MOScout Daily Update: Onder Hearts Data Centers - Pro-Lifers Win Ballot Language Battle - Hanaway Keeps After Montgomery and more…
Abortion Language Approved
Judge Daniel Green approved Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’ newest ballot language for the abortion question to go before voters next year.
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
• Guarantee women’s medical care for emergencies, ectopic pregnancies, and
miscarriages;
• Ensure women’s safety during abortions;
• Ensure parental consent for minors;
• Repeal Article I, section 36, approved in 2024; allow abortions for medical
emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape, and incest; and
• Prohibit sex-change procedures for children?
What It Means
It looks like a win for pro-life groups – and Hoskins – because it focuses on the exceptions to a total abortion ban than the fact it will create an almost total abortion ban.
Driving the Day: Reps to Tour Training Center
A crew of legislators will tour the Laborers and Contractors Training Center in High Hill, MO. It comes just a week after Governor Mike Kehoe released the “Workforce of the Future Challenge” Report (Read it here) to improve Missouri’s Career and Technical Education (CTE).
· Slated to take the tour: Sen. Doug Beck, and Reps. Phil Amato, Marlon Anderson, Brad Banderman, Gregg Bush, Carolyn Caton, Doug Clemens, Lily Fuchs, Jeff Hales, Stephanie Hein, Michael Johnson, Scott Miller, Jim Murphy, Chad Perkins, Adrian Plank, Raychel Proudie, Kem Smith, Marla Smith, Kathy Steinhoff, Connie Steinmetz, Rudy Veit, Emily Weber, and Jaclyn Zimmermann.
Hanaway Keeps After Montgomery
Press release: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that her Office has filed a motion for partial summary judgment in the quo warranto case seeking to remove St. Louis City Sheriff Alfred Montgomery from office. This filing marks the next stage in the litigation, requesting that the Court issue a judgment on three counts of the State’s petition: Counts II, IV, and V, following extensive discovery and evidence that confirm the material facts are no longer in dispute…
This continues to have a ready-fire-aim vibe. Nepotism, the most potent of the charges against Montgomery from Andrew Bailey’s initial filings, has been dropped. And while the sheriff shouldn’t have a deputy picking up his kids from school, does it rise to the level of overturning the will of the voters? Why the rush to oust him? Why not get a guilty verdict first, and then let the democratic process play out in two years?
Torch Verdict
Post-Dispatch reports on a verdict involving “gray machine” purveyor” Torch Electronics. See it here. But what comes next could be critical to the debate on these devices…
U.S. District Court Judge John Ross in August indicated he could rule after the jury trial on whether the machines are gambling devices under Missouri law. In August, Ross wrote in a pretrial order that while the court “has been reluctant to insert itself into this politically fraught issue ... the consequences of deference continue to accrue.”
Such a ruling could come as soon as next month. If a federal court finds the machines violate Missouri gambling laws, it could prompt county prosecutors or the Missouri Attorney General to take action against Torch and the machines. Very few county prosecutors have used the state's gambling laws to file charges over Torch's games, in part due to the legal ambiguity.
Why It Matters
The legislature has been unable to advance any compromise on the issue. More than a few legislators would love for the courts to settle the matter for them.
Onder Hearts Data Center
In an op/ed in Real Clear Energy (see it here) Congressman Bob Onder says CD-3 should embrace data centers…
· Data centers are not just another industry. They are the next generation of infrastructure, just as railroads and the interstate highway system once were. If we fail to build, we risk surrendering American leadership in innovation, security, and prosperity.
· Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District is uniquely positioned to meet this challenge. Few districts in the country can match our “all of the above” energy portfolio, which includes hydroelectric, coal, natural gas, and nuclear power. Ameren’s Callaway nuclear site is one of the nation’s premier facilities. With Ameren planning for new nuclear power, our district can provide reliable and affordable electricity that data centers require…
· Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District is open for business and ready to lead America’s new era of innovation. The future is here, and we are ready to build it.
Lobbyist Registrations
John Bardgett, Jacqueline Bardgett, Chris Roepe, and Braydon Pemberton added Kansas City Public Library.
Michael Lodewegen added Altria Client Services LLC and its Affiliates-Philip Morris USA Inc., John Middleton Co., U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co., Helix Innovations LLC, and NJOY, LLC.
Dan Stuart added Liberty Action.
Jake Silverman deleted Care for Everyone, LLC.
$5K+ Contributions
MO Society of Anesthesiologists Political Action Committee - $8,000 from Western Anesthesiology Associates, Inc.
Physician Led Anesthesia Care PAC - $8,000 from Western Anesthesiology Associates, Inc.
Nexus PAC - $10,000 from McCormack Baron Salazar Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Emily Wright, and Pat Conway.