MOScout Daily Update: Sports Betting IPs Filed - Hurlbert Drops - Houx Hits Brattin and more...

Sports Betting IPs Filed

Four initiative petitions were filed on Friday to legalize sports betting in Missouri.  They were filed by Stinson attorney Alixandra Cossette, presumably on behalf of the sports teams which have been frustrated by the legislative process.

All four petitions would tax wagers at 10%.

Why It Matters

While the legislature has been gridlocked on this issue, the IP process could provide an end-run toward legalization… BUT it would cost millions – millions of dollars to collect the signatures, and then millions to run the campaign.

It’s a well-worn tactic to file IPs to pressure legislators to address an issue rather than cede control. 

But that tactic only works if the IP effort is credible.  In other words, you have to do some polling, fight against ballot language that tilts the question, put people in the street collecting signatures.

Hurlbert Drops in Senate 17, Endorses Nurrenbern?

Victor Hurlbert announced on Twitter over the weekend that he was ending his Senate 17 campaign.  See it here.

From his withdrawal announcement…

·       He blames other Republicans for not helping him more: Unfortunately political interests repeatedly refused to support me and seem intent on abandoning the hopes of a labeled Republican ever winning this rather purple suburban district… too many discouragingly said no when asked to back me and get involved in my campaign…

·       And then basically endorses his opponent, Democratic Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern: To my opponent on the other side of the aisle, who I think is an excellent person, I wish her the best in her goals of becoming our next State Senator…

As of last quarter Hurlbert had $13,000 cash on-hand compared to Nurrenbern’s $123,000.  One Republican consultant admitted it’s a “tough district” for Republicans.  And said suburban districts, in particular, are a recruiting challenge, “Republican candidates fearing Trump at the top of the ballot and reducing their chances of winning.”

What It Means

Republicans are now without candidates in two top target districts…

·       Senate 1 – where Sen. Doug Beck is seeking re-election, Joe Biden won with 52% in 2020.

·       Senate 17 – this district, Biden won with 53%.

One assumes we’ll see legitimate Republican candidates eventually, but with each passing week Beck and Nurrenbern build on their head start.

If Dems don’t have to worry about defense, they will be able to spend more attention and resources on those battleground districts which Trump won…

·       Senate 11 – Sen. John Rizzo termed, and the district has been redrawn to be redder.

·       Senate 15 – Sen. Andrew Koenig termed and a hot Republican primary is underway.

Houx Hits Brattin on Effectiveness

It’s official.  Rep. Dan Houx will be primarying Sen. Rick Brattin.  In his announcement speech he offered his campaign’s primary message: Effective conservative leadership.

He dinged Brattin for running for congress soon after getting elected, and for spending too much time pursuing “twitter trophies.”

“After four years of radical ineptitude from our Missouri Senators, the people of Johnson, Cass and Bates counties have had enough. We are done being represented by Senators who care more about twitter trophies than legislative leadership, who are always running for the next job rather than doing the job they have been hired to do. The people of 31st district deserve a Senator who instead of posting about conservative ideology can actually deliver conservative results. That’s what I have done as your State Representative and that’s what I will do as your next State Senator. I will bring effective conservative leadership to the State Senate.”

Novo Nordisk Registers

In the lobbyists registrations (below) Ann Vermilion added Novo Nordisk Inc.  She’s a former state representative from Indiana, who is now their Regional Lead for state government affairs. 

·       A recent Politico Influence article noted Novo Nordisk’s “hiring spree.”  Novo Nordisk, the drugmaker behind weight loss medications Ozempic and Wegovy, has hired its third new lobbying firm in as many months as the company pushes lawmakers to make the blockbuster drugs eligible for coverage under Medicare.

eMailbag on Contraceptive Ban As Bogeyman

The contraception thing isn’t really a boogeyman, it’s more of a semantic fight. Contraceptives that prevent implantation if an egg manages to be fertilized have absolutely been subject of specific fights the last few years (and arguably were actually banned by HB126).  As for contraceptives across the board, prohibiting Medicaid from covering them is effectively a ban for low income folks. That’s also something some MO Rs have pushed.

Committee Amendments

Paul Stratman amended his campaign committee to show that he plans to primary Rep. Bruce Sassman in House 61.  Stratman had previously said this was his ambition.  Stratman was Osage County Public Administrator.

Lobbyists Registrations

Jerry Hobbs added Future Leaders Outreach Network.      

Ann Vermilion added Novo Nordisk Inc.    

Paul Whelan added Indivior.                   

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to T.J. Berry and A.J. Bockelman.