MOScout Daily Update: April Quarter Numbers - Top PAC COH - Infra Rebrand - No Bush War-chest - Spencer Speech and much more…
Breaking… Kehoe’s Ranch Hands won the coveted champion’s trophy in yesterday’s Legislative Softball Tournament…
Hough Unveils Budget Priorities
The Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday unveiled their take on the state budget with Chair Lincoln Hough zipping through department books.
Post-Dispatch’s Kurt Erickson gives an overview here.
· Among changes on tap in the upper chamber is a plan to fully fund the school foundation formula, which Kehoe has acknowledged his plan falls about $300 million short of projections made by state school officials. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, said the increased cost is due to last year’s passage of a sweeping education measure… None of the committee members objected to the change.
· The Senate plan also restores a salary increase for state workers. The governor had sought up to 10% wage hikes for employees with 20 years of experience to entice workers to stay on the job. The House version cut the request in half. If Kehoe’s plan is adopted, it will cost an additional $129.9 million.
· The Senate also will consider whether to fund Kehoe’s controversial plan to spend $50 million to jump-start the state’s private school voucher program, a Republican-backed school choice initiative originally designed to run on volunteer contributions and tax credits, not general revenue.
· The committee could wrap up its work this week, putting the spending plan on track to hit the full Senate in the final week of April.
And
Senate Appropriation Chair Lincoln Hough expressed displeasure with the new accounting system… My apologies for the delay on getting back to House Bill 6 but our accounting software downstairs or the MOVERS system is currently offline and just has a nice 404 error message… I'll be honest with you and and it's quite frankly putting our staff in a pretty tough situation…
April Quarters: Senate Primaries
Republican primaries…
Senate 6
Derrick Spicer raised $11,075, and has $38,096 cash on-hand.
· Spicer for Senate PAC has $1,595 COH.
Lisa Thomas didn’t raise any money; and has $42,142 cash on-hand.
Rudy Veits didn’t raise any money; has 61,256 cash on-hand.
State of Play: The expectation is that Spicer will run hard to the right. We’ll see if that works in this district. Veits has Palm as his consultant. It’s not clear if Thomas will really be a candidate.
Senate 16
Bill Hardwick raised $2,475 and has $150,217 cash on-hand.
· Missouri Enterprise Fund filed Limited Activity.
Hannah Kelly raised $37,214 and has $50,224 cash on-hand.
· Accountability PAC has $6,244 COH.
· Esther PAC has $10,191 COH.
Jeff Knight not yet filed.
· JAK PAC has $42,121 COH (after spending $7,500 on super bowl tickets).
Don Mayhew not yet filed.
Joe Steelman raised $39,150 and has $38,260 on-hand.
· Steel Resolve PAC was formed after the quarter’s deadline.
State of Play: This looks to be a total free-for-all. Hardwick starts with the most cash on-hand. But solid first quarters from Steelman (who appears to have Axiom) and Kelly should serve as a warning that they’re running hard.
Senate 18
Greg Sharpe didn’t raise any money, and has $16,049 cash on-hand.
Sarah Graff committee was formed after the quarter’s deadline.
State of Play: I think Graff is considered the favorite here. But we’ll see how her fundraising goes next quarter.
Senate 22
David Casteel raised $25, and had 29,315 cash on-hand.
· Casteel PAC has $9,604 COH.
David Robertson raised $59,810 (powered by $54,000 loan) and has $57,036 cash on-hand.
Renee Reuter filed Limited Activity.
Jim Avery hasn’t formed a campaign committee yet.
State of Play: This up in the air. Robertson’s anting $50K made a statement; presumably Avery will have plenty of money; Casteel is a favorite in the building; and Reuter has a path as the only woman in the race.
Senate 28
Brad Pollitt didn’t raise any money; he has $64,136 cash on-hand.
Sam Alexander hasn’t formed a campaign committee yet.
State of Play: I’m interested to see what kind of campaign Alexander puts together before I opine on this race.
Democratic primaries…
Senate 4
Rep. Steve Butz raised $31,929 and has $104,661 cash on-hand.
· Butz STL PAC has $31,886 COH.
Blaine Folsom filed Limited Activity.
Peter Merideth didn’t raise any money; he has $22,017 cash on-hand.
State of Play: Butz has kicked off and started raising money. That makes him the early front-runner.
Senate 14
Raychel Proudie raised $500, and has $6,820 cash on-hand.
Shante Duncan raised $10,510 and has $10,209 cash on-hand.
Joe Palm did not show any money raised or spent.
State of Play: It’s a nice first quarter from Duncan, but we’ll have to see how this race unfolds. It’s anyone’s to win at this point.
