MOScout Daily Update: Ehlmann In? - Veit Pork Dinner Sell-Out - Hawkins: Farmer First - Child Care Tech and more…
Rumorville: Ehlmann In?
One MOScouter tips that St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann was at Catherine Hanaway’s swearing in event, and telling folks that he’s “definitely running again.”
What It Means
If Ehlmann officially reverses course and decides to run, that will probably give us a three-way Republican primary. Mike Elam would presumably drop out. But I don’t see Jason Law backing out, and Bill Eigel is, likewise, full steam ahead.
· Ehlmann had basically no cash on-hand last quarter, but he has a million bucks in name ID, having served as county executive for two decades.
Veit Flexes Early Support
Rep. Rudy Veit had his pork steak dinner fundraiser last night. Team Veit touts the huge turnout: “We sold out of pork steaks and brats. We had over 500 people come through.”
SNK $$$
In the large contributions, SNK Real Property Holdings LLC sent $10,000 to Jake Vogel’s PAC, Lead the Way PAC. Vogel is running in Senate 6 to replace termed Sen. Mike Bernskoetter.
SNK Real Property Holdings is an entity of the Schell and Kampeter families which own Diamond Pet Food. They’re located in Meta, Missouri, a small town about a half hour south of Jeff City.
In 2024 cycle, they gave huge contributions to the PACs of Mike Kehoe ($500,000) and Lincoln Hough ($250,000), among others.
They’re continuing to give this year – if on a smaller scale. Large contributions this year…
· $25,000 to Sarah Graff’s Rural Missouri Values PAC. She’s running to replace termed Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin.
· $25,000 to Sen. Jason Bean’s Conservative Leadership for Southeast Missouri PAC.
· $25,000 to Rep. Dane Diehl’s Rural Roots PAC.
· $10,000 to Sen. Curtis Trent’s 417 PAC.
More Beef Imports Coming?
Press release: Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins released the following statement on President Trump’s plans to increase beef imports from Argentina. “Our farmers and ranchers produce the highest-quality beef in the world. Missouri Farm Bureau is concerned about recent comments regarding increased foreign imports of beef. We believe that this action will disrupt the cattle industry, when producers are making critical decisions about rebuilding the herd, putting the viability of industry at stake. We look forward to continued conversations on how we can prioritize the success of America’s farmers and ranchers.”
What It Means
I’m so used to watching Republican legislators cower away from any criticism of Trump policies, it’s surprising to see someone willing to speak up.
· Hawkins is “farmer first.”
Dept of Commerce and Insurance Scores Consumer Wins
KMOV reports that “many St. Louis-area residents still grappling with storm damage repairs are finding relief after Missouri issued a stern warning to insurance companies against canceling policies mid-claim. The move has already led to policy renewals for some homeowners.”
· Matthew Chrum, a storm damage victim in Arnold, received an unexpected cancellation letter last month from State Farm, citing “two claims” as the reason… However, the situation changed after the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance warned insurance companies on Oct. 13. The department instructed insurers not to cancel policies for homeowners still in the process of repairing their homes. Chrum received a new letter from State Farm this week, informing him that his policy would be renewed.
Child Care Tech To Launch Next Month
Press release: TOOTRiS, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive Child Care platform, has joined forces with Child Care Aware of Missouri (CCAMO), Kids Win Missouri, and several local community partners who have boots on the ground, and the Missouri Children’s Trust Fund to launch Missouri Child Care Works — the state’s first-ever cost-sharing program designed to help families afford Child Care while strengthening Missouri’s workforce.
Backed by $2.5 million approved by Governor Mike Kehoe and state lawmakers, the program officially launches in November and represents a major step toward building a sustainable Child Care funding model for the state.
TOOTRiS technology platform unites every part of the system in one place — enabling parents to search in real time for available providers and facilitating all multi-source payments through a single, seamless process. By bringing together the funding, the search, and the care coordination, TOOTRiS makes an otherwise complex system simple, transparent, and sustainable for families, employers, and providers alike.
Help Wanted
Department of Health and Senior Services seeks Division Director, Division of Community and Public Health. Lead the Division in overall planning, development, and administration of Division programs and services; Develop and maintain relationships with key external partners; Represent the Division at legislative hearings, events, meetings and other functions as needed; Analyze and interpret state and federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures; Review Division operations to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures; Direct preparation of the Division budget, program descriptions, new decision items, and other periodic and special budgetary, financial and related statistical reports; Oversee development/revision of Division policies and procedures… Salary: $134,726.
Lobbyist Registrations
Jim Boothby added Saluda Grade.
Jon Hensley added Stepful.
Debbie Johnson added Missouri Federation of Animal Owners, Johnson’s Telemetry, and Double J Indoor Arena; and deleted Sporting Dog Association of Missouri.
Karen Strange deleted Sporting Dog Association of Missouri.
$5K+ Contributions
DougPac (pro-Beck) - $10,000 from Missouri Law Enforcement for Good Government PAC.
Lead the Way PAC (pro-Vogel) - $10,000 from SNK Real Property Holdings LLC.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Caleb Rowden, Rocky Miller, and Chris Kelly.