MOScout Daily Update: Scharf to Rep Trump - Labor IP Gets $400K - Boyd Getting Married - Laffer Hearts MEC and more...
Scharf to Rep Trump
Republicans everywhere are salivating at Will Scharf’s latest move: he’s joining Donald Trump’s team of lawyers.
NBC’s Daniel Barnes reports that Scharf is “joining Trump's appellate team in DC, according to a campaign spokesperson.”
What It Means
· In a Republican Party that remains smitten with Trump, this could be the biggest news of the AG race thus far.
· MO GOPer: I would think it means he’s a slam dunk for the Trump endorsement.
1 Big Thing: Labor IP Gets $$$ Infusion
While the possibility of an initiative petition concerning the issue of abortion has grabbed the most attention, another IP has been steadily moving forward.
It was filed by Missouri Jobs with Justice. It would re-start up the minimum wage increases which have now topped out at $12/hour; and it would add paid sick leave and mandatory work breaks.
In the large contributions (below), you’ll see over $400,000 coming into the campaign committee for the IP, Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages.
Two big dark money organizations are starting to shovel money into the effort, Sixteen Thirty Fund and The Fairness Project.
MOScout/Remington Research polling from August showed Missourians approve of these proposals.
· Minimum wage step-up increases to $16.25/hour had net +15% approval.
· Paid sick leave had net +25% approval.
And it’s worth noting that as the Republican Party has swerved from free market principles to a more populist agenda, it’s unclear if there will be any significant opposition to this IP.
Wedding Bells for Boyd
A little scoop-ola from the Fargo Forum. They’re reporting that Rep. Mazzie Boyd is getting married to another state’s state representative. Read it here.
· On Oct. 16, when state Rep. Cole Christensen announced that he wouldn't be seeking another term in the state Legislature, his comments about his future piqued my curiosity. "I just have opportunities that came up that I want to pursue," he told me about his decision…
· He's getting married. To another state lawmaker, albeit not one from North Dakota…
· Missouri state Rep. Mazzie Boyd is, like Christensen, one of the youngest lawmakers in her state and in the country… Christensen confirmed his relationship with Boyd when I spoke with him this morning. "We met at a Run Gen Z conference," he said, referring to an Iowa-based group launched to encourage young Republicans to seek elected office. "It was in the midst of COVID. Then, we met again at a Young Americans for Liberty conference for state lawmakers."
· "We stayed in contact and talked about state legislation, and everything worked out from there," he said with a laugh.
IE PAC Update
I’ve updated the list of PACs that are associated with politicians. I call these Independent Expenditure PACS because while the pols can raise money – in unlimited sums, unrestricted by the caps imposed on their candidate committees – they cannot direct how the money is spent.
I’ve added about a half dozen new PACs. Of course, let me know what I am missing.
Find the IE PAC listing – with COH # for the latest fundraising quarter – here.
More on Vandeven Replacement
One reader points out that Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven’s departure could come at a pivotal moment.
Four of the state Board of Education members are serving on expired terms. If they hire a new Commissioner to start in summer 2024, will a new governor in winter 2025 change up the Board and change Commissioners? Some quality candidates may avoid the position because of this.
the opening will be interesting.
· This is a very realistic scenario. When Eric Greitens became governor, he targeted DESE for a shake-up, and that’s what led to Vandeven removal (before she returned).
And
Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Education Sen. Andrew Koenig and Rep. Doug Richey penned a letter to the SBOE to say what they’re looking for in the next commissioner…
We call upon the BOE to ensure that the next Commissioner…
· will prioritize the values and goals of Missouri parents over those of non-governmental organizations,
· will promote local control at the parental level,
· will work to regain a singular focus upon classroom instruction,
· will discontinue the current move toward making Social Emotional Learning, or anything akin to it, equivalent to academic learning as an objective of K-12 education, and
· will eliminate DESE’s bloat and mission creep.
Bernskoetter on Next Session
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, speaking on 93.9 “The Eagle,” echoed the skeptical sentiment a lot of folks have as they eye the upcoming session.
We have a bunch of senators and some state reps that are running for statewide office. And so I think there will be a lot of contention and people trying to get noticed in the news and I would think there wouldn’t be a whole lot of things to get through the session this year because just the what’s going on and people running for higher office.
Laffer Hearts MEC
President Ronald Reagan’s economist/muse Art Laffer praises Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman in the latest National Review.
· The architect of Missouri’s new welfare-reform law is state senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R., 22nd district). What she accomplished is monumental and ought to become a national movement. States across the country should model their reforms after Senator Coleman’s bill, incentivizing gainful employment by creating a pathway for Missourians in need of support so they can continue receiving benefits incrementally reduced over time as their income increases.
· Now the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services must implement Senator Coleman’s reform so that Missourians can begin to benefit from it. We look forward to Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s administration swiftly implementing this welfare reform policy and hope other governors across the country take similar action to reform our broken welfare system.
Howerton Joins Hemphill
Press release: I am pleased to announce a new associate to Brent Hemphill & Associates. Please join me in welcoming Meagan Howerton to the BHA team. Prior to joining BHA, Meagan served as an educator for four years in the Jefferson City and Kansas City public schools. She attended the University of Central Missouri where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. Although Meagan is new to the world of governmental relations and lobbying, she is excited for the opportunity to be a part of BHA. As a former teacher, she brings invaluable skills such as effective communication, research abilities, and an incredible work ethic. Please include Meagan in all future communications.
Lobbyists Registrations
Maddie McMillan Green added MCTA – The Missouri Internet & Television Association.
Meagan Howerton added the clients of Brent Hemphill & Associates.
Michael Gibbons and Tricia Workman added Creekmoor Property Owners Association, Inc.
Zach Pollock added WTCANTFW, LLC.
$5K+ Contributions
Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages - $20,000 from National Employment Law Project (New York, NY).
Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages - $50,000 from Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action.
Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages - $225,000 from Sixteen Thirty Fund (Washington DC).
Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages - $28,346 from Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action.
Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages - $125,000 from The Fairness Project (Washington DC).
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Diehl for Missouri.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,995 from Dirk Deaton for Missouri.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $6,000 from Lisa Thomas.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $6,000 from Friends for Francis.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $6,000 from Wright for Missouri.
Missouri Coin Operators Association PAC - $15,000 from Amusement Concepts, INC.
Missouri Coin Operators Association PAC - $15,000 from BFC Enterprises, INC.
Missouri Coin Operators Association PAC - $15,000 from Vending Enterprises, INC.
Missouri Coin Operators Association PAC - $15,000 from O.K. Novelty CO., INC.
Electrical Workers Voluntary Political Education & Legislative Funds - Missouri - $22,941 from IBEW Local One.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Chris Dinkins, John Lamping, and Patricia Pike.