MOScout Daily Update: One Year Ago - Tort’s Alternative Paths to the Floor - Christ’s Hodge-Podge Portfolio - Hawley’s Advisory Committee and more…

A few quick observations from this week as we’ve started the legislative session in earnest…

First, things are going really well.  If you don’t think so, consider: one year ago (January 24, 2024), this was MOScout’s lede…

Senate Pro Tem Caleb Rowden removed four Freedom Caucus members from their committee chairmanships in a move which had only minor practical consequences but formalized the rupture within the Senate Republican Caucus.

Predictably, the Freedom Caucus seized the floor and expressed their disgust with leadership. Sen. Denny Hoskins ended his inquiry of Rowden with his empathic judgement: “You are the worst President Pro Tem in the history of the Missouri Senate.”

·       In that context, things are going swimmingly this year. 

Second, the building seems popping with energy this year.  That’s because the Senate freeze has thawed.  But also, because after two dismal years with record low bills being passed, there are a fair number of items in the pipeline that many legislators have faced before and are ready to tackle.

Third, when Senate committee chairs were assigned, I wrote that Sen. Nick Schroer’s appointment to chair judiciary was a gift to MATA (Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys) because it meant there’d be no tort reform bills making it to the floor.  I was wrong.  Clearly MATA will have to play some defense.  Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin has referred a couple through different committees.  The pesticide bill is coming through Agriculture.  The class action bill was heard in General Laws.  Where will she send her SJR 3 (judicial elections)?

Finally, the two folks mentioned as possible House Floor Leaders in 2027 are Reps. Brad Christ and Jeff Myers.  They’re both chairing committee with high-profile bills coming through.  But Myers’ public safety committee is pretty straight-forward while Christ’s Emerging Issues Committee is getting a hodge-podge of hot-button bills (transgender, drones, immigration, video lottery terminals) that will keep him juggling all session long.

White House Gets a Schmitt More Missouri Flavor?

File under “Rumors,” but a tipster whispers that Drew Dziedzic, former Legislative Director to Sen. Eric Schmitt, will be moving to the White House to work as a Special Assistant to the President.

Advice for Advice and Consent

Press release: U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced the first members of his new advisory committee to help advise him on judicial nominations in the 119th Congress and Trump Administration.

“One of the Senate’s most important roles is providing advice and consent for judicial nominations. I’m looking forward to continuing to fulfill that role as President Trump begins his second term as President,” said Senator Hawley. “I am excited to work closely with this new advisory committee, leaning on their wealth of knowledge and experience, to ensure we are nominating and confirming judges who will faithfully follow the Constitution.” 

Senator Hawley named the following individuals to his advisory committee today, with more to follow: W. Terrence Kilroy, Jerry M. Hunter, Jennifer K. Bukowsky, The Honorable Stephen N. Limbaugh, Sr., and Joseph C. Blanton, Jr.

Where Politics Meets Pancakes

Post-Dispatch’s Ian Froeb reviews Spencer’s Grill in Kirkwood.  Read it here. It’s owned by Meredith and Mike Shadwick.  Meredith is a Republican fundraiser, and the daughter of former Senate Pro Tem, and lobbyist, Mike Gibbons.

I couldn’t have designed more promising stewards for Spencer’s. The Shadwicks know breakfast and they know Kirkwood… In fact, Meredith grew up in Kirkwood, going on breakfast dates to Spencer’s with her grandfather. Years later, after she and Mike started dating, they met her grandfather there for breakfast…

The flattop grill sizzles behind the counter while you doctor your mug of coffee with sugar by the packet and half-and-half by the thimble. The bacon is crisp; the pancakes are thin, soft and sweet; and the eggs are cooked your way.

All Strikes, No Objections

Wednesday night at the STL Lawyers Association annual bowling night, Judge Edward Sweeney’s team emerged victorious from an 18-team field. It came down to the wire and Supreme Court Judge Robin Ransom needed a turkey (3 strikes in a row!) In her last frame to take home the win...and she nailed it. This is a string that even pro bowlers often struggle to put together, especially under pressure...

$5K+ Contributions

St. Charles Realtors PAC - $5,211 from Missouri REALTORS PAC, Inc.

KC BizPAC The Political Action Committee of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce in Partnership with the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City - $10,000 from AT&T.

Lobbyist Registrations

James Harris added FGA Action.

Tim Opitz added Midwest Energy Consumers Group.

Bay Scoggin added Innocence Project.    

Catalyst added Flock Group Inc. dba Flock Safety; and deleted KC Recycle & Waste Solutions, ShiftKey, DJI Technology Inc, and Kevin McGraw.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Rep. Marla Smith, Travis Brown, Crystal Williams and Jim Hansen.