MOScout Daily Update: Budget Hears Tax Cuts Today - Parson's Final Two Years - New Valentine Ads - Mantovani Adds $100K and more...
Special Session Continues Today
The House Budget Committee today (Noon) will hear the Senate’s income tax cut bill, as well as a couple of their own. According to the notice, they’re expected to vote on the bills as well – and a Rules Committee is scheduled for this afternoon.
Folks will be watching to see if a “House position” emerges from these hearings – and how far away it is from the Senate’s bill.
And
A few weeks ago, several contract lobbyists added Atlas Strategy Group as a client. That’s the firm headed by Gregg Keller. It’s said that they’re working to help pass the tax cut in this special session, and that explanation jives with the timing. But the filings don’t do much for transparency as it doesn’t reveal who Atlas is working for…
$$$ Into STL County Races
In the large contributions (below)…
· Mark Mantovani anted up $100K into his campaign committee as he ramps up his race against Sam Page for St. Louis County Executive.
· And the first, of what I expect will be many, checks into the PAC for George Hruza, running against Rep. Tracy McCreery in Senate 24. These checks are from the PACs associated with Sens. Caleb Rowden and Mike Bernskoetter.
Next Session Wish Lists
We’re about two months away from pre-filing, and folks are starting to make their case for what should be priorities for the next legislative session.
Sports betting – an issue raised by Rep. Dan Houx in special session – is at the top of the list. A couple emerging yesterday…
· St. Louis Business Journal reports that St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann thinks combining the prosecutorial offices of St. Louis City and St. Louis County could help combat crime. And he wanted to reconfigure the governance of Lambert Airport.
· Brian Hauswirth reports that “law enforcement officers across Missouri say texting while driving continues to cause safety issues and crashes. It is a top priority for MoDOT director Patrick McKenna, who has called on state lawmakers to take action… MoDOT’s Ed Hassinger “says traffic fatalities in Missouri have increased during the pandemic, increasing from 881 in 2019 to 987 in 2020 and to 1,016 in 2021... says Missouri ranks last in nation in safety.” There have been multiple anti-texting while driving bills filed in the past couple of years.
The Final Two Years
As I’ve been talking to people the last few days, I’ve asked them how they see Governor Mike Parson’s final two years going. Here’s some thoughts from various folk in and out of the building…
· Legacy. His tenure will be largely remembered for his response to the Covid epidemic. Still, he’s notched a few legacy accomplishments: the gas tax increase to fund roads, and the newly established Office of Childhood. But these aren’t big “Republican” wins, and they don’t see any in the pipeline. Rather Parson may focus on recruiting businesses, and touting the new jobs they add.
· New no big ideas. Looking into the final two years, there seems to be a dearth of new ideas from the second floor. We’ll hear more about workforce development which one Republican scoffed at as “code word for giving more money to universities.” Don’t look for any new legislative initiatives; those will all be led by the 3rd floor.
· Defections. Everyone agrees its normal to see the talent start to plot their next act as we enter the final stretch of any administration. Most everyone, though, said they expected chief of staff Aaron Willard to stay until the end.
Valentine Hits Schmitt on Abortion, China
Trudy Valentine’s campaign released a pair of ads yesterday, attacking Attorney General Eric Schmitt on two distinct issues: reproductive freedom and Chinese ownership of Missouri farms. See them here…
· Un-American: As a nurse I respect people’s freedom to make their own healthcare decisions…
· Agent: If Eric Schmitt wanted to sell farm land to communists in China, he should have become a broker in Beijing…
Meanwhile
Mike Mahoney reports that Team Graves will convene for a big end-of-the-quarter fundraiser for Schmitt in Kansas City tomorrow night. See the invite here. Special guests include both Missouri Senators, and the event will be emceed by Mark Alford, headed to DC soon as the new congressman from CD-4.
Help Wanted
Greater St. Louis, Inc. seeks Manager, Public Policy. “Candidates must be ready to put exceptional analytical and communications skills to work in a fast-paced and intense environment to help create jobs and grow the bi-State St. Louis metro economy. Reporting directly to the Chief Policy Officer & President, ChamberSTL Initiative, this position will play a key role in developing and preparing detailed policy research and analysis, collaborating with internal teammates from across GSL’s other capabilities to support high-stakes policy objectives…” See the ad here.
Lobbyists Registrations
Taylor Henry added ReUp Education, Inc.
Brittany Hyatt Robbins added Tremco CPG Incorporated.
$5K+ Contributions
Mark Mantovani for STL - $100,000 from Mark Mantovani.
Brighter Days for Missouri (pro-Hruza) - $15,000 from Missouri Forward PAC.
Brighter Days for Missouri - $15,000 from MO Six PAC PO.
Legal Missouri 2022 - $50,000 from Terrapin Investment Fund IV LLC.
Legal Missouri 2022 - $50,000 from QPS Missouri Holdings LLC.
Legal Missouri 2022 - $10,000 from Show-Me Organics Inc.
Citizens for Our Police, Our City - $10,000 from Joseph Gray.
Pfizer Missouri Political Action Committee - Federal Committee - $11,000 from Pfizer Inc PAC (New York, NY).
MR PAC - $24,000 from Schnuck Markets, Inc.
MBA River Heritage Region PAC - $7,118 from Sterling Bank.
UFCW Active Ballot Club-Missouri Federal Committee - $15,000 from United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Active Ballot Club (Washington DC).
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick (the big 3-5), Phil Arnzen, Alix Cossette, Tommie Pierson Jr., Nathan Cooper, and Dana Loesch.