MOScout Daily Update: WashU Clinic Under Fire - SOS Race Gets Hot - Goodman for SCOMO? - Koenig's New Tax and more...

Quick Friday update…

1 Big Thing: WashU Under Fire

This “whistle-blower” account in The Free Press started making the rounds in the capitol around 8:30AM and it only gained speed throughout the day.

It’s the headline story of the Post-Dispatch today, and it’s going to transform the transgender debate in Jefferson City.

Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced an investigation was already underway… “Now that the whistleblower has gone public with her allegations about the Pediatric Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey confirms that two weeks ago the Attorney General’s Office began a full investigation into these shocking allegations. The Office has already received a sworn affidavit from the whistleblower and documents that support her allegations. The Missouri Department of Social Services and Division of Professional Registration are assisting the investigation.”

What It Means

·       First, on the issue, it adds fuel to Republicans seeking to limit gender reassignment.  Sen. Justin Brown hasn’t noticed up the agenda for his Emerging Issues Committee on Tuesday next week.  But that’s where Sen. Mike Moon’s SB 49 and Sen. Jill Carter’s SB 164 were referred.  They both would enact “Missouri Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act” which outlaws gender transition procedures for anyone under 18.

·       Second, the bigger picture, there’s an anti-intellectual strand in the Republican Party which views higher education suspiciously.  This confirms those views that Big Education is ultra-liberal.

·       Finally, as it relates to 2024, it demonstrates once again the power of incumbency in the AG’s race.  Bailey is able to act on the breaking news of the day and garner free press. 

SOS Becoming the Hot Race?

Secretary of state is emerging as the hottest Republican primary so far…

·       Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller will announce today at 6PM at Lincoln Days.

·       Pro Tem Caleb Rowden has been talking to donors about the race.

·       Sen. Denny Hoskins hasn’t officially said he’s running for it, but one good source tells me that’s where he’s aimed.

·       And Rep. Adam Schwadron confirmed he’s considering the race.

It helps that there’s no incumbent, but PR guru Scott Charton tweets why the SOS office is so great.

Previewing the Weekender

I’ll be in Springfield hanging around Lincoln Days tonight, and try to an updated who’s running for what spreadsheet tomorrow morning (along with some EARLY 2024 polling).

Supreme Watch

A couple MOScouters told me that Judge Jack Goodman should be only any list about potential Supreme Court appointees.

·       A former state senator, Goodman is Chief Justice of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District.

Rowden Appoints New Committee

Pro Tem Caleb Rowden appointed members to the Select Committee on the Protection of Missouri Assets From Foreign Adversaries…

Sens. Rick Brattin, Chair; Mike Bernskoetter, Vice Chair; Jason Bean, Rusty Black, Bill Eigel, Doug Beck, and Tracy McCreery.

Koenig Finds a Tax He Likes?

The Senate passed SJR 3 yesterday which would asks Missourians to amend the constitution to allow MOScout subscribers to be hit with a sales tax!

The proposed change is in bold…

In order to prohibit an increase in the tax burden on the citizens of Missouri, state and local sales and use taxes (or any similar transaction-based tax) shall not be expanded to impose taxes on any service or transaction that was not subject to sales, use or similar transaction-based tax on January 1, 2015, except for subscriptions, licenses for digital products, and online purchases of tangible personal property.

Lobbyists Registrations

Tracy Kelly Kimberlin added Missouri Association of Convention and Visitors' Bureaus.

Brent McGinty added Missouri Coalition of Community Mental Health Centers.

$5K+ Contributions

21st Century St. Louis PAC - $10,000 from Jerald Kent.

Truth in Campaigns (pro-Rizzo) - $10,000 from Missouri Growth PAC.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Rep. LaDonna Appelbaum, Brian Grace and Tom Hurst.