MOScout Daily Update: Banning IP Reform - SLDC Looks for Branding Help - Vogel Forms Committee and more…
1 Big Thing: Voters Pre-empting The Legislature on IP Powers?
In the past week, Respect Missouri Voters has filed 35 initiative petitions with the Secretary of State’s office. They are largely variations on the theme of protecting the IP process and prevent the legislature from easily changing laws that the voters have passed.
Many of the versions include a prohibition against the legislature from proposing constitutional changes which would weaken the voter’s initiative petition powers. “[N]o legislatively-referred law or constitutional amendment shall weaken citizens’ initiative or referendum powers…”
The legislature has debated – for years now – making changes to the IP process that would make it more difficult for voters to collect signatures and pass measures.
The Republican-majority legislature sees it as an avenue for liberal groups to often “end run” their stranglehold on policy.
Many of the proposals the legislature has considered are constitutional amendments that the voters would have to ultimately approve. These Respect Missouri Voters proposals prohibit such proposals.
Why It Matters
· The possibility that one of these IPs makes it to the voters and is passed should add some urgency to Republicans’ desire to change the process soon.
· It’s been a divisive debate which often creates collateral damage in the legislative process.
SLDC Looks For Branding Help
The St. Louis Development Corporation has issued an RFQ for marketing and branding help. See it here.
SLDC invites firms with expertise and demonstrated experience in formulating and implementing a wide range of marketing, branding, and public relations to submit their qualifications for consideration... Activities may include implementing a strategic communication plan, creative/development of SLDC’s brand, advising on various marketing initiatives, community branding, marketing campaigns, and sponsorship opportunities connected with SLDC assets, events, public services, and programs.
· SLDC was an issue in the last mayoral race as Cara Spencer criticized the execution of the “North City grants program.” The head of SLDC, Neal Richardson, exited soon after her election.
Showers Profile
News Tribune profiles Bobby Showers… Showers, the director of state audits in the Missouri State Auditor's Office, joined the office in 1997 after graduating with an accounting degree from the University of Missouri. He's served under seven different state auditors since then and worked his way up from a staff auditor to a director position. Showers oversees the larger-scale performance audits, including audits about marijuana tax returns, transportation services, economic development and property tax credit programs…
· The Auditor's Office focuses on whether government is spending money effectively and whether the agency is following the law with how it spends that money.
Committee Moves
· Jake Vogel formed his campaign committee to run for Senate 6.
· Barry Hovis amended his committee to run for Senate 27.
· Meredith Sumenek formed an exploratory committee run for House 95. That’s the seat vacated by Michael O’Donnell when he went to work for the Secretary of State. Sumenek is president of the Tesson Ferry Township Democrats.
· Lisa Treece formed a committee to run for Benton County Treasurer. That’s where the current treasurer was just forced from office amid allegations of predatory behavior.
eMailbag on Senate 24
Which “republican” consultant is telling you SD24 will be competitive? Who is recruiting a self-funder to get destroyed?
Lobbyist Registrations
David Sweeney added Gateway Reimagined, LLC.
$5K+ Contributions
Hy-Vee Employees PAC Federal Committee - Missouri - $7,000 from Hy-Vee Employees PAC Federal Committee.
UAW Region 4 Midwest States PAC (MO) - $13,503 from Midwest State Cap Exchange.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Sen. Rick Brattin.