MOScout Daily Update: SOS Staff Cut - Deaton Holds Firm for MOScholars $$$ - Blue in Senate 18 - Sinquefield Appt - “Insane” Omnibus and more…
Quick Friday update…
Budget’s Final Step
The conference committee finally met yesterday at 3:30 in the afternoon. They moved, with just a few hiccups, pretty quickly though the reminder for the budget deciding which chamber’s version to use in the final budget.
Notably, the conferees accepted the Senate position on the Secretary of State’s budget. That means that there will be a cut of 25 full-time positions there. This idea originated with Sen. Mike Cierpiot, targeted vacant positions in his former colleague’s new office.
· Secretary of State Denny Hoskins has warned that it could impact the SOS’s ability to provide critical services.
The biggest item folks were watching was Governor Mike Kehoe’s request for $50 million to expand the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship program. The conferees went with the House position there – which was in line with Kehoe – instead of the Senate position which was $0. I had expected a compromise, somewhere in the middle like $20-30 million.
· One lobbyist says House Budget Chair Dirk Deaton played hardball to get the full funding: He was offered $40 million and most others were willing to accept it, but Dirk shut down the process again until the final $10 million was agreed to.
The legislature will convene this morning at 10AM for both chambers to vote on the compromise Budget returned by the conference committee.
· I don’t see it happening but… Senate Dems could potentially throw the process into chaos if they vote against the budget. That’s because eight conservatives / fiscal hawks voted against several of the budget bills during the initial passage. If they do so again, the Senate needs Dem votes to pass the budget.
“Insane” Local Government Omnibus
The Senate yesterday added several more provisions to HB 199, a local government bill which has grown into an ominibus. It’s over 200 pages long.
· Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin spoke briefly on the bill last night… “This is insane. There are some good things in here, but this is so humongous and so complicated, it’s insane.”
Blue in Senate 18
Press Release: Dusty Blue, a U.S. Army veteran, small business owner, and lifelong conservative Republican officially announced his candidacy to succeed term-limited Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin today… Born and raised in Mexico, Dusty got his start in construction as a teenager, learning the value of hard work early. In 2008, he answered the call to serve and joined the U.S. Army, serving with the 101st Airborne Division. After his military service, he earned his commercial helicopter pilot license and flew tours in Kansas City before returning home in 2016 to raise a family and launch his business, Expert Roofing & Exteriors.
· Blue joins Rep. Greg Sharpe and Sarah Graff in this Republican primary.
And
Blue’ consultant appears to be Sophia Shore. She’s been at the center of several hot conservative campaigns, helping Jill Carter and Mike Moon win their Senate seats, as well as Bill Eigel’s insurgent gubernatorial campaign.
· This cycle her other candidates are: Rep. Bill Hardwick (Senate 16), Jim Avery (Senate 22), and Sam Alexander (Senate 28).
Watching: The Royal Ask
If the legislature makes a late move to give the Royals some incentives (the talk is around $300 million over 20 years), SB 80 is a likely vehicle.
· It was referred to Rules – Administrative Committee yesterday.
Gov Appts Sinquefield to Commission
Governor Mike Kehoe appointed Katie Sinquefield, daughter of mega-donors Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield to the Missouri Sentencing Advisory Commission. She has been a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform.
Other Kehoe appointments…
· Jessica Cole, of Noel, was appointed as the McDonald County Clerk.
· David Martin, of Vienna, was appointed as the Maries County Coroner.
And
Rep. Steve Butz was elected chair of the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee.
Grain Belt Billions
Fox Business reports on Invenergy most recent investment in the Grain Belt Express. Read it here. Invenergy said Wednesday it had awarded a combined $1.7 billion, part of a total $11 billion, to a pair of companies as part of its project to construct its Grain Belt Express electric transmission line…
· CEO Michael Polsky told "Mornings with Maria" host Maria Bartiromo that the Grain Belt Express will be a "highway system for the electrons for electricity to move from where it’s produced to where it’s needed to power AI, data centers, industries, much-needed electricity in this country, to really unleash American energy, domestic energy, to be able to power our businesses, particularly with manufacturing and AI emphasis here now in the United States."
· The first phase of the Grain Belt Express’ construction is anticipated to start next year. It will focus on the portion "connecting Kansas and Missouri," according to the power generation company. Invenergy said Quanta and Kiewit "expect to source raw materials locally in Kansas and Missouri when possible."
· "I would say this is the largest electricity infrastructure project right now in the United States," Polsky said.
Help Wanted
American Council of Engineering Companies of Missouri seeks Director of Membership Engagement. The Director of Membership Engagement is responsible for providing general support to the President & CEO and Director of Operations to increase membership satisfaction and engagement, assist with Council Meetings, enhance membership experiences for fundraising activities, and provide customer service to members and prospective members. See the posting here.
$5K+ Contributions
Protect St. Charles County Freedom - $13,684 from Crystal PAC.
Missouri Voter Project - State PAC - $7,413 from Fearless PAC.
Lobbyist Registrations
Derek Coats added Lonestar Logos Management, LLC.
Ryan Gill, Jeremy LaFaver, and Salvatore Panettiere added Armour District, LLC.
Jeffrey Aboussie deleted City of Lake Ozark.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Scott Penman, John Ashcroft, Brett Dinkins, and Gregg Keller.