MOScout Daily Update: Waller Passes - Redistricting Cold Feet? - Hoskins Sued Again - Data Center Politics - Trump and the States and more…
Waller Passes
The political community was shocked by the sudden death of Rep. Ken Waller. Tributes poured in online.
Waller was Jefferson County fixture, serving as treasurer and county clerk before his time in the House. Jason Rosenbaum wrote that Waller “played a pivotal role in turning Jefferson County into a Republican stronghold.”
· Waller had planned to run for state senate.
Redistricting Cold Feet?
Missouri Independent’s Jason Hancock wrote over the weekend that Governor Mike Kehoe’s “heart just doesn't seem to be in it” when it comes to redistricting.
· Those close to the governor say he’s not feeling nearly as gung-ho as the president. Because unlike Trump, Kehoe will be stuck with any mess left in the wake of a gerrymandering special session.
· Republicans will most definitely need to break a filibuster in the Missouri Senate to pass a new map, creating even more bad blood in a legislative chamber that was already teetering on the edge of full on partisan collapse… and in the process, kill any priorities Kehoe may have for his second year in office…
· Adding fuel to the misgivings: unlike Missouri’s normal redistricting process, any new map will be drawn in Washington, D.C., with no public input. State lawmakers are starting to come to terms with the idea that they are about to approve a new map they had very little hand in creating.
· If you’re Kehoe, that’s lots of strikes against convening a special session.
And
The Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and KC Civic Council issued a statement opposing “any effort to redraw Missouri’s congressional districts in a way that divides the Kansas City region—particularly proposals that would dismantle Missouri’s 5th Congressional District.”
· Kansas City plays a vital role in Missouri’s economy, with major contributions in manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and other key industries. Keeping the region unified within a single congressional district is essential to securing federal support, advancing bi-state cooperation, and maintaining long-term economic growth. Dividing the district would risk weakening Kansas City’s representation in Washington and disrupting important regional initiatives.
What It All Means
Count me in the “done deal” camp. I could be wrong, but I’ve watched Republican after Republican capitulate to Donald Trump even as violates every free market / small government principle that was once foundational to the Grand Old Party. I just don’t see Missouri Republicans denying his desire for a new map.
Hoskins Sued – Again
Emily Omohundro sued Secretary of State Denny Hoskins over his office’s summary statement of an initiative petition that would amend the constitution to prohibit public funds from being for nonpublic schools.
· It’s second such lawsuit in the last week. Toder Spencer sued concerning summary language.
Data Center Politics
The politics of data centers is twisting conventional categories. While President Donald Trump is issuing EOs to accelerate data center development to beat China in the next battlefield of global supremacy, the MAGA-centric St. Charles is being cheered by Bernie Sander for stiff-arming data centers.
It’s hard to see where this all winds up. A venture capitalist I read, Paul Kedrosky, has calculated that a good chunk of the country’s recent GDP growth has come from AI/data center investments. So, it’s a tough call for community leaders to shut the door on that.
And one reader wonders if there could be some backlash: “I hope Trump doesn’t find out; this is ripe for a strongly worded tweet from the President that would sink Mayor Dan [Borgmeyer] and the council's future.”
Communities banning data centers cite their gobbling of energy and water resources, but are they also signaling that they’re “closed for business?”
Trump’s State Impact
The conservative Daily Signal talks to Missouri Freedom Caucus members about the impact of President Donald Trump on Missouri politics. Read it here.
State Freedom Caucus members believe they will be particularly valuable in advancing the president’s agenda on election integrity, redistricting, education, and energy. “It’s just been a perfect marriage where the Freedom Caucus and the Trump administration are working to combat all that the Left has done in all of these states where they’ve gerrymandered like crazy,” [Nick] Schroer said.
Meanwhile Axios looks at the negative fiscal impact of the OBBB. Read it here.
· Unlike the federal government, states must balance their budgets. For the past several years, that's been going pretty well. A hot economy drove bigger tax receipts and, crucially, federal money flowed in from Biden-era legislation.
· Now, not only has the Biden money tap run dry but the Trump administration is pulling back, or holding, funding and support for education, state health departments and climate projects.
· The larger economic picture is also working against states… "All those underlying macro drivers are expected to slow the revenue growth for states, and to continue to put pressure on the cost side of the income statement, making it harder and more challenging for states to keep up," says Jennifer Johnston, senior vice president and director of municipal bond research at Franklin Templeton, an investment management firm
Gubby Appts
Governor Mike Kehoe made several new appointments…
· Frank Kruse was appointed to the Conservation Commission.
· Mark Sutherland was appointed to the Tourism Commission.
· Shawn Foster was reappointed to the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority.
· LeAndra Beauford, Nadiya Al-Noor, Ashley Showalter, and Timothy “Scott” Steelman-Rhoden were appointed to the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council.
· Dr. Kelly Frisella was appointed to the State Board of Optometry.
· Justin McCarty was appointed to the Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Rules.
eMailbag on Irony
Mike Kehoe appointed the person who – had she been successful at saving Gov. Eric Greitens – would have stymied his political ascent. If Greitens survived, Mike Parson never would have been governor and Kehoe never would have been LG. And, Kehoe would have never been governor without a statewide office and platform to be visible and travel the state.
Lobbyist Registrations
Doug Richey added ADF Action.
$5K+ Contributions
Professional Fire Fighters of Eastern Missouri 2665 PAC Fund - $6,492 from Professional Firefighters of Eastern Missouri.
MoCannTrade PAC - $6,025 from Dan Woodward.
MoCannTrade PAC - $10,000 from Agri-Genesis, LLC.
Senate Democratic Campaign Committee - $15,000 from Anheuser Busch.
Missouri Voices - $30,000 from Sarah Rose.
Missouri House Democrats Action Fund - $6,000 from Charter Communications.
MPS PAC - $10,000 from John Bolen.
Serve Missouri PAC (pro-McCreery) - $8,214 from John Bardgett Jr.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Jessalynn Cairer, Robyn Schelp, and Josh Peters.