MOScout Daily Update: DESE Releases APRs - Bean Lands $$$ - Chamber Opposes New Sales Tax - MEC Fines and more…

Quick Friday update….

DESE Releases Statewide APR Scores

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released the latest statewide Annual Performance Reports (APRs).

The press release put a positive spin on the data proclaiming that 91% of Missouri public schools met or exceeded state standards.  But school-choicers will undoubtedly point to the other 9% and ask if they’re not being left behind.

·       Crucially, the Post-Dispatch reports that this tranche of data won’t result in any repercussions for any underperforming districts. “Under the system, districts cannot drop an accreditation level until after the 2025-2026 data is calculated, pushing any changes to fall 2027.”

MO Chamber Pushes Back Against Fee Proposal

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s CEO Kara Corches, in a letter to the Department of Revenue, warned against a new rule (12 CSR 10-103.55) which would require businesses to charge sales tax on any credit card processing fees charged to customers.

The increased tax burden may be especially challenging for small businesses with tight margins, and may lead some to reduce payment options, raise prices, or attempt to absorb the cost.

The Proposed Rule will also create a range of administrative burdens for businesses, including updates to point-of-sale systems, staff training, and pricing adjustments. The Department’s financial estimate suggests minimal cost, but our members anticipate higher compliance costs tied to this specific provision.

Money Watch

·       Sen. Jason Bean has been putting together a nice stream of checks.  Since the end of session he’s collected eleven large contributions, seven in the past week.  Bean is seeking to become Senate President Pro Tem, and fundraising prowess never hurts the pursuit of a leadership position.  However, it is less determinative in the Senate than the House.  And there’s a long time until that caucus election.

·       Boyd Gaming added $150,000 to the Missouri Gaming PAC.  Boyd operates Ameristar Casinos in St. Charles and Kansas City.  It’s unclear if loading the PAC is preparing for another VLT battle next session, related to the possible new Lake of the Ozarks casino, or just a regular contribution.

Putting the AI in Governmaint

News Tribune reports on attempts to integrate artificial intelligence into state government.

The state participated in a summit Wednesday so that staff from Salesforce, a data and analytics company, could demonstrate how implementation of AI tools and solutions in work processes could help reduce the public sector's administrative burden and improve government efficiency.

·       A huge hurdle, the Salesforce personnel said, is the data fragmentation in state government. Fragmentation prevents having all the data available for a holistic view of Missourians and what they need from the government.

MEC Fines

·       The pro-Bill Eigel PAC, BILL, was fined $2,000 for various violations.  See the consent order here.

·       Rep. John Hewkin was fined $1,000 for failing to report an in-kind donation.  See the consent order here.

Fostering the Next Generation

The University of Missouri’s Civic Leaders Internship Program (CLIP) is a non-partisan initiative connecting talented students with meaningful legislative experiences. For over 20 years, CLIP has placed students in government, policy, and nonprofit internships—and now we’re expanding into government relations, legal, municipal, and county opportunities.

Why consider hosting an MU intern?

·       Explosive Growth: Student interest has doubled every year for the past five years.

·       Record-Breaking Demand: This year, we received 182 applications—the most ever.

·       Competitive & Multi-disciplinary: Of those 182 apps we've advanced 127 students moving into placement. CLIP is open campus-wide, drawing students from nearly every college and school from sophomores to graduate students, representing Missouri and beyond.

We also provide fundraised scholarships to help students offset expenses. If your office wants to invest in future leaders while gaining dedicated support, visit https://cel.missouri.edu/clip/ for details or email CLIP Director Chad Follis at cfollis@missouri.edu to secure an intern for the Spring Semester.

$5K+ Contributions

Stop the Ban - $60,000 from PROMO.

Old Drum Conservative PAC (pro-Hoskins) - $7,250 from MoCannTrade PAC.

Missouri Gaming PAC - $150,000 from Boyd Gaming Corporate (Las Vegas, NV).

Conservative Leadership for Southeast Missouri (pro-Bean) - $7,500 from Missouri Prospers PAC.

Conservative Leadership for Southeast Missouri - $7,500 from Conservative Leaders of Missouri LLC.

Conservative Leadership for Southeast Missouri - $5,100 from Missouri Soybean Association.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from The Goldman Group (Boston, MA).

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Evergy Metro, Inc.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Cigna Holding Company (Washington, DC).

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from SNK Real Property Holdings LLC.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from 964 PAC.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $6,000 from Costlow for Missouri.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,640 from Steinmeyer For Missouri.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $8,500 from Diehl for Missouri.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $7,000 from Committee to Elect Phelps.

Lobbyist Registrations

Derek Coats added Recidiviz, and Specialty Paper Roll Products.

Susan Henderson Moore and Cara Alexander added Central Power Systems & Services, LLC.

Nancy Giddens and Shannon Cooper deleted URAC.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Congressman Sam Graves, Jarad Falk, and David Sater.