HRCC Quarter
The House Republican Campaign Committee is seemingly always among the top cash-laden PACs. (See the current list below). Having ample resources is one the keys to maintaining their supermajority. The latest quarter shows they’re rebuilding their war-chest after spending millions last cycle, bringing in over $170K with a COH of over $730K.
· One cheerleader: “HRCC’s latest quarterly report shows that the House Republican caucus is united like it hasn’t been in many years - thanks to Speaker JP and Floor Leader Alex Riley.”
Top 25 PACs
Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council MO-KS Area PAC - $1.4 million.
Luetkemeyer For Missouri - $1.2 million.
Missouri Alliance PAC (pro-Patterson) - $1.1 million.
Missouri and Kansas Laborers' PAC $1.1 million.
Missouri Law Enforcement for Good Government (MOLEGG PAC) - $1 million.
RightPath PAC (pro-WashU - $880,756.
Enterprise Holdings, Inc. / Enterprise Mobility PAC - $783,190.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $732,933.
MISSOURI REALTORS PAC, INC - $626,197.
Liberty and Justice PAC (pro-Bailey) - $621,089.
American Dream PAC - $613,299.
Lucas For KC - $611,433.
Pipefitters Assoc Local #533 - $582,983.
BUILD St. Louis PAC, Inc. - $559,983.
MoCannTrade PAC - $535,821.
Tony PAC (pro-Luetkemeyer) - $510,304.
Callahan For Missouri - $481,303.
Unite. Inspire. Lead - $468,719.
Midwest Region Laborers' Political League Education Fund - $457,373.
Jason Law for St. Charles County 442,709.
Webber for Boone County - $430,173.
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 101 PAC - $405,935.
Friends Of Gregory FX Daly - $389,722.
International Union of Operating Engineers Political & Educational Fund 385968.
Mighty Missouri PAC (pro-Vescovo) - $365,625.
No Bush War-Chest
Former Congresswoman Cori Bush doesn’t appear to be plotting a comeback. Her latest quarterly report shows spending of $27,893 (which included a limo service?). Bush’s committee finished with $1,777 COH – and $7,926 in debt. See the filing here.
Limestone’s Rebrand Reveal…
Missouri Limestone Association has rebranded into Infra. Tonight is their legislative reception and “brand reveal!”
HB Strategies Reps US Chamber
Andy Blunt’s HB Strategies signed up a big DC client according to federal lobbyist registrations: the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Wash U Hires Up to Deal with DC
Politico Influence reports… Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck has launched a higher education task force to advise universities on how to navigate the whims of the Trump administration. The firm’s clients include Yale University, DePaul University, Davidson College, the Baylor College of Medicine, Colorado State University and Washington University in St. Louis, among others.
Spencer’s Speech
In her inaugural addresses yesterday, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer promised….
· Openness and accountability. I know that trust is a fleeting commodity if I don’t work every day to continue to earn that trust. So, starting right now, The Mayor’s Office has an “Open Door Policy.” This means that residents, elected officials, community leaders, can visit, speak with our team and explore ways they can join us in serving this city better.
· Service Delivery. City government has to deliver the basic services residents expect and deserve. When the city fails to meet the needs of the people who live, work and play here, we fall short of our expectations and aspirations… We will use data to better understand citizens’ satisfaction and to identify real and immediate opportunities to serve you better.
· Public Safety. Everyone has the right to feel safe in their community. And public safety is not only a human right, it’s an economic imperative. That’s why we’re going to work to ensure you feel safe no matter how or where you live.
· Inclusive economy. We all know that it’s going to take more than picking up trash and plowing snow to build a St. Louis that works for everyone… We must grow business opportunities for North St Louis. We cannot settle for a city where the zip code of your home or your business is a predictor of your families’ economic reality. We also have to think differently about the tools small business owners need to realize their entrepreneurial dreams.
Carl Junction Golf Cart Crack Down
KSN reports… Carl Junction police have a warning for local parents—not just anyone can drive a golf cart in town. While it’s true the city allows golf cart traffic—there are some rules which many parents are not following. You must be at least 16-years old and have a driver’s license—as well as insurance for the golf cart...
eMailbag on Millburg
Mayor Cara Spencer made a very savvy City Hall hire to keep Casey Millburg as Policy Director. She was one of the best political and strategic minds in the building - both sides of the aisle - when she worked in the Capitol. And as Huguelet reported in the Post, aldermen describe her as "slap-you-across-the-face competent." Good to have an attorney who commands respect and understands state and local politics, policy, and budgets.
$5K+ Contributions
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,001 from Hruza for Missouri.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Matt Dameron, Shane Cohn, and David Richardson.
Kelley Passes
I’m told that Pat Kelley has passed away. Kelley was a Republican state representative who represented Jackson County, serving as Minority Floor Leader in 1993 and 1994.
I’ll publish service information when it becomes available.