MOScout Daily Update: SNAP Stop Ahead - Byrnes, Lovasco Moves - Energy RFP - Low Turnout Coming for Jeff City? and more…
For those – like me – who didn’t stay up… Dodgers took Game 3 of the World Series, winning 6-5 in the 18th inning.
1 Big Thing: SNAP and WIC Shut-off
Politicians can get hit with terrible natural disasters during their time, which can upend other priorities and redirect their attention away from their planned agenda. But the coming cutoff for SNAP benefits is entirely man-made. And it’s unclear how the Kehoe Administration will deal with the hardship that’s about to happen.
Additionally, the WIC program is likely to run out of funding in the next week or so.
· One advocate: This is a really bad situation for children in Missouri. I’m particularly worried about infants and babies and families who will be unable to buy formula. This shut down has become very serious.
Still, the state has very few options…
· The scale of the program is so large it’s not feasible for the state to step into the gap.
· And the federal government is giving no assurances that if the state stepped up, it would be reimbursed.
Low turnout coming?
New Tribune reports that Jefferson City is looking at a low turnout election next week to decide the increasingly hot topic of extending their lodging tax.
A single ballot question will draw Jefferson City voters to the polls on Nov. 4. The Cole County Clerk's Office is predicting that less than 15 percent of voters will cast a ballot and decide whether to extend Jefferson City's lodging tax for 35 years.
Byrnes for St. Charles County Collector of Revenue
Kurt Erickson reports on some Wentzville moves. Read it here.
Republican Rep. Tricia Byrnes announced on social media Sunday that she will challenge current collector Michelle McBride for the post.
McBride, of St. Peters, said Monday she is planning to run for a sixth term next year. “I totally enjoy this job. I didn’t get into it for the politics, I got into it for the job,” said McBride, who has held the position since 2007… The position pays about $121,000 annually. State lawmakers are paid $41,768 per year.
And
On social media, Lovasco announced he’ll run for the Byrnes seat…
You may notice I’m not running in my old district. There’s a reason for that. After successfully ousting me from my seat, my previous opponent Representative Deanna Self has established an excellent conservative voting record. While I’ve disagreed with some of her decisions, I cannot in good faith make the case that she is a true adversary. So I’m swallowing my pride and endorsing her for re-election.
In the adjacent District 63, incumbent Rep. Tricia Byrnes is stepping aside to run for another office. With no other clear conservative, libertarian, or small-government voice willing to fill that void, I must leave the district that has been my home for 20 years to once again continue the fight against big government in Jefferson City.
Energy Plan RFP
Today is the closing for an RFP issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Energy for a contractor to perform quantitative modeling and analysis of Missouri's current and projected energy resource needs, and to produce a Comprehensive State Energy Plan by July 1, 2026.
The energy landscape has changed significantly since 2023. Two new federal executive orders (EO 14154, Unleashing American Energy and EO 14156, Declaring a National Energy Emergency) have shifted the nation’s energy policy focus to, “a reliable, diversified, and affordable supply of energy to drive manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, and defense industries, and to sustain the basics of modern life and military preparedness.” To optimally meet changing circumstances, MoDNR-DE intends to pursue a new, up-to-date Comprehensive State Energy Plan (CSEP) in order to address Missouri’s need for affordable, reliable, in-state energy resources, economic and workforce considerations, and the value of DERs and other potential innovations in the energy industry.
· This seems to be a pretty big deal as the debate rages about data centers and AI’s huge energy needs.
Iowa and Roundup
This Washington Post article doesn’t mention Missouri, but folks will recognize the Roundup debate going on there as Iowans grapple with high cancer rates.
Pesticide manufacturer Bayer recently faced a setback in the state legislature when a proposed bill — intended to protect the company from lawsuits claiming that its flagship product, Roundup, causes cancer — was defeated.
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri Health Plan Association PAC - $60,000 from Centene Management Company LLC.
STLCO PAC (pro-Brian Williams) - $50,000 from Robert Brinkmann.
People Not Politicians - $55,000 from Missouri and Kansas Laborers' District Council 951.
Lobbyist Registrations
John Bardgett, Jacqueline Bardgett, Chris Roepe, and Braydon Pemberton added Missouri Manufactured Housing Association, and Community Services League.
Danny Pfeifer, Alex Eaton, Rebecca Lohmann, David Willis, and Greg Porter added Responsive Government Action; and deleted Cardinal Correctional Care, LLC.
Greg Porter added Coinbase.
Danny Pfeifer deleted Community Linc, Fairway Management Company, and Show Me Spin Gaming.
Kelli Richardson deleted Missouri Association of Local Public Health Agencies.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Katie Steele Danner, and Bradley Cooper.