MOScout Daily Update: Rowden Pessimistic on IP Reform - Jobes to Bean - New Kehoe Endorsement Coming and more...

Rowden Pessimistic on IP Reform

Senate Pro Tem Caleb Rowden tells the Post-Dispatch that views the Ohio vote as a bad omen for similar efforts here. 

Rowden told the Post-Dispatch Wednesday afternoon that while he expects another push to change the initiative petition process next year, “I find it hard to imagine a scenario where the outcome in Missouri would be different than Ohio if we do get it on the ballot.”

What It Means

·       IP Reform is a heavy lift.  In the Senate, it faced Democratic resistance, and there was division even among Republicans about the how go about raising the barrier to questions making the ballot.

·       But… with potential opposition from the Realtors, and renewed fears that the voters will ultimately nix the proposal, it’s hard to see legislative leaders spending too much political capital on the issue.  Of course, we’ll see…

Meanwhile

Senate Dems fundraised off the Ohio vote and potential for a new IP Reform push…

Driving the Day: Another Kehoe Endorsement Coming

Team Kehoe sent a media advisory that he’ll be unveiling another endorsement at the State Fair this afternoon….

On Thursday, August 10, Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe will join Missouri’s leading agriculture advocacy organizations on Missouri State Fairgrounds during the Missouri State Fair’s opening day to announce additional support for his campaign for Missouri governor…. Kehoe has been endorsed by Missouri's leading agriculture organizations, including the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Agribusiness Association, Missouri Corn Growers Association, and Missouri Forest Products Association.

Jobes to Bean

Sen. Jason Bean will have a new Chief of Staff for next session. Bean has tapped Tucker Jobes who is extremely well liked and well respected in the building.

·       Jobes has previously served as chief of staff to Sens. Rick Brattin, David Sater, and Jack Goodman.

Sports Betting

ESPN and Penn Entertainment are teaming up for sports betting. 

Hollywood Reports: In a major sports betting move, ESPN has cut a $2 billion deal with casino owner Penn Entertainment to launch ESPN Bet, a branded sportsbook. ESPN Bet will launch this fall in the 16 states where Penn has sports betting licenses.

Meanwhile… In the large contributions (below) the Video Lottery Coalition sends a check to the pro-Denny Hoskins PAC, indicating that they feel he’s still supportive of their position to keep the sports betting and VLTs issues coupled.

If so, it looks like the stalemate will continue for at least another session.

Nixon Working Pro Bono for No Labels

In this interview, which features both former governor Jay Nixon and former Congressman Dick Gephardt, Nixon says he’s not getting paid for his work with the “No Labels” organization.  Democrats, including Gephardt, have “begged” No Labels to stop their efforts which could help Donald Trump win re-election.

·       I’d assumed that Nixon was getting paid; of course, everyone’s allowed to make a living.  But if he’s not getting paid, there’s absolutely no reason for the life-long Democrat to abandon his party at this point in his career.

Readers Dispute Tyson Closing Blame

·       Your emailer clearly isn’t aware Tyson is also closing a plant in Arkansas.  And they just closed a plant last spring in Van Buren, AR

·       Chicken demand is down nationwide and Tyson is closing at least four plants in different states.  This decision has nothing to do with RTW or minimum wage.

Lobbyists Registrations

Richard McIntosh added Cerrozone, LLC.

David Sweeney deleted Discovery Pier Land Holdings LLC, Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc, and Lux Living LLC.

Sam Wiles deleted Rockwood Asset Management.

$5K+ Contributions

Old Drum Conservative PAC (pro-Hoskins) - $22,175 from MO Coalition for Video Lottery PAC.

Breakthru Beverage Missouri, LLC - $25,000 from Charles Merinoff (Windham, VT).

Birthdays

Happy birthdays Cheryl Lynne Dozier, Mindy Mazur, Gary Nodler, Jerry Hobbs, and Jason Grill.

MOScout Schedule

I’m off this coming weekend.