MOScout Daily Update: Where The Senate Compromise Lies - Sports Betting, Marijuana Filed in House - $1.5M Against McCreery? - SOS Plocher? and more...

Special Session Starts

No big fireworks as the legislature reconvened.  But no grand compromise yet either. 

The Senate bills filed gave us an initial look at the contours of the debate.

22 bills were filed, but I think the bills of Sens. Lincoln Hough and Andrew Koenig are probably most important as they are likely to be central figures in whatever Senate compromise emerges.  Hough is in line to become Appropriations Chair next session (and the three sessions after that) so he’ll have to deal first-hand with the consequences.  Hough also commands the respects of the “Regular” Republican Caucus.  Koenig, meanwhile, as chair of Ways and Means knows tax issues as thoroughly as anyone else in the building and was a member of the old Conservative Caucus.

·       Hough’s bill keeps the current income tax cut phase-in in place, but add new triggers ($250 million in revenues) to bring the rate to 4.5% eventually. And he gives a one-time tax credit of $350 to those under $150K income, and $650 to those under $300K.

·       Koenig’s bill would accelerate the current phase-in of income tax cuts immediately down to 4.8% and then add more triggers to bring the rate eventually down to 4.4%.  Koenig’s triggers are $150 million (the same as the current triggers, but lower than Hough’s).  Koenig would also cut the corporate tax rate from 4% to 3.5% with a trigger to take it down to 3% eventually.  Additionally, Koenig would close a deduction for federal taxes paid (read more here).

What’s Next

I assume the Senate will refer bills today, with a committee hearing (I’m told Appropriations) next week to hopefully mold a compromise before floor debate.

House Members Itch for Expanded Call

In the House a few bills were filed which were outside the current call from the governor.

·       Rep. Ron Hicks filed his marijuana legalization bill. See it here. His statement: “Although Governor Parson has not yet expanded the Special Session call to include marijuana legalization, it is my hope that legislative action on my Marijuana Freedom Act will incentivize the Governor to support passage of this legislation. The Governor, along with tens of thousands of Missourians, have expressed that the Amendment 3 campaign is a disaster. Missourians don’t want their Constitution used to sustain monopolies in the marijuana market, and they don’t want criminal or civil penalties in the Constitution. Passing the Marijuana Freedom Act will ensure that this corrupt initiative is rejected by the voters.”

·       And Rep. Dan Houx filed his sports-betting bill.  See it here.  Houx explains: “The current extraordinary session was called by the Governor to have robust discussion to keep as much of Missourians own money in their hands while ensuring we continue “managing our state finances by balancing our budget every year”.  I believe an important part of that discussion must include removing barriers that cause Missourians to spend their hard earned money in other states.  After watching an exodus of Missourians over the last two weeks contribute to Kansans’ economy through sportsbook, it is clear Missouri has missed an opportunity to be responsible in maintaining a balanced budget while cutting taxes.  As Kansas and other surrounding states capitalize at our cost, I believe adding sportsbook to the discussion rises to the level of extraordinary.  This is why, despite being outside of the Governor’s call, that I have filed House Bill 4 and I hope the Governor considers expanding the call.”

Random Talk In the Halls

Take it for what it’s worth, tidbits from a few interesting conversations…

·       Senate 24: This is the only place Republicans can go for a Senate pick-up so they’re planning to drop in $1M+.  While there may be messaging around crime, they’ll likely try to tie Rep. Tracy McCreery to President Joe Biden whose approval rating are still underwater despite a recent bounce.

·       Valentine Abortion All The Time?: One Republican says if they were running the Trudy Valentine campaign, they’d drop all other messages except abortion.  Just hope you catch the anti-Dobbs wave.  This strategy would have the added benefit of helping down-ballot Dem House candidates in suburban swing districts by highlighting their most potent issue.

·       Plocher 2024?: Speaker Dean Plocher will be term-limited in the year a bunch of statewide offices come open.  Possible Secretary of State? Lieutenant Governor? Speakers generally haven’t been successful in jumping to statewide offices.  But if he accomplishes a few signature pieces of legislation and continues to raise money, he’ll definitely be in the mix.

$5K+ Contributions

HBS MO State PAC - $10,000 from Husch Blackwell Strategies.

Safer Families for Missouri - $10,000 from Benjamin Schmickle.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $15,000 from Xcaliber International LTD LLC.

MO State Teachers Assoc Legislative Impact Co - $6,000 from Greater Kansas City Region.

Majority Forward - $20,000 from Ameren Missouri.

Majority Forward - $10,000 from Korein Tillery.

Majority Forward - $10,000 from The Simon Law Firm.

Majority Forward - $10,000 from Langdon & Emison.

Majority Forward - $10,000 from Benjamin Schmickle.

Majority Forward - $10,000 from Dollar Burns Becker & Hershewe LC.

House Democratic Campaign Committee - $6,128 from Citizens for Crystal Quade.

House Democratic Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Safer Families for Missouri.

House Democratic Campaign Committee - $7,500 from Charter Communications.

Missouri Democratic State Committee - $6,000 from Schupp for Senate.

Lobbyist Registrations

Steven Tilley, Brittany Hyatt Robbins, Thomas Robbins, and Christopher Schoeman added Atlas Strategy Group.

Connor Stangler added Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder.