MOScout Daily Update: Look at Big Issues in the Final Weeks - McMullen in Senate 11 - IE PAC Update and more...
This Week’s Deadline
From the state constitution, III Section 25. “No appropriation bill shall be taken up for consideration after 6:00 p.m. on the first Friday following the first Monday in May of each year.”
10 Days Left…
Two weeks left. Here’s where some of the action will occur…
Budget – One veteran says that “the budget is always messy, but this year it’s messier than usual.” The Senate blames the House for getting them the budget later in the calendar forcing them to speed through the process. But the Senate whipped through it so there are lobbyists fuming: items they thought were in during mark-up, weren’t in the bill the Senate passed. There could be a lot of moving pieces this week.
In the wrangling between the House and Senate, the Senate budget is generally more popular in the building because it has more money. As one observer wryly noted, “The House budget has winners and losers, but the Senate budget just has winners.”
Among the potential flash points are a return to the DEI debate, and whether to use bonding in the I-70 investment. And then there’s just the personalities, neither side wants to think they’re “losing” the annual budget clash between the two chambers.
· The Senate has generally not suspended its rules to allow the budget conference to happen while they’re in session. In other words, the budget could really pinch their working schedule and reduce their workload this week.
Initiative Petition – This a jumble of talk about the IP resolution which indicates it’s definitely going to conference. Some in the House now prefer not to poke the Realtors and want to lower the threshold to 54%. That would require a motion to exceed the differences, which the Senate may or may not grant. Additionally, there are now concerns over a provision the Senate added which says if any part of an IP is deemed unconstitutional, the whole measure would be thrown out. For example, if some part of the marijuana legalization amendment was found unconstitutional, it would roll back the entire amendment.
· Obviously, watch who gets appointed to the conference.
City Crime – I’m told that the Senate is tentatively planning to debate St. Louis crime bills on Tuesday. The consensus is that a state police takeover is a tough sell, and that the Senate’s efforts are more likely focusing on St. Louis City Prosecutor Kim Gardner. Sen. Karla May is the biggest opponent of Rep. Lane Roberts’ bill to allow the governor to usurp Gardner. May has rallied Senate Dems to her side; they could eat up a lot of valuable time on this.
· One compromise could come from Rep. Brad Christ’s proposal to prohibit a prosecutor removed by the attorney general from running for re-election. It would be “doing something,” without an immediate impact on Gardner.
Foreign Ownership – What was once a slam-dunk now appears to be caught in the crossfire with Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft openly declaring that the Senate version has a “loophole.” Still, I think something gets done here.
· It would seem to me the easiest way out would be to revert to the House’s version which simply had a “blacklist” of countries: North Korea, Russia, China etc. But some think you don’t want to codify that and have to update it when geopolitical tides turn.
Open Enrollment – If things go as planned this could be debated this week in the Senate. One lobbyist told me that Sen. Andrew Koenig is interested in adding charter schools to the bill. Charter-anything makes some Democrats nervous, but the bigger problem is that it could cost votes back in the House where the bill barely passed.
· One compromise could be a promise to increase the amount in the foundation formula overall in exchange for this or other reforms.
Tort Reform – Given the bipartisan filibuster in the Senate when this was debated earlier in session, there’s clearly not enough time to work through the issue. This issue will likely resurface next session, but until then it seems to have been put to bed.
Sports Betting – Every single person I’ve talked to says it’s dead. I say, two weeks is a long time.
McMullen in Senate 11?
Tipster says that Rep. Aaron McMullen has been quietly “building support for a run at SD 11. A pragmatic, pro-labor Republican should do well in that district.” McMullenw as elected to the House last year.
· This is the Rizzo seat; with redistricting it’s now a lean-Republican district.
· Democratic Rep. Robert Sauls is running.
· Republican Joe Nicola, who lost in a primary against Sen, Mike Cierpiot last year, has a campaign committee. And former Rep. Bill Kidd had a committee, but has terminated it.
IE PAC List Updated
I went through and updated the listing of Independent Expenditure political action committee, taking out one’s which have been terminated and adding in new ones as we look toward the 2024 cycle, as well as listing the current cash on-hand.
· For new subscribers: IE PACs are set up to support a politician who can raise money for them, but can’t direct how the funds are spend. They can accept donations of any size as they are not subject to the contribution limits that constrain candidate committees.
Alford on Debt Ceiling and Ethanol Credits
Press release: For the past week, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) has been negotiating with House leadership on the debt ceiling legislation put forth by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. In its initial release, the bill eliminated several key tax credits for biodiesel and ethanol producers. Along with members from the Iowa and Minnesota delegations, Congressman Alford was able to secure the safety of those tax credits, as well as further protections for biofuel producers. This was all in an effort to ensure this industry continues to thrive.
Spencer Back to MO
Former Rep. Bryan Spencer writes on Facebook that he’s moving back to Missouri to become the city of Louisiana’s new city administrator.
My sabbatical in Florida is about over. Florida has been a GREAT experience. From learning a completely different form of an educational system, different style of red state (true red) thinking, no personal property or state income taxes..... Now it's time to focus again on my life motto, "Invest in People " in a new challenge, a new experience and a new way to make a positive difference in people's lives.
Committee Amendment
Mike Carter, who lost his Senate 10 bid, amended his committee to a debt service committee. His last full report showed a $500,000 debt to himself.
Gubby Appts
Governor Mike Parson appointed Brad Eidson as Associate Circuit Judge for Texas County in the 25th Judicial Circuit. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Doug Gaston.
Lobbyists Registrations
Charles Bryson added Charles Bryson.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Aaron Griesheimer and Bubs Hohulin.