MOScout Daily Update: First Guess at Senate Committee Chairmanships - Chamber Hiring - Kehoe Taps Blunt - Kehoe Out-Retails Jones and more…
Guessing Senate Chairmanships
I eyeballed the various Senate Committees yesterday and tried to make educated guesses where the various Republican senators will land. It’s not unusual for a new Pro Tem to make some modifications to the committee structure – combine a pair or spin some off. But if the committees remain the same, this – to my mind – is the most logical outcome. Senators in bold would be new in those positions.
Agriculture – Jason Bean
Appropriations – Lincoln Hough (with Black as Vice-Chair, see below)
Commerce – Mike Cierpiot
Economic Development – Ben Brown
Education – Curtis Trent
Emerging Issues – Justin Brown
Fiscal Oversight – Rusty Black – My thinking here is that Black is considered in likely successor for Appropriations after Hough is termed, so Fiscal Oversight would be a related committee.
General Laws – Mike Bernskoetter
Government Oversight – Mike Moon – A small government guy like Moon might like this committee. But it also wouldn’t give the sometimes-maverick senator any high-priority bills to manage.
Health – Mary Elizabeth Coleman.
Insurance – Sandy Crawford.
Judiciary – Nick Schroer – Attorney, served as vice-chair under Luetkemeyer. This would be a big win for MATA, as Freedom Caucus is MATA-sympathetic.
Local Government – Jill Carter – Carter’s political philosophy seems to be honoring local control and she’d probably be comfortable with a committee dealing with local government issues.
Progress – Brian Williams – Served as vice-chair under Arthur. Two years left in the Senate and then he could hand this gavel to the next Democrat.
Transportation – Travis Fitzwater
Veterans – Rick Brattin – One lobbyist wonders if Brattin might be in line for “something better,” but he’s a veteran so I think this committee probably makes good sense for him.
Chamber Hires Up
Ahead of the new legislative session, the Missouri Chamber is hiring up. With the exit of long-time topper Dan Mehan and the ascension of Kara Corches, there’s new energy at the old organization…
Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry seeks dynamic individuals for VP of Governmental Affairs and Director of Legislative Affairs positions. Both are responsible for establishing and fostering relationships with Missouri legislators, legislative staff, lobbyists, executive branch officials, Missouri Chamber members, and local chambers of commerce. Duties include testifying in legislative committee hearings, monitoring a broad portfolio of legislation and regulatory proposals that affect employers and supporting the Chamber’s political efforts. Lobbying experience preferred. Interested candidates should send resumes to Angie Hayes at ahayes@mochamber.com.
Kehoe Taps Blunt for Inaugural Committee
Press release: Governor-Elect Mike Kehoe announced today the formation of his inaugural committee, Securing Missouri’s Future, which will host events celebrating the inauguration of Missouri’s statewide office holders on January 12 and January 13, 2025. Governor-Elect Kehoe has appointed Andy Blunt as chairman of the inaugural committee.
· “I am honored to serve as the chairman of the inaugural committee for my good friends Governor-Elect Mike Kehoe and Claudia Kehoe,” said Andy Blunt. “The inauguration, focused on Securing Missouri’s Future, will lay the groundwork for the implementation of the governor-elect’s ambitious agenda to make our streets safer, improve the economic well-being of Missouri families, and ensure Missouri is doing its part to support common sense policies to secure our nation.”
What It Means
Choosing a registered lobbyist of course raises eyebrows. But I think Jefferson City is pretty clear that Andy Blunt is the go-to guy for second floor access for the next eight years.
Wasinger Hires An Ashcroft
Post-Dispatch reports that “Katie Ashcroft, an attorney married to outgoing Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, will serve as chief of staff to the incoming lieutenant governor, Republican David Wasinger.”
“With Katie’s leadership, our team will be ready to move forward in January and immediately get to work on behalf of our law enforcement community, veterans and seniors,” Wasinger said. Katie Ashcroft has previously worked in the private sector, advising company officials on regulatory compliance, contract negotiations and human resources.
Reminder of LG’s Portfolio
In addition to the constitutional duty as President of the Senate, here’s the LG’s portfolio…
· Member of Missouri Housing Development Commission.
· Member of Missouri Development Finance Board.
· Member of Tourism Commission.
· Missouri Arts Council is a division of the LG’s office.
· The LG is Missouri’s Veterans Advocate.
· Office of Advocacy and Assistance for the Elderly is housed in the LG’s office.
· Buy Missouri promotes products made in the state.
· Kehoe established the LG’s Women of Achievement Award.
Kehoe Out-Retails Jones
One MOScouter compares the difference in working the room between two former legislators, now executive office-holders, who will be squaring off next session over the issue of control of the St. Louis police…
On Monday, Greater St. Louis, the Regional Business Council, and the Opportunity Trust co-hosted a half-day event for key legislators from across the state to better familiarize themselves with St. Louis regional issues. Following a networking breakfast at which attendees noshed on fresh fruit, muffins, and pastries, they were treated to speakers who focused on public safety, urban education, and Lambert airport revitalization plans.
Multiple attendees compared Mayor Tishaura Jones’ appearance with that of Governor-elect Mike Kehoe. He arrived on schedule, shook hands on the way in and schmoozed one attendee at a time on the way out, and offered a pitch-perfect talk, equal parts humble local bio material, generous shout-outs to various elected officials and business leaders in the crowd, and outlining of his 2025 agenda.
Meanwhile, Jones missed the networking breakfast where she could have socialized with legislators, spoke in equal parts glowingly about the City's progress and confrontationally about the state takeover bill, and then left without mingling through the lawmakers.
It was a study in contrasts. Said one Republican lawmaker who supported last year’s version of the bill, “After [Circuit Attorney Gabe] Gore and [Police Chief Robert] Tracy spoke in detail about the work they're doing and talked about how well they work together, I was thinking, huh, I wonder if this is gonna change some people’s mind on state takeover. Fifteen minutes later after the mayor spoke, I thought, well, now our support’s rock-solid.”
Lobbyist Registrations
John Bardgett, Jacqueline Bardgett, Chris Roepe, and Mark Habbas added Hickman Mills C-1 School District, and Cahill’s Construction Inc; and deleted Verify4 Incorporated, City of Town and Country, City of Creve Coeur, City of Ballwin, and City of Ellisville.
Alex Tuttle added Northwest Missouri State University.
$5K+ Contributions
MO Beverages PAC - $5,223 from Pepsi Beverages Company of St. Louis.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to former Governor Matt Blunt, Rep. Dan Houx, Myron Neth, Sharon Pace, and Michael Vogt.