MOScout Daily Update: GOP Revisits Abortion Law - IUOE for Future Test Year - Rayner Hires Lobbyist - Ed Hearts Elon and more…
MOGOP To Revisit Abortion Law
Rep. Melanie Stinnett’s HJR 54 will get a hearing today (4PM) in the House Children and Families Committee.
Her proposal would send the abortion issue back to Missouri voters. It would reverse November’s recent full legalization of abortion, and instead ban the procedure with specific exceptions.
No abortion shall be performed or induced upon a woman, except in cases of medical emergency, fetal anomaly, rape, or incest.
What It Means
One the one hand it’s surprising that Republicans would take up this issue just months after voters made their voices heard, passing the constitutional amendment. One the other hand, Republicans are emboldened by two factors…
· First, they didn’t suffer any negative consequences for their abortion stance in the November election, sweeping the statewide offices and holding steady in the legislative races.
· Second, the ballot question only narrowly passed. Republicans believe it was a reaction to the total ban, and that most Missourians would favor an almost-total ban with exceptions for rape, incest, and the health of the mother.
Another Union Backs Cierpiot Utilities Bills
Last week, Local 513 Hoisting and Portable of the International Union of Operating Engineers wrote to legislative leaders indicating their support for the “future test year” legislation.
Sen. Mike Cierpiot’s legislation is expected to hit the Senate floor this week. It’ll be the first big debate of session as consumer groups have warned that it would result in higher rates.
· Cierpiot’s various bills will be rolled into a single floor substitute.
· Sen. Sandy Crawford also has bills on the perfection calendar dealing with county finances, but they don’t look controversial.
Why It Matters
Organized labor’s support for the legislation could weaken Democrats’ resistance. We’ll see…
Rayner Hires Lobbyist
In the lobbyist registrations (below), Mike Rayner has hired Rich AuBuchon.
Rayner is part of the Cargill family. He’s been an increasingly prominent Republican donor…
· Rayner recently sent $400,000 to Jason Law, who’s running for St. Charles County Executive.
· He gave heavily (six figures) in 2024 to the campaigns of Mike Kehoe and Andrew Bailey.
· And he’s also heavily funded (seven figures) the Missouri Law Enforcement for Good Government PAC which is pushing for state control of the St. Louis police force.
Why It Matters
Rayner seems to be emerging as a potent new force in Jefferson City.
Trump to Dismantle Dept of Education?
Wall Street Journal reports that the Trump Administration will “dismantle” the Department of Education.
Trump administration officials are weighing executive actions to dismantle the Education Department as part of the campaign by billionaire Elon Musk and his allies to shrink federal agencies and slash the size of the government workforce. The officials have discussed an executive order that would shut down all functions of the agency that aren’t written explicitly into statute or move certain functions to other departments, according to people familiar with the matter…
Why It Matters
There’s an impulse in this era for Missouri Republicans to parrot any Trumpian move.
For example, after Trump’s new DOGE was announced, Governor Mike Kehoe said in his State of the State he wants Missouri to have “its own version of a DOGE government efficiency initiative very soon—a Show-Me DOGE.” And Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman referred to her Senate Committee on Government Efficiency as “MODOGE.”
· It’s worth watching if this leads to any similar attack on Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as some have rebelled against DESE in the past.
· Sen. Jill Carter has put forth bills limiting DESE and the State Board of Education.
Owen Fires Back!
Replying to the comment that Renew Missouri is "going to war" with Caleb Jones, James Owens writes: I do not consider correcting misinformation and negative comments about wind and solar "going to war." It’s telling to me that no one wants to refute the substance of my argument but leaning on some personality dispute. On a February day when it’s going to be 67 degrees, no one wants to challenge the idea coal isn’t the magical elixir its defenders say.
Eigel for St. Chuck
As expected, Bill Eigel announced he’ll be running for St. Charles County Executive.
· My guess is that we continue to see a “kinder, gentler” Eigel in the next year and a half before this primary. His fiery Senate persona and gubernatorial campaign should lock in the angry side of the Republican electorate. He’ll now look to demonstrate he can provide steady, competent governance to expand his base.
Ed to Elon: I Got Your Back
Ed Martin, now United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, penned a letter to Elon Musk telling him, “we will pursue any and all legal action against anyone who impedes your work or threatens your people.”
Willmeth to Husch Blackwell Strategies
Press release: HBS announced today that Tanya Willmeth has joined its Public Affairs group as a Principal in its St. Louis office. Tanya has over twenty years of experience in public affairs and strategic communications with a specialization in podcasting, political campaigns, and nonprofit leadership. With a knack for storytelling, Tanya helps clients in crafting compelling narratives that resonate with stakeholders and inspire action.
· Tanya most recently served as the communications chair for an education campaign supporting the successful election of Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe…
Lobbyist Registrations
Rich AuBuchon added Mike Rayner.
Scott Woodruff added Home School Legal Defense Association.
Derek Coats added the clients of Kit Bond Strategies.
Jay Reichard, Christian Morgan, and Gunnar See added FanDuel Group Inc, DraftKings Inc, and Sports Betting Alliance/Vantage Legal PLLC.
Alex Tuttle added Missouri Association of Realtors.
Trent Ford added Recycled Materials Association; and deleted Mid America Chapter of The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc.
Andrew “Blake” Rollins deleted Missouri Farm Bureau.
David Willis deleted Quality Schools Coalition.
Jerry Hobbs deleted Tower of Hope Ministries, and Precision Body and Paint 2nd Chance Program.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Danny Pfeifer and Heather Grote.