MOScout Weekender: Map and IP Changes Passed - Hough Ousted - Schappe Exits - Hallway on AG Primary - WWTW and more…

Map and IP Changes Pass

As expected, the Senate used multiple PQs to shut down Democratic filibusters and pass the special session legislation: a resolution making citizen-led initiative petitions extremely difficult to pass; a new congressional map to give Republicans another representative in DC.

Both face challenges.

The IP change must be approved by the voters.  While the “ballot candy” of banning foreign money was added, I’ll be surprised if it passes in November 2026.  That’s because there’s the strong possibility of deep-pocketed opposition.  During this debate, folks have made it sound like getting to 50%+1 is easy.  They’re about to find out how hard it is.

Meanwhile, the congressional map already had two lawsuits filed against it…

·       In Cole County, SuperLawyer Chuck Hatfield filed suit (see it here) on behalf of Missouri citizens.  “In order to comply with the Missouri Constitution, Missouri’s congressional districts may only be drawn once in a decennial period, immediately after the U.S. Census is certified to the governor of Missouri.”

·       In Jackson County, the ACLU filed suit (see it here) on behalf of Missouri citizens.  It echoes Hatfield’s claim: “Under Article III, § 45, the state’s 2022 congressional map must remain in place for the next decade or until a new decennial census shows that the districts should change.”  But it adds another claim: that the “slapdash process” led to a drafting error, assigning a voting tabulation district (akin to a census block) to both CD-4 and CD-5.  That, the suit says, creates violations of constitutional requirements for the equal population and contiguity.

Additionally, there is serious talk about a referendum effort to put the congressional map before the voters for approval.  If activists are able to collect the signatures for a referendum, that would delay the map’s implementation until the 2028 elections.

Lincoln Loses Approps Chair

The most surprising news yesterday was Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin ousting Sen. Lincoln Hough from his position as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Hough, who represents a purple senate district, and arch-conservative Mike Moon were the two Republican senators who voted against both the map and the IP resolution, siding with Democrats.

Sen. Rusty Black, the vice-chair of Appropriations, will presumably take the gavel and have it for the next three sessions.

·       Most folks are viewing the move to oust Hough as one more bad omen for next session.  One capitol observer: Hough with extra time on his hands and no loyalty to leadership… should probably expect an unproductive session at best.

And

In another surprising move, long-time Democratic Senate staffer Chris Schappe was let go Friday afternoon as well.  One person with knowledge of the situation told me: The Senate Minority Leader is moving in a different direction with the position of caucus legal counsel and has let Chris Schappe go. This move is not indicative of anything other than a change in direction and anyone who hires Chris would be lucky to have him, his experience, and his legal expertise on their side. He is highly respected and well-liked on both sides of the aisle. 

Remington/MOScout Poll

No poll this week.

MOScout’s Hallway Index: GOP AG Primary?

I asked lobbyists, “Will Catherine Hanaway get a credible primary in 2028?”     19 replies…

RESULTS

1. Very likely… 47.3%

2. Somewhat likely… 31.6%

3. Somewhat unlikely… 10.5%

4. Very unlikely… 10.5%

Sample of Comments

·       She may get a primary opponent, but not a credible one. Hanaway will be a very well respected AG and will cruise to a second term.

·       Hanaway will have no trouble attracting primary candidates because she is more worried about ho-hum topics like crime and consumer protection while her predecessors fought for the really important stuff — suing China over COVID, dragging New York into the Supreme Court for prosecuting Trump, blocking student debt relief for the entire country, and even saving Missouri from the perils of Starbucks’ HR policies. Because obviously what Missouri voters really crave is a “fighter” who ignores boring little problems like safe streets, consumer scams, or anything actually happening in our state.

·       I feel like we’re at a point where every office gets a GOP primary.

·       [Somewhat likely] Schroer already positioning for it. Could see Wasinger doing it as well.

·       Yes, someone from the Eigel camp will primary her.

·       [Somewhat likely] These freedom fighters don’t stop.

·       She has enough time to freeze out the field and consolidate support.

Who Won the Week?

Alex Riley – Lost in the melee, the Republican House Caucus elected Riley “Speaker-designee.” When he’s sworn in January 2027, he’ll be the youngest speaker in Missouri history.

Children and employers — the launch of Missouri Child Care Works offers an innovative path forward for solving the childcare crisis for employees and employers.

Will Scharf and Alex Meyer – running Missouri legislature from the White House.

Organized labor – powered one of the most energetic protests I’ve ever seen in the capitol.  We’ll see if they take that muscle into a referendum battle.

Gubby Appts

Governor Mike Kehoe announced two appointments to fill county vacancies.

·       Christopher Kendall, of Farley, was appointed as the Platte County Treasurer.

·       Michael Wulff, of Bethany, was appointed as the Putnam County Prosecuting Attorney.

eMailbag

The rural- urban divide is a lobbyist’s bread and butter. Controlling the chaos - mainly for the majority party regardless of the political moniker they profess - is how the old-time lobbyists do business. Luckily, for Missouri, there is a new breed waiting in the wings  who see beyond the parochialism and who want to build, not destroy.

$5K+ Contributions

Real Action PAC  (pro-Christ) - $15,000 from Rex Sinquefield.

Real Action PAC - $8,000 from Douglas Albrecht.

Real Action PAC - $6,500 from Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust, Inc. (Lexington, KY).

Show Me Growth PAC (pro-David Gregory) - $10,000 from Missouri Law Enforcement for Good Government PAC.

Show Me Growth PAC - $10,000 from Rex Sinquefield.

NEMO Leadership PAC (pro-O’Laughlin) - $50,000 from Missouri Law Enforcement for Good Government PAC.

NEMO Leadership PAC - $15,000 from Rex Sinquefield.

NEMO Leadership PAC - $5,100 from Missouri Soybean Assn.

MoCannTrade PAC - $10,000 from THF Partners LLC (Overland Park, KS).

Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Burns & McDonnell Corporate Services Inc.

MO Republican Party - $10,000 from Growth and Opportunity PAC.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $30,000 from Anheuser-Busch Companies.

House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Missouri Health Plan Association PAC.

MO Protect PAC - $40,320 from Jeff Davidson.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Congresswoman Ann Wagner, and Sam Lee.

Sunday: Rep. Brad Christ, Jon Dalton, Neil Smith, and Gene McNary (the big 9-0).