MOScout Daily Update: What Ohio Means - Rowden's Unusual Video - House Ethics Today - Realtors Add $100K to IP Committee and more...
Ohio Speaks
Ohio passed the much-watched reproductive rights constitutional amendment, buoying hopes here among pro-choice activists that Missouri was on-track for a similar result next year.
· Politico saw lots of good news for Dems. “There’s no two ways about it: It was another good election night for Democrats, nearly across the board. Kentucky Gov. ANDY BESHEAR notched a solid reelection win in a ruby-red state. A clean sweep of the Virginia legislature showed the party still packs a punch in the suburbs. And the triumph of Issue 1 in Ohio (plus, well, nearly every other major race) proved that abortion is still motivating voters in a big way, and the GOP’s stabs at counter-messaging aren’t working.”
· But one reader cautions, “People like to draw conclusions from ballot initiatives from other states and apply them to Missouri. Anyone analyzing ballot initiatives needs to ask this question: how was it worded…”
What It Means
· First, the Ohio election may intensify efforts to change the threshold for passing a constitutional amendment by initiative petition. But that’s not a gimme, either to get through the legislature or to pass by the voters. Note that the Realtors just added $100K into a campaign committee meant to defend against messing with the IP process.
· Second, it could reinforce the growing divide between Missouri Right to Life and the Republican Party. MRL is staunchly for a total ban while Missouri Republicans seem mostly in favor of exemptions for rape, incest, and health of the mother.
· Finally, it might not mean that much to Dem statewide candidates. We just haven’t seen evidence in Missouri that voters – particularly in rural Missouri – will make the leap from voting for Democratic positions (expand Medicaid, higher minimum wage) to voting for Democrats.
Driving the Day: House Ethics
The House Ethics Committee will meet again today.
The Post-Dispatch reports that Minority Leader Crystal Quade replaced Rep. Richard Brown to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. This all but confirms what everyone seems to know to be true: that the committee is looking at Speaker Dean Plocher.
Brown is running for lieutenant governor, the same office for which Plocher has declared.
Rep. David Tyson Smith will take Brown’s place.
According to the hearing notice, the committee will hear the ethics complaint today. Their last meeting was apparently focused on personnel.
Also Today: SCOMO Hears Planned Parenthood Arguments
Today at 9AM the Missouri Supreme Court will hear oral arguments of the state’s appeal of a circuit court decision that HB 11 from 2021 violated the single subject clause in the constitution. That appropriations bill zeroed out funding for Planned Parenthood.
Man Against The Times
Sen. Caleb Rowden released a web video yesterday saying he was running for secretary of state and promising an unorthodox campaign: one heavy on civil discourse, and one not aimed toward base voters.
The video itself was unusual. He spoke directly to the camera (other announcements have glossy images or with eye-catching graphics); the video was over 3 minutes long (instead of an attention spanned edited 30 seconds); and it began with a recitation of his previous elected positions (unlike seemingly everyone else who are running as outsiders). The one concession to accessibility was background music.
“I’m running for secretary of state for the people because competence matters; integrity matters. It’s not about how loud you yell and scream.”
Bush Bits
Joe Holleman reports that there’s a poll in the field about Congresswoman Cori Bush. The poll contains several questions that cast Bush in a negative light: One claims that in her two terms in Congress, Bush has failed to pass any legislation; another lists votes and positions that Bush has taken against Israel.
· Several political observers suggested that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) probably is involved in the process.
And… KMOV reports that progressive groups are circling the wagon around Bush with 30 organizations signing a letter of support for her.
Elliott in House 153
A second candidate has formed a committee to run for House 153. That’s in southern Missouri where Rep. Darrell Atchison said he won’t be running for re-election.
Vinnie Clubb was the first declared candidate.
Now comes Keith Elliott. It appears he runs a cattle farm, and served for several years on Doniphan R-1 School District Board.
eMailbag on Allen Future
Why Bill Allen Shouldn’t Run Against Maggie Nurrenbern… Allen beat Mark Ellebracht by 40 votes. Ellebracht would’ve won, had he actually worked. Allen would get trounced in S17 general election. Better to run for a Rep seat as an incumbent than be an unknown who barely won a house seat trying to run for higher office. The only formidable Republican to have shot at S17 is Rep. Chris Brown...
New Metal Detectors in Capitol
I’m told this means that you no longer have to empty your pockets when you enter…
Lobbyists Registrations
Marc Webb added Marc Webb Consulting.
David Sweeney deleted PENN Entertainment, Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
Conservative Leadership of the Ozarks (pro-Eslinger) - $10,000 from Rex Sinquefield.
Missouri Democratic State Committee - $10,000 from Steven Stone.
Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages (labor IP) - $28,725 from Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action.
Missourians for Fair Governance (protect IP IP) - $100,000 from Missouri Association of REALTORS.
MIC PAC - $25,000 from The Travelers Indemnity Company (Hartford, CT).
Missouri Leadership Forum - $15,000 from Drury Development Corp.
Growth and Opportunity PAC - $10,000 from Bank of Washington.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Sen. Angela Walton Mosley, Catherine Hanaway, Steve Webb, Ed Bushmeyer, Tony George, and…
The cutest power couple (and/or the most powerful cute couple) Ellie and Eric Harmon.