MOScout Daily Update: Kehoe Promises Tax Plan - And Maybe Cool Stadium Roof? - Fitz Kicks Off - Fewer MO Truckers and more…

Kehoe Pursues Income Tax Elimination

The Post-Dispatch reports that Governor Mike Kehoe will put forth his income tax elimination plan soon.  It’s a heavy lift in what’s expected to be a challenging environment.  Kehoe on Tuesday acknowledged the effort could demand much of the Legislature’s attention next year.  “We will spend a lot of time talking about that,” the governor said.

The next session faces three tough headwinds…

·       Senate Democrats angry over the PQs ending regular session and the steamroll special session.

·       Election year posturing from Republican lawmakers trying to stake out ultra-right positions ahead of primaries.

·       A tough budget year with dwindling cash reserves and below-inflation revenue growth.

But that doesn’t necessarily doom Kehoe’s plan for two reasons.  Although the details are still unrevealed, the general idea means it will contain a few characteristics that make it more palatable…

·       It will have a long phase-in period, with triggers.  There won’t be any immediate shock or fiscal cut to achieve his plan.

·       It will require a constitutional change, and therefore approval from the voters.  This always puts less pressure on the legislators.  They aren’t making laws, they’re just giving the voters a chance to weigh in.

Also

AP reports that Kehoe floated the possibility of a dome covering Arrowhead as part of a renovated stadium for the Chiefs.  Read it here.

“There’s some interesting architectural improvements to make to Arrowhead that could be conducive to an all-weather protective environment without being a full dome,” Kehoe told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “I would say, look at some of the structures that are in Europe that may have some sort of fabric device that goes over it.”

The Best Baked Beans…

One reader reports from Cassville…

Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick had an old-school hometown kickoff in the cafeteria of his alma mater, Cassville High School. Roughly 175 people heard introductions from Attorney General Catherine Hanaway (who closed by suggesting that Fitz would be on the ballot for higher office in the future) and Congressman Eric Burlison (who closed by claiming, somewhat implausibly, that he could bench press more than Fitzpatrick).

Fitzpatrick began by joking that he finally had his name in the awards case reserved for state championship athletes (some advance staffer had tucked a campaign banner inside the trophy case) and then ran down a litany of his greatest auditing hits, with a special focus on corrupt local officials whose thievery had been unearthed by his office’s audits.

One politico observed, “Someone who watched a campaign speech from his 2020 Treasurer's race wouldn't have recognized this guy – he’s smoother, funnier, and more self-assured behind a podium now.”

While there had been early rumblings of a primary a year ago after Fitzpatrick had displeased Missouri Right to Life by providing a far more reasonable fiscal estimate of the reproductive rights initiative than the one former AG Andrew Bailey had offered, it appears those misgivings have been quieted.

The crowd was mostly locals, with SWMO Reps. Dirk Deaton, Scott Cupps, Bill Owen, Mitch Boggs, and Cathy Jo Loy in attendance – as well as Fitzpatrick’s Budget Chair successor, former Rep. Cody Smith. Guests noshed on pulled pork, brisket, cheesy potatoes, slaw, and what one attendee called “the best baked beans I’ve had at a political event.”

Burnett Faces Challenge

One MOScouter says that former Rep. Ingrid Burnett will face Rebecca Amezcua-Hogan in her bid for Kansas City Council.  More than two years out – Rebecca has already raised $50,000 and collected every major union endorsement in Kansas City. As a Laborers family member, they will pull no punches to ensure Rebecca makes it across the finish line.

·       And another notes that “campaign finance law requires a candidate committee to contain the candidate’s last name.”

Truckers Booted

Missourinet reports on tightening standards for English fluency for truck drivers. As of October 21st, 494 commercial drivers have been cited and pulled off of Missouri’s roadways because they could not fluently speak English.  Capt. Scott White with the Missouri State Highway Patrol said commercial drivers have to satisfy federal English Language Proficiency (ELP) regulations in order to remain on the road.

This is part of a nationwide effort that the Washington Post says is part of “the Trump Administration’s push to designate English as the official language of the U.S.”  But it also dovetails nicely with the anti-immigrant tenor of the times.

“War Room” X Accounts

Campaign Trend notes the emergence of the “war room” account on Twitter. Read it here.

In the 2024 cycle, campaign “war room” accounts on X emerged as one of the most effective tools for shaping political conversation. The Trump War Room was the most visible example, but its success has inspired other campaigns to follow suit.  These accounts have quickly become a must-have for campaigns that want to influence the narrative, engage influencers, and respond to attacks in real time.

$5K+ Contributions

American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $10,000 from Bob Cutler (Overland Park, KS).

Missourians for a Responsible Budget (pro-Fitzpatrick) - $50,000 from Rex Sinquefield.

Old McDonald PAC (pro-Deaton) - $25,000 from Rex Sinquefield.

Old McDonald PAC - $10,000 from Missouri Law Enforcement for Good Government.

Old McDonald PAC - $10,000 from HEALTHPAC.

Friends of Chris Howard - $7,538 from Building Jeffco Together.

Lobbyist Registrations

John Bardgett, Jacqueline Bardgett, Chris Roepe, and Braydon Pemberton added Critical Response Group, and Cordish Companies.

Amy Blunt added MoCannTrade, and Thrive Homes, LLC.