MOScout Daily Update: More Pot Licenses Coming? - Senate Passes Office Conversion Credit - New Head of Childrens’ Division - Munzy Gets Port Appt - Meet Right to Read and more…
The legislature is now on Spring Break, the traditional half-way point of the legislative session. It has been a very productive start by any measure, but particularly compared to the gridlock which gripped the capitol in recent years.
I’m off for the weekend, be back on Monday. This is a quick update this morning, just a few notes and nuggets…
Senate Passes Conversion Tax Credit
The Senate passed Sen. Steven Roberts’ SB 35 “Revitalizing Missouri Downtowns and Main Streets Act” which creates a new tax credit to offset the costs of converting buildings from office use to residential use. Several Republican senators joined Democrats to pass the bill 20-13.
DHSS Issues RFP to Study Changing Number of Pot Licensees
Press release: The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has issued a Request for Proposal to procure a Cannabis Market and Economic Impact Study. The results of the study will be used as a resource to determine whether or when DHSS will be required to issue additional cannabis facility licenses and, if so, how many, where, and of what type. Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution says, “The department may lift or ease any limit on the number of [cannabis] licensees or certificate holders in order to meet the demand for marijuana in the state and to ensure a competitive market while also preventing an over-concentration of marijuana facilities within the boundaries of any particular local government.”
· If DHSS does issue additional licenses, at least half of those licenses must be awarded to owners of cannabis microbusiness facilities that have been operational for at least a year.
Smith Tapped to Lead Children’s Division
Missouri Independent reports that “Missouri’s Department of Social Services announced Thursday that it is appointing Sara Smith as the next director of Children’s Division, effective immediately. … Smith, previously the director of children’s residential programs and compliance within Children’s Division, has worked at the Department of Social Services for 19 years, according to a press release. Prior to working with the state, she worked at an organization focused on helping children experiencing abuse.”
· Why It Matters: The division has lacked stability of leadership. MOINdy notes that “Smith will be the agency’s seventh director since 2018.”
Meet Right to Read
Press release: The Right to Read coalition opposes the suspension of state funding for e-books at libraries. Secretary of State Denny Hoskins states that there have been “allegations regarding inappropriate materials accessible to minors” without providing additional information about the allegations. Many public libraries use the OverDrive digital app for patrons to download books to smartphones, tablets and laptops. OverDrive is used by more than 92,000 libraries and schools in 115 countries…
The “Right to Read” statewide coalition supports Missouri’s libraries as an open, accessible resource for books and other materials available free of charge to the public. The coalition opposes attempts to restrict access to materials at public libraries and trusts librarians and educators to evaluate and select materials available to the public. The Right to Read coalition is comprised of 91 organizations and 1,100 individuals throughout Missouri.
Mizzou Faculty Considers Betting Ban
· The University of Missouri Faculty Council is exploring a potential campus-wide ban on sports betting as the state prepares to implement legal sports wagering later this year.
· NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative Pamela Bruzina presented policy considerations March 13 that could mirror Purdue University’s ban on sports betting for all faculty, staff and students.
· Research data presented showed problematic wagering behaviors negatively impact relationships, finances and mental health. Student bettors report higher rates of substance use, impulse-control issues and anxiety disorders compared to non-bettors.
Munzy to Port Commission
Former Sen. Brian Munzlinger was appointed to the Mid-America Port Commission. “Mr. Munzlinger is a lifelong farmer and former state legislator with extensive experience in agriculture, trade, and infrastructure policy. He served as a Missouri State Senator from 2011 to 2019 and a State Representative from 2003 to 2010, where he chaired the Agriculture, Food Production, and Outdoor Resources Committee…”
And
Governor Mike Kehoe also made two other appointments…
· Steve Black, of Maysville, was appointed to the Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents.
· Lynn Portell, of Potosi, was appointed as the Washington County Presiding Commissioner.
Lograsso Passes
Former Rep. Don Lograsso passed away March 12, 2025, at the age of 73. Our family invites you to gather with us to share memories, offer support, and celebrate his life on Sunday, March 16, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Heartland Church, 400 Lake Village Boulevard, Blue Springs, Missouri 64014. This will be an open-house style event where friends and loved ones can come and go as they wish and will take the place of a traditional visitation and funeral. A private service will be held at a later date.
$5K+ Contributions
Credit Union Political Action Committee of Missouri - $15,000 from CommunityAmerica Credit Union (Lenexa, KS).
Northland Strong PAC - $10,000 from PCA-KC, LLC.
Northland Strong PAC - $15,000 from Richard Chaves.
Defenders of Fair Government and Property Rights PAC - $20,000 from Horizon Land Company (Crofton, MA).
Committee for Independence MO - $25,000 from Heavy Constructors Association - Industry Advancement Fund.
Lobbyist Registrations
Claudia Alley added Missouri Automobile Dealers Association.
Gamble & Schlemeier added Southern Jackson County Fire Protection District.
Ward Cook added HappyBottoms.
Jerry Hobbs added Great State Strategies, LLC.
Roxsen Koch deleted Depot Square Apartments LLC, Country Club Plaza JV LLC, Somera Road Inc., and Axis KC LLC.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Jason Klindt, Ryan DeBoef, Mark Bruns, and Sara Howard.
Saturday: Sen. Jason Bean, Reps. Bennie Cook and Dave Hinman, Adam Gresham, and Gary McElyea.
Sunday: Rep. Bill Owen, Melissa Randol, and Jon Dolan.
MOScout Schedule
I’m off for the weekend. Back in your in-box on Monday…