MOScout Daily Update: Licklider Rattles Saber - Harder in Senate 15 - Pro-Scharf PAC - Isom to Ameren - Marathon Gen Laws Hearing and more...
The legislature will be having a late start day due to the snowy roads. Senate will convene at 1PM; the House at 2PM. House cancelled a couple of early hearings. Check out the hearing listings (House) (Senate).
1 Big Thing: Licklider Rattles Saber
In yesterday’s House Elections Committee, several initiative petition changes proposals were heard. This is one of the top priorities of the Republican legislature. For several cycles they’ve seen left-center economic measures (expanding Medicaid, raising the minimum wage, reversing right to work) enacted by IP.
The biggest news from the hearing: veteran lobbyist Sam Licklider warned the panel that the Realtors will oppose any IP change that “goes overboard.” The Realtors have successfully passed two “defensive” IPs in the past – changes to the constitution to prevent the legislature from intruding on their business. Licklider indicated they value the ability to do so in the future; they won’t sit idly by while the tool was rendered useless.
· Realtors are a force. They have a huge membership base which they’ve successfully mobilized in the past. Realtors’ PAC has $634,000 on-hand as of their January report.
· Licklider isn’t alone in this situation. While no official word has come from Rex Sinquefield’s team, Sinquefield has employ the IP process in the past (earning tax vote, St. Louis police control). One imagines Team Rex is watching this debate carefully as well.
What It Means
This development reveals a new playbook for the Dems. In past sessions they have relied on Republican infighting to prevent significant legislation from passing. Now they need to find outside, issue-specific allies to temper the GOP’s agenda.
But…
Republicans still have the advantage in this chess match. We’re in the first inning. Even with the danger of creating powerful opponents, they should be able to craft a change to the IP process that would win a statewide vote.
As they did with CLEANER, they can add “ballot candy” to their proposals. In CLEANER added a provision to ban lobbyist gifts (the gift limit at the time was $5) to sell their issue to the voters.
And
Rep. Donna Baringer reminded House Election Committee members that Governor John Ashcroft vetoed the legislatures last attempt to change the IP process (back in 1991). See his veto letter here (courtesy of Carl Bearden’s United for Missouri).
Scouplette: Pro-Scharf PAC Formed
It appears that a pro-Will Scharf PAC has been formed. Scharf is running for the Republican nomination for attorney general against recent Parson appointee Andrew Bailey.
Defend Missouri was formed this week. In the paperwork filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission (see it here), it lists Kristen Sanocki as the president of the organization. Sanocki – like Scharf – is a Greitens Administration alum. She’s a donor on Scharf January report.
Why It Matters
Scharf recorded a record-breaking January quarter, displaying enormous fundraising capacity. PACs operates without contribution limits, and could open even larger donation to Team Scharf.
Senate 15: And Then There Were Three
Mark Harder, St. Louis County Councilman, announced that he’s running in Senate 15. He becomes the third Republican entering the race to succeed term-limited Sen. Andrew Koenig.
Press release: Harder’s vision for a united region focused on economic growth, infrastructure, public safety, and government restraint will continue to be his vision for the state as a whole. Mark has several issues that he would like to address at the state level. Foremost is crime which he addressed at the county level by giving law enforcement the tools they need to fight rising catalytic converter thefts and auto prowling. He also wants to pursue solutions to reduce the spike in crimes committed by juveniles, such as car thefts and violence, through juvenile justice reform.
What It Means
· 13 months from filing opens… This race has real potential to become a free-for-all primary. Former Rep. David Gregory’s early announcement that he was running doesn’t seem so early now. He has the lead in endorsements, campaign experience, and money.
Isom to Ameren
St. Louis Business Journal reports that “Dan Isom, the interim public safety director for the city of St. Louis, is resigning to take a post with energy company Ameren Corp. Isom, who has served in the interim role since April 2021, will report for his last day with the city Feb. 11 and begin his new job Feb. 13 as Ameren's vice president of corporate safety, security and crisis management…”
Bryant for School Board
Springfield News-Leader reports that Alex Bryant, who recently ran for Congress is running for Nixa School Board. Bryant, 50, grew up in Illinois and moved to Springfield to attend Evangel University, graduating in 1995. He and his wife of 27 years first moved to Nixa in 2003. They moved away for ministry but returned to the area four years ago because they wanted to raise their five children in Nixa. In 2022, Bryant ran to replace U.S. Rep. Billy Long and represent Missouri's 7th Congressional District. He garnered 18,500 votes but fell short.
House Salutes Barnes
Emily Manley reports on the House holding a moment of silence in honor of James Barnes. The Kansas City native served as the majority floor leader and the Speaker Pro Tem in the House in the late 1990s. He died on Sunday. Barnes was 71.
One Last Thought: Marathon Gen Laws Hearing
House General Laws Committee was a marathon session last night. It started at 4:30 and went past midnight. Chair Alex Riley promised a fair and full hearing of the several transgender bills. And he fulfilled the promise. He kept things respectful, and he gave everyone the opportunity to speak their mind and be heard.
I avoided the snow and watched the hearing online. Some committee hearing can be like watching paint dry. But this was riveting with a lot of personal testimony about an issue a lot of us are still learning about. It was on my computer as my teenage kids and I ate sliders around the kitchen island. And it generated some great conversations. I felt really lucky to do what I do for a living.
Lobbyists Registrations
John Bardgett and Jacqueline Bardgett added Republic Service Inc.
Catalyst added PreventEd.
Cassie Grewing added Besa Hospitality Group LLC.
Zach Pollock and Jon Hensley added Mar-Ston Development.
Craig Saperstein added Professional Certification Coalition.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Mark Rhoads, Jack Oliver, Gracia Backer, Michael Corcoran, and Debby Kring.