MOScout Daily Update: Senate Dems’ Caucus Compromise - Columbia Schools Sue Over ‘Special Law’ - Bondi Help STL Developer? and more…
Dems Meet Amid Tensions
Senate Democrats put on a brave face and tweeted out a “unity” photograph after a three-hour caucus meeting yesterday…
Behind the forced smiles, I’m told… Sen. Stephen Webber entered the weekend with a 6-4 edge over Minority Leader Doug Beck, but one of his votes wavered, and the caucus found itself deadlocked in a 5-5 vote. After several rounds of voting with no movement, Beck allies asserted that “the tie goes to the leader,” while Webber-ites argued that you keep voting until the tie is broken.
Ultimately, a compromise was brokered: Beck will serve one more year as Minority Leader, stepping down after the 2026 session to make way for new leadership in January 2027. Webber was named “Leader-elect.”
What it Means
· Senate Dems did their best to come out unified after being deadlocked, but there are clearly seams in their fabric that Republicans may seek to exploit.
· With his new title, Webber has the inside track to be the next Minority Leader. Still nothing is certain with one source predicting that Assistant Leader Steven Roberts, who supported Beck, will seek the top job as well.
Columbia Schools Sue
Columbia Public Schools sued to stop a charter school from operating their school district. See the suit here.
CPS argues that SB 727’s provision enabling a charter school in their district – and only their district – is “a special law” prohibited by the state constitution.
· The Missouri Constitution forbids the State from enacting legislation that singles out a single county for special treatment.
What It Means
As with much of the legislative tussle these days, the legislative battles are only one front. There’s often a post-session battle in the courts as well.
Roberts Settles Again
Post-Dispatch reports that Sen. Steven Roberts has settled, once again, with accuser Amy Harms about a 2015 sexual assault accusation and what each is allowed to say about it. Basically no details about the settlement are public.
Dems Question Bondi Intervention
Punchbowl reports that “Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Rep. Dave Min (D-Calif.) are leading an effort looking into whether the Department of Justice improperly handled cases involving Attorney General Pam Bondi’s brother, Brad Bondi.”
One case cited is U.S. v. Sidarth Chakraverty. The St. Louis developer was charged with fraud, but “the DOJ dropped charges... after Brad Bondi joined the legal teams of the defendants.”
Catholics on Death Penalty, Immigration
Missouri Catholic Conference reports on polling that its U.S. members aren’t always with the church’s teaching on political hot-button issues…
· The study found that 55% of U.S. Catholics support the death penalty “for a person convicted of murder,” while 20% said they oppose the death penalty, and 25% are unsure. Among those who attend Mass regularly, 52% support the death penalty, just 16% oppose it, and 27% are unsure. It is important to note that the Catholic Church opposes the death penalty because it disregards the inviolability and dignity of the person and is no longer necessary to protect society (Catechism, n. 2267).
· Regarding immigration enforcement, the poll showed that 54% of U.S. Catholics support “the detention and deportation of unauthorized immigrants on a broad scale,” with 30% opposing this policy and 17% neither supporting nor opposing it. The Church teaches that the issue of immigration must be addressed in a manner that is both just and merciful (Catechism, n. 2241), distinguishing between violent criminals and those who are fleeing persecution or crushing poverty to seek a better life.
Non-Committee Expenditures
Abortion Action Fund spent over $25,000 opposing the new Amendment 3. See the filing here.
Help Wanted
Missouri Chamber of Commerce seeks Director of Investor Recruitment. In this role, you will be the front-facing sales professional for Missouri’s leading business advocacy organization, helping companies understand how the Missouri Chamber’s influence, programs and resources accelerate their success. See the posting here.
New Committees
Flower Fund PAC was formed.
$5K+ Contributions
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $10,000 from Missouri Health Plan Association PAC.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Frank Zaitshik (Thonotosassa, FL).
Lincoln PAC (pro-Hough) - $7,125 from Missouri Hospital Association PAC.
Hahn DeBoef PAC - $10,000 from Lincoln PAC.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Civic Impact Coalition.
Paladin PAC - $7,000 from J&J Ventures of Missouri, LLC (Effingham, IL).
Lobbyist Registrations
Jay Reichard and Olivia Wilson added OnMed.
Chris Roepe added Nurture KC.
Claudia Alley deleted YWCA Metro St. Louis.
Doug Nelson deleted Ehawk, Inc.
Jason Dial, Chris Gaines, and Michael Umfleet terminated their registrations. They had all represented the Missouri Council of School Administrators.
Jill Cavagnaro terminated her registration. She had represented ClassWallet.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays to Jon Carpenter, and Lillian Williams.