MOScout Daily Update: The Deal GOPers Passed On - Dems Vow Consequences - Cierpiot Torches MRL - MAHA Contra RoundUp? and more…
Bombshell Day in the Senate
It was a bombshell day in the Senate as Republicans employed the rarely-used PQ (previous question) motion to cut off debate and force votes on two key pieces of legislation. Remarkably both dealt with voter-approved issues: abortion and sick leave.
Dems railed against the decision saying that they were willing to go above and beyond in negotiations and the Republicans were destroying the good will in the body.
Efforts to find a “global deal” were aided by Governor Mike Kehoe, who obviously has an interest in preserving a functional Senate for next session.
The Dem offer in that deal…
· Repeal of sick leave provisions on Prop A.
· Passage of HJR 73 without transgender care language.
· Passage of SAPA 2.0.
· Passage of stadium subsidy.
However, Sen. Adam Schnelting is said to have balked at leaving out the transgender language and, as the handler of HJR 73, apparently Senate leadership deferred to him.
Two sources indicated that the Freedom Caucus had a commitment from Floor Leader Tony Luetkemeyer from the onset of session that he would use the PQ if necessary to pass a pro-life bill. With that in his back pocket, Schnelting was seemingly less interested in compromising than other Republicans.
Minutes before the PQ was invoked Dems took to the floor and promised consequences.
Minority Leader Doug Beck: Republicans have made up their mind what they're going to do here. They're going to destroy the Senate. That's what they're doing. They're going to destroy the Senate. So let's be clear. I am not a person who makes hollow threats. I have never made hollow threats in here. I've worked with every person in this chamber, but I will guarantee you, I will guarantee you nothing will happen. Nothing. The banner year that everybody had in this place, that is over with. So to the lobbyists, don't even ask. To everybody in this building, don't ask.
Sen. Stephen Webber: I don't want any misconception today or next year when you're wondering why. You can't get your special guest introduced when you're listening to me talk about basketball, know why. And I am committed, I am committed to bringing this body back to being the Senate. I’m not telling you I disrespect you because of this. I’m not telling you I hate you. I’m not telling you that for the next eight years it’s going to be awful. But I am telling you that what the Senate is matters. And what we’re doing today is a failure of and when there’s a failure in the Senate there needs to be a response. That response can’t last forever. But that response has to happen. And it has to be painful. And it has to make us all understand that when the Senate doesn’t function as a body, we all lose.
Texts From MOScouters
· Sorry I couldn’t spill the beans, but this was the plan weeks ago. Leadership fully on board with MOFC. Amazing what happens when there’s no [Caleb] Rowden around.
· They literally left the whole global deal in the hands of [Adam] Schnelting. He was either going to compromise or not.
· This is how stupid it is. You overturn the will of the voters on an issue we have generally lost politically and stick it back on the ballot to MAYBE pass, but for sure get outspent and lose seats in the process because of that money that’s spent. We repealed Prop A only to give labor a year of extra time to get ready to pass the same shit (and probably more) via the constitution, and in the process guaranteed you can’t pass anything to help the Royals and Chiefs in regular or special session in time for it to matter. This path is maybe the dumbest, most politically ridiculous one I have ever seen GOP go down. And that’s saying something.
· Bad mid-term election for GOP, with Donald Trump being unpopular and the economy not doing well. The Dems now spending $20 to $25 million extra to gun turnout in Missouri, if I was a Dem I would be running for auditor and doing it fast. Decent chance to win.
What’s Next
The Senate is done! They’ve adjourned until MAY 22, a technical session after the deadline for bills to pass.
The House will decide which Senate bills in their possession, or House bills with Senate amendments, they wish to pass.
· Pro-choice forces are expected to rally in protest at the capitol today in protest to yesterday’s vote.
Cierpiot Torches MRL Leadership
Sen. Mike Cierpiot spoke disdainfully about the Missouri Right to Life leadership yesterday on the Senate floor, calling them “feckless” and accusing them of “using side issues to cause annual meltdowns.” In particular, he blamed them for rejecting exceptions to an abortion ban years ago, while now finally accepting them. And he criticized their endorsements: “In the last election, MRL for petty petty reasons, decided to endorse one Republican and not another in many races.”
Cierpiot inquired of Sens. Jason Bean, Mike Bernskoetter, Mary Elizabeth Coleman, and Sandy Crawford who all shared their stories of voting pro-life, but being snubbed for endorsements.
May Revenue Numbers Dip
Although I try to follow the Daily Revenues numbers, I’m always skittish to put too much weight in them because they’re so volatile; it’s easy to get whipsawed. However… We’re about halfway through May and it’s a weak start.
Sales tax: down 12% so far this month.
Individual income tax: down 14% so far this month.
· As of the close of business May 13, general revenue receipts this month are running $186 million behind May 13 2024.
· It brings fiscal year-to-date revenues to -2.37%, or $274 million lower than 2024.
Bond To Lie In State
Governor Mike Kehoe signed a proclamation ordering U.S. and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff at all government buildings statewide beginning today until sunset on May 22, 2025.
· On Tuesday, May 20, a State Memorial Service honoring the life and legacy of Governor Kit Bond will be held in the Rotunda of the Missouri State Capitol at noon. The public is invited to attend.
· Governor Bond will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda for a 24-hour period immediately following the State Memorial Service, allowing members of the public to pay their respects.
· On Thursday, May 22, a celebration of Kit’s life will be held at Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church. All who knew and loved Kit are welcome to attend.
Fitz to Audit DSS Food Programs
According to the State Auditor’s website, they’ve started an audit of the Department of Health and Senior Services - Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program.
Meanwhile
This comes on the heels of sharp scrutiny of DSS’ administration of the SNAP program from Judge Doug Harpool. Missouri Independent has reported on this (see it here).
From the Harpool order: This Court intends to require Defendant to comply with its obligations as clearly set out under federal law and as required by the ADA in its administration of the SNAP program. These obligations are detailed in the Court’s May 9, 2024, Order. The requirements are designed to assure that food challenged Missourians are allowed to fairly participate in SNAP. Defendant’s “promises” that it is doing the best it can in its administration of SNAP and in its compliance with ADA are both too little and too late to be credible. The current efforts do not fulfill Defendant’s responsibilities under federal law.
Seitz Joins Branson Planning Commission
On Facebook, Daniel Seitz, chief of staff to Sen. Brad Hudson, writes: I was appointed to the Planning Commission for the City of Branson. While not a big deal to many, for me it’s a chance to publicly serve the community I love, and that I’ve been working to grow behind the scenes for the last 5 years.
MAHA Contra Roundup?
Wall Street Journal reports on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Read it here.
· Kennedy, who is spearheading a coming report to “Make America Healthy Again,” wants to highlight what he views as the deleterious impact of pesticides, people familiar with the matter said…
· The report, due to be released May 22 in an event with Kennedy and MAHA influencers, is an overview of potential causes of chronic disease in children… In particular, the report is expected to single out glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, the most widely used weedkiller in the world, made by Bayer, people familiar with the planning said…
Lobbyist Registrations
Jeffrey Altmann deleted Next Missouri, CBD Kratom, and David Palatnik & Dafna Revah.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to John Wiemann and Angie Schulte.