MOScout Daily Update: Moon Rules - Hall Exits GSL - Murphy to MHA - House Pre-Files - Fitz Pans Vernon and more…
Moon Calls For Rule Changes
In a letter to colleagues, Sen. Mike Moon offers some suggested rule changes for the body.
In addition, with a new session upon us, it seems to be a good idea to consider how the senate functions and what, if any, changes are needed – in order to foster the unity we seek…
1. Committee members shall elect a chair with a simple majority vote of the committee
membership;
2. Bills shall be automatically referred to a committee, chosen by the sponsor, immediately upon
the bill’s second read;
3. Committees shall determine which bills will receive a hearing;
4. When a bill is voted out of a committee, the bill shall automatically be placed on the Formal calendar;
5. Sessions shall be “Live Streamed” for public viewing…
[T]he Missouri Senate is hoping for unity. I imagine we all want to meet together and work as a well-oiled machine. For this to happen, change must occur (in order to avoid the disunity of past sessions).
What It Means
I don’t see any of these rule changes – which are aimed to reduce the power of the Senate pro tem – having the support to be enacted. But depending on whether Moon decides to open a book early in protest, it could be a slow start for the Senate…
Hall Exits GSL
This is big news in St. Louis. Here’s today’s front page of the Post-Dispatch…
From St. Louis Business Journal: Greater St. Louis Inc. CEO Jason Hall will exit the business organization for the top job at a CEO group in Columbus, Ohio. Hall in coming weeks will leave to become CEO of the Columbus Partnership, a nonprofit policy organization whose membership includes more than 70 Columbus-area business leaders. GSL said Chief Real Estate Investment Officer Dustin Allison would serve as interim CEO as the organization engages in a national search for its next leader.
The Talk
There’s some St. Louis civvie angst on several levels according to the folks I spoke to yesterday…
· Is this a step up? St. Louis is bigger than Columbus. There’s a fear that St. Louis’ peer group is becoming smaller, less substantial cities.
· Hall will be missed as an important cheerleader, “building cooperation and resources for big things here… [with] a regional view of STL that still understands the importance of a strong city.”
· But at the same time, GSL suffered the problem that plaguing big corporations in red states, the sense that they’re too liberal on social issues and should stick to the business of business.
· And they never got traction (maybe it’s an impossible task for a chamber of commerce) in addressing St. Louis City’s number 1 problem, the perception of crime and a lack of safety for folks visiting.
Greater St. Louis is represented by Gamble & Schlemeier in Jefferson City.
House Pre-Files
Here’s a first look at the bills that were pre-filed in the House…
The Post-Dispatch notes that one hot topic among the pre-files is transgender issues, with Republicans filing several bills.
HJRs that would send constitutional changes to the voters included…
· Rep. Justin Sparks, who’s challenge Speaker-designate Jon Patterson because of pro-life concerns, filed HJR 9, which would reverse the recent pro-choice constitutional change. “Nothing in this constitution secures or protects a right to abortion…”
· Rep. Ed Lewis filed HJR 10 and HJR 11. They would require concurrent majorities to pass initiative petition constitutional changes. This has been a top Republican priority.
· And Freshman Cathy Jo Loy filed HJR 5. It would undo the Missouri Court Plan, by removing the commission to give the governor a panel of candidate to choose from, instead making the Missouri Supreme Court a straight gubernatorial appointment.
Also of note, what wasn’t filed on the first day, but I’d expect to come along at some point…
· A big education bill from Elementary and Secondary Education Chair Brad Pollitt.
· The St. Louis police takeover bill that Rep. Brad Christ filed last year, or some Kehoe-omnibus crime bill from Crime Prevention and Public Safety Chair Lane Roberts.
· A Utilities bill from that Chair, Bob Bromley.
November Revenues Slide
We’ll see what the final numbers look like when the Office of Administration releases the official results, but it looks like November state tax receipts fell again, down 6.8% compared to November 2023.
That will bring the fiscal-year-to-date total to down about 4% so far – about $200 million.
Why It Matters
It’s been many years since the legislature has experienced a tight budget year necessitating cuts. Lower revenues will make it harder to fulfill Republican campaign pledges of tax cuts or to meet possible demands from sports teams look for stadium subsidies.
Fitz Hands Vernon County a “Poor” Rating
It’s another one-star review from Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick. See the audit released yesterday here. Among the problems uncovered…
· The County Commission authorized a mid-term salary increase of $25,434 to the Sheriff in September 2022, retroactive to January 1, 2022, in violation of constitutional provisions and state law.
· Several disbursements made from the Election Services Fund and the General Revenue Fund… were either inappropriate or inessential… $611 for headphones as gifts for his employees, $530 for a cell phone signal booster for his home… $311 for retirement gifts for himself and the former Presiding Commissioner, $457 for food for an employee Christmas party, and $160 for a heated vest…
· The County Clerk did not accurately calculate the property tax reduction in 2020 and 2021… These errors resulted in collection of approximately $71,000 and $97,000, in excess property tax revenues in those years, respectively….
Vernon County, population 19,710, is represented by Sen. Sandy Crawford, and Rep. Dane Diehl.
Hayter Stepping Down
Springfield News Leader reports on Doug Hayter stepping down from MASA (Missouri Association of School Administrators). He’s been executive director since 2016. The professional organization provides support and training for superintendents and other school leaders. The demand for MASA services has grown in recent years amid a historic superintendent turnover in Missouri, which is starting to slow.
· MASA has cast a wide net to find its next executive director. The association plans to start interviewing top applicants as early as January.
Murphy to MHA
As rumored (November 21 Update), Jamey Murphy announced that he’s leaving Senate staff to go to work for the Missouri Hospital Association.
After more than a dozen years serving as Chief of Staff to three incredible Missouri State Senators, it is with a mix of gratitude and excitement that I depart from the Missouri Senate. My time in the Senate has been a privilege—working alongside dedicated colleagues and being part of a legislative family that I will forever cherish.
While I will miss my time in the Senate, I’m excited to begin a new chapter with the Missouri Hospital Association as Vice President of State Legislative Affairs where I’ll have the opportunity to advocate for the healthcare providers that play such a vital role in our communities…
Cook-Callen Takes Reins of Progress MO
Claire Cook-Callen announced that she’s been tapped as the Executive Director of Progress Missouri.
My last 8 years with GPS Impact have been impactful (pun intended). I was given the tools and space to grow into a leader and hone my campaign and communications skills. I worked with some of the best political minds in the country and served clients and organizations doing the back-breaking and vital work of fighting for working families and civil rights. Thank you to Jim Kottmeyer, Roy Temple, Sally Aman, and Sean Soendker Nicholson for everything along the way….
FYI
Here's where Progress MO fits in the Missouri progressive ecosystem…
Graves Seeks Extension
Punchbowl reports that “the House Republican Steering Committee is poised to consider Rep. Sam Graves’ (R-Mo.) request to circumvent the six-year term limit to stay on as the chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for another two years. The steering committee is likely to reject the request.”
eMailbag on Bailey AG Audition
Is it possible Bailey didn't want to be AG? Not a great track record of job stability in that particular post.
Alter Funeral Arrangements
Here are the funeral arrangements for Bill Alter.
Visitation 3PM – 7PM Sunday, December 8. Funeral Monday 10:30AM. New Hope Fellowship, 5919 Antire Rd., High Ridge, MO 63049.
$5K+ Contributions
NEMO Leadership PAC (pro-O’Laughlin) - $75,001 from MidAmerica Carpenters Regional Council MO-KS PAC.
NEMO Leadership PAC - $10,000 from Ameren Missouri.
Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages - $417,350 from MOVE Action.
Missourians for Constitutional Freedom - $7,301 from ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties (San Diego, CA).
Missouri Growth PAC - $25,000 from Protection Plus LLC.
Rural MO Connect PAC - $15,000 from United Fiber.
21st Century St. Louis PAC - $10,000 from John Tracy.
Lobbyist Registrations
Nexus Group added Talkiatry Management Services LLC.
Heath Clarkston and Doug Nelson added Missourians Improving Higher Education, and Missouri Optometric Association.
Paul Lagemann added Heritage Action for America.
Paul Mouton added MO Hemp Trade Association.
Gary Hollis added Americans For Prosperity.
James Matthew Smith added Missouri Transportation & Development Council, Associated Industries of Missouri, and Taxpayers Research Institute of Missouri.
Eapen Thampy added Fire Palace.
Sean Ostrow deleted Dish Network LLC, and DirecTV, LLC.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Jill Ott.