MOScout Daily Update: Senate Acrimony - Big Capitol Protest - Realtors Warchest - Another Data Center Ban and more…

Breaking….

In the aftermath of the murder of Charlie Kirk, Congressman Mark Alford says he’s suspending town halls. “Due to this rise in political violence, our office will be pausing all public events, including town halls, until further notice. I will not risk the safety of my family, my staff, or my own personal safety because some choose violence over dialogue,” Alford wrote in the message.

Senate Acrimony

Senate Republicans adopted a change in the Senate rules using the “previous question” procedure, heightening the acrimony in the chamber between the majority party and the minority party.

Dems decried the sudden rules change without any prior notice or explanation, and the use of the once-rare PQ to prevent Dems from an extended debate on the topic.

The new rules change the order of business.  Previously, approving the Journal was the first order of business.  Under the new rules, dealing with House bills becomes the first order of business.

Because debate was truncated and there wasn’t any explanation in the rules roll-out, I’m left to assume that Republicans wanted the rules change to prevent filibustering the Journal approval.  That was a common tactic used by the Conservative Caucus a few sessions ago.

What It Means

We’re watching the Senate adopt House-like tactics to favor expediency over relationships, and that’s to the detriment of the institution.

Also

Confirming the narrative that the White House is directing the Missouri Republican agenda, Missouri Independent reports that President Donald Trump called into the Senate Republican Caucus.  He’s been pushing Missouri to change the congressional lines to add another Republican seat.

Big Crowd Hits Capitol

Yesterday’s protest rally at the Capitol was one of the biggest and most energetic crowds I have seen in my 20 years of writing about Missouri politics.  There were a lot of homemade signs, and a diverse crowd.  It felt like a natural groundswell. 

It did not change the trajectory of the special session.  But, it shouldn’t be discounted for that reason. 

There are signs that the energy will be channeled into some actions…

·       Several folks were working the crowds outside as they entered, getting them to sign petitions aimed at protecting the IP process.

·       And labor had a strong presence, with the Missouri Independent reporting that MO AFL-CIO president Jake Hummel has a “pretty strong feeling” his members will attempt to claw back the congressional redistricting through a voter referendum.

Realtors’ Army and Warchest

I wrote yesterday that the Realtors were watching the IP changes and could be mobilized in a ballot fight over the issue.

From their chief lobbyist, Sam Licklider, testimony on the bill…

·       For those who are not familiar with Missouri REALTORS, it is a professional organization with a membership of approximately 25,000 members across the state of Missouri, many of whom are deeply involved in their communities.

·       Missouri REALTORS is opposed to this bill. I realize our chances of defeating it in the General Assembly are reasonably bleak, but we are currently planning our actions for the election. We have somewhere in the neighborhood of $8,317,000 so we are well-positioned to ensure our arguments reach the public.

Senate Staff

Some changes in Senate staffs…

·       Faith Ann Meyer left Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin’s office.

·       Janet Land left Sen. Jamie Burger’s office.

·       Adam Mire left and Reese Meyers joined Sen. David Gregory’s office.

Another Data Center Ban?

St. Louis Public Radio reports that “a memo from a St. Louis agency this week proposed a temporary ban on new data center development within the city.  The memo, written by St. Louis Planning and Urban Design Agency Executive Director Don Roe, said the city's nearly 70-year-old zoning code cannot adequately manage the complex land use concerns brought by data center projects.”

Data centers have huge energy and water needs, and provide relatively few permanent jobs. But, it’s also where the growth is right now.  If you say no data centers, you’ll be sitting on the sidelines waiting. 

Axios reports that “in aggregate, blue-collar industries — mining, logging, construction, manufacturing, transportation and utilities — are adding jobs at the slowest since the pandemic onset, according to calculations by economic data analyst Joey Politano.”

·       The gap between the communities that have landed data centers, and those waiting for “something else” could end up being significant.

Judge Applicants

Press release: The Twenty-Second Circuit Judicial Commission releases the following information relating to applicants for the circuit judge vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Bryan L. Hettenbach: Nathan Arunski, Adam Breeze, Nicole Colbert-Botchway, Lauren Collins, Michael Colona, Michael Dauphin, Catherine Dierker, Brent Dulle, Tanja Engelhardt, Christopher Faerber, Brooke Hurst, Karma Johnson, Colter Kennedy, Richard King, Matthew Melton, Bret Rich, Patrick Richmond, Brian Stokes, Renee Sullivan, Andrew Uecker, Matthew Vianello, Michael Walton, Rochelle Woodiest, John Wright, and Timothy Wright.

Help Wanted

National Council of Jewish Women – St. Louis seeks Advocacy Manager. The Advocacy Manager supports the strategic priorities of NCJWSTL’s advocacy department by coordinating issue-based programs, managing key initiatives like Courts Matter, engaging volunteers, and representing the organization in community partnerships. This role also plays a vital part in our social media presence and communications strategy to amplify NCJW’s mission… Salary: $45,000…  See the posting here.

Lobbyist Registrations

Holly Rehder added Mallinckrodt LLC.

$5K+ Contributions

Tony PAC (pro-Luetkemeyer) - $10,000 from Missouri Soybean Association.

The Wonderdog PAC (pro-Kurtis Gregory) - $7,600 from Missouri Law Enforcement for Good Government PAC.

The Wonderdog PAC - $10,000 from Rex Sinquefield.

Rural Missouri Values PAC (pro-Sarah Graff) - $25,000 from SNK Real Property Holdings LLC.

Rural Roots PAC (pro-Diehl) - $25,000 from SNK Real Property Holdings LLC.

BB Freedom Fund (pro-Ben Brown) - $10,000 from Rex Sinquefield.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $15,000 from Enterprise Holdings Inc. Mobility PAC.

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Missouri American Water Employees.

Senate Democratic Campaign Committee - $8,500 from Shamrock PAC.

Senate Democratic Campaign Committee - $20,000 from Ameren Missouri.

Putting People First PAC - $10,000 from Missouri Law Enforcement for Good Govt PAC.

GOPAC Election Fund - Federal PAC - $13,000 from GoPAC Election Fund (Arlington, VA).

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to TJ Berry, and A.J. Bockelman.