MOScout Daily Update: SBOE Questions Kehoe Cuts - Walsh to SOS - Jetton Starts Firm - Hartley Blunt Spin-off - Folsom in Senate 4 and more…
Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin on this week’s schedule with the impending weather… The Missouri Senate will be in session this week. There was some conversation about the weather and it IS going to be brutal sounds like. However, the worst is predicted to come after we are all already there. And as we know often the worst never materializes. Let’s hope this is a good call.
Meet Modern Ag Alliance
Modern Ag Alliance is running ads on social media…
This is a national group, a “coalition of agricultural stakeholders, founded by Bayer, advocating for U.S. farmers’ access to the crop protection tools they need to ensure we have a robust and affordable domestic food supply.” In particular, they’re trying to protect glyphosate from “scientifically unsound lawsuits.”
· Missouri members of the Modern Ag Alliance: Missouri Agribusiness Association, Missouri Cattlemens Association, Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Pork Association, and Missouri Soybeans.
· In Missouri, they’re supporting Rep. Dane Diehl’s HB 544 is on the House Perfection and Sen. Justin Brown’s SB 14.
State Board Questions Kehoe’s Literacy Cuts
At last week’s State Board of Education meeting, board members expressed frustration that Governor Mike Kehoe zeroed out funding for new literacy programs established by SB 727 and for literacy coaches needed to complete LETRS training.
Kari Monsees, the department’s deputy commissioner, told the board, “Literacy coaches, this is one of our programs that we wanted some ongoing support. We’ve been funding them with relief dollars for the last three plus years, I believe, and so this is something that’s a pretty high priority for us.” Despite the governor’s lack of support, Monsees noted that House budget committee members signaled strong interest in restoring the cuts.
Board member Carol Hallquist emphasized that Missouri already knows how to improve literacy, pointing to the proven impact of literacy coaches and teacher training. “I can get a little bit frustrated when revenue is not allocated to these areas because they will help our students immensely,” she said.
Aligned echoed support for literacy initiatives in a St. Louis Post-Dispatch op-ed, highlighting Missouri Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger’s statement that “Children learn to read from zero to three, and then they read to learn.”
· Ironically, next week, the House Education Committee will hear HB 941, sponsored by Rep. Ed Lewis, which would prohibit schools from using "three-cueing" to teach reading – a method being replaced by the Science of Reading. Yet, the very LETRS training that helps educators implement the Science of Reading was among the governor’s funding cuts.
Walsh to SOS Office
Former Rep. Sara Walsh has joined the Secretary of State’s office. The Missouri Accountability Portal lists her position as “Receptionist II.”
Jetton Hangs Out A Shingle
Former Speaker Rod Jetton is hanging out a shingle. According to a filing with the Secretary of State’s office, Jetton has formed Grassroots Strategies LLC.
See the filing here.
Cupps’ Rules Unthaws?
The House Rules Committee Legislative has posted hearings for every day this week. There are 18 bills on tap there to be voted out, including some high-profile measures like Rep. Bill Hardwick’s VLT bill and Rep. Brenda Shields’ childcare tax credit bill.
House Ethics Sets Meeting
The House Ethics Committee has scheduled a hearing on Tuesday to discuss a complaint, “Complaint 25-01.”
· These proceedings are always closed, and generally leak-free. So any rumors are total specualtion but… some think it could be about Rep. Justin Sparks taking a job with the National Law Enforcement Foundation. See the Missouri Independent story (from January 7) about that here.
Hartley Blunt Strategies Spins Off
Press release: Husch Blackwell Strategies, the lobbying firm affiliated with the law firm Husch Blackwell, has spun off under the new name Hartley Blunt Strategies, after the firm’s two founders, Gregg Hartley and Andy Blunt. Husch Blackwell Strategies was founded in January of 2018 in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a joint venture with Husch Blackwell.
Andy Bunt said, “Husch Blackwell has been an incredible platform for our group, and we are grateful for the past seven years together. Our accelerated growth, from five offices and 42 clients in 2018 to 13 offices nationwide and more than 400 clients today, made it difficult for both firms to continue to accommodate and service such a large and diverse range of clients. We have more than doubled in size since we started, and we are excited to continue on that trajectory as an independent firm.”
· See the new firm’s website here.
Anders Passes
Former Rep. Ira Anders passed away over the weekend. He represented Independence Missouri, elected in 2010 and serving until 2018.
· Visitation will be Saturday 2PM – 4PM at Newcomer’s Noland Road Chapel.
Gubby Appts
Governor Mike Kehoe appointed Justin W. Ruth, of University City, as Associate Circuit Judge for Saint Louis County in the 21st Judicial Circuit.
Help Wanted
The Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri seeks Assistant Vice President – Public Policy. Under the direct supervision of the Vice President – Public Policy, the Assistant Vice President – Public Policy is responsible for planning, coordinating, and/or implementing both short- and long-term initiatives which are adopted by the Association in order to achieve its public policy objectives. In addition, this position serves as the staff liaison for various public policy boards and committees. The position requires registration as a lobbyist with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
New Committees
Folsom for the Future was formed. This is a candidate committee for Blaine Folsom to run for Senate 4 where Sen. Karla May is termed. Folsom is the legislative assistant of Rep. LaKeySha Bosley. See the filing here.
· Rep. Steve Butz and Peter Merideth are the other declared candidates for this race.
Lobbyist Registrations
Heath Clarkston, Doug Nelson, and Michael James Henderson added Plant Based Foods Association, CoinFlip, and The Good Food Institute, Inc.
Dale Ludwig added Missouri FFA Leadership Fund, Midwest Hemp Assn, Republic Foods, and Verde Resources.
Jay Reichard and Olivia Wilson added J & J Ventures.
Derek Coats added The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation.
Sherry Doctorian added American Adoptions.
Michael Donnelly added Club for Growth.
Caroline Faber added Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems, Inc.
Maddie McMillan Green added Public School Retirement System of The City of St Louis.
Jason Zamkus added Houston R-1 Board of Education.
$5K+ Contributions
314 Forward (pro-Tishaura Jones) - $25,000 from L.I.U.N.A Local 110 PAC Fund.
A Brighter Future for St Louis PAC (pro-Spencer) - $10,000 from Roy Pfautch.
A Brighter Future for St Louis PAC - $10,000 from Douglas Brewer.
Together KC - $25,000 from J.E. Dunn Construction Company.
ASAPAC MO Federal Committee - $25,000 from American Society of Anesthesiologists Political Action Committee (Schaumburg, IL).
Progress for Park Hill Schools - $10,000 from Hollis + Miller Architects.
Progress for Park Hill Schools - $10,000 from Universal Construction Company, Inc.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Sen. Brian Williams, Jonathan Ratliff, and Pat Jakopchek.