MOScout Daily Update: The Problem of Lincoln - Police Board Forum Follow-Up - STL Moves and more…

1 Big Thing: The Problem of Lincoln

News yesterday that Sen. Lincoln Hough has been removed from the Senate Appropriations Committee drew different reactions.

First, a couple sources indicated that the news was news to Hough.  That he heard about it through the grapevine.  Leadership didn’t bother with actually telling him.

This leaves Hough with just two committee assignments.  But it’s unclear if it was punishment for some transgression, or concern that he could create mischief on the powerful committee he once led.

But another Republican thinks this rift has been coming for a long time, and claims that Hough is “actively supporting Democrat Betsy Fogle as his replacement. No wonder they continue to punish him in the Senate.”

What It Means

That Republican added an assessment shared by everyone I think, “The battle will certainly continue to blow up this session. We haven’t heard the last word from either side…”

Police Forum Follow-up

I’m told that the St. Louis Police Board town hall hosted by Sens. Steven Roberts and Karla May went well.  “The commissioners had to answer several difficult but fair questions, audience was active and engaged… [The commissioners] earned a lot of credibility by showing up and being in the hot seat.”

·       One reader sees the townhall as a testament to Roberts’ leadership… “His quiet, effective leadership in bringing together all of the Kehoe police board appointees, the mayor, and his city senate colleague for a substantive conversation on the City's most pressing issue.”

Big Q1 for Sports Betting

The Census has an article up about the seasonality of sports betting.  Read it here.

The first quarter of the calendar year sees the remainder of the NBA and NHL regular seasons, as well as the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl. It also includes the March Madness college basketball tournament. Revenue wanes in the summer months when MLB is often the only major sport in action.

STL Moves

·       Emily Thenhaus is now Director of Special Initiatives for Mayor Cara Spencer.  She had been Senior Advisor.

·       Jason Van Eaton, on LinkedIn, reports that he’s “accepted the role of Executive Advisor representing the St. Louis business community on matters involving the development of the soon-to-be reconstructed Lambert International Airport in St. Louis.”

eMailbag on Hoskins and Map

Probably worth informing readers that Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and Attorney General Catherine Hanaway invented this new way of doing referendums yesterday, and it will not stand up in court. Jay Ashcroft paused the right to work bill immediately in 2018, because that’s what constitution requires.

Monday, the Hoskins and Hanaway position was that it would be illegal to turn in signatures. Their federal lawsuit was dismissed and they saw the overwhelming number of signatures, so then they came up with this new plan.  It’s honestly hard to keep track of all the different positions Hoskins has taken on this referendum….

Help Wanted

Department of Health and Senior Services seeks Legislative Director.  Serves as primary communication point between state legislators, stakeholders and DHSS leadership; Works with the department director and senior staff to establish legislative priorities; Complete legislative research and technical preparation, analysis and tracking; Advises DHSS Department Director and senior leadership team on legislative issues and decisions… $65,000 - $85,000… See the posting here.

$5K+ Contributions

American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $15,550 from Missouri Mutual Insurance PAC.

People Not Politicians - $150,000 from Democracy Fund Voice (Washington, DC).

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Civic Impact Coalition.

Butz STL PAC (pro-Butz) - $25,000 from Civic Impact Coalition.

Butz STL PAC - $10,000 from Crawford-Butz and Associates.

Missouri Energy Development Association Political Action Committee - $10,000 from Spire Missouri Inc.

Lobbyist Registrations

Richard McIntosh added Wellpath.

Scott Swain deleted Midwest Natural Fiber, and PayIt, LLC.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Rep. Dean VanSchoiack, and Garrett Hawkins.

MOScout Schedule

No MOScout this weekend.