MOScout Daily Update: Ashcroft Language Overruled - AFC $$$ - Hough and Bond - Unsicker Kicking Off and more...

Beetem Tosses Ashcroft Language

Judge Jon Bettem threw out Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s summary language for the pro-choice initiative petitions.  Read the ruling here.   Read Missouri Independent’s article on it here.

Ashcroft promised to appeal the ruling: “We will not stand idly by while the courts hide the effects of this amendment and mislead the people as to what they may very well be voting on next year. While the court may pretend this does not allow ‘dangerous, unregulated, unrestricted’ abortions, it is clear that under this initiative petition, individuals like Kermit Gosnell, who was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for killing a mother and 3 children, would be free from prosecution….”

Hot take: While Ashcroft is clearly relishing his role as champion for the pro-life movement, he would have served it better by employing a bit of subtlety. 

If he’d strategically placed a thumb on the scales, shading a word or two, he might have managed to tilt the ballot summary language.  But his over-the-top language was like dumping a brick on the scale.  Of course a judge was going to overrule it.

1 Big Thing: AFC Revs Up for 2024

Press release: The American Federation for Children is pleased to announce the official launch of AFC Victory Fund, a national Super PAC that will take AFC’s work of championing school choice and empowering parents to the next level. During the 2024 election cycle, AFCVF will be a powerful force in state legislative races nationwide, devoting at least $10 million in support of school choice champions and against opponents.

Why It Matters

·       The pro-educational choice group spent big money last cycle with independent expenditures. 

·       They were very successful in their state senate efforts, going 4-0 backing Travis Fitzwater and Curtis Trent, while and opposing Jeff Roorda and Nate Tate.

·       The expectation is that we could see $1M+ coming into Missouri.

Passing of the Torch

Former Senator/Governor/Auditor Kit Bond was the special guest at Sen. Lincoln Hough’s fundraiser yesterday at Chapell’s Restaurant in North Kansas City.  One observer finding the pairing fitting as “passing the transportation infrastructure torch $$$ for MO.”

Couple More HB2 Signings…

Today, Governor Mike Parson “will travel to the Kirksville School District for a ceremonial signing of House Bill (HB) 2. He will then travel to Novinger for a ceremonial signing of HB 2 at the Adair County R-1 School District...”

Are we up to five ceremonial signings of HB2 now?  How many signings is enough?

·       HB 2 is the annual budget bill dealing with education.

Unsicker Kick-Off

Press release:  Missouri State Representative Sarah Unsicker (D-Shrewsbury) will officially launch her campaign for Attorney General on Wednesday, September 27. 

·       Unsicker’s work in the Missouri legislature has focused on making Missouri a better place for children and families. She has addressed diverse issues such as reproductive justice, public corruption, disability advocacy, Medicaid disenrollment, and our broken foster care system…

·       The launch will include a small gathering at McGurk’s Irish Pub (1200 Russell Blvd., St. Louis, MO) at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, September 27.

Unsicker faces Elad Gross in the Democratic primary.

Gubby Appts

Governor Mike Parson announced two judicial appointments…

·       The Honorable Michael S. Wright, of Warrenton, was appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District.

·       The Honorable Jessica Agnelly Krawczyk, of Lee’s Summit, was appointed as Circuit Judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit.

New Committees

Archer 4 County Council was formed.  It’s a candidate committee for Mike Archer, running for St. Louis County Council, District 6, the seat currently held by Ernie Trakas. The treasurer is South County Republican powerbroker Jamey Murphy.

Lobbyists Registrations

Steven Tilley, Thomas Robbins, Brittany Hyatt Robbins, Christopher Schoeman, Alec Rosenblum, and Ron Berry added Kill the Fill PAC.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Sen. Lauren Arthur, Mike Reid, Penny Hubbard, Justin Hill, and Walt Bivins.