MOScout Daily Update: Bad Moon - School Shooting Survivors - No House Close-Ups - Another WashU Outrage and more...
Bad Moon A-Rising
Sen. Mike Moon defied Floor Leader Cindy O’Laughlin and refused to “lay over” his SB 49, a bill about gender transition.
BACKGROUND: The floor leader is elected by the majority caucus, and is the “traffic cop.” She determines which legislation comes up for debate and for how long. It’s an impossible job because everyone wants to debate their legislation and wants to have their legislation on the floor for hours and hours until it passes. The floor leader weighs caucus priorities, Senate protocol and individual agendas, and tries to be fair. But it’s an impossible job. The system breaks down if individual senators decide that the floor leader doesn’t run the floor.
Yesterday, Moon, apparently thinking that his bill is most important than the Senate working, decided to ignore O’Laughlin. So, she promptly adjourned the Senate for the day. We’ll see what today brings…
What It Means
Once again, good news for Dems. GOP in-fighting is their best defense. Republicans have a super majority; they can pass anything they want – if they work together.
Driving the Day: School Shooting Survivors in Capitol
· Months after a deadly shooting at their schools, students from Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis will be at the Missouri Capitol to discuss gun violence and showcase an art display.
· A gunman entered the high school in October, taking the life of student Alexzandria Bell and teacher Jean Kuczka and injuring seven others. Students from the school will present the art installation and host a media availability on gun violence and mass shooting and speak with lawmakers Tuesday.
· The installation will run from 9-11:30 AM in the third floor rotunda of the Capitol, with the news conference beginning at 9:30 AM.
Another Wash U Outrage?
Washington University is a sprawling institution. Conservatives targeting the school have no shortage of material. Here’s the latest a reader sent me from Twitter. It’s said to be an audio recording of a Med School lecture on systemic racism.
· While no actual conservative would argue that government should be involved in dictating what private schools can teach, this will probably outrage Missouri conservatives nevertheless because it’s “woke.”
House Ends Close-Ups
The House seems to have stopped showing close-ups of legislators in their streaming of chamber proceedings. The change happened about a week or so ago.
There’s been no official word for the change. One conspiracy theory is that Republicans are attempting to deprive Democrats of fodder for “viral” moments in floor debate.
However, close-ups have stopped for all representatives, and the House media staff is non-partisan.
It is a less informative experience for viewers at home.
· The Senate only offer audio, no video, of their proceedings.
Foreign Land Ownership
The House is set to perfect Rep. Mike Haffner’s HB 903 today. This is the prime vehicle for limiting the amount of Missouri real estate that foreign companies can own. It’s opposed by the Realtors, but enjoys huge bipartisan support.
MOScout/Remington polling from last weekend…
Q5: Should it be illegal for any company from China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or Venezuela to buy land in Missouri?
Yes, it should be illegal: 84%
No, it should not be illegal: 9%
Not sure: 7%
Senate Committee Approves IP Reform
The Senate Local Government committee voted out Rep. Mike Henderson’s HJR 43. This is the IP reform bill which would increase the threshold for constitutional changes from a simple majority to 60%.
What It Means
With two weeks until Spring Break, it’s likely that Senate Republicans will try to move one big priority each week. This now moves into that cue along with transgender athletics, tort reform, open enrollment, and sports betting.
And
One unanswered question: if this resolution passes on the August 2024 ballot, would it impact the November 2024 ballot? That is, would a November constitutional question (like an abortion IP) be subject to the new 60% threshold? Some folks tell me yes, “it’d be the law of the land.” Others say that initiatives started under the current process couldn’t be held to a different standard.
· It’d be a question, ultimately, for the courts.
Advisory Opinion
The Missouri Ethics Commission published an advisory opinion saying “an employee of the Missouri State Public Defender (MSPD) is not required to register as a legislative lobbyist if that employee qualifies as a legislative liaison. For employees who perform duties in support or opposition to the decision-making process of the State Governor, MSPD should consider the extent to which the employee is attempting to influence, and whether they should register as an executive lobbyist.”
Lobbyists Registrations
Jay Hahn, Ryan DeBoef, and Claudia Alley added Whataburger, and Whatabrands LLC.
Rich AuBuchon, Jay Reichard , Ginger Steinmetz, Jessica Pabst, Jim Foley, Chris Liese, Andy Foley, and Tony Dugger added Safer St. Louis LLC.
Noah Bein added Justice Action Network.
Gunnar See added Missouri Motion Media Association.
Courtney Curtis and Jonas Hughes added Strategic Progress.
Courtney Curtis added Ferguson Youth Initiative.
Dawn Nicklas deleted Advocates of Planned Parenthood of The St Louis Region & Southwest Missouri, and Missouri State Utility Workers Conference.
$5K+ Contributions
Leadership Counts - $15,000 from Laborers' International Union of NA Local No 42 PAC.
Liberty and Justice PAC (pro-Bailey) - $19,350 from D&T Steward Operating Account.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $15,000 from Dealers Interested In Government.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Rep. Steve Butz.