MOScout Daily Update: McCreery Lands Big Endorsements - Claudia Kehoe Enters Arena - Defining Rurality - Christ Harassed - Taxing Fees and more…
First in MOScout: McCreery Grabs Police and Fire Endorsements
Press release