MOScout Daily Update: DESE Gives WWT Bad Grade - Lewis Gets PP Nod - Rex Gives $250K to Bailey - Turnin’ Pages and more…

DESE Gives WWT Bad Grade

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education leaders presented an update on the state’s beleaguered childcare subsidy program at the State Board of Education meeting this week.

The department continues to have challenges with the new data system: “It’s not fully operational yet,” which has delayed provider reimbursement payments. They wasted no time pointing fingers at their vendor – Worldwide Technology – and their lack of response to fixing the system. They said they aren’t opposed to ending that relationship when the contract expires in December.

Board President Charlie Shields chimed in, saying that the providers operate on razor-thin margins, and when the state doesn’t pay, they can’t make payroll. Adding, “The goal is not to change vendors; it's to get the vendor to get it right in a timely manner so that we're not putting providers in peril. And ultimately, when you put providers in peril, you put parents in peril.”

Lewis Gets PP

The Democratic primary to replace Greg Razer continues to be a spirited contest.  Pat Contreras announced the Carpenters’ endorsement earlier this week, but yesterday Rep. Patty Lewis pulled down the Planned Parenthood endorsement.

“Patty Lewis has clearly demonstrated her commitment to sexual and reproductive health care and rights and to Planned Parenthood’s mission, services, and the families Planned Parenthood serves,” said Emily Wales, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes.

Rex Adds $250K to Bailey PAC

Liberty and Justice PAC, which is supporting Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s re-election, received a fresh $250,000 from Rex Sinquefield.

That brings Sinquefield total giving to Bailey’s PAC to $500,000.  The only candidate he’s given more to this cycle is Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, whose PAC has received $1 million from the mega-donor.

No Turnin’ Back

I finally had a chance to sit down and read the Mike Parson biography, No Turnin’ Back.  It’s easy to read and actually quite interesting. 

Author Jim Jones channels Parson well.  That means we get redundant language, and folksy awkward phrasings like describing a floor as “shining like a diamond in a goat’s butt.” 

Interesting nuggets…

·       Parson was first in his family to be delivered in a hospital. 

·       He grew up without running water or plumbing in his house.

·       Parson and Teresa only dated for two months before he proposed!

·       Teresa was not Parson’s first wife.  However, we don’t get much information about the first marriage.  Her name is never revealed.  And the divorce is skimmed over.  It doesn’t even get its own paragraph; it’s covered in four unemotional sentences.  (By contrast, the decision of the House – during COVID – not to use their chamber for the State of the State address gets pages of blow-by-blow detail how his administration heroically responded by using the Senate chamber instead.)

·       Parson was at his farm, “in the pen, sorting cattle” when he got the call that Eric Greitens was resigning.

·       Parson’s “go to” sandwich in the governor’s mansion is bologna and cheese, “and when really feeling bold with a hint of onion.”

·       There’s plenty of rah rah fluff, but also a lot of honest “telling it the way it was.”  For example, Parson recounts his wild youth and brushes with the law as a teen up to no good in his hometown.  In fact, he’s nervous it will prevent the Army from accepting him.  (They do.)  And he admits to losing patience with his kids on a long car ride, so much so that he threatens to hit them his belt. (He doesn’t.)

·       Faith runs throughout the book. Parson views his life in the context of the Lord having a plan for him.  For example, the Greitens’ resignation is described as if it were the fulfillment of a divine prophesy.  “The power of Jesus is a mystery, but it is miraculous.  God had put Mike Parson in this place at this time.  God had called on him to serve as the fifty-seventh governor of Missouri. His Lord had called his name.”

Mueller RIP

Al Mueller passed away this week.

·       Mueller served in the Missouri House of Representatives as a Democrat from 1970-74, representing the 50th and 62nd districts. He served in the Senate in 1977 and 1978, representing the 6th District. He ran for state office again in 1982 and 2008, but lost.  He served as Cole County Treasurer from Jan. 1, 1997-Dec. 31, 2008.

·       In addition to his roles as a treasurer and legislator, Mueller was on the Missouri Public Service Commission from 1983-96 (serving as chairman from 1993-96). According to one of Mueller's neighbors on Elmerine Avenue, he was also active in the Marine Corps League.

·       The neighbor added Mueller knew people all around Jefferson City and Missouri. He was featured on a Sunday morning radio show with former Cole County Presiding Commissioner Marc Ellinger for years, frequented the Ecco Lounge and was friends with many in the community.

$5K+ Contributions

Liberty and Justice PAC (pro-Bailey) - $250,000 from Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield.

Liberty and Justice PAC - $10,000 from XCaliber International LTD LLC (Pryor, OK).

American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $25,000 from Ameren.

American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Site Improvement Association of MO-PAC.

Real Action PAC (pro-Christ) - $25,000 from Missouri Law Enforcement for Good Government PAC.

Missourians for Constitutional Freedom - $8,600 from The Fairness Project (Washington, DC).

Net PAC Missouri - $19,000 from Bipartisan Network PAC (Washington, DC).

AGC of MO PAC - $5,800 from KAI Enterprises.

AGC of MO PAC - $5,090 from Twehous Excavating Co., Inc.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Nicole Galloway, Michelle Pleus, Morgan Mundell, and Joe Smith.