MOScout Daily Update: Chiefs Headed to KS? - JP Files Report Card Bill - Meet MHC - Emmerich Takes MOCH Reins and more…
Situational awareness: It’s a two-day work week, folks. Governor Mike Kehoe says state offices will be closed on Wednesday and Friday, in addition to the Christmas holiday, Thursday.
Uh Oh… Chiefs Moving??
Fox4KC… Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department of Commerce invited VIPs with the Kansas Legislature and others to a special event on Monday, December 22. An invitation obtained by FOX4 shows that Governor Kelly will be making a special announcement at 3 p.m. in the Kansas State Capitol. The invitation did not share any context regarding the nature or content of the announcement, but it’s worth noting that Kansas lawmakers are expected to vote on a plan to move the Kansas City Chiefs to the Sunflower State in a 1 p.m. meeting that same day.
What It Means
Yes, losing a professional football team will be a blow to Missouri’s ego, but I wonder if the bigger damage will come from a resurgent border war with Kansas, where both states waste economic resources trying to lure businesses from each other.
· KC Business Journal reports… Lockton Cos. announced that it will leave Kansas City's Country Club Plaza for a new headquarters anchoring a $765.7 million mixed-use development in Leawood.
JP Files School Report Card Bill
Speaker Jon Patterson pre-filed his first bill on Friday… HB 2539.
The bill requires the State Board of Education to “develop an annual accountability report card for each public school district, public school, and public charter school in the state… [They] shall be designed in a standardized, clear, and easily accessible form so that they can be easily understood by parents, taxpayers, school personnel, legislators, and the media.”
The report cards would give schools letter grades: A-F. And it would offer modest financial rewards ($100/student) to high-performing schools.
Additionally, “Public school districts, public schools, and public charter schools shall report for high schools the number of graduates who within six months of graduation attend postsecondary education or training programs, serve in the military, serve in national or community service, or are employed in a living-wage career…”
· The A-F report card idea was recently floated by SBOE member Kerry Casey.
Meet MHC
The Modern Health Coalition has formed “to develop and support legislative, regulatory, and other policies that encourage psychedelic research, education, and clinical trials in Missouri.” See their website here. The new group is led by veteran lobbyist Dena Ladd.
· The legislature has debated this topic for a couple of years. Last session, Sen. Stephen Webber’s SB 90, and Rep. Richard West’s HB 829, would have relaxed some regulations around psilocybin. Each was voted out of committee.
Emmerich Named MCOH Topper
Jessica Emmerich will become the Missouri Coalition for Oral Health’s second Executive Director, succeeding Gary Harbison, who is retiring after 14 years… Jessica joins her new role with considerable experience, having held the position of MCOH Dental Medicaid Facilitator for the past three years, and Operations Manager prior to that… Founded in 2006, the Missouri Coalition for Oral Health is the sole agency in Missouri devoted to improving oral health with all Missourians through positive public policy and service system changes.
Why It Matters
Branson banned fluoride in their water system in 2023, and 2025 saw a couple more municipalities move toward that stance.
· Read MCOH’s fluoridation policy statement here: https://www.oralhealthmissouri.org/fluoridation-policy-statement
Gubby Appts
Governor Mike Kehoe appointed David Williams to the Board of Probation and Parole. Mr. Williams was a member of the Jefferson City Police Department, where he served for 33 years before retiring as a captain in 2025. He remains an active member of his community, serving on boards for Special Learning Center and Multipli Credit Union. Williams is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Class #231. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice from Columbia College.
Other appointments…
· William Eckart, Eddie Sargent, and David Scott were appointed to the Elevator Safety Board.
· Steve Hodge was appointed to the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council.
· Michelle Luster was reappointed to the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.
· Craig Stevenson was reappointed to the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board.
The Few, The Proud, The Troopers
News Tribune reports that “more than half the Missouri State Highway Patrol's 124th recruitment class didn't make it through the academy.”
"I get asked all the time about why so many recruits are quitting the academy and what we as an agency are going to do about it," said Col. Michael Turner, superintendent of the Highway Patrol. "... I'll tell you exactly what we're going to do about it – nothing… We're going to embrace the fact that it's difficult. And it's going to remain difficult. Being a Missouri State trooper is not for everyone, and only the best get to walk across the stage and receive a diploma."
· The Highway Patrol commissioned 25 new troopers Friday during a graduation ceremony at its headquarters in Jefferson City. The class began with 51 recruits on July 1.
Help Wanted
Activate MO seeks Director of Programs and Policy. The Director of Programs & Policy plays a critical role in bringing this mission to life—strengthening and scaling programs that center community voice while ensuring those experiences shape statewide policy and legislative action. Through strategic program leadership, policy development, and direct lobbying in Jefferson City, this position ensures that what families experience on the ground directly informs the systems, laws, and structures that shape their children’s futures.
eMailbag
Headline “Ashcroft passes” had me in mourning for a moment. An otherwise flawless year. Merry Christmas
$5K+ Contributions
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $10,000 from Jim C Walton (Bentonville, AR).
Tony PAC (pro-Luetkemeyer) - $10,000 from Caesars Enterprise Services LLC (Las Vegas, NV).
Northland Forward (pro-Nurrenbern) - $17,600 from Missouri Gaming PAC.
MIC PAC - $8,500 from American Family Political Action Committee-MO.
Seniors Count STL - $15,000 from EverTrue.
Seniors Count STL - $10,000 from JFS.
Citizens to Elect John Josendale - $8,500 from John Josendale.
Missouri House Democrats Action Fund - $15,000 from Centene Management Company LLC.
Conservative Justice for Missouri PAC - $10,000 from Roy Pfautch.
Conservative Justice for Missouri PAC - $50,000 from Missouri C PAC.
Conservative Justice for Missouri PAC - $50,000 from MoCannTrade PAC.
MFR PAC - $90,000 from Show Me Organics Inc.
Lobbyist Registrations
Mark Coulter added Nebius, Inc.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays to Shannon Cooper and Casey Burns.