MOScout Daily Update: Pre-filing Opens and Sports Betting Starts - Malek Pushes for $100M Into Vouches - MTC Moves - Pierce Retires and more…
Back from the long weekend, we’ll just zip through the quick catch-up today…
Pre-Filing Opens
Today is the start of pre-filing bills for the next legislative session. Why it matters: it gives a good look at what legislators are prioritizing for next year.
But… one of the biggest issues coming before the legislature next year will be Governor Mike Kehoe’s plan to phase out the state income tax. And don’t expect to see it introduced today – though there will likely be some vehicles with some components of the plan. The official roll-out will come with his State of the State address.
And
Also today – in case you somehow managed to evade the omnipresent online ads – sports betting opens in Missouri. Press release from Missouri Gaming Commission: The Missouri Gaming Commission announced that as of 12:00 a.m. on December 1, 2025, legal sports wagering is available to patrons in the state. Licensed operators with approved internal controls and house rules may offer live wagering. This significant milestone in Missouri is the result of voters’ approval of Amendment 2 on November 5, 2024, which legalized sports betting statewide.
MTC Appts
In the past week, Governor Mike Kehoe has made a slew of appointments to the Missouri Technology Corporation.
The moves come after a bumpy 2025 which saw MTC losing state funding, as well as the exit of their executive director and board president.
I wrote last week that Sen. Travis Fitzwater appears interested in leading the organization.
He certainly fits the job description with a strong background in government and entrepreneurship. But I’m told Kehoe did not give his appointees any directive about hiring preferences. He picked folks he trusted to lead the organization, and isn’t weighing in on who should be the next executive director.
Pierce Retires
Veteran lobbyist Chuck Pierce terminated his registration. He’s “going to spend more time with my grandkids, motorcycles & fly rods.”
· In addition to clients like Associated Industries of Missouri, Pierce has been the face of the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants in the building for the past 16 years.
$100M to Vouchers?
Kurt Erickson reports that Treasurer Vivek Malek “wants to double the amount of public money being spent on the state's controversial private school voucher program, even as the proposal is being challenged in court… [he] submitted budget documents to Gov. Mike Kehoe’s administration asking for a $100 million infusion into the state’s MoScholars program, up from the $50 million approved this fiscal year over the objections of most Democrats. In addition, Malek wants $315,000 in new spending to hire four additional employees to administer the program, which had previously run off of donations eligible for tax credits.”
What I’m Watching
It’s unclear if Malek is getting a step ahead of Kehoe’s agenda or if they’re in sync.
The expectation for the next session is that Governor Kehoe will follow up on his same priorities from last session – crime, school choice, tax cuts and pro-Ag legislation. In that sense, bumping up the voucher funding from $50 million to $100 million is the obvious next step. But in the face of a tight budget year, and having just implemented the initial general revenue funding, a strategic pause would seemingly be prudent here.
Data Centers Coming to Montgomery County
KRCG TV reports that the “Montgomery County Commission confirmed two data center projects are moving forward in the county. On November 21, Montgomery County commissioners signed off on land-use approvals for two large data-center developments near the I-70, Highway 19 interchange.”
· The proposal for Project Spade, submitted by Spade Property Owner LLC, would span 780 acres in unincorporated Montgomery County and 130 acres within the city limits of New Florence.
· Plans include three large buildings, each more than 1 million square feet, along with a closed-loop cooling system, multiple wells, stormwater ponds, and utility substations.
And
The Wall Street Journal calls data centers “a gold rush for construction workers.”
In Hermiston, Ore., Marc Benner, 60, arrives in the predawn hours at a data-center construction site… he spends the day making the rounds ensuring electrical safety. These are lucrative skills at the electricity-gobbling sites, and Benner makes $225,000 a year, boosted in part by $100 in daily incentive pay for all workers on site. “It’s my American dream,” said Benner, who has been helping build data centers for 15 years, including the ones now powering AI.
Why It Matters
Data centers have been splitting the political establishment – and not in a typical Republican/Democrat divide. Some folks are embracing the economic development. This includes pro-business Republicans and Democratic allies of organized labor. Meanwhile others are fighting against the development. Again, for a variety of ideological reasons that can’t be easily pigeon-holed: local control, environmental concerns, and fear of higher electric bills.
Meet Redefine Politics
Dustin Bax has formed Redefine Politics LLC. According to its incorporation filing, the company will “provide campaign communication services including, but not limited to, mail piece design, strategy development, organizing political campaigns, candidate training, compliance, fundraising and branding”
· Bax is chair of the Cole County Democrats, and Rep. Will Jobe’s legislative assistant.
Splintering Social Media
Axios reports that social media usage continues to splinter.
What It Means
2026 campaigns will need messaging (and ad buying) on a diverse array of platforms to reach their audience.
AOC Mum on Bush
Nicholas Wu reports that “some members of the Squad are noncommittal on Cori Bush's comeback.”
· Rep. AOC: “I don’t think I’m going to be making any sort of announcements about any primaries, at least until January"
eMailbag on Senate 6
You're telling me that Lisa Thomas, a former state rep who lost reelection 60/40, as an incumbent, in a primary, is a threat in a state senate campaign? Especially when the population center is Cole county? No way.
Help Wanted
House seeks Budget Coordinator. This is a highly responsible, professional, partisan position in the House Budget Chair's Office. This position is full-time and is eligible for Missouri state employee benefits. The position is located at the State Capitol Building in Jefferson City, Missouri… Starting salary range: $45,000-$50,000; actual salary commensurate with applicable education and experience. See the posting here.
$5K+ Contributions
Paladin PAC - $81,400 from J&J Ventures Gaming, LLC (Effingham, IL).
The Rowdy PAC - $60,000 from J & J Ventures Gaming of Missouri LLC.
Paladin PAC - $22,000 from J&J Ventures Gaming, LLC.
People Not Politicians - $23,000 from Karen Edge.
Breakthru Beverage Missouri, LLC - $30,000 from Charles Merinoff (Windham, VT).
Missouri Leadership PAC - $10,000 from Evergy Metro, Inc.
MPS PAC - $10,000 from Missouri Leadership Forum.
VGS PAC - $20,000 from United Gaming LLC (Stockbridge, GA).
MBA Pony Express Region PAC - $7,900 from Nodaway Valley Bank.
Lobbyist Registrations
Erin Schrimpf added Viceroy Government Relations.
Jeremy LaFaver added Holistic Alternatives Recovery Trust.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays to Elizabeth Zerr, Stacy Steen, Ryan Stauffer, Frank Plescia, Charlie Dooley, and Mark McCloskey.