MOScout Daily Update: Senate Split on Display - Williams in CD-1? - MRL Pokes Fitz - Court OKs MODoT $$$ and more...

1 Big Thing: Not All Senate Republicans Caucusing

Looking for a bad omen for the upcoming session, and you don’t have to look very far…

As Senate Republicans are caucusing today, a number of the former Conservative Caucus members won’t be in attendance.  It’s a sign on the ongoing rift within the caucus.

Staunch conservatives missing from caucus will be Sens. Rick Brattin, Jill Carter, Bill Eigel, Denny Hoskins, and Mike Moon.

One source tells me that they “they believe it’s a waste of time” because the “moderates” don’t take the policy discussions seriously.  “None of the conservative priorities decided on at caucus were leadership’s priorities throughout session. In fact, it just put a bull’s eye on conservative priorities by the Republican moderates.”

·       Also not in attendance are Sens. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, and Elaine Gannon, who is said to be out visiting family.

Williams Eyes CD-1

Sen. Brian Williams is still mulling whether to enter the CD-1 race.  I’m told that “he already has large financial commitments from major Democratic donors Bob Clark, Bob Blitz, and Terry Crow.”

·       Additionally, he’s met with AIPAC, and Team Williams thinks that organized labor will stand pat until he makes a decision.

But…

Wesley Bell on Twitter showed he’s been lassoing endorsements at a fast pace.  See it here.  Lots of big names in the district: Matt and Emily Coen, Charlie Dooley, Susan Glassman, Shiela Greenbaum, Mont Levy, Michael Lowenbaum, Ben Samuels, Jeff Smith, Gerry Welch, as well as St. Louis County mayors: Yolanda Austin, Nathaniel Griffin, Ella Jones, Tim Lowery, James McGee, Dorothy Moore, Bob Nation.

And…

One source says that Sen. Karla May – currently in the US Senate race – is also making calls showing interest in a pivot to CD-1!

MRL Contra Fitz?

In Missouri Right to Life’s latest email blast they poke Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick. 

The following statement is from Susan Klein, Executive Director of Missouri Right to Life:

On Monday, a three-judge panel of the Western District Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on the ballot language of 6 pro-abortion initiative petitions written by Judge Beetem and 6 deceptive fiscal notes presented by Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick…

But…

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s over-the-top actions were arguably more hurtful to pro-lifers as they created an indefensible position.  If Fitzpatrick had followed Ashcroft’s lead with a exaggerated fiscal note, the courts would have rewritten that as well, perhaps with something less hospitable to pro-lifers than Fitz’ reasonable fiscal note.

Court OKs MODoT Spending

Missouri Independent reports on a circuit court ruling yesterday concerning controversial spending by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission.  Read it here.

·       In a long-awaited decision, Circuit Judge Cotton Walker decided that the commission’s plan for a “market adjustment” is authorized by constitutional language controlling the State Road Fund. In his ruling, Walker said the commission is not bound by the amounts listed in state appropriation bills when deciding how to spend the money collected from fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees.

·       Commissioner of Administration Ken Zellers must allow payments approved by the Highways and Transportation Commission, Walker wrote, “when the request is for a constitutionally authorized purpose and there is sufficient balance in the State Road Fund.”

·       The case began in late 2021 when Zellers refused to allow the highways commission to implement a pay raise plan that carried a price tag of $60 million… The highways commission filed the lawsuit to test constitutional language that is unique to the road fund.

·       The lawsuit enraged some lawmakers. State Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin, and five other Republican senators, in a February 2022 letter to the commission, demanded that MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna either resign or be fired.

Why It Matters

This is the latest example of the legislature upset with government agencies operating with some independence. They’ve been vexed by the Conservation Commission, and more recently by the Public Service Commission. In each case, there’s a desire to gain more control.  We could see legislative action.

October Revenue Flat

October state revenues were flat, finishing the month just a whisker below last October 2022’s number.  Individual income tax receipt showed weakness, down 10% while other categories made up the difference.

·       Fiscal-year-to-date, revenues are about 2.5% below last year at this time.

Making the Rounds

Getting passed around yesterday was this Riverfront Times article about the Stoddard County sheriff’s department heartlessly killing a dog.

·       According to the suit, filed yesterday in federal court, Parker had been a gentle, loving dog ever since he was rescued by Bryan Pennington eight years ago. On August 27 of this year, a storm rocked the Pennington home and Parker wandered off, showing up on the doorstep of a woman named Hillary Mayberry. Mayberry posted on Facebook trying to locate Parker's owner and called the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department.

·       Deputy Roger Seal arrived and put Parker in his patrol vehicle. Seal then allegedly took the dog to the Otter Slough Conservation Area, allowed it to run around briefly and then shot it once. Parker did not die immediately. Eight minutes later, Seal shot the dog again and threw its body in a ditch…

·       The suit alleges the department does this routinely without conducting any due diligence or concern for the condition of the animal and without notifying the dogs' owners.

Stoddard County is represented by Sen. Jason Bean and Rep. Herman Morse.

Precythe to Exit

Press release: Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC) Director Anne Precythe has announced that her last day with the state of Missouri will be December 5, 2023. She has served as director of Missouri DOC since January 2017, following a 30-year career in the North Carolina Division of Community Corrections, where she retired as director in 2017. Precythe plans to return home to North Carolina to enjoy a well-earned retirement with friends and family.

Lobbyists Registrations

Heath Clarkston and Doug Nelson added Birch Creek Innovations LLC, and Plum Identity Inc; and deleted Colonial Management Group LP, and Mighty Good Solutions.

Ryan DeBoef added Springfield Victory Mission Inc., and The Good Samaritan Boys Ranch.

James Harris added Denali Water Solutions.

Nick Knoth added Missouri Association of Realtors.

Jeff Aboussie deleted SA Hospital Acquisitions Group LLC.

Sydney Winn deleted Missouri Farm Bureau.

David Linton terminated his registration.

$5K+ Contributions

Missouri Leadership Forum - $15,000 from Flynn Drilling Company.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Rep. Peggy McGaugh, Richard Craighead, and Shane Kinne.

MOScout Schedule

No Saturday and Sunday editions this weekend.