MOScout Daily Update: Sales Tax Exemption Suit - Talk on Senate Races - Fitz Kick-off Coming - Sauls Seeks Judgeship and more…
St. Gen and Iron Counties Sue Over Tax Exemptions
In a suit filed Friday, Ste. Genevieve County and Iron County are suing Governor Mike Kehoe, alleging that sales tax exemptions passed in SB 153 & 97 in 2021 are violations of the Hancock Amendment. See the suit here.
Pursuant to the Hancock Amendment, Petitioners seek an injunction ordering: (a) a state appropriation to cover the increased costs of Ste. Genevieve County and Iron County (collectively, “Counties”), the shift of the tax burden to the Counties’ taxpayers, and the reduction in the State-financed proportion of costs incurred in providing mandated activities and services; and (b) a refund to taxpayers or prospective tax reduction to offset the excess revenues collected by the State from tax and fee increases that should have been submitted to a public vote.
Attorneys for the Counties: Stephen Jeffrey and Christopher Pieper.
Talk on Senate Races
Following last week’s third quarter campaign finance filings, here’s some talk/gossip related to state senate races…
· Senate 2 – With Sen. Nick Schroer hoarding big cash and no opponent emerging, some capitol denizens believe he’s ultimately positioning himself to primary AG Catherine Hanaway. (Hanaway is holding a ceremonial swearing-in today, by the way). If he did, one consultant gaming out the scenario says he’ll invoke Hanaway’s House record which looks a lot more moderate than typical Republican primary voters these days.
· Senate 6 – The talk is that Katie Ashcroft is still not entirely in or out. She’s viewed as a potent candidate if she decides to run.
· Senate 8 – Although Jon Patterson will have more money stashed away than any other senate candidate, Dan Stacy is still considered dangerous as a primary opponent. The right-side is always dangerous in a Republican primary these days. JP can be thankful that Stacy is “sole operator” who will likely not have any strong organizing or strategic help.
· Senate 16 – Rep. Jeff Knight is not expected to file. That makes this a still lively four-way race.
· Senate 22 – Some observers have dinged Jim Avery’s sports car collection as being more trial attorney than JeffCo, But he’s leaning into it, with a Car Show event next month. The establishment is still looking for a candidate in Senate 22 – so far without any luck.
Mark Your Calendar
Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick’s re-election kick-off is slated for November 11, with special guests Congressman Eric Burlison and Attorney General Catherine Hanaway.
Hawley Responds to O’Laughlin Letter
Senator Josh Hawley tweeted his response to Senate Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, saying she “told me to stop asking questions about data centers and higher electricity rates. Not a chance.”
He went on to imply she’s influenced by campaign contributions…
This same politician has taken over $20,000 from Ameren - the very utility she told me not to question - just in the last 2 years. And she supported the Green New Scam “Grain Belt Express” that tried to seize farmers’ land for transmission lines. Not good things for Missouri
· MOScouter: Like Trump, Josh Hawley hits back—and everyone should’ve seen that coming.
Sauls Seeks Judgeship
Press release: The Sixteenth Circuit Judicial Commission announces the following applicants for the circuit judge vacancies in Divisions 6 and 7 of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit (Jackson County) created by the retirements of Judge S. Margene Burnette and Judge J. Dale Youngs: Nathan M. Atkinson, Jared D. Bustamante, Michelle L. Cocayne, Kaitlin E. Gallen, Ashley N. Garrett, John G. Gromowsky, Daniel F. Portnoy, Angela K. Ravkin, and Robert E. Sauls.
The Beginning of the End of Pennies
KQ@ reports: Popular northwest Missouri bank company, Nodaway Valley Bank, will begin phasing out the use of pennies. Nodaway Valley Bank shared that they are no longer able to order pennies from the reserve, which is limiting their ability to fill change orders. This comes after the Federal Reserve has started to halt the production of pennies.
Hitting the Halfs
Congratulations to folks who ran the half-marathon over the weekend…
· Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, who ran despite a meniscus tear.
· SSM’s Justin Alferman, who beat his last half time which was 10 years ago.
· lobbyist Henrio Thelemaque, who zipped the 13-mile course in a 7:24 pace.
MO Association of Counties’ Caddy Auction
The Missouri Association of Counties purchased the Buescher Memorial Home in Jefferson City for its new office. And they’re selling 10 vintage vehicles from that purchase. Take a look here.
Bids must be submitted by November 1. The cars are “not running and will be sold ‘as is’ with salvage titles.”
Lobbyist Registrations
Jake Silverman added MO Hemp Trade Association; and deleted Green Wave Distro LLC.
Gamble & Schlemeier deleted Medify Air and Zschool LLC.
$5K+ Contributions
Make JeffCo Great Again (pro-Avery) - $7,500 from The Simon Law Firm, P.C.
Make JeffCo Great Again - $7,000 from Knotting Hills.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $15,000 from Spire Missouri Inc.
Missouri Right to Education - $15,000 from Gregory Gilbert (Pasadena, CA).
Missouri Right to Life PAC - $7,500 from Marcus J Azar (Naples, FL).
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Missouri Charter Schools Action.
Senate Democratic Campaign Committee - $20,000 from Ameren Missouri Company.
Sander For Missouri - $8,134 from Christopher Sander.
Association of MO Electric Cooperatives (AMEC PAC) - $12,500 from Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative.
Stacy Lake for Jackson County - $6,026 from Jessica Podhola.
Kevin King for Mayor - $9,637 from Jessica Podhola.
Fricker for Commissioner - $10,000 from Scott Fricker.
HDR, Inc. Employee Owners PAC - Missouri - $10,000 from HDR Inc. Employee Owners PAC (Omaha, NE).
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Kevin Gunn, and Ben Harris.