MOScout Daily Update: Sensible Missouri - Schmitt Speech - AirBnB Lobbyist - Kunce Endorsements - Lovasco Hits SCCRCC and more...
Breaking: Sensible MO
Post-Dispatch reports today that “a new non-profit, Sensible Missouri, hopes to launch a petition drive to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the November 2024 ballot. It would allow county-level governments and St. Louis city to approve their own rules on the access and carrying of firearms.”
· It’s something to keep an eye on. Though I haven’t seen any petitions filed yet with the Secretary of State (nor could I find a nonprofit under that name registered with the SOS).
First in MOScout: Kunce Rolls Out Endorsements
Press release: Missourian Lucas Kunce announced a first slate of endorsements for his 2024 campaign, with support from leaders and organizations from across Missouri. Endorsers include former Congressman and civil rights icon Bill Clay Sr, St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Megan Green, Jackson County Executive and Royals Hall of Famer Frank White Jr, former State Auditor Susan Montee, former Lt. Governor Joe Maxwell, advocate Barbara Eagleton, Florissant Mayor Tim Lowery, Boone County Treasurer Jenna Redel, the Missouri AFL-CIO, the Missouri Fire Fighters, the St. Louis Building Trades, and the Kansas City Building Trades. You can see the list below, with more endorsements to follow in the coming weeks.
What It Means
Team Kunce is trying to keep St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell from getting traction in the Democratic primary by showing the support he’s already locked up.
Driving the Day: Schmitt on Senate Floor
US Senator Eric Schmitt is scheduled to deliver his maiden speech on the Senate floor on today.
Schmitt is expected to speak about his background and upbringing, his path to the United States Senate.
He will also focus on what he sees as the two grave threats to the country…
· The Administrative State.
· The stifling of freedom of speech.
AirBnB Adds Lobbyist
Today in the lobbyist registrations (below) AirBnB is adding their first lobbyist – an employee with responsibilities in various states. This happens as Missouri municipalities are increasingly regulating short-term leases of residences.
Read about it in…
· St. Louis.
· Kansas City.
· Columbia.
· Washington.
And
AirBnB rival, VRBO, already has three Jefferson City lobbyists: Andy Blunt, Jay Reichard, and Bill Shoehigh.
Lovasco Contra SCCRCC
Rep. Tony Lovasco publicly broke with the St. Charles County Republican Central Committee resigning as Chair of the group and rebuking their divisive politics.
“It is impossible to fulfill this [the SCCRCC’s] mission while actively attacking party members in the public square… It is not the job of the County GOP to be activists, but rather to be leaders.”
· This is the latest clash in St. Charles between two culturally different GOPs. We saw it in the last election cycle as many state reps primaries featured hard-charging insurgents versus old-school-ish establishment type. The marquee event: Steve Elhmann versus Bob Onder didn’t happen, but that was the prototype across St. Chuck. Lovasco is not really “establishment,” but as this shows, he’s temperamentally not in tune with the agitators.
Nurrenbern Kick-Off
Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern’s Senate 17 kick-off is slated for June 28. The calendar gets crowded on those final days before the end of a quarter….
Bosley Charged
St. Louis Business Journal reports that “the feds on Monday unsealed charges against former St. Louis Alderman Brandon Bosley, just the latest city lawmaker to face a Department of Justice probe. Bosley previously had been identified as an unnamed public official in the government's indictment of three former aldermen… Former St. Louis Congressman Lacy Clay was also identified as an unnamed public official in the earlier indictment of the three aldermen, though he denied being ‘Public Official One.’”
· One conversation included in the indictment shows Bosley telling John Doe, "I don't give two f---- about no insurance company. I despise them."
· "Like I deal with them," Bosley continued. "I help them, unfortunately, even with the laws I make, help them create the scenarios that they create. I'm involved in this s---... So I'd be a mother------- fool to be sitting there like these people don't owe us something... Let's see what we can get from these guys. Break some s--- up, and keep pushing."
Parson to AZ
From the governor’s weekly schedule: From Tuesday, June 13 to Thursday, June 15, Governor Parson and First Lady Parson will be taking some personal time to attend their granddaughter's wedding in Arizona.
Help Wanted
The Supreme Court of Missouri seeks Government Relations Counsel. “This is a highly responsible position comprising of professional legal work involving representing the Missouri Judiciary in the General Assembly and providing legal staff support to the Judicial Finance Commission as provided under Section 477.600.10 RSMo. Work includes drafting of rules and staffing appropriate Court committees, providing legal advice and assistance to the Chief Justice, other Supreme Court Judges, employees and various committees appointed by the Court or the Judicial Conference… Minimum salary: $99,498 - Maximum salary: $106,686”
Lobbyists Registrations
Nicholas Martinez added Airbnb, Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Nicole Galloway, Michelle Pleus, Morgan Mundell, and Joe Smith.