MOScout Daily Update: New Minimum Wage IP - The Day Ahead - Scharf Moves - DeBoef Joins Hahn and more...

1 Big Thing: JwJ Preps IPs

Jobs with Justice filed eight initiative petitions last week.  Find them here.  They all deal with raising the state’s minimum wage.  But they vary quite a bit in the details.   I imagine they’ll engage some lawyers, politicos, and pollsters as they decide which one to pursue.

As a result of a 2018 IP (which passed easily with 62%), the minimum wage has steadily increased during the past couple years.  This week it increased to $12/hour.  It’s now set to only increase with inflation.  The new IP versions would start step-ups again in the coming years. Some would go to $15/hour, some to $16, some to $16.25.

Aside from raising the minimum wage, some versions phase-out the lower rate for waiter/waitress, and folks in industries making tips.  And at least one exempts public-sector employees.

This is just one of a few high-profile IPs in the pipeline…

·       I wrote last month about Better Elections (ranked choice voting) prepping their 2024 IP. (They failed to gather enough signature in 2022).

·       There’s the expectation that a pro-reproductive rights IP will emerge.

What It Means

·       The Republican supermajority has grown increasingly unhappy with IPs, as they tend to circumvent their legislative will. It’s a top priority for many GOP legislators this session to make the process more rigorous.  These new proposals will likely add to their urgency.

Driving the Day: Legislators Return to JCity

Legislators are starting to return to Jefferson City ahead of tomorrow’s opening of the legislative session and Inaugural Ball.

·       Andrew Bailey will be sworn in as attorney general at 11AM today (Supreme Court Building).

·       Speaker Dean Plocher will have a packed room at his fundraiser tonight. See details here.

But it will be a light week in terms of actual work.  It’s unlikely we get committee assignments until next week at the earliest.

Gambles Reduce Workload

In the lobbyist registrations (below), veterans Cynthia and Bill Gamble are deregistering for several clients.  However, Gamble & Schlemeier is retaining the clients.

·       What It Means: It looks like the older generation is beginning to reduce their workload a bit as the next generation of Gambles and Schlemeiers step up to become workhorses for the 100+ client firm.

Scharf Moves

·       Will Scharf, running for the Republican nomination for attorney general, unveiled his website.  See it here.

·       And on Twitter, he took a swing at MoDOT for having a Director of Diversity. “Why are our taxpayer dollars paying for this?”

All signs point to a spirited Republican primary.

Bernskoetter Amends Committee

Sen. Mike Bernskoetter amended his campaign committee last week to show that he’s seeking a Cole County office in 2026.  See the paperwork here.

Bernskoetter won re-election last fall and is term-limited.  In order to keep a campaign committee active, politicians must have a future election determined.  It can, of course, be changed at any time.  But it does give some indication where folks imagine their next possible position.  While others have listed “statewide office,” Bernskoetter appears more likely to running at the county level in 2026 – right now.

Hahn Adds New Partner

Springfield News Leader reports that Ryan DeBoef is leaving Missouri State and will “be a partner in a government relations firm. His final day is Jan. 31.  In his new role with Hahn | DeBoef Government Relations, DeBoef will continue to advocate for the university as part of the contract lobbying team… [DeBoef] has worked closely with MSU President Clif Smart — their offices are just feet apart in Carrington Hall — to manage the operation of the higher education system. Along the way, DeBoef gained significant experience administering budgets, events, projects and people…”

Lobbyists Registrations

Claudia Alley and Ryan DeBoef added clients of Hahn DeBoef LLC

Jay Hahn added Hahn DeBoef LLC, and deleted Missouri A/C and Mechanical Contractors, and Hahn-O'Daniel LLC.

Rodney Boyd, Brian Grace, Kate Casas and Kelvin Simmons added MTM, Inc.                                                                    

Rachel Klarich added RK Advocacy LLC, Missouri Midwives Association, and Citizens For Policy Reform LLC. 

Casey Wasser added J & J Ventures.

Shawn Rhoads added Costal Energy; and deleted Verizon Communications, and Lathrop GPM Consulting LLC.

Brian Bernskoetter added Enel Green Power North America Inc; and deleted City of Branson.

Maria Goellner added Families Against Mandatory Minimums.

Kathryn Harness added Missouri Self Storage Owners Association.

Ian Dunlap added Missouri Credit Union Association; and Heartland Credit Union Association.

Doug Stone added BVM Platt City LLC, Grand Reserve CID, Adams Farm LLC, Propper Construction Services Inc, Northland Neighborhoods Inc, Imagine Hollister Hotel, Imagine Hospitality LLC, and HRB Tax Group Inc, Convenience Grocery Group 6401 LLC, and Bannister Speed Stop LLC; and deleted Redeemer Fellowship, and UIRC Acquisitions Fund LLC.            

Jerry Hobbs added Flotron & McIntosh. 

Trent Ford deleted Delta Queen Steamboat Company.

Richard Brownlee deleted American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida, American Memorial Life Insurance Company, Federal Warranty, Time Insurance Company, and State Farm Insurance Companies.

Amy Blunt deleted Holistic Industries, The American Law Institute, and Christopher Woods.

Dale Amick deleted Missouri Renewable Fuels Association.

David Winton and Jessica Petrie deleted Math Nation.

Jeffrey Altmann deleted Callaway Community Hospital, and Audrain Community Hospital.

Marilyn Goode added Marilyn Goode.

Elizabeth Lauber deleted John Snider II.

Sam Licklider deleted National Association of Professional Employer Organizations.

Jeremy LaFaver and Salvatore Panettiere deleted Missouri Port Authority Association.

Mike Winter deleted Davita Healthcare Partners Inc.

Jeff Aboussie deleted Ygrene Energy Fund, and Invenergy.

Brent Evans deleted Carvana.

Cynthia Gamble and Bill Gamble deleted American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - Missouri Section, Apple Inc, Education Direction, Ehawk, Inc, Missouri Collectors Association, Primary Marking System Inc, Tata America International Corporation, Missouri Child Care Association DBA Missouri Coalition For Children, Mortgage Research Center LLC, Concordance Academy of Leadership, Foster Care & Adoptive Care Coalition, Sportradar Solutions LLC, Missouri Society of Anesthesiologists, BDT Capital Partners LLC, Missouri Future LLC.

$5K+ Contributions

American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $40,000 from Grant Drewing.

American Dream PAC - $25,000 from WK Chevrolet.

American Dream PAC - $15,000 from AGC of MO PAC.

Uniting Missouri PAC (pro-Parson) - $10,000 from Anheuser Busch Companies.

MBA River Heritage Region PAC - $10,000 from The Bank of Missouri.

Mo Bankers Association PAC - $10,000 from Central Bank.

Citizens For Theresa Galvin - $22,107 from Citizens For Theresa Galvin.

MO Beverage PAC - $5,223 from Pepsi Beverages Company of St. Louis.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to DaRon McGee.