MOScout Daily Update: Another Senate Meltdown - Why There Was No “Constitutional Crisis” and What It Means - Stinnett Kick-off and more…
Quick Friday update, but a doozy…
Senate Meltdown
What was expected to be a largely ceremonial session in the Missouri Senate veered into acrimony yesterday after Senate Pro Tem Cindy O’ Laughlin, surprised by a motion from Minority Leader Doug Beck and apparently fearing a “constitutional crisis,” violated Senate Rules.
The House and Senate each convened yesterday so the leaders could formally sign the bills which were passed. With a mostly empty chamber, Beck was recognized, rose and made a sine die motion, that is an adjournment motion until next session.
Ten or fifteen minutes passed without O’Laughlin acting on the motion. And then – although Beck had the floor, and a motion from him was pending – she recognized Sen. Travis Fitzwater who hurriedly made a motion to adjourn “under the rules” (which is adjournment until the next morning).
Dems, of course, objected.
O’Laughlin on Facebook
O'Laughlin explained her perspective on Facebook: Today Missouri Senate Dems almost created a constitutional crisis, potentially invaliding billions of dollars in state funds for K-12 education, colleges and universities, law enforcement and public safety, mental health, vulnerable children, rape victims, etc. It was an unprecedented sneak attack. And all because they’re mad that a procedural maneuver used by nearly every pro tem in the last 30 years was employed to stop abortion on demand in Missouri.
As Pro Tem I must sign the bills which is a formality but must be done. Two Democrats, angry about session were willing to scream and yell disrupting the process. This has resulted in the entire Republican caucus being called in so we can fulfill our responsibilities.
My Thoughts
· First, let’s be clear: O’Laughlin and Fitzwater, deliberately not following Senate Rules in this manner, undermined the integrity the chamber. There is never an excuse to deliberately do this. It’s an abomination of our system for the lawmaking process to be arbitrarily changed for convenience by one or two legislators.
· Second, many asked, why didn’t O’Laughlin, Fitzwater, and Joe Nicola (also present) just vote the motion down? They out numbered the two Democrats present (Beck and Stephen Webber)? I have no answer for this.
· Third, I’m among the folks who laugh at the notion that this was a “constitutional crisis.” Not following the rules creates a constitutional crisis because someone is asserting that they are above the operations of law.
· Furthermore, a case that was getting passed around yesterday (Brown v Morris) seems like a pretty clear precedent (from 1956) that the Missouri Supreme Court holds the signing of bills as purely ministerial, and ultimately unnecessary, for laws to be enacted. Among the reasons they rejected its necessity: If a signature from the Pro Tem or Speaker were necessary, they could simply withhold their signature to “veto” any bill they didn’t like and be more powerful than the governor because such an act couldn’t be overridden.
What It Means
This is terrible news for Governor Mike Kehoe and his special session places for next week.
Aside from the various folks with misgivings about the policy of the stadium subsidy, he now has a Senate that’s been stripped of its basic trust.
· How do folks make deals in an environment like this? It’s simply not possible.
Stinnett Kick-Off
Pro-Stinnett MOScouter on her kick-off last night: Rep. Melanie Stinnett’s campaign kickoff for Missouri State Senate drew an impressive crowd of around 250 supporters throughout the evening, showing serious momentum in her race. The event was a gathering of the grassroots conservatives, business community leaders, and ten local and state elected officials, including House Majority Floor Leader Alex Riley.
Outside the venue, pro-abortion protesters tried to disrupt the event, but their presence only highlighted Stinnett’s position as the top Republican in the race and energized attendees even more. Several began pulling their checkbooks out on the spot in response to the protest. Stinnett ended up raising $18,000 at an event that wasn’t a fundraiser and had no financial ask for attendance. Never seen anything like it.
Lobbyist Registrations
Daniel Chapin added Uvalde Foundation For Kids.
David Sweeney added DDI Media.
Steven Tilley, Thomas Robbins, Christopher Schoeman, and Alec Rosenblum added Rimco, Inc.
John Arthur Young deleted Missouri-American Water Company, and Rolwes Development LLC.
$5K+ Contributions
AGC of MO PAC - $9,750 from Pace Construction Company.
AGC of MO PAC - $10,700 from Twehous Excavating.
General Motors Company PAC Missouri - Federal Committee - $20,000 from General Motors Company Political Action Committee (Washington, DC).
Political Action Committee for Health - HEALTHPAC - $360,000 from MHA Management
SOCO Red PAC - $10,000 from J & J Ventures Gaming of Missouri LLC (Effingham, IL).
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Stacy Reliford, and Galen Higdon.