MOScout Daily Update: Carpenters Back Hough with $100K - Will Commutation Controversy Dog Parson? - Gaetz to JaCo Lincoln Days and more…
Carpenters Back Hough
The Carpenters’ union sent $100,000 to Lincoln PAC, the political action committee that’s backing Sen. Lincoln Hough’s lieutenant governor bid.
Hough’s PAC had $367,000 cash on-hand as of the last report. And his candidate committee had $405,000 COH.
He faces a competitive field…
· Speaker Dean Plocher has the cash lead, but hasn’t raised much lately. And some speculate he will drop out of the race given the baggage he’s accumulated this year.
· David Wasinger anted $100,000 into his campaign, and might add more if necessary.
· Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder who has polled well, and even without as much money will be a formidable candidate.
BUT….
As much as this is good news for Hough, the real news is the Carpenters. They are sitting on a pile of cash. As of last quarter the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Missouri-Kansas Area Political Action Committee had $1.7 million in its coffers.
· And they’re one of the labor unions that backs Republicans as often as they back Democrats.
The takeaway from this news might be: Keep an eye (or two) on the Carpenters this cycle.
Eigel Recovering
Sen. Bill Eigel was absent from the Senate yesterday. Word is that he’s recovering at home after a near-tragic episode Sunday evening which necessitated an emergency room visit. He expects to recover fully and be back at the Senate next week.
I’m told that Eigel will provide a full report upon his return and he sincerely appreciates everyone’s well wishes and prayers.
Will Parson Face Questions?
Governor Mike Parson holds a book signing this morning at local Jefferson City coffee shop. I wonder if reporters will show up to ask him questions about his controversial commutation last week. One building player circulated potential questions that the governor should answer…
· Who asked for commutation?
· When was Parson approached about clemency?
· When did Probation & Parole discuss this?
· Why is Britt Reid different from similarly situated still/incarcerated individuals?
Why It Matters: This issue could become a pebble in Parson’s shoe during his final year in office.
Senate 15: Bowlin Event Draws Jones
Jim Bowlin, running in a 3-way Republican primary in Senate 15 where Sen. Andrew Koenig is termed, held an event last week. I’m told it was well attended, “good crowd, filled with movers and shakers.” And interesting to see former Speaker Tim Jones as the headliner. Jones staffs the Freedom Caucus.
I’m told that Bowlin is not “the Freedom Caucus pick,” and that Jones has good relations with all three candidates in the race. He hasn’t endorsed. But obviously, he likes Bowlin, who’s considered good on business issues, and embraces low taxes and school choice.
Ethics To Meet Again Wednesday
The House Ethics Committee scheduled another meeting for tomorrow. There’s no official word from the committee so folks are speculating and reading tea leaves. The common belief is that they’re investigating Speaker Dean Plocher.
· One assumes they’d like to wrap up their work this session, so the clock is ticking.
· And one observer wonders if the Ethics action is somehow related to the suddenly cancelled House Republican Caucus meeting which was scheduled for today.
Gaetz to Jackson County Lincoln Days
From Jackson County Republicans… “We are EXCITED to announce that Congressman Matt Gaetz will be our Keynote Speaker at our annual Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner on April 13th!”
McMullen on Hospital Costs
Rep. Aaron McMullen writes about price transparency in an KCStar op/ed. Read it here.
· It’s a dilemma all parents have faced. Our child gets some bump, bruise, or burn — or comes down with a high fever in the middle of the night. We must decide: Should I take them to the hospital and play financial roulette, or can we make due with a regular doctor’s visit the following day? I’ve introduced a new bill in the Missouri House of Representatives to make this stressful decision easier for Missouri parents…
· House Bill 1837 would convince Missouri hospitals to finally post their actual prices, including for admittance to the ER, and hold patients harmless from bills from hospitals that continue to hide their prices in violation of federal law.
Schupp To Be Honored
Jewish Light reports that former Sen. Jill Schupp will be honored next month.
National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis will honor Jill Schupp, former Missouri State Senator, with its Hannah G. Solomon Founder’s Award, NCJWSTL’s most prestigious recognition on Wednesday, April 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jewish Community’s Performing Arts Center.
New Candidate Filings
· Rep. Josh Hurlbert (Republican) filed for re-election in House 8.
· David George (Democrat) filed in House 115. This is where Rep. Cyndi Buchheit-Courtway (Republican) running for Senate 2. It’s a safe Republican district; Two Republicans are already filed.
New Committees
Clay County Commonsense PAC was formed. Its treasurer is Mark Milton.
New Madrid County Conservatives was formed. Its treasurer is Eugene Myracle.
Missouri Students for Life Action was formed. It opposes the pro-choice IP. Its treasurer is Reagan Barklage.
$5K+ Contributions
Lincoln PAC (pro-Hough) - $100,000 from Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council MO KS Area PAC.
Lincoln PAC - $50,000 from Midwest Cement Company.
Winning for Missouri Education (pro-sports betting IP) - $500,000 from DK Crown Holdings, Inc (Boston, MA).
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $18,659 from DDI Media.
ASAPAC MO Federal Committee - $10,000 from American Society of Anesthesiologists Political Action Committee (Schaumburg IL).
Lobbyist Registrations
Catalyst added Enova International.
Sarah Martin Wood added National Strategies OBO Independent Payroll Providers and The Payroll Group.
David Sweeney added St. Louis Area Hotel Association.
Shantra Tucker added JAG Missouri, Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Paul Fitzwater, and Shane Roden.