MOScout Daily Update: NEMO Leadership $$$ - Gray Machines Lose in Springfield - No Construction with RHTP $$$ and more…
O’Laughlin Keeps Raising Money
Two more big checks were recorded by the pro-Cindy O’Laughlin PAC NEMO Leadership yesterday. They totaled more than $40,000. The Senate President Pro Tem has been a consistent fundraiser even though she is term-limited, and only has one more year in office.
NEMO Leadership’s recently filed October quarter showed over $100,000 raised during the quarter.
Republican legislators are stymied from seeking higher office because their party already holds all the statewide offices. We’re seeing some opt to return to their counties and run for commissioner or other local offices. But it seems O’Laughlin doesn’t have any plan for a future campaign, rather she plans to use the funds to help her caucus in the upcoming elections, and in particular, her chosen successor Sarah Graff. Graff faces a three-way primary with Rep. Greg Sharpe and Dusty Blue.
· In fact, last quarter’s expenditures showed that NEMO Leadership could be involved in other contested primaries. It sent a $2,400 contribution to Citizens for Jake Vogel. He’s running in Senate 6 against Chuck Gatschenberger, Derrick Spicer, Rep. Rudy Veit, and maybe Katie Ashcroft.
Gray Machines Suffer Springfield Setback
Springfield News-Leader reports that Judge Cotton Walker ruled that the City of Springfield’s decision not to issue a business license to Torch Electronics was legal. Its denial was based on an ordinance banning VLTs which Walker ruled was constitutional. See the News-Leader’s article here.
Read the ruling here. Torch is appealing.
· Top Missouri attorneys square off: Marc Ellinger and Stephanie Bell are representing Springfield; Chuck Hatfield and Alixandra Cossette are representing Torch.
No RHTP $$$ To Build Rural Hospitals
Missourinet reports on questions about how the Rural Health Transformation Program will be used to bring more access to rural areas – apparently not by building or renovating hospitals. RHTP is estimated to be bringing in $1 billion to Missouri over the next five years. But what will qualify is the sticking point. Read the Missourinet article here.
· Boone Health CEO Brady Dubois told Missourinet that guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) doesn’t match the original legislative intent, leaving their plan ineligible under the Rural Health Transformation Program.
· “Part of the big push through legislators was they wanted to create access to rural health, emergency care and hospital care,” said Dubois. “And you know, if the area doesn’t have that well, the only way to do it is to build it. But with this fund, CMS strictly forbid any new construction projects.”
· Dubois has explained that the existing hospital in Mexico, Missouri which has been shuttered for over three years needs to be torn down and rebuilt due to its age, structural limitations, and environmental concerns.
· MO HealthNet a division of Missouri Medicaid will be in charge of distributing funds in Missouri. The funds are estimated to be granted by the end of the year.
Pot Fight
Missouri Independent’s Rebecca Rivas looks at controversy in the state’s marijuana micro-licensing program. Read it here.
· Missouri’s social-equity cannabis program has struggled to get off the ground since it began in 2023, with state regulators routinely revoking business licenses for relying on contracts they’ve publicly characterized as “predatory.” As it turns out, the attorney who crafted most of those contracts also represents the marijuana industry trade group…
· Eric Walter is a St. Louis-based attorney who represents the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association and a significant percentage of the state’s cannabis licensees. He wrote 22 agreements the state believes would take the microbusiness licenses out of the hands of eligible applicants and put them into the hands of well-connected or out-of-state cannabis investors… Each of those agreements largely led to the state revoking a microbusiness license issued last year for not meeting the constitutional mandate that the licenses be “majority owned and operated” by eligible applicants.
Rep. Matthew Overcast on social media: Whether you’re for or against cannabis, this kind of corruption is NOT okay. Their influence over their own state DCR regulators is downright dangerous. It’s time to tear down what never should’ve been written into our Constitution — and rebuild it for the FREE MARKET, not the connected few. Enough is enough; no more state sanction monopolies.
OBBB = ‘Massive’ Code Rewrite
Post-Dispatch reports that “it could cost the state an additional $67 million next year to ensure Missouri complies with new federal work requirements for Medicaid recipients under rules brought forth this summer by President Donald Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’.”
· According to budget documents the Missouri Department of Social Services sent to the governor's office this month, the [change] will require a massive rewrite of state computer programs…
Memo: MO Voters on Childcare
First Five Years Fund (see their website here) was circulating a polling memo. The poll was conducted by UpONE Insights on September 8-13, with 600 registered voters.
It says that childcare costs are driving folks out of the labor market, and shows wide support for government aid. See the memo here.
· Nearly half (47%) of young voters say they, or someone they know, would consider entering the workforce if quality child care were available.
· A strong majority (84%) say having child care options helps the economy, while 72% say it will help reduce crime.
Poor Consultants
The Center for Campaign Innovation interviewed 246 political consultants and campaign staffers for their 2025 Political Salary Benchmark Survey. See their conclusion here.
· One veteran described the core challenge: “It’s downright financially untenable for most people to get into this as more than a hobby. The next year will determine if I continue investing all this time, money and effort.”
· The findings underscore the tension at the heart of political work: campaigns are powered by passion, but without reforms to compensation and employment structures, the industry risks losing its most talented and experienced operatives.
· Salaries span a wide range, with the largest groups earning $50,000–$74,999 (28%) and $75,000–$99,999 (24%). About one in five earn above $100,000.
· Others pointed to the mismatch between campaign demands and compensation: “Higher salary that can support a family. $40K salary is nothing.” Another added, “Political consulting and campaign salaries are painfully low compared to public affairs…The combination makes it unsustainable.” A different respondent was more direct: “More compensation [commensurate] with similar private sector roles.”
Help Wanted
Rep. Wick Thomas seeks Legislative Assistant. “Empower change and shape the future at The Missouri House of Representatives, where dedicated individuals collaborate in a dynamic, inclusive environment. Through meaningful work, professional growth, and a commitment to community impact, we foster a culture of integrity and excellence. Join us in upholding the values of democracy and contributing to the betterment of Missouri's legislative landscape… Bilingual skills strongly preferred… Salary: $37,687/year.”
Lobbyist Registrations
Strategic Capitol Consulting added Ceres.
Angie Schulte and Jay Reichard added Bloom Medicinals, and Newport Technical Consulting Services.
Gunnar See added MCTA – The Missouri Internet & Television Association.
$5K+ Contributions
NEMO Leadership PAC (pro-O’Laughlin) - $17,600 from Health PAC.
NEMO Leadership PAC - $25,000 from PENN Entertainment Inc (Wyomissing, PA).
Great Northwest PAC (pro-Rusty Black) - $20,000 from PENN Entertainment Inc (Wyomissing, PA).
Tony PAC (pro-Luetkemeyer) - $25,000 from Penn Entertainment (Wyomissing, PA).
Missouri Right to Life PAC - $10,000 from Judy Burns.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Cody Smith, and Lewis Reed.