MOScout Daily Update: Smith for Treasurer - Butz for Mayor? - Arthur Strikes Back! - DEI Divide - Roberts Gun Bill - Landfill Bill and more...

Coming Soon: Smith for Treasurer

I’m told that when Rep. Cody Smith files his April campaign finance quarter his campaign committee will be amended to show that he’s running for state treasurer.  Smith has been rumored as a possible challenger to incumbent Vivek Malek; this would be the first formal indication.  Filings are due April 17.

·       Smith’s January reports showed $221K in his candidate committee, and $69K in his associated PAC, Ozark Gateway Leadership PAC.  Malek’s PAC recorded large contributions of $700K in the final days of last quarter, and Malek himself contributed $100K to his candidate committee.

·       Smith’s decision to take on Governor Mike Parson’s appointee may increase the already present tension between the House budget chair and the second floor.

Rumorville: Butz Mulls Mayoral Bid

Rep. Steve Butz is said to be mulling a bid for St. Louis City mayor.  Mayor Tishaura Jones is up for re-election next Spring, 2025.

It would be a “freebie” run for Butz.  That is, he wouldn’t have to give up his House seat to make the run.  Butz is in his third term.

My guess would be that Butz on a tough-on-crime platform, making the city “work again.”

We’ll see…

Another Side: IP Reform Unnecessary?

Is the Republican focus on changing the initiative petition process ignoring the reality of the current situation: it’s really hard right now to mount a successful campaign right now?

Some think that if they don’t need to be worried about new IPs.  The price-tag for qualifying for the ballot is already exorbitant. 

For example, Better Elections spent about $4 million on signature collection and failed to make the ballot in 2022.

Without a volunteer army – like the marijuana initiative had – signature gathering is nearly insurmountable task. 

And signature is just the first step.  There are legal challenges to survive, and of course the actual campaign which is vulnerable to opposition campaign.

Arthur Strikes Back

Sen. Lauren Arthur extracted her revenge on Sen. Bill Eigel for his sinking of her childcare tax credits by filibustering his I-70 funding bill.  Referencing his hallway outburst last week, she read from the self-help book, Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?

Driving the Day: Roberts Gun Proposal

In the Senate General Laws Committee (8AM, Senate Lounge), Sen. Steven Roberts will propose SB 217 which is similar to Rep. Donna Baringer’s proposal to make it illegal for an unaccompanied minor to possess a gun under certain circumstances.

A February MOScout/Remington poll asked a similar question…

Q1: Should it be illegal for an unaccompanied minor to possess a firearm on public property?

Yes, it should be illegal: 73%

No, it should not be illegal: 16%

Not sure: 11%

And

In the Senate Progress and Development Committee, Sen. Greg Razer will present a bill to make August 6 of each year as "Chris Sifford Day" in Missouri.

DEI Divide

Rep. Doug Richey defended his DEI language in an open letter (read it here). “Your tax dollars should not be used to promote Neo-marxist ideology, especially when DEI proponents are, on the record, striving to undermine Western values and civilization.”

Meanwhile, 150 organizations signed a letter pleading for the language to be dropped. “The budget language would jeopardize licensing and accreditation of programs critical to both the wellbeing of Missourians and our state’s economic competitiveness.”  See their letter here.

Landfill Bill

The “landfill bill” had its Senate hearing yesterday.  It’s a hot topic as evidenced by the crowded hallway outside SCR1.  Dozens of lobbyists on both sides of the issue and a lot of local residents.

With that many lobbyists involved, the smart money would say it’ll be a very tough bill to get through the Senate.

Additionally, Sen. Rick Brattin as the Senate sponsor/handler could make it even a bit tougher.  He was one of the Republicans who stood against tort reform – a leadership priority. And one lobbyist tells me when the Raymore mayor was in the building a few weeks ago, Floor Leader Cindy O’Laughlin told him as much.

Assuming the bill doesn’t pass, the public pressure will then move to Kansas City when the local government can stop the development.

Gubby Appt

Governor Mike Parson appointed Kevin L. James, Republican, Dent County, as a member of the Missouri Mining Commission.

eMailbag on Legislating Through the Budget

The entire budget is legislation, and when the General Assembly passes a budget, it legislates. What the General Assembly cannot do is use appropriations bills to enact or amend general laws because doing so violates the multiple subject prohibition in article III, section 23 of the Missouri Constitution. Does the budget language conflict with general law(s)?  That's the first question.

Lobbyists Registrations

David Sweeney added Missouri Clean Energy District.

Theresa Garza added Spire Inc.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Courtney Curtis.