MOScout Daily Update: Will Avery Play in JeffCo? - So Long Cybersecurity Commission - Watching FLA - Grier Gets Nation Nod - Strong Cattle Market and more…
Situational awareness: April Fool’s Day. Be careful out there.
Senate 22: Will Avery Play in JeffCo?
I think Jim Avery’s candidacy in next year’s Senate 22 Republican primary is very potent. I expect he’ll be backed by oodles of trial attorney money, and will largely be able to define his positions on issues.
But… one reader is skeptical, thinking the trial attorney profile might not play well in JeffCo. And furthermore, he notes – from social media – Avery’s flashy lifestyle and fancy cars are very un-JeffCo. We’ll see…
Bye-Bye Cyber Security Commission
Back in 2021, Rep. Bill Hardwick pushed for the creation of the Missouri Cybersecurity Commission.
The commission shall have as its purpose identifying risk to and vulnerability of the state and critical infrastructure with regard to cyber attacks of any nature from within or outside the United States and advising the governor on such matters.
It was signed into law by Governor Mike Parson, but he never appointed anyone to serve on the commission.
Now, four years later, the commission has never met – because no one was ever appointed to it – and Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman is proposing to scrap it, and other unused and obsolete commissions and boards. Her SB 729 was heard yesterday in her “Doge” Senate Committee.
· In addition to the Cybersecurity Commission, it would also axe the Missouri Quality Home Care Council, the AgriMissouri Advisory Commission for Marketing Missouri Agricultural Products, the Coordinating Board for Early Childhood, the Minority Environmental Literacy Advisory Committee, the Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee, and the Commission on the Special Health, Psychological and Social Needs of Minority Older Individuals.
Chiefs/Royals Situation: Multi-Generational Opportunity
Yesterday the Senate Local Government Committee’s heard on the bills from Sens. Kurtis Gregory and Maggie Nurrenbern to create a Clay County Sports Authority to support a possible stadium.
Gregory: I was very happy to see this come across, because now I can say I'm fulfilling something that was asked of me on the campaign trail, to keep our teams here in the state of Missouri. As [Sen. Nurrenbern] said, this is a generational opportunity. I’ll beg to differ to a certain point and say I think this is like multi-generational because they’ve been at the current location since the 1960s, well before I was born. And if it goes to another state, we’re looking at easily another 50, 60, 70 years before we got a shot to get them back.
Watching Tonight…
Punchbowl explains why folks are watching the special elections in Florida tonight… “Republican Randy Fine is the favorite to win and replace former Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) in the House. But the fact that it even needs to be said is a huge concern for Republicans. In a seat won by Waltz by 33 points just five months ago, Democrats and Republicans we’ve spoken to believe that Fine is likely to win by 10 to 15 points. That would be a large swing toward Democrats and would present some warning signs for the GOP.”
Why It Matters
I’ve been told that Sen. Doug Beck has been quietly mulling a possible 2-CD campaign in 2026. 2-CD is Missouri’s most competitive congressional district. Congresswoman Ann Wagner easily beat back a challenge from Ray Hartmann, winning by 12 points (54% - 42%). But if we’re seeing 15-point swings, I guess it’s something to think about.
Strong Cattle Market
The latest Weekly Market Summary from the Missouri Department of Agriculture shows a continuing strong cattle market…
More on HJR 54
Rep. Melanie Stinnett’s HJR 54 was passed out of committee yesterday (11-5), clearing it for House floor debate next week.
But one reader sees the Senate tweaking the HJR when they get it, predicting a committee substitute “that more closely mirrors SJR 33.” That’s Sen. Adam Schnelting’s resolution. See it here.
Contract Dispute
Post-Dispatch’s Kurt Erickson reports on a contract dispute for a service that electronically monitors folks charged with crimes, allowing them to await trial in designated areas in the community rather than taking up jail space. Read it here.
· EHawk has held the state contract since the program began as a pilot in 2019. Former Gov. Mike Parson’s administration sought a new pact in 2023 and another company, TCS Holdings, was awarded the bid.
· That bidding process has been muddled in litigation since. In March, however, Ken Zellers, Kehoe’s commissioner of the Office of Administration, issued a notice to the state’s judicial circuits that all accounts involved in the program would be switched over to TCS…
· Zellers’ midnight Monday deadline prompted eHawk attorneys to ask Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green to step in to stop to the maneuver.
· “There is no fast magic wand to switch defendants over at the drop of a hat at midnight,” the company’s attorneys said in a filing last week. The company added that the transition ordered by Zellers “will create a trainwreck throughout the state.”
FYI
· EHawk is represented by Joe Bednar. And their lobbyist is Gamble & Schlemeier.
· TCS is represented by Stinson’s Alexander Barrett, Alixandra Cossette and Greta Bax.
Grier Nabs Endorsement
Former Rep. Derek Grier, running for mayor of Chesterfield, announced on social media yesterday… “I spoke with our current Mayor of Chesterfield, Bob Nation. He has been a strong supporter behind the scenes, and today he told me he would like to share his endorsement and make a public statement.”
And
Grier is just one of several Jeff City politicos and alumni on the ballot next Tuesday. Some others…
· Senate staffer Erica Choinka and lobbyist Kathi Harness are running for Jefferson City Council.
· Consultant Lane Koch is running for Chesterfield City Council.
Gubby Appts
Governor Mike Kehoe announced six appointments…
· Paul Fitzwater was appointed to the Missouri Sentencing Advisory Commission.
· John M. Raines was appointed to the University of Missouri Board of Curators.
· Matthew Haase was appointed to the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority.
· Victor Pasle and Richard Popp were reappointed to the Lincoln University Board of Curators.
· Tannah Buhman was appointed as the Andrew County Circuit Clerk.
· Steven Oslica was appointed to the Missouri Community Service Commission.
$5K+ Contributions
PULSE PAC - $7,500 from Rex Sinquefield.
PULSE PAC - $7,500 from Rex Sinquefield.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,001 from Friends of Ben Keathley.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,001 from Friends Of Jeff Knight.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,001 from Missourians For Shields.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,001 from Brad Christ For Missouri.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,001 from Real Action PAC.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,001 from Elect Sherri Gallick Campaign.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,001 from Friends of John Voss.
Committee To Elect Darin Redd (Presiding Commissioner Marion County) - $29,250 from Darin Redd.
Association of MO Electric Cooperatives (AMEC PAC) - $10,000 from KAMO Power PO Box 577 Vinita, OK).
Association of MO Electric Cooperatives (AMEC PAC) - $12,500 from Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative.
Wentzville Schools Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Hoener Associates.
Freedom Incorporated - $10,000 from Blaque.
Lobbyist Registrations
Gamble & Schlemeier added Binti, Inc.
Liz Henderson added My Missouri.
Jeremy LaFaver and Sammy Panettiere added Coalition for Community Solar Access.
Lynne Schlosser added Woodhaven.
Sarah Meuli added DraftKings Inc.
Sam Wiles added Great State Strategies, LLC, Metalucent group llc, SWMW Law; and deleted Northwest Missouri State University.
James Harris added Evolution Festival; and deleted Opportunity Solutions Project, and Contemporary Presentations.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Mark Meirath, Mike Wolff, and Joelle Cannon.