MOScout Daily Update: More on O'Laughlin and PSC - Labor Polling - Bipartisan Softball - Gas $ Watch and more...
More on O’Laughlin and PSC
Senate Floor Leader Cindy O’Laughlin writes on Facebook about her recent meeting “with David Campbell, CEO of Evergy was informative and lasted about an hour and a half. Senators Cierpiot, Black, Fitzwater and State Representative Brad Pollitt were in attendance…”
I believed when I went into the meeting that the time of use model is a way of rationing power by pricing it so high customers can’t afford it during the main hours of 4 to 8 p.m. This I believe is conditioning customers to accept power shortages when the green energy being pushed so hard by the feds becomes ever more prevalent. Evergy didn’t make that statement but the information we were given indicates this is exactly what is happening. It appears that at least the Chairman of the PSC is on board with the liberal agenda of the feds and in direct conflict with the actual purpose of the PSC.
The senators and representative in attendance were concerned the same as I and in a discussion when the meeting ended I think you will see a legislative fix to this overreach which will hurt Missourians and is entirely unnecessary…
Our goal should be to insure Missourians have affordable, reliable power and if that means revising the current PSC structure then that is something to consider. We will continue to have conversations around this important issue and make a plan to rectify any wrong. Commissioners on the PSC need to understand their job is to protect Missourians and serve their best interests. Our job as legislators is to be sure commissioners who are confirmed fulfill that responsibility.
What It Means
The confirmation of Kayla Hahn in January might be the first battle site between O’Laughlin and the Public Service Commission. Hahn’s appointment could be held up if she refuses to disavow the “time-of-use” rate.
However, don’t discount the odds that the governor’s office makes some moves before January to de-escalate the situation.
Two commissioners (Chairman Scott Rupp, and Maida Coleman) are on expired terms.
One lobbyist thinks we could see a termed senator nominated for the commission, making the confirmation a “two-fer.” Senators (normally) wouldn’t give a second though to confirming one of their own, and that could ease the way for Hahn.
· The obvious pick for such a maneuver? Sen. Mike Cierpiot. He’s termed and he has expertise as chair of the Senate’s Commerce Committee where legislation concerning utilities is vetted.
Driving the Night: Bipartisan Softball
Press release: Greater St. Louis, Inc. will bring together legislative leaders from Missouri and Illinois for the 2023 Bi-State Softball Showdown, which will celebrate the bi-state, bipartisan cooperation that makes the St. Louis metro strong. The game will take place Monday, August 7, on the field at Busch Stadium…
Team Missouri: Rep. Jonathan Patterson (Team Captain), Rep. Steve Butz, Rep. Brad Christ, Rep. Ron Copeland, Rep. Bishop Davidson, Rep. Dane Diehl, Sen. Travis Fitzwater, Rep. Kurtis Gregory, Sen. Lincoln Hough, Rep. Holly Jones, Rep. Ben Keathley, Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, Rep. Don Mayhew, Rep. Jeff Myers, Rep. Tara Peters, Rep. Raychel Proudie, Sen. Nick Schroer, Rep. Adam Schwadron, Rep. Mark Sharp, Rep. Brenda Shields, Rep. Justin Sparks.
Perkins for Pro Tem
Yesterday’s Sunday6 featured the letter from Rep. Chad Perkins announcing he was running for speaker pro tem.
· He joins Reps. Michael O’Donnell, and Louis Riggs in the race.
Follow-up on MOScout/Remington Poll: Labor IP Looks Good
Last weekend’s MOScout/Remington Research poll indicated that Missourians continue to favor progressive economic proposals. I polled two of the provisions among the possible initiative petitions that Jobs for Justice has filed.
Q2: Do you support or oppose an amendment to Missouri law to increase minimum wage on January 1, 2025, to $13.75 per hour, increasing $1.25 per hour each year until 2027, when the minimum wage would be $16.25 per hour?
Support: 53%
Oppose: 38%
Not sure: 9%
NET: +15%
Q3: Do you support or oppose an amendment to Missouri law to require all employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours worked?
Support: 52%
Oppose: 27%
Not sure: 21%
NET +25%
What It Means
Both these proposals found support among voters – at the same levels that voters favor Republican statewide candidates over Democrats.
· For Democrats, the results show the crushing power of social issues which Republicans have championed – as well as perhaps potential gains within reach if they can control and tighten their messaging.
· For Republicans it’s a sign that the Trump/Hawley economic populism resonates in Missouri.
May Amends Committee
In addition to filing federally to run for the US Senate, Sen. Karla May has amended her Missouri campaign committee – to say that she’s running for governor!
Folks often put an office on the form as a placeholder to hold onto their funds and preserve their options for the future. However, but I’m surprised she didn’t go with something vaguer and farther in the future, like 2026 statewide.
Inflation Watch
Daily Shot this morning thinks the recent rise in gasoline prices will push through to consumer sentiment and future inflation figures (and political talking points?). Thursday’s CPI number is expected to come in at 3.3% year-over-year rise, by the way.
Steinman Passes
News Tribune reports on that “gadfly” Leonard J. Steinman II “died early Saturday morning at 71. He leaves behind his wife of 46 years, Velma, and one son, Leonard J. Steinman III.”
Leonard Steinman II was born in Jefferson City, but lived in many states throughout the country. He owned several types of businesses through the years, including in agriculture and trucking, and often returned to his hometown. He retired in Jefferson City about 25 years ago. Retirement didn't slow him down. He contributed to the newspaper with letters to the editor and was a frequent visitor to the Jefferson City News Tribune newsroom. Steinman ran for city council and mayor locally. He entered races for Congress (receiving 1,000 votes in 2020) and other political positions as a Libertarian. He also made runs for U.S. Senate, Missouri governor and U.S. president.
Lobbyists Registrations
Jake Silverman added Retail Energy Supply Association.
Steven Tilley, Thomas Robbins, Brittany Hyatt Robbins, Chris Schoeman, and Alec Rosenblum added Mobile DMV, LLC.
Steven Tilley added Conte Enterprise Holdings LLC.
Steven Tilley and Thomas Robbins deleted Progressive Resources, LLC.
$5K+ Contributions
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $30,000 from Anheuser Busch.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays Carol Kehoe, Rep. Kurtis Gregory, Don Suggs, and Vic Allred.