MOScout Daily Update: Tilley Hires Rowden - Murphy to MHA? - Sparks Sputters - Hataway Retained - Anti-Trans Capitol Bathroom Rule Coming? and more…
Tilley Hires Rowden
Press release: Strategic Capitol Consulting (SCC) announced that Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) will join its team as Director of Strategic Advocacy upon leaving office early next year.
· “In the complex and evolving field of public policy, driving meaningful change requires a deep understanding of Missouri politics and advocacy, which Caleb Rowden brings in spades. We’re thrilled to welcome him as the newest member of our team,” said SCC Founding Partner Steven Tilley.
What It Means
· Folks in the hallway say that Rowden’s close relationship with Governor-elect Mike Kehoe is an especially valuable asset that he brings to SCC.
· But, even though a judge tossed the two-year “cooling off period” from the CLEAN Missouri constitutional amendment, there’s still a six-month wait period on the books before Rowden can register as a lobbyist.
No person elected or appointed to the state senate, to the state house of representatives, or to the office of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, or state auditor who vacates the office, whether by resignation, expulsion, term limitation under Article III, Section 8 of the Constitution of Missouri, or otherwise, shall act, serve, or register as a lobbyist until six months after the expiration of any term of office for which such person was elected or appointed.
Murphy to MHA?
Rumors have Jamey Murphy heading to the Missouri Hospital Association. Murphy has been at the Senate for a decade, first as chief of staff to Paul Wieland, and more recently to Sen. Nick Schroer.
· With the recent court ruling (see above), there’s no wait period now for staffers becoming lobbyists.
No Support for Sparks
According to several sources, Rep. Justin Sparks’ insurgent campaign against Speaker-designate Jon Patterson showed no signs of catching fire at yesterday’s House GOP “Winter Caucus.”
“Sparks had the support of two people, Mazzie Christensen and Justin Sparks…. [But] the Facebook Live videos show no sign of stopping.”
Anti-A3 Effort
Post-Dispatch reports that the House Republican Caucus will pursue ways to limit the impact of the pro-choice constitutional amendment that just passed.
Asking voters for a full-on reversal seems unlikely at this time. But the article quotes Patterson, “There are a number of things that can be addressed. The fetal viability — the definition — for one.”
Why It Matters
· This increases the likelihood that the legislative leaders will have to navigate a potential Senate blow-up over abortion at some point in the next session.
· Any restrictions passed by the legislature would presumably face a legal challenge given the right to make reproductive decisions is now enshrined in the constitution.
· The forever war over abortion continues…
Meanwhile
From this Twitter post, it appears that Rep-elect. Cathy Jo Loy plans to take a page from the folks in DC and push to keep transgender people from using the bathrooms in the capitol. She posts that she will offering “an amendment to the rules in January when I am sworn in!”
Kehoe Retains Hataway for DED
Press release: Governor-Elect Mike Kehoe announced the appointment of Michelle Hataway as Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED). Hataway will continue to serve as DED Director after being confirmed to the position in May 2024.
Kehoe Jumps Into RGA
Governor-elect Mike Kehoe, wasting no time, jumped into a leadership role at the Republican Governors Association meeting.
Press release: Joining Governor Kemp and Governor Gianforte in RGA’s 2025 leadership are the following governors who will serve on RGA’s 2025 Executive Committee: Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Missouri Governor-elect Mike Kehoe, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Follow Up on LG Portfolio
Yesterday I ran through the “portfolio” of Missouri Lieutenant Governor. It’s a bit of a hodge-podge collected over the decades. But one reader pointed out that I missed one. “The LG is also a member of the Missouri State Capitol Commission. They have been debating about hundreds of millions of dollars of interior renovation of the capitol in recent years/months.”
Help Wanted
The Cigna Group seeks State Government Affairs Senior Advisor of Communications.
The State Government Senior Advisor, reporting to the State Government Affairs Campaign Advocacy Senior Principal will be a key contributor to the State Government Affairs team supporting the success of The Cigna Group. The ideal candidate will have a mix of experience, including government affairs, communications, and/or public policy experience. Knowledge of the healthcare industry including insurance and pharmacy benefit management or another highly regulated industry is critical. The preferred candidate will demonstrate the ability to operate at a highly changeable, strategic, and collaborative level. This is both an external and internal role… $117,100 - $195,100.
Lobbyist Registrations
Camellia Peterson added Americans For Prosperity.
Courtney Curtis deleted MO Hemp Trade Association.
$5K+ Contributions
MO Republican Party - $15,000 from Wagner Victory Committee (Hudson, WI).
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Ed Lewis, Ginger Steinmetz, and Henrio Thelemaque.