MOScout Daily Update: JP Sees Less Extreme Abortion Debate Ahead - Dems Vow to Fight - Pushback on CindyO Criticism and more...

Quick Friday update… I’m off for the Easter weekend and Monday too.  (Legislature is off Monday as well). Back in your inbox Tuesday morning!

JP Sees Less Extreme Abortion Debate Ahead

In his end-of-the-week press conference, Speaker Jon Patterson explained what he saw as movement on the part of the Republican supermajority to accommodate the will of Missourians on the abortion issue.

·       I think what you saw today is that the pro-abortion people and the House Republicans and the legislature are much closer on this than at any time in the past 6 years… Today we said we have to have exceptions.  And so I think what that shows is that Republicans have heard the voices of the people and they said we want exceptions. 

·       So I think the differences are much smaller now.  I think the abortion debate in Missouri is going to happen within the 40 yard lines.

Dems Vow to Fight On

Meanwhile, at the Dems’ press conference, Rep. Jaclyn Zimmermann promised to continue to the fight if abortion rights are curtailed.  Recounting her efforts for Amendment 3, and looking to the future, she said: “We will do it again if we have to.  This is not going to stop us. I will collect more signatures. I will get out there and talk to voters and let them know how misleading this language is.  I know we all will continue to fight and I just want to make sure that everyone knows that.”

And

JP also noted at his press conference that several Senate bills were cued up for the House to , including SB 7 which is an omnibus healthcare bill. 

·       What It Means: House and Senate still playing nice with four weeks remaining.  I keep expecting to see some inter-chamber tensions, but so far it’s a good working relationship.

Dems Push Back on O’Laughlin Criticism

·       Sen. O'Laughlin's post is ludicrous. Consulting with groups that make up 57.6% of Missourians is called due diligence and actually represents the will of the people. What Republicans are trying to do is destroy the will of the people and cave to special interest groups. The fact that so many who are in the Jeff City swamp can't see that is crazy to many observers who have no interest in politics but do care about issues that affect their day-to-day lives.

·       Cindy O’s comments are a nice reminder that the Rs keep forgetting that they actually work for people that “aren’t in the senate.” Right, because the Dems know they represent actual people, not just themselves and billionaires with the money to have lobbyists working the senate halls all day.

Elam Kick-off

Picture from Mike Elam’s kick-off last night.  He’s running for St Charles County Executive…

Gubby Appts

Governor Mike Kehoe announced new appointments…

·       Scott Boswell Sr. was appointed to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners.Tracey Lewis was reappointed to the Missouri Housing Development Commission.

·       Paul Ogier was appointed to the Health and Educational Facilities Authority of the State of Missouri.

·       Alphonso Hogan II and Thomas Leasor were appointed to the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission.

·       Pat McCuthen was appointed to the Missouri Sentencing Advisory Commission.

·       Bryan Strider and William “Billy” Thiel were appointed to the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority.

·       Tom Werdenhause was appointed to the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts.

Help Wanted

Senate seeks Research Secretary.  The Senate Division of Research is seeking applications from those interested in serving in a non-partisan, fast-paced, multi-faceted, legislative environment. The successful applicant will assist the legislative attorneys and analysts in creating draft legislation. This position requires an attention to detail, good typing, spelling and proofreading skills, and a great attitude…

See the posting here.

$5K+ Contributions

Local 41 Political Action Fund - $16,477 from Missouri PAC Federal Committee.

Lobbyist Registrations

Jay Reichard added Total Court Services.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Gregg FX Daly, Elizabeth Weber-Haynes, Charlie Hinderliter, Mike Colona, Amanda Good, Jane Bogetto, and Aaron Hedlund.

Saturday: Jean Peters Baker, Bill Stouffer, and Sylvester Taylor.

Sunday: Chris Roepe, and Chris Moody.

Monday: David Barklage, Theresa Parson, Dan Mehan, Paul Curtman, and Conner Kerrigan.