MOScout Daily Update: IVF Battleground - MEC’s Vow - Torch Sues Springfield - Stand Your Ground Defense for Chief Shooters? and more…
Battleground IVF
MO Senate Dems have been circulating this clip of Sen. Rick Brattin answering a question about in vitro fertilization, says it’s “really reckless to create all these embryos and freeze them.”
Polling shows that the idea that frozen embryos should enjoy the rights of personhood splits Republicans, and is largely rejected by everyone else…
Source: Axios
The notion that life becomes sacred at the point of conception is creating problematic scenarios for politicians. This is the latest example. But it’s the same reasoning that led to a no-exceptions abortion ban which is now outside the Republican mainstream. Former President Donald Trump, and Senators Eric Schmitt and Josh Hawley all advocate for exceptions to an abortion ban.
· Dems will play up these positions for the eight months as they woo suburban voters and Independents.
3-CD: MEC Promises to Outwork Competition
Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman says that her campaign was the only one with signs up throughout all 16 counties at last Saturday’s Presidential Caucus locations. “They won’t outwork me…”
Parson Commutes Reid Sentence
Governor Mike Parson drew condemnation for his commutation of a DWI sentence against Britt Reid, son of Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid.
NBC News: Reid had a blood-alcohol level of .113 and was driving almost 84 mph when he crashed his truck into two stopped vehicles near Arrowhead Stadium on Feb. 4, 2021. Ariel Young, who was 5 years old at the time, suffered injuries that included a traumatic brain injury. Ariel will have difficulties for the rest of her life, an attorney for her family has said.
· One lobbyist shook his head: This is a bad look for Chiefs super fan Parson. Zero chance that this sentence gets commuted if this was an average citizen.
· PR maven Scott Charton tweeted: “A veteran national Republican operative just called me to ask if this is possibly true. After I confirmed it, they cursed and added: ‘This is the dumbest thing by a Missouri Republican since Todd Akin.’”
· And SuperAttorney Chuck Hatfield noted on Twitter that Reid wasn’t a candidate for commutation under the Missouri Department of Corrections’ guidelines. “Gov can legally do anything he wants, but will similar applications be accepted or no?”
Stand Your Ground, And Open Fire At A Parade?
AP reports that the KC Chief shooters may use “Stand Your Ground” laws as a legal defense for their actions. Read it here.
· The man accused of firing the first shots at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally told authorities he felt threatened, while a second man said he pulled the trigger because someone was shooting at him, according to court documents. Experts say that even though the shooting left one bystander dead and roughly two dozen people injured, 23-year-old Lyndell Mays and 18-year-old Dominic Miller might have good cases for self-defense through the state’s “stand your ground” law.
· While earlier laws allowed people to use force to protect themselves in their homes, stand your ground provides even broader self-defense rights regardless of the location.
· Trial attorney Daniel Ross described the stand your ground law as a “formidable defense” that he and many other Kansas City defense attorneys anticipate will be used in Mays’ and Miller’s cases. He said the law puts the onus on the prosecution to disprove claims that a shooting is lawful self-defense.
Why It Matters
If the “Stand Your Ground” defense is effectively used here, it would force a revaluation of the law, even among 2A devotees. And that could bring the first significant pushback against the ever-expanding gun rights laws in Missouri.
Torch Fights Back on Springfield Regulation
Torch Electronics, which is one of the main operators of “grey machines,” is fighting back against a Springfield ordinance meant to ban their devises from the city.
In a lawsuit filed last week, SuperAttorney Chuck Hatfield argues that the ordinance forbidding “any entertainment device that offers a monetary prize to any person” does not apply to Torch games.
30. A “prize” is “something offered or striven for in competition or in contests of chance.” Prize, Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary…
31. Since “prizes,” monetary or not, are offered in competition and contests of chance, and Torch coin-operated amusement machines are not competitive nor are they games of chance, Torch coin-operated amusement machines do not offer “prizes.”
What It Means
While the suit may delay action in Springfield, it also serves as a warning to other municipalities that might have followed Springfield’s example.
In the end, however, if localities want to ban the games, they’ll find a way. We might be coming to the time for Torch to pivot and see if there’s a legislative compromise to be had.
Women for Kehoe
Today Mike Kehoe will announce a new statewide coalition called “Women for Kehoe.” The coalition will be led by Patty Boyers, Poplar Bluff; Jeannette Hernandez Prenger, Kansas City; and Mary Schrag, Springfield.
Lobbyist Registrations
Jay Hahn added Burton-Liese LLC.
Jasmine Wells added ITG Brands, LLC.
Steven Tilley and Thomas Robbins deleted OHM Group LLC.
David Barklage deleted Apple Investors Group LLC, and yes. every kid., Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Dan Hegeman, Rochelle Gray, and Bill Ray.