MOScout Daily Update: Kelly Speaks - Hough on “Rock Chuckers” - Senate Approves Landfill Bill - Dog Poop Cupcakes and more…

Kelly Speaks

Rep. Hannah Kelly, on Facebook, says the Speaker’s Office sabotaged the Ethics Committee.

As chair of the House Ethics Committee I have taken with the utmost seriousness my obligation to conduct a fair, unbiased review of the allegations made against Speaker Plocher. This responsibility of investigating potential wrongdoing by the Speaker, or any member, is a solemn duty that must be conducted without agenda or outside influence that could corrupt the process. I believe when Speaker Plocher named me the chair of this committee he did so because he knew, and my colleagues know, my integrity cannot be compromised and I will stand firm in the face of even overwhelming obstacles to make certain the truth is told.

Never did I imagine the biggest impediment to this process would be the Speaker’s Office. After spending weeks complaining that the ethics committee was operating in secrecy, those associated with the Speaker in regards to this matter have now decided they don’t like the committee operating in broad daylight. Rather than the Speaker recusing himself entirely from this process so the committee could do its work in an efficient manner, individuals working on his behalf delayed, obstructed, and attacked the process at every turn. The confidentiality of the committee was compromised as the Speaker was aware of events in our closed hearings almost immediately, and when he became concerned  by the potential content of the report he turned to his proxies to attack me in the “press” and via social media in an attempt to impune my reputation.

Anyone who knows me knows the truth of who I am as an individual and the high standard I hold myself to as a person of faith who wants to serve the people of our state with honor. I care deeply about the institution of the House and I believe we owe it to the people who sent us here to give them the unfiltered truth about what happens here in the Capitol, even when that truth may be uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, because of the efforts by the Speaker to threaten witnesses, block our investigation, and prevent this process from reaching its natural conclusion, there is nothing more that can be done. The report speaks for itself as do the votes of the committee members. However, because of the culture of fear and retaliation discussed in the report, I have grave concerns about the environment that is developing in the House. It breaks my heart to think our institution could be a place where victims will be harassed rather than protected, where whistleblowers will be vilified, and where the truth will be something that is locked in the darkness rather than brought into the light of day.

What It Means

·       One long-time capitol denizen I spoke to yesterday, while finding this episode unpleasant, considers it a “one-off” in terms of its institutional damage.  The speaker’s office has levers and resources unavailable to ordinary members.  He feels the Ethics Committee will retain its capacity to fairly investigate matters in the future.

·       One other observation: In defending Speaker Dean Plocher, his supporters have tried to vilify or denigrate a series of individuals – all with stellar reputations.  Those attacks only make Plocher’s defense seem more dubious in my eyes.

Senate Approves Landfill Bill

Last night the Senate approved HB 1751 “the landfill bill,” codifying the landfill prohibition. This bill was successfully filibustered multiple times over the last two years, but a compromise was reached thanks to reasonable parties and sensible legislators.

Blocking the landfill development took on an elevated status when Sen. Mike Cierpiot made it his top priority, and Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin held the feet of both parties to the fire. 

A blockade, led by Sens. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, Curtis Trent, Holly Rehder, and Steven Roberts, assured that the property rights of developers Jenny and Aden Monheiser would not be harmed by legislative intrusion. The Monheisers assembled a formidable team of lobbyists, led by David Willis and Becky Lohmann.  The neighboring residents were represented by Tommy and Brittany Robbins and a host of lobbyists for local governments in the south KC area.

·       What was the compromise? The City of Raymore has executed a contract to purchase a portion of the Monheiser’s property for its own infrastructure needs and the Monheisers have agreed to not develop a landfill on the site.

Bayer Protection Bill

The House debated and perfected Rep. Dane Diehl’s HB 2763 yesterday which would protect Bayer from lawsuits surrounding their Roundup product.  The debate did not fall as sharply along partisan lines as so many bills in the House do. 

·       With all the Ag groups behind the legislation, I assume the vote for passage is secure, but it will be interesting to see the final tally on Third Read.

Hough on Rock Chuckers

Sen. Lincoln Hough, asked on 93.3 The Eagle if Republicans can govern, had this to say: Some of us can govern. And then there are some of that are looking for the only media that they can garner which is a little bit of earned media by slowing things down.  Look, I call them “rock chuckers.” It’s a Lonesome Dove reference if you’ve ever read that book.  They want to throw rock, mainly at other Republicans.  They don’t care about governing.  It’s sad.  But honestly, the majority of us that do have a responsible financial background and business background and want to see this state succeed, we’ll get done what we have to get done.  We just have to go through a little bit of pain to get there…

Big Days for Revenue Watchers

April is a critical month for state tax receipts as folks write checks or wait on refunds to square their withholdings with their tax liability. 

As of close of business Tuesday, April revenues were modestly ahead of last year (by about $50 million).

The next two weeks, as the Department of Revenue processes returns and deposits checks, will give us a clear view if receipts remain on target with the consensus general revenue figure.

Dog Doo-Doo

Legislators and building denizens alike were aghast yesterday when a group lobbying against an education bill brought cupcakes to legislators with this note implying that there was dog poop in them…

Candidate Withdrawals

Democrat Cindy Berne withdrew in House 105.

$5K+ Contributions

Lincoln PAC (pro-Hough) - $100,000 from Eileen Canfield (Auburn, KS).

Lincoln PAC - $10,000 from JB PAC.

Missouri Democratic State Committee - $7,560 Mark Heising (Atherton, CA).

ACEC Missouri PAC - $6,560 from Committee to Protect the Road to Missouri's Future.

Venessa Maxwell-Lopez for LS Judge - $6,589 from Lees Summit Police Officer's Association.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Charlie Hinderliter, Elizabeth Weber-Haynes, Nate Walker, Mike Colona, Amanda Good, and Jane Bogetto.