MOScout Daily Update: Cyber-Attack on Conservation? - Dueling DJT Naming Bills - Budget Timeline - Cornejo to SOS - 2026 Update and more…

Cyber Attack At Conservation?

The Missouri Department of Conservation appears to have suffered a cyber-incident, the extent of which is unknown right now.

Various parts of the department’s website are not functioning – including its own press release on the incident which said that the Department was activating an “incident response team” due to “”suspicious activity.”

I’m not sure if “CyberExperts.com” actually has any real insight into this situation, but here’s their take…

·       The breach’s repercussions reverberate through the MDC’s operations, affecting both internal data management systems and public-facing services. Conservation efforts, wildlife monitoring programs, and public information platforms may experience delays, highlighting the broader implications of cybersecurity breaches on public welfare and environmental stewardship.

·       Barbara Anderson, a senior biologist with MDC, is concerned about the possible effects on ongoing research projects. “Our work relies heavily on data integrity and security,” she states, emphasizing the critical intersection between conservation goals and cybersecurity.

·       This incident serves as a wake-up call for the broader cybersecurity landscape in Missouri. Public and private sectors alike are pressed to re-evaluate their cybersecurity postures. The breach has shed light on vulnerabilities that extend beyond the conservation sector, heightening awareness and prompting strategic shifts across multiple domains.

And

Here’s Nicole Galloway’s 2022 audit on the Department of Conservation’ Data Security.

Budget Timeline

The House Budget Subcommittees are scheduled to meet all this week and adopt their recommendations.  That sets up the House Budget Committee to meet next week to pass the committee substitutes.

Then Spring Break will occur.  And the following week, assuming everything stays on track, the budget bills will be passed out of the House and over to the Senate.

·       That’d be the last week of March.  That’s a bit behind the traditional “finish by Spring Break,” but better than last year’s slow moving pace.

Dueling DJT Highway Proposals

Monday’s Senate Transportation Committee will hear dueling proposals to rename Missouri Highways after President Donald Trump.

·       Sen. Nick Schroer’s SB 500 would renaming a highway in St. Charles… The portion of State Highway D from State Highway 94 continuing west to State Highway T in St. Charles County shall be designated as "President Donald J Trump Highway". The department of transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs designating such highway, with the costs to be paid by private donations.

·       Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman’s SB 321 is more expansive, seemingly renaming highways all over the state… Any portion of highway that is part of the state highway system; that is not located in Boone County, Jackson County, St. Louis County, or St. Louis City; and that is not otherwise designated prior to August 29, 2025; shall be designated as "Donald J Trump Highway". The department of transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs designating such highways, with the costs to be paid by private donations.

Cornejo Joins SOS

According to the Missouri Accountability Portal, Robert Cornejo has joined the Secretary of State’s Office as legal counsel.

The former state representative lost his circuit judge election last year, and started his own law firm, Robert Cornejo Law LLC, in December.

2026 Update

I’ve updated the 2026 spreadsheet (see it here), adding in two more possible candidates.

·       Rep. Ann Kelley amended her candidate committee to seek Senate 20.  That’s where Sen. Curtis Trent will be up for re-election.

·       David Robertson started a candidate committee in February to run for Senate 22.   That’s where Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman will be up for re-election.  Listen to an interview here of Robertson explaining he’s running on the abortion issue; MEC is not pro-life enough for him.

Abortion Action For Jones

According to a recent non-committee expenditure report, Abortion Action Missouri sent a mailer supporting Mayor Tishaura Jones in her primary election tomorrow.  See the filing here.

JP-Cupps Banter

Speaker Jon Patterson and Rules Chair Scott Cupps, having had some tussles this year, seem to be on okay terms as JP jokingly told the body “Don’t clap for him,” at the end of last week’s session.

$5K+ Contributions

Protect Saint Louis Freedom - $100,000 from Page PAC.

theLOUpac - $23,450 from Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc.

A Brighter Future for St Louis PAC (pro-Spencer) - $10,000 from Bank of Washington.

Lobbyist Registrations

Thomas “Shad” Burner added The Doe Run Company.   

Cassandra Allana Henderson added Koch Industries, Inc.              

Jeffrey Altmann added DW Investment; and deleted Tiny Home Industry Association.

Ron Berry added Centene Corporation on behalf of its affiliates and subsidiaries.

Tom Dempsey added Sprinkler Fitters Union, Local No. 268.

Shanon Hawk and Ginger Steinmetz added Veritext LLC, U.S. Legal Support Inc, Magna Legal Service LLC, and Esquire Deposition Solutions LLC.

Thomas Riggs added Legion Water Solutions; and deleted Fab Tech Wastewater Solutions LLC.

Ron Hicks deleted MO Hemp Trade Association, and Missouri Vacation Home Alliance.

Mark Dalton deleted St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition, and Michael G Winter Consultants.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to John Hancock, Heath Clarkston, Jason Groce, Maria Walden, and Brooke Foster.