MOScout Daily Update: Big Education Day Ahead - Aldridge on Ballot - Luety-Gaetz Feud - Sens Fight for Cooter BBall and more....
Driving the Day: Education
It’s a big day for education…
· The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will release the 2022 Annual Performance Report. The talk is that the numbers will look grim, and may ignite finger-pointing in all directions.
· The State Board of Education meets. Those APR numbers will be discussed as well as their legislative agenda.
· The House is poised to debate Rep. Brad Pollitt’s “open enrollment” bill, HB 253, which constructs a framework for districts to accept students from our their area.
Meanwhile
In St. Louis Rep. Rasheen Aldridge is on the ballot, running for the Board of Alderman (Ward 14). It’s a four-way primary. The top two vote-getters will face off in the general election in April. Also in the field… Brandon Bosley, brother of Rep. LaKeySha Bosley, and Ebony Washington, niece of lobbyist Rodney Hubbard. Aldridge is considered a favorite to move on.
· Aldridge is currently ranking member on Subcommittee on Appropriations- Public Safety, Corrections, and Revenue, and the Corrections and Public Institutions Committee.
Luetkemeyer-Gaetz Feud
A clip on Twitter was getting passed around yesterday. Missouri Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer takes a swipe at Congressman Matt Gaetz on Stephanie Bell’s 93.9 KWOS talk program. It brought a feisty reply from Gaetz: He’s a foolish husk of a human… If C-SPAN cameras were allowed in the House chamber, they’d show how often he acts like a dog on a leash for the very banks and financial institutions that crush regular folks. Instead of lying about my family, go get your next tasking from the special interests who own you!
Bean, Razer on Cooter Basketball
Sens. Jason Bean and Greg Razer have written the MSHSAA about a high school playoff game…
Razer explains on Facebook (The school is in Bean’s district)…
This weekend my high school alma mater, Cooter High School, played in the quarterfinals of the state boys basketball tournament. An error by the scorekeeper (which has been admitted as an error by MSHSAA) cost Cooter 2 points, the game, and ultimately a trip to the Final Four.
It’s more than just a game, it was a moment for something special. Special not only for the students on the team, but for the entire community. With a population of 450 it’s rare that Cooter has the athletes to compete at a championship level. This win would have been a source of pride for decades to come.
Below is a letter I have written to the Director of the Missouri State High School Athletic Association (MSHSAA). It’s my hope - and that of Senator Jason Bean who represents Cooter - that a remedy can be found. The players, coaches, families and community deserve a fair outcome….
Williams Joins New Club
Sen. Brian Williams announced on the Senate floor yesterday that he’s a proud father. Congratulations to Lindsay and him on the birth of Brock Williams.
Ashcroft Exits ERIC
Missouri Independent reports on Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft withdrawing from ERIC, the Electronic Registration Information Center. I didn’t even know this was a thing. But it’s a “system was established in 2012 by a bipartisan group of election officials in seven states. It is designed to help identify and remove people from voter rolls who have died or moved to other states and prosecute people who vote in multiple states.”
· Shane Schoeller, who’s running to replace Ashcroft, said he supported the move.
Help Wanted
Missouri National Education Association seeks Executive Director. “The Missouri NEA Executive Director will manage the internal affairs of the Association, serve as consultant and advisor to the officers, Board and governing bodies of the Association, and represent the Association on matters of established policy, positions, interests and resources at the discretion of the Board and President.” See the ad here.
Missouri Economic Development Council seeks Executive Director. “MEDC seeks a full-time Executive Director to oversee the organization and take it to the next level. The current Executive Director served on a part-time, contract basis, and his contract expires in June 2023. MEDC’s Board of Directors has decided to pursue a full-time employee for the next Executive Director. Previous economic development experience is not required. Instead, the preferred candidate will demonstrate a track record of successfully leading within a membership, non-profit, or similar organization. The ability to work with professional volunteer leaders, provide staff support for the organization’s activities, and generate revenue for the association are strongly desired qualifications… This position is a remote-based position… Salary Range: $75,000-$90,000…” See the ad here.
Lobbyists Registrations
Gamble & Schlemeier added Allegis/Redwood/Maxim Public Affairs, LLC, and Lotto.com Missouri LLC.
Mark Rhoads added Scout Motor Inc. c/o MultiState Associates LLC.
Jerry Riffel added DTC Community Development, Inc.
Doug Stone added Kansas City Streetcar Authority, Northtown Devco, Power Tower Block 124 LP, Creekmoor Property Owners' Association Inc., and 46 PC Investors LLC c/o Block Real Estate Service.
Andy Blunt, Jay Reichard, and Angie Schulte deleted University Health Foundation.
Andy Blunt and Jay Reichard deleted Securus Technologies, Inc.
Richard Crews deleted Lathrop GPM LLC, and Lathrop GPM Consulting LLC.
Bennie Lewis deleted Fred Dreiling LLC, and Jackson County Legislature.
David McCracken deleted The Flotron Organization.
$5K+ Contributions
Taneyhills Library Inc. Beyond Books Campaign - $7,473 from Taneyhills Library Inc. Beyond Books Campaign.
Vote Yes Committee - $10,000 from Missouri REALTORS.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rich AuBuchon, Jeff Layman, Benjamin Peters, Frank Barnitz, and Rory Rowland.