MOScout Daily Update: Dwindling Days - To Quo or Not to Quo - Alford # - Smith Nods to Treas Bid and more...
Dwindling Days
After today’s “third-read Thursday,” there’s only four weeks left in session. 18 working days. With the end in sight, the clock will start to become a more imposing factor. When Sen. Mike Moon deciding to open a book, or a mini-filibuster blooms, it won’t just be a nuisance or cause for an early punch-out, it’ll be slicing off the list of what’s possible to pass.
· Next week the annual charity softball tournament will take away one possible late work night.
· The second to last week is usually dominates by budget negotiations ahead of the May 5 constitutional deadline to pass a budget.
· Meanwhile, ongoing differences between the two chambers on cultural hot-buttons topics like DEI and Trans issues threaten to be a continual drain on legislators’ time and attention.
We’re entering crunch time…
To Quo or Not to Quo
The Federalist Society is hosting a discussion about the controversy surrounding Kim Gardner today at 4PM in the Senate Lounge.
When is Quo Warranto warranted? The recent petition for quo warranto filed against St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner by Attorney General Andrew Bailey has renewed interest in this extraordinary writ. Our panel of experienced practitioners and judges will discuss the who/what/when/where/why & how of quo warranto in Missouri.
The panelists: Hon. Edward Ardini, Judge, Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District; Kurt Schaefer, Partner, Lathrop GPM & Former Missouri State Senator; and Hon. Michael A. Wolff, Former Chief Justice, Missouri Supreme Court.
Alford April Numbers
Congressman Mark Alford didn’t sit on his hands after winning election. He’s went out and did some serious fundraising… He raised $178,000 for this candidate committee, and another $229,000 in his joint fundraising committee for a total of over $400,000.
Smith Updates Committee for Treasurer Run
House Budget Chair Cody Smith – as rumored – took the first step to a primary race against State Treasurer Vivek Malek by amending his campaign committee.
It appears Malek will start with a fundraising lead (we’ll see official numbers next week). But as a relatively new appointee Malek doesn’t have the natural name ID advantage most incumbent possess. And the treasurer’s office doesn’t generate the kind of free press opportunities available to other statewide offices like governor or attorney general.
Dogan Terminates Committee
Former Rep. Shamed Dogan terminated his candidate committee. Lots of old pols hang on to their war-chests, so Dogan’s disbursement and closing out his committee means he’s exiting the candidate part of his political career.
· The largest donation he gave among his many charitable contributions was $50K to the University of Missouri Law School Foundation for the Jannett Dogan Memorial Scholarship.
Hawley on Abortion Pill
A couple that sues together, stays together? Erin Hawley, wife of Missouri’s US Senator Josh Hawley, is one of the lawyers in the middle of the current litigation around Mifepristone.
See it here.
Erin Hawley, a lawyer representing the anti-abortion groups, said in a statement on Monday: "By illegally approving dangerous chemical abortion drugs, and imposing its mail-order abortion regime, the FDA put women in harm's way, and the agency should be held accountable."
Help Wanted
Planned Parenthood seeks Legislative Director. “The Legislative Director will direct policy and legislative engagement strategies for Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri (“Advocates”) and Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri (“PPSLRSWMO”) in Missouri. The Director will partner with the VP of Policy and Advocacy to develop strategic plans to advance legislation that improves the lives of Planned Parenthood’s patients and to fight and stop legislation that would restrict reproductive freedom or hurt the communities PPSLRSWMO serves. The Director will help shape the organization’s grassroots and direct lobbying work and inform the work of Advocates’ and PPSLRSWMO’s organizing and electoral programs.”
rootEd Alliance Missouri seeks Executive Director. “rootEd Alliance seeks to ensure every high school student in rural America is set up for success when they graduate… In Missouri, rootEd has strategic partnerships with Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)… As the Executive Director in Missouri, you will cultivate important relationships with stakeholders across the state to advance rootEd’s mission and build out the state’s infrastructure and systems. While the organization is not new, it is still evolving so your experience in a start-up or building a program from scratch will be very valuable. If you are an entrepreneurial, data-driven leader who has a passion for helping high school students attain their dreams then this is the job for you!” See the ad here.
$5K+ Contributions
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $10,000 from Suntrup Auto Investments, Inc.
Lobbyists Registrations
David Klarich and Joshua Klarich added Robertson Fire Protection District.
Matt Welsh added Indivior.
Heath Clarkston and Doug Nelson added Association of Health Information Outsourcing Systems (AHIOS) c/o MultiState Associates LLC, and CIOX Health LLC c/o MultiState Associates LLC.
Catalyst added Clark Community Mental Health Center.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Clem Smith, Craig Fishel, and Mark Reardon.