MOScout Daily Update: Webber to Challenger Beck for Minority Leader - O’Laughlin on PBMs - Colorado Follows MO Lead - Indiana Doesn’t and more…
Quick Friday update…
Webber to Challenge Beck
Sen. Stephen Webber will challenge Sen. Doug Beck for the position of Minority Leader when the Senate Democrats caucus on Monday.
· One source: Webber has the votes… Beck has been making calls but the ship is sailing.
I’m told there’s no philosophical issue at the heart of the challenge, rather Webber’s dissatisfaction with the way the caucus is organized and run has been brewing for a long time.
It’s hard to tell if this will be a divisive event or whether Dems’ anger at the Republican leadership will keep them unified.
· Another source thinks there could be collateral damage from the move: The ripple effect is broad… labor support, trust, a fractured super minority.
Another interesting angle: Webber has potentially seven years ahead in the Senate. He’d be positioned as a long-term leader.
O’Laughlin on PBMs
On Facebook, Senate Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin recounts her recent efforts to fill a prescription. See it here.
This is how it ends…
So by now I am furious and the morale of this story is PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS PROVIDE ABSOLUTELY NO BENEFIT TO THE PUBLIC. THEY DO BENEFIT THE PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS BUT TOO BAD IF YOU ARE SICK AND NEED A PRESCRIPTION.
This here is one symptom of the overall medical problems people face and why we despise the entire system. When I get up tomorrow and cough my way through a meeting believe me this experience (which many people face much more serious health issues) I will be sure to put this on my list of things that need torn down.
Wait…..tomorrow I have a meeting on this very topic. How fortuitous.
MO 2026 Estimated Sports Handle
Bet Missouri has revised its estimated sports betting handle in Missouri. The “tweaks” are based on the number of initial bettors as well as the underwhelming performance of the Chiefs and Blues.
We estimate the first full year (Dec. 1, 2025 to Nov. 30, 2026) to hit about $3.515 billion in handle statewide. Such an estimate would represent a 9.4% decrease from our initial 12-month handle projection ($3.88 billion) that we published in October, speaking to the continued tweaking of statewide handle performance that comes from seemingly insignificant things like the play of the state’s lone NFL franchise and other factors.
· This estimate would translate into an estimated tax revenue of about $44 million.
Senate 14: Teamsters for Bowman
In Senate 14 where there’s a spirited race to succeed Sen. Brian Williams, John Bowman touts a recent labor endorsement…
I’m proud to share that I’ve received the endorsement of Teamsters Joint Council 13 — a tremendous honor and a powerful reminder of what this campaign is all about… This latest endorsement builds on the incredible support we’ve already received from the labor community, including Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 4, United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 655, and UNITE HERE Local 74.
Colorado Follows Missouri’s Lead
Jared Polis, the governor of Colorado, is recommending a merger of several departments/programs to create the Colorado Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. Read more here.
Missouri was the first state to combine higher ed and workforce development back in 2019 under Governor Mike Parson. Colorado reached out to Missouri for information and guidance as they considered their restructuring.
Indiana Does Not Follow Missouri’s Lead
NPR reports that Indiana Republicans rejected a push to do a quick redistricting despite pressure from the Trump Administration.
$5K+ Contributions
Great Northwest PAC (pro-Rusty Black) - $10,000 from Missouri Gaming PAC.
Missouri Leadership PAC - $30,000 from Sports Betting Alliance (Lubbock, TX).
MIC PAC - $10,000 from GEICO (Washington, DC).
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Breakthru Beverage Missouri LLC PAC.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Noel Torpey, Celeste Rueter, Chris Girouard, Sal Martinez, and Sreenu Dandamudi.
Saturday: Dan Shaul, Jennae Neustadt, Gary Fuhr, and Curt Dougherty.
Sunday: Cheryl Dillard.
MOScout Schedule
No MOScout this weekend.