MOScout Daily Update: Pro-Choice IP Case - Boeing Incentives Coming? - Trans Care and more...

Quick Friday update…

Ashcroft Abortion Ballot Language

Missouri Independent reports on next month’s case before Judge Jon Beetem regarding Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s ballot language in proposed pro-choice initiative petitions. Read it here.

Ashcroft wrote that the proposals would “allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth, without requiring a medical license or potentially being subject to medical malpractice” and that they would “nullify longstanding Missouri law protecting the right to life, including but not limited to partial-birth abortion.”

What It Means

·       Beetem acknowledged that whoever he rules against will likely appeal the ruling, so we’re in Act I here.  But if the ACLU ultimately loses this case against Ashcroft, I think that will doom a pro-choice IP this cycle.  The language – to my eyes – looks impossible to pass in Missouri.

And

There’s been some bluster in the GOP primary for governor and the pro-life community over the Missouri Right to Life endorsement, and Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe’s statement that he’s open to some changes in Missouri’s abortion laws.  But it’s interesting to note that the “Kehoe position,” isn’t really “moderate” within the Missouri Republican Party; it’s a relatively widespread stance.  It’s the same position on abortion as Senator Josh Hawley and Congresswoman Ann Wagner, who have both been long-time pro-life champions and consistent election winners.

·       Wagner: U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Missouri) suggested the state's abortion ban, which allows no exceptions for victims of rape or incest, was more extreme than she would've preferred. "The Dobbs case said this gets returned to the state legislatures," Wagner said she was asked if the state's abortion ban went too far. "I don't know what will happen in the state of Missouri when they go back into session, whether that will be adjusted or changed in any way shape or form. I support exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother."

·       Hawley: A nearly 50-year-old federal law backed by Republicans allows the use of federal dollars for abortions in cases of rape, incest or to save a patient’s life... Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley said he was “for the Hyde amendment” and said he backs the three exemptions staying as they are now. “I support those exemptions in abortion laws generally, so that’s my own personal position. So yes, I’m comfortable with them.,” Hawley said.

BA $$$ On Tap

In the Post-Dispatch, Jack Suntrup writes that “Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday said securing Boeing’s commitment for an expansion in St. Louis County would be a ‘big deal’ for the state, and hinted at possible state support for the plan.

·       The aerospace giant is considering a nearly $2 billion investment in St. Louis County that could bring in 500 jobs as the company looks to build the next generation of U.S. fighter jets. The project is also expected to support the company’s roughly 16,000 current employees in the St. Louis region, the company has said, according to St. Louis County Executive Sam Page.

What It Means

·       This could signal a big new economic development package for the legislature to consider next session.

·       New Boeing incentives would likely be on par with the 2019 incentives for General Motors which Parson pushed and the legislature passed.   

·       Some conservatives have rebelled against such subsidies as “the government picking winners and losers.” 

FYI

Boeing’s Missouri lobbyists: John Frederick (in-house), Kyna Iman, Michael Kelley, and Trent Watson.

AAP Reiterates Trans Care Position

New York Times reports that the “American Academy of Pediatrics backed gender-related treatments for children on Thursday, reaffirming its position from 2018 on a medical approach that has since been banned in 19 states. But the influential group of doctors also took an extra step of commissioning a systematic review of medical research on the treatments, following similar efforts in Europe that found uncertain evidence for their effectiveness in adolescents.”

·       Trans care for minors has been – and is expected to remain – a hot button issue in Missouri.

Lobbyist Registrations

Mark Habbas added Conte Enterprise Holdings LLC.

Brent Hemphill added CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc.

Jeffrey Altmann deleted Progressive Resources, LLC.

$5K+ Contributions

A Better Missouri Political Action Committee - $60,000 from Anheuser-Busch Cos.

Home Builders Assoc of Greater KC PAC - $7,993 from National Assoc of Home Builders (Washington DC).

UAW Region 4 Midwest States PAC (MO) - $6,000 from Midwest State Cap Exchange.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Robin Carnahan, Dick Wiles, and Don Soph.