MOScout Daily Update: Foundation Formula Rewrite Coming? - Parson Booed? - Gas Tax Debate Cont' and more...
KC Celebrates
I wasn’t there. But two folks tell me that Governor Mike Parson got booed when he addressed the crowd. I asked on why, they replied: “No idea. [Probably] because he’s a politician… and they wanted Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce… but Quinton Lucas got a lot of cheers…”
Legislative Schedules
The Senate is off today and will convene Monday.
The House is on today, but is taking Monday off (President’s Day).
1 Big Thing: Foundation Formula Rewrite Coming?
The House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee held a working session yesterday to talk about the foundation formula.
The purpose was to give committee members an overview of the complicated formula which determines how state education dollars are split among the districts.
Chair Brad Pollitt appears to be eying a rewrite of the formula – perhaps next session. And he’s laying the groundwork now by making sure that his committee has the proper context for the task.
The witnesses before the committee explained how the formula has changed over the years, how the many various provisions came into existence as a result of compromises and attempts to account for the differing circumstances of vastly different school districts across the state, as well as some of the side effects of the formula.
One important takeaway…
· When the formula has been rewritten in the past, it’s done in a way where no district is a net loser. That is, everyone gets at least the amount of aid they’re already receiving. This is for political purposes: to secure votes. But also for practical purposes: so administrators don’t face a sudden unplanned shortfall.
· In other words, a formula rewrite will almost certainly cost more for the state than the current formula does.
· That means the best time to do a rewrite is when the state is flush with cash, and the fiscal note won’t automatically sink the effort.
· That time is now.
Gambling Hit New High
Wall Street Journal reports that gambling revenues in the United States hit a new record last year.
“Across the U.S., gamblers lost $34.2 billion on slot machines last year, up about 5% from nearly $32.5 billion in 2021, according to the report. Players lost $10 billion on table games such as blackjack and roulette, up nearly 14% from $8.8 billion. Sports betting, a relative newcomer to the U.S. gambling industry, generated a record $7.5 billion from more than $93 billion in wagers on sporting events, according to the report.”
Cohen Dings MOLeg
St. Louis native Andy Cohen says the Missouri legislature is the “Jackhole of the Day” for rejecting Rep. Donna Baringer’s amendment prohibiting unaccompanied minors from possessing firearms. See it here.
Thompson Rehder to Commerce
Pro Tem Caleb Rowden added Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder to the Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy, and the Environment Committee.
eMailbag: Gas Tax A Killer!
In the ongoing argument about how much supporting the gas tax could hurt Republicans in a primary, one reader sent in this snapshot from a poll (no details unfortunately like when conducted or sample size etc)…
Lobbyists Registrations
Shawn Rhoads added Ozarks Healthcare.
Phillip Scaglia added UHS of Delaware, Inc.
Lynne Schlosser added JPMC.
Bev Ehlen deleted Concerned Women for America of Missouri.
$5K+ Contributions
WSP USA Missouri PAC - $10,000 from WSP USA Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Chris Pieper.
MOScout Schedule
No Saturday and Sunday editions this weekend.