MOScout Daily Update: Shooting Shocks State - SCOMO Affirms Senate Map - MoDOT Picks I-70 Team and more…

Shooting Shocks State

KCStar: “Twenty-two people were shot, including one killed, Wednesday at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory rally at Union Station, according to police.”

·       The gunfire, which broke out near the end of the citywide celebration amid thousands of fans and onlookers, sent nine children to the hospital with bullet wounds and broke up the event in chaos…

·       Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a Johnson County mother of two and beloved disc jockey in Kansas City, died from her injuries in the shooting, friends confirmed to The Star after talking to the family.

·       [Kansas City Police Chief Stacey] Graves said three people had been detained and that police are still investigating the motive.

In the immediate aftermath it’s hard to assess the political fall-out from this latest episode of senseless gun violence.  History has shown that there’s very little appetite among Republicans to make any policy changes in response to mass shootings.

Yet – it is possible.  The outrage and horror is real and raw.  And if Governor Mike Parson were to decide he wanted one more accomplishment for his legacy, there are several gun law changes which, according to polling, have wide bipartisan support (universal background checks at gun shows, raising age to possess a gun to 21).

And

Rep. Chris Lonsdale was dinged on Twitter for posting about how great the parade was, seemingly oblivious to the shooting…

One Republican told me the statement from Team Parson, focusing on the governor’s safety was “delusional… like Missourians are cowering in fear over the status of their security-protected governor at a time like this.”

Supremes OK Senate Map

·       The Missouri Supreme Court upheld the state senate map, removing a big uncertainty for candidates considering filing for office in a few weeks.  Read the 5-2 decision here.

·       And the SCOMO also sided with Planned Parenthood, upholding the Cole County Court decision that zeroing the provider in the budget was unconstitutional. Read that 6-1 decision here.

MoDOT Chooses I-70 Team

Yesterday the Missouri Department of Transportation announced a big step forward in the plan to wide I-70.  Emily Manley reports: “The MO Highways and Transportation Commission awards the 1st phase of the I-70 project to Millstone Weber & Jacobs to expand the 20-mile stretch between Kingdom City and Columbia. MoDOT says this first project will cost roughly $420M and will be complete by December 2027.”

Amato Gets Primary

Joe Maddock formed a candidate committee to run for House 113 as a Republican.  See the paperwork here.  The current incumbent is Rep. Phil Amato.  Maddock, from my initial internet search, appears to own an insurance agency.

GOPers in Hot Primaries Issue Stands

The in-box was getting pinged yesterday with press release from Republican in hot primaries announcing their new legislation or stands on issues…

·       Rep. Aaron McMullin (running in Senate 11)… “State Representative Aaron McMullen is reaffirming his unwavering commitment to border security and the protection of the United States following the announcement of Governor Mike Parson’s intent to deploy members of the Missouri National Guard to support Texas Governor Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star mission on the southern border… McMullen filed HCR 48 this legislative session, highlighting the need for a united front in safeguarding the nation's borders and supporting fellow states in their endeavors to maintain security and order…”

·       Rep. Kurtis Gregory (running in Senate 21)… “In response to growing concerns over immigration and border security, Representative Kurtis Gregory has introduced two crucial pieces of legislation aimed at addressing these pressing issues. The proposed bills, HB 2666 and HCR 41, target undocumented migrants' housing and call for the deployment of Missouri National Guard members to assist in securing the United States-Mexico border.”

·       Rep. Phil Christofanelli (running in Senate 23)… “State Representative Phil Christofanelli filed legislation requiring St. Louis City and County to reimburse St. Charles County when citizens from their counties spend a night in the St. Charles County jail.  Currently, half of the inmates in St. Charles County jail are residents of St. Louis City and County. The bill requires St. Louis to pay for the daily cost of housing St. Louis inmates and detainees, which amounts to over $100 per day per inmate…”

Lobbyist Registrations

John Bardgett, Jacqueline Bargett, Chris Roepe, and Mark Habbas added Columbia Public Schools.

Ron Berry added clients of Steven Tilley.

Heath Clarkston and Doug Nelson added American Hotel & Lodging Association.

Daniel Hoinacki added Saluda Grade.

Jay Reichard added Winning for Missouri Education.

Jerry Hobbs added Mid-Missouri Sports Park; and deleted Missourians For Personal Safety.

$5K+ Contributions

American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $10,000 from JK Ambulance Sales & Service Inc.

Uniting Missouri PAC (pro-Parson) - $33,150 from Bob Brinkmann.

Vote Yes for Rolling Hills Library - $20,000 from Friends of the Rolling Hills Consolidated Library.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Reps. Hannah Kelly and Jeff Coleman, Kendall Martínez-Wright, and Tim Flook.