MOScout Daily Update: Flotron Retires - New SurveyUSA Poll - Senate 24 #s - Tax Cut Compromise - RTF Court Case and more...
Senate Compromise
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted out a compromise version of the tax cut. It brings the state income tax rate down to 4.8%, and then adds triggers allowing the rate to eventually fall to 4.5% if state revenue targets are met.
It would appear that this is in good shape to be perfected on the Senate floor today. Not that there won’t be some speechifying, but I don’t see it falling apart (I know, I know… famous last words).
And
The House advanced the agricultural tax credits bill, passing it out of committee and out of Rules yesterday.
Dems’ Rallying Cry
House Minority Leader Crystal Quade tweeted what is likely to be the Democrats’ message this special session.
[On my way to Jefferson City] for this extraordinary session to cut taxes- while childrens division crumbles, teachers are underpaid, schools are on 4 day schedules, state workers are the lowest paid in the US, and the list goes on…
Flotron Retires
According to the Missouri Ethics Commission website, veteran lobbyist Franc Flotron has terminated his registration.
Flotron was a principal of the firm, Flotron & McIntosh which represents many high-profile clients including Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Mo, and KPMG.
Before lobbying Flotron was a legislator. He was elected to the House in 1982. And then the Senate in 1988, representing St. Louis County. Flotron was Minority Floor Leader in the Senate. According to his biography he was the “youngest Republican Minority Floor Leader in the State's history.”
In 2012, Missouri Digital News did a story about Flotron growing a ponytail.
Last year Flotron had told the Post-Dispatch he was retiring. Now apparently, it’s official. Flotron is 67.
SurveyUSA: Schmitt 11-Point Lead, A3 Easy Passage
SurveyUSA released a poll (see it here) yesterday. It shows…
· Attorney General Eric Schmitt leading Trudy Valentine 47% to 36% with 14% undecided.
· Amendment 3 (marijuana legalization) being approved by voters 62% to 22% with 16% undecided.
MOSupreme’s Docket: Right to Farm
The Missouri Supreme Court is set for oral arguments this morning (9AM) on SC99488, Cedar County Commission, et al. v. Governor Michael Parson, “an appeal from Cole County involving the authority of county commissions and health centers with respect to agricultural facilities.”
The dispute centers on the “right to farm” amendment to the state constitution…
That agriculture which provides food, energy, health benefits, and security is the foundation and stabilizing force of Missouri’s economy. To protect this vital sector of Missouri’s economy, the right of farmers and ranchers to engage in farming and ranching practices shall be forever guaranteed in this state, subject to duly authorized powers, if any, conferred by article VI of the Constitution of Missouri.
The County Commission argues that the legislation passed which prevents their ability to regulate CAFOs runs counter to the right to farm amendment’s “subject to duly authorized powers” phrase.
· Agriculture groups have filed an amicus siding with Parson. Read that here.
Senate 24: Swing District – With A Dem Lean
I ran through the stats on Dave’s Redistricting website. Here’s how various races played out in Senate 24…
· Democrat Joe Biden beat Donald Trump by 12.5%
· Democrat Nicole Galloway beat Mike Parson by 8.3%
· Democrat Alissia Canady beat Mike Kehoe by 1.2%
· But… Republican Eric Schmitt beat Rich Finneran by 1.1%, and Republican Jay Ashcroft beat Yinka Faleti by 3.2%.
· And… in 2018 Democrat Claire McCaskill beat Josh Hawley by 12.2%
What It Means
Yes, it’s a Democratic district, but not beyond Republicans winning – with the right match-up.
· In these six races, Democratic women were 3-0.
Onder Ads
Sen. Bob Onder is running Facebook ads. See the latest here.
In MO Leg Special Session I presented my bill to ban harmful race and gender indoctrination of our children, protect women’s sports, safeguard parents’ rights in children and ban chemical and surgical mutilation of minor children. Time is overdue to get this done!
· Onder is term-limited, and backed out of a run for St. Charles County Executive this year. But this expenditure signals that he plans to keep his name in the mix for a future run….
3 Senate GOP Factions?
In gaming out the Senate leadership race, one MOScouter says that there are really almost three separate factions now in the Republican Caucus. The FCC (former Conservative Caucus), the “angry Regulars,” and the “weary Regulars.”
The Angry Regulars are made up mostly of senators who just fought off primary challenges from seeds sown by the FCC. They want “to punch them in the nose.”
The Weary Regulars meanwhile are tired of all the drama, chaos and fighting. They blame the FCC. But they’d prefer to move on rather than re-litigate the past.
Interestingly, this observer thinks most of the new members – even those one would expect to be in the FCC camp, are with the WRs. Last year’s war is not something their invested in. They’re new to the chamber and want to start with a clean slate.
Lobbyists Registrations
Richard AuBuchon, Shannon Cooper, Nancy Giddens, and Chris Roepe added Associated Industries of Missouri.
Garrett Webb added Strategic Air Services.
Franc Flotron terminated his registration.
$5K+ Contributions
Protect Saint Louis Freedom - $50,000 from Page PAC.
SEIU HCII MISSOURI PAC - $50,000 from SEIU Healthcare IL.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Rep. Trish Gunby.