer?

Sen. Lincoln Hough’s decision to file legislation for the governor’s special session has tongues clucking that he might be angling for a possible treasurer appointment – assuming Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick defeats Democrat Alan Green.

One building denizen: It’s a rumor some people are floating but I don’t think the governor is there or the interest from Lincoln is rock solid.

And

The same scuttlebutt surrounds Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer’s recent impassioned defense of the Parson plan.  He’s rumored to be eying the AG appointment – assuming Eric Schmitt heads to DC.

Wiemann Files Committee for LG

Rep. John Wiemann formed a campaign committee to run for lieutenant governor in 2024.  Wiemann is just off a bruising state senate primary which he lost to Rep. Nick Schroer.

·       Sometimes politicians will rollover any unspent funds from a losing campaign into a new committee.  While that’s possible here, I’d guess that’s unlikely as he probably emptied the coffers in this race.

·       Sen. Bill Eigel, who backed Schroer, has been rumored to be looking at running for LG in 2024. 

Taylor Dings OA

Rep. Jared Taylor expressed frustration yesterday with the Office of Administration. His statement came after reporting by Kurt Erickson that “Mike Parson’s administration shut down access Monday to a website that allows Missourians to track who is winning potentially lucrative state contracts. In an announcement posted on an Office of Administration’s procurement website, officials say a new law is forcing them to remove contract award information from public access for privacy reasons… The change means taxpayers seeking to determine how their money is being spent will have to file Sunshine Law requests for the information. But because all documents will need to be reviewed and then redacted, the office is warning of lengthy delays.”

Taylor’s statement: “The Personal Privacy Protection Act was carefully crafted to protect the personal information of individuals who support the causes they believe in through donations to non-profit organizations. The plain language of the bill does not interfere with our Sunshine Law as it relates to state contracts. I firmly believe taxpayers should be able to see how their tax dollars are being utilized. Given the fact this same language has not been misinterpreted in 13 other states where it is law, I am confident the Personal Privacy Protection Act in no way prevents state government from being transparent with the way it awards state contracts.”

eMailbag on Hawley Fist Pump Fundraising

"I'm no Josh Hawley fan, but I'd consider chipping in for his annual Hawley Hurry. It's a unique concept because you can only run with your hands clutched around a purse with a frightened look on your face."

New Committees

36 Political Fund-State was formed.  It’s a PAC, presumably to advance the agenda of the Sheet Metal Workers Local 36.  Its treasurer is Ted Ramsdell.

$5K+ Contributions

Mo Coalition for Video Lottery PAC - $20,000 from Golden Entertainment.

Mo Coalition for Video Lottery PAC - $20,000 from Accel Entertainment Gaming.

Uniting Missouri PAC (pro-Parson) - $20,000 from IGH Aviation.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Lathrop Gage Consulting PAC.

St. Charles Realtors PAC - $10,000 from National Association of REALTORS.

Pike County Republican Central Committee - $5,538 from Committee to Elect Dan Moran.

Lobbyist Registrations

Michael Kelley added Schnucks, and The Boeing Company.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Rachael Klarich, and Brian McCallister.

MOScout Schedule

I’ll be off the long Labor Day weekend.  NO editions on Saturday, Sunday or Monday.