MOScout Daily Update: Ameren Hearts Kehoe - Hulbert PAC - MOScouters on Session - Kost to Greater STL and more...
Kehoe Kick Off
Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe will officially kick-off his campaign tonight, though he’s been running for governor for about a year now already.
The event will be at the Capital Bluffs Event Center in Holts Summit.
· The campaign kick-off will take place in mid-Missouri, where Lt. Governor Kehoe has owned multiple businesses, has been deeply involved in the community for over thirty years as a business and civic leader, and has served as Missouri’s Lt. Governor since 2018.
And
Kehoe has the backing of Missouri’s largest utility company. In the large contributions today (below) Ameren sent $15K to the pro-Kehoe American Dream PAC. Last year Ameren contributed $22,500 to American Dream.
Scooplette: Hurlbert Starts PAC
Victor Hurlbert, Republican running for Senate 17, is forming a PAC, Northland Victory PAC.
This is where Sen. Lauren Arthur is termed. Hulbert is the Republican auditor of Clay County.
· Democrats have coalesced behind Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern.
· Hurlbert’s campaign committee boasts former Rep. Bob Nance as its treasurer.
· The district leans Democratic. President Joe Biden beat Donald Trump 52% - 47% in 2020.
Kunce Nabs Two More Unions
Lucas Kunce announced the endorsement of two more unions. He’s the only declared Democratic candidate for US Senate; Senator Josh Hawley is up for re-election in 2024.
New endorsements…
· International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 124. IBEW 124 represents electrical workers in 15 counties in western Missouri, including Bates, Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Cooper, Henry, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Morgan, Pettis, Platte, Ray, and Saline counties.
· United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 655. UFCW 655 is the largest private-sector local union in the state, representing more than 10,000 workers in retail food and non-food, manufacturing, packing houses, distribution centers, laboratories, and hair care.
Kost to Greater STL
St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Greater St. Louis Inc. is hiring Maggie Kost, acting director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
“Maggie Kost is one of the rising stars in economic development across the country with a strong track record of performance, and her experience and strong relationships here in the St. Louis metro and across the country will help continue the resurgence we are building here,” Greater St. Louis, Inc. CEO Jason Hall said in a statement.
eMailbag: Readers on Drebes Session Thoughts
· I’m not sure you can really blame the filibuster… For example, tort reform had 16 senators ready to filibuster. That’s not a filibuster problem…. open enrollment did not fail because of the filibuster. That bill never came to the floor because leadership didn’t believe it had the votes to pass. Not a filibuster problem… Other big Republican losses had nothing to do with the filibuster. Personal property tax does not fail because of filibuster but because of the ill-fated sports book move. Foreign land bill died for no good reason at all.
· It is a silly narrative that “session was unproductive because of conservatives filibustering.” Missouri has an almost FIVE MONTH session. Some states have as little as 1 1/2 months, and look at what Florida accomplished in 6 weeks. Say, 16 weeks times 30 hours/week = 480 hours. Power and floor time control are very heavy in both houses of moleg. If “conservative priorities” didn’t get done, it’s because they weren’t really priorities.
· Rule changes will never get done. The same people who abuse the filibuster will use it to stop any rule changes… However, whoever suggests limiting debate on motions, has it right. Parliamentary procedure has never contemplated discussion or debate without there being a motion being made. Limiting debate to only when there is a motion before the body doesn't require a rule change, it just requires enforcement of basic parliamentary procedure. This isn't in the rules because it should not have to be, it is that basic of a principal of parliamentary procedure. But apparently no one either wants to enforce it or no one understands it.
eMailbag: Readers on Session Winners
· Freshman Rep. Melanie Stinnett is very impressive. She carried tough legislation and handled it like a veteran. Everyone’s talking about her replacing Lincoln Hough (in Senate 30) in 3 years.
· Alex Riley had a great Session. He managed the unruly bunch of misfits on Gen Laws like a champ, and continued to show the caucus why he will make a good leader. Look for him to announce for Floor Leader.
· Travis Fitzwater behaved like a statesman and negotiated many deals behind the scenes.
· Cindy O’Laughlin did a great job as floor leader, exceeding expectations. She’s the type who to learn from mistakes, so she’ll be even better next year.
· Reform of child custody in judicial proceedings was finally passed along with one of Gov Parson's long stated priorities of reform of license suspension and to try to resolve a child support payment plan… This is a big cultural shift Missouri can be proud to accomplish this year for our values. Families and children came first and that is a good thing.
Help Wanted
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis seeks Government Relations Advisor. “The Government Relations Advisor is responsible for representing the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (Bank) to public officials as a valued partner and trusted advisor, formulating effective strategies to ensure the work of the Bank is represented to congressional members and staff, and is responsible for enhancing public officials’ understanding of the Federal Reserve.”
$5K+ Contributions
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $15,000 from Ameren Missouri.
MBA Ozark Region PAC - $6,197 from Southwest Missouri Bank.
Missouri American Water Company Employees Political Action Committee - $10,000 from Flynn Drilling Company.
Boone County Democratic Committee - $10,195 from Friends of Kari L Chesney.
Lobbyists Registrations
Salvatore Panettiere added Oracle America, Inc.
Mike Talboy deleted Starling MHP LLC.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Deanna Hemphill, Cindy Kadlec, and Jackie Buschjost.