MOScout Weekender: How SOTS Proposals Poll - Right-Center Pro-Choice IP? - Hallway on SOTS - WWTW and more...
1 Big Thing: Center-Right Pro-Choice IP?
There’s rumblings of a center-right group working on a more palatable measure (rape/incest exceptions, 15 week limit) tied with conservative-friendly measures like tax credits for family support organizations and protections for OBGYN medical training.
One of the folks in the conversations is Jamie Corley, an outspoken pro-choice Republican.
Corley recently penned an op/ed for the Missouri Independent arguing against fiddling with the initiative petition process. Read it here.
· From that op/ed: Why would Republicans want to spend the next two years defending the sloppy, unpopular, draconian Abortion law when they could simply say, “I’m staunchly pro-life but it seems the time has come for the voters to weigh in directly.”
Remington/MOScout Poll: SOTS
Survey conducted January 18 through January 19, 2023. 1,011 likely 2024 November Election voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2024 November Election. Margin of Error is +/-3% with a 95% level of confidence. Totals do not always equal 100% due to rounding. Survey conducted by Remington Research Group on behalf of Missouri Scout. Find the full results here.
Q1: Do you approve or disapprove of Mike Parson’s job performance as Governor of Missouri?
Approve: 52%
Disapprove: 35%
Not sure: 13%
Governor Mike Parson recently outlined several new spending items in the upcoming state budget. I will read you each proposal. Please indicate if you approve or disapprove of these new proposals?
Q2: Governor Parson proposes spending $56 million to provide early childhood education programs to 17,000 children from low-income households. Do you approve or disapprove of this new proposal?
Approve: 70%
Disapprove: 20%
Not sure: 10%
Q3: Governor Parson proposes spending $859 million to add lanes to I-70 around St. Louis, Kansas City and Columbia. Do you approve or disapprove of this new proposal?
Approve: 57%
Disapprove: 33%
Not sure: 10%
Q4: Governor Parson proposes spending $78 million to help subsidize childcare. Do you approve or disapprove of this new proposal?
Approve: 56%
Disapprove: 32%
Not sure: 12%
Q5: Governor Parson proposes spending $272 million for capital improvement projects at Missouri’s public universities. Do you approve or disapprove of this new proposal?
Approve: 37%
Disapprove: 49%
Not sure: 14%
MOScout’s Hallway Index: SOTS
I asked lobbyists, “Which of these major spending proposals in Governor Mike Parson’s State of the State speech will face the most resistance from the legislature?” 19 replies…
RESULTS
1. $56 million to expand access to early childhood education… 5.2%
2. $78 million to subsidize child care… 15.8%
3. $272 million for capital improvements in public universities… 31.6%
4. $859 million to add lanes to I70 around St. Louis, Kansas City and Columbia… 42.1%
5. Something else… 5.2%
Sample of Comments
· [Child care] Cap Improvements will prob come from Fed dollars. Trans may come from Fed dollars too, at least in part. If all your choices came from GR, I would say universities would be last in line behind roads and kids/parents. Unfortunately, though I think this may be a kids last scenario.
· {Child care] His child care and early childhood education proposals are terrific investments in our current and future workforce. I'm sure the male-dominated legislature will find it difficult to understand that though.
· [Universities] Moleg loves to hate on those liberal education bastions.
· [I 70] Could be seen as a boon for metro areas leaving a lot of the state without anything.
Gregory Fundy Hits $100K
Scott Faughn tweets that former Rep. David Gregory’s fundraising event this week “brought in north of $100,000.” Gregory’s running in Senate 15. Wildwood mayor Jim Bowlin recently announced he’s entering the primary too.
· The Gregory strategy seems to be to gather enough money and endorsements that Bowlin and others think twice about running by the time filing opens (in 13 months).
Who Won the Week?
Will Scharf – Big fundraising number. And if the Federalist Society money comes in, as some think it will, this could be only the beginning of the Scharf fundraising parade.
Mike Parson – “Not Done Yet” was the perfect theme for a governor’s State of the State. While a lot of talk is already focusing on 2024, having billions to spend is a good way to stave off lame duck status.
MO Dems – Probably the most times they’ve applauded during a State of the State address since Jay Nixon was on the dais.
Scott Rupp – Takes the gavel at the Public Service Commission.
Eric Schmitt – the boy from Bridgeton was inaugurated into the exclusive 100-member club called the United State Senate.
Find a downloadable version here.
Help Wanted
Alzheimer’s Association's Greater Missouri seeks Director, State Affairs. “The Missouri Director of State Affairs serves as the principal staff for state government affairs and chief lobbyist in Missouri, representing the Alzheimer’s Association before Missouri’s legislature, governor, relevant state agencies, community stakeholders and coalitions, and on statewide task forces and work groups. This position is responsible for implementing the Alzheimer’s Association’s coordinated state policy priorities including issues related to Medicaid, long-term care, training standards, aging, and workforce and serves as a registered lobbyist with the state.” See the ad here.
$5K+ Contributions
Homefront PAC (pro-Webber) - $5,100 from Electrical Workers Voluntary Political Missouri.
St Louis County Democratic Central Committee - $5,496 from Kristine Callia for St. Louis County.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Reverend Carl Gauck, and Farrah Fite.
Sunday: Jay Hahn, Mike Lodewegen, Lynn Morris, Andrew McDaniel, Anne Marie Moy, and Michelle Colbert.