MOScout Daily Update: Abortion Question Rewritten - Lobbying Form ‘Optional’ - Fed Workers Hit KC Forecast and more…
Quick Friday update…
Tree Lighting
Governor Mike Kehoe and First Lady Claudia Kehoe will host the Christmas tree lighting ceremony tonight at the Governor’s Mansion at 6PM.
Abortion Ballot Language Rewritten
The Western District Court of Appeals rewrote HJR 73’s ballot summary language to something more balanced. This is the question about reversing the right to an abortion. See the ruling here.
Here’s the ballot language now…
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
• Repeal the 2024 voter-approved Amendment providing reproductive healthcare rights, including abortion through fetal viability;
• Allow abortions for rape and incest (under twelve-weeks’ gestation), emergencies, and fetal anomalies;
• Allow legislation regulating abortion;
• Ensure parental consent for minors’ abortions;
• Prohibit gender transition procedures for minors?
What It Means
Opponents of HJR 73 were generally buoyed by the ruling. It’s a fair summary and the outcome looks like a toss-up to me right now.
More on House’s New Lobbying Form
I’m told that house administrators are saying that the form to request speaking to a legislator off the floor will be “an ‘optional tool’ if a lobbyist wanted to be prepared prior to talking to the doorkeeper.”
Lucas Looking Beyond KC?
One MOScouter wonders if Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas’ recent opinion piece in the Springfield News-Leader is someone “trying to build name ID outside his home territory.”
Those Missouri opportunities of yesterday are why I am able to succeed today. While not easy, I want that strong Missouri that raised me to be there for my children and yours. Missouri is worth the work. Let’s show our leaders and our competitors we are committed to doing the work all our Missouri communities deserve.
Dimmitt Kickoff
One reader who attended David Dimmitt’s kickoff said it was “really good for a primary challenger – about 50 people, including several current and former local mayors… Incumbent Rep. Ray Reed attacked Dimmitt for having the event at his “corporate law firm,” although Dimmitt actually represents plaintiffs suing corporations.”
Simmons Closure
Simmons Animal Nutrition says they’re closing their Milan plant. It looks like over 140 jobs will be lost.
· Milan is represented by Sen. Rusty Black, and Rep. Danny Busick.
MARC’s KC Forecast
Mid-America Regional Council’s recent Kansas City forecast sees federal workforce declines weighing on the labor market… A recent wave of deferred resignations among federal workers is expected to cause a short-term dip in employment in the fourth quarter of 2025, pushing 2025’s job growth into negative territory. Recovery is projected to begin in 2026 and accelerate by 2027.
Knodell DUI
KFVS reports that Robert Knodell, former Director of Department of Social Services, was arrested on suspicion of DUI in October. “After receiving consent to search the vehicle, the deputy described finding a large amount of Miller Lite beer cans throughout the car, including one open in the driver’s side door.”
· Knodell is now the city manager of Poplar Bluff.
eMailbag on Rural Hospital Struggles
Dave - I took note of your piece on Fitzgibbon Hospital today. Thought you should know the context that this 340b issue involves hospitals trying to maintain the status quo in an environment where they were already at risk and facing a threat to their existence because of arbitrary changes in practice made by Pharma.
eMailbag: Revenues Follow Up
I am not so sure about the capital gains tax timing. Those with large cap gains tax will pay lower estimated payments which will show up each quarter, mitigating the cliff on April 15 I think…
$5K+ Contributions
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $76,500 from Missouri Insurance Coalition PAC.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from The Travelers Indemnity Company (Hartford, CT).
Stop the Ban - $25,000 from Mary Lamar Reilly.
People Not Politicians - $25,000 from Mary Lamar Reilly.
People Not Politicians - $10,000 from Grant Sunderland (Los Angeles, CA).
Conservative Justice for Missouri PAC - $10,000 from Husch Blackwell LLP.
KC Forward Progress - $25,000 from Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
MIC PAC - $10,000 from USAA Insurance Agency Inc (San Antonio, TX).
Lobbyist Registrations
Courtney Curtis added MIM Trucking Academy.
Erin Schrimpf added Adobe Inc.
Caitlin Whaley added Missouri School Boards' Association.
Nexus Group deleted MoCann Trade.
Kelvin Simmons deleted Essential Families Midwest, Inc.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthday to Gary Bonacker and Chris Pickel.