MOScout Daily Update: SOTS Day - Childcare Deserts - Gatwood to DNR - Coats to KBS - Bailey to Seize $25B? - The “Show Us Your Papers” State? and more…

Driving the Day: State of the State Speech

Governor Mike Kehoe gives his State of the State speech today at 3PM in the House chamber.  He’s expected to reiterate his campaign themes and pledges.

·       His team will roll out his upcoming budget proposals beforehand.  With revenues projected to be flat-ish for the foreseeable future, no one expects any big new ventures.

Childcare Tax Credits

This morning’s House Economic Development Committee (8AM) will hear Rep. Brenda Shields’ HB 269. 

Fostering greater access to childcare is seen as economic development because it would expand the labor force as parents are able to work once they have more affordable childcare options.

And Missouri Champion of Children released its report on “Childcare Deserts.” See it here.

Cierpiot Brings Another Utilities Bill

This morning’s Senate Commerce Committee will hear another big utility bill (SB 6) from Chair Mike Cierpiot.  In his final term, Cierpiot is sprinting for the finish.  

Meanwhile, some combatants are crying foul over last week’s testimony from attorney Diana Plescia on behalf of the Missouri Industrial Energy Consumers, saying there should be some paper trail of who the industrial customers are. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, the organization was dissolved in 2022.

One denizen says akin to dark money in political contributions: “There is a massive transparency problem here. If the Ethics Commission lets this happen, why would anyone ever register for a known client in the future? Just make up the name of a group and say you can’t say who you represent. It’s the equivalent of dark money in politics.”

STL Police Takeover Bill

Yesterday the Senate Transportation Committee passed out a new committee substitute for the “state takeover” bill.  There are several provisions that could be problematic beyond the police force takeover.

One of them seems to be aligned with Governor Mike Kehoe’s executive order to have law enforcement start collecting information about “immigration status.”

“… including information pertaining to the immigration status of any criminal offender, indicating whether the offender is a citizen of the United States, is a lawfully present immigrant, or does not possess the information to show that he or she is a citizen of the United States or a lawfully present immigrant…”

·       I’d be surprised if there won’t be some Republicans who will chafe at the “show us your papers” direction these immigration crackdowns are starting to take.  Is everyone going to have to prove that they’re a citizen now? Or just the foreign-looking people?

Gatwood Joins Schaefer at DNR

Aly Gatwood has joined the Department of Natural Resources as their new legislative liaison. 

·       She had previously worked with Director Kurt Schaefer lobbying at Schaefer Law & Policy, LLC.

Bailey Solves MO’s Budget Concerns??

Press release:  Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey finished his trial against China. “Today, we hauled China into court to hold them accountable for unleashing COVID-19 on the world,” said Attorney General Bailey. “Missouri is the only state in the nation to file suit to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for causing and exacerbating COVID-19. Today was a great day: the judge was engaged in our arguments and asked detailed questions. We feel confident that we will collect on the $25 billion we’re demanding in damages. And if China refuses to pay up, we will seize Chinese assets instead.”

Where Left and Right “Meat”

Tomorrow morning at the Senate Rules Committee, one of the Senate’s left-most senators and right-most senators will join forces…

SCR 5 – (Sen. Tracy McCreery) Urges the United States Congress to reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling for meat

SCR 7 – (Sen. Mike Moon) Urges the United States Congress to reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling for meat

Coats to Kit Bond Strategies

Press release: The KBS Group, LLP is pleased to announce that Derek Coats has joined the firm as Principal and Director of Missouri Operations. In this new role, Derek will lead the KBS Government Affairs team based in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Derek brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He served as District Director for former U.S. Senator Christopher S. “Kit” Bond, Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, and most recently led the successful gubernatorial campaign of Mike Kehoe.

$5K+ Contributions

Unite Here Tip Missouri State and Local Fund - $20,000 from UNITE HERE State & Local Fund (New York, NY).

Murphy for Mayor - $10,000 from William Little.

Lobbyist Registrations

Lily Elizabeth White Boyd added Columbia Chamber of Commerce.

Lacey Hirschvogel added Missouri Association of Municipal Utilities.

Ken Hussey added Missouri State Alliance of YMCAs.

Patricia Jensen added Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City,                                                                     New Yorker Lofts LLC, Embassy Properties Inc, and Terra Management.

Sarah Schlemeier added Missouri Alliance for Family Restoration.

Eapen Thampy added TreatNOW.          

David Winton Jessica Petrie, and Matthew Thompson added Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.

Matthew Thompson added Home Dock Cities Association.

Birthdays

Happy birthday to Van Kelly.