MOScout Weekender: Did ‘Greedy’ Pro-lifers Miss a Good Deal? - Hallway on New Hallway System - Who Won the Week and more…

‘Greedy’ Pro-lifers Missed a Good Deal?

With the abortion ballot language now finally written, it looks like pro-lifers missed a pretty good deal in the final week of session.

In an effort to avoid a PQ, Dems bent over backward to try to reach an accommodation, negotiating on the abortion IP language.

One front-row observer says, “the language [Dems] agreed to was much better for the pro-life groups than what they’re now going to get… I wonder if upon reflection, they’ll see that maybe they shouldn’t have gotten so greedy.”

The analysis…

·       Pro-choice folks see the first line of the ballot summary as helpful to beating the measure: “Repeal the 2024 voter-approved Amendment providing reproductive healthcare rights, including abortion through fetal viability.”

·       The second line will give pro-lifers challenges with their own hardcore base: “Allow abortions for rape and incest (under twelve-weeks’ gestation), emergencies, and fetal anomalies.”

·       And the ballot candy is buried in the fifth and final line: “Prohibit gender transition procedures for minors?”

Remington/MOScout Poll

No poll this week.

MOScout’s Hallway Index:

I asked lobbyists, “What's your view of the new proposed procedure for calling House members off the floor?” 22 replies…

RESULTS

1. Stupid idea… 81.8%

2. Clever idea… 0%

3. Not sure, let's give it a try and see… 13.6%

4. Something else… 4.5%

Sample of Comments

·       Sunshine Law!!!!

·       Potential Primary Opponent... *Sees supposed conservative representative met with Planned Parenthood* *Files to run in a primary*

·       One of the dumbest ideas in the history of the House, unless the goal was to have lobbyists text legislators instead of fetching them via the doormen.

·       My guess is it won’t last long but I’m willing to give it a shot and see if it helps.

·       Tried under Diehl, did away with in a month. How do these ideas make it this far without being stopped?

·       Just imagine if all this creativity was channeled into making good policy....

·       There are plenty of times the current system doesn’t work for legislators or lobbyists so trying something new couldn't be that much worse.

·       Legislators are just going to have to get used to lobbyists asking for their numbers so they don't have to go through that process.

·       I’ve heard the idea is already dead. Which is a bummer. I was looking forward to having unfettered access through cell phones and cutting off access for everyone else.

·       I was a page in the Oklahoma state house and their set up is similar.

Who Won the Week?

Denny Hoskins – He’s winning some and he’s losing some.  But he’s giving his base exactly what they asked for – a conservative who’s not afraid to get in the middle of issues and mix it up.

Missouri Gaming Commission – Methodical rollout of sports betting hits zero snags in its first week.

School choicers – They’re staying on offense with filed bills for open enrollment; the State Treasurer proposing to double the voucher budget, and a governor’s office that’s on board with their philosophy.

MoDOT critics – There’s been a long-standing tussle between Missouri’s Department of Transportation and the legislature.  The first snowfall of the year gave legislators new fuel in their quest to exert some control over MoDOT.

Find a downloadable version here.

Gubby Appts

Governor Mike Kehoe appointed five people to the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners…

·       Cameron Christoffer, of Shelbyville.

·       William Davis Jr., of Springfield.

·       Linell Dozier, of Jefferson City.

·       Leo Price Sr., of O’Fallon.

·       Timothy Root, of Columbia.

$5K+ Contributions

Great Northwest PAC (pro-Rusty Black) - $10,000 from Missouri Law Enforcement for Good Government PAC.

MO Republican Attorneys for Civil Justice PAC - $10,000 from Simmons Hanly Conroy (Alton, IL).

MAKE JEFFCO GREAT AGAIN PAC (pro-Avery) - $7,600 from Uniting Missouri PAC.

MIC PAC - $10,000 from Zurich American Insurance Company (Schaumburg, IL).

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Sen. Ben Brown, Joe Bednar, and Teresa Coyan.

Sunday: Kiki Curls, Rodney Hubbard, Nick Maddux, and Bree Bowen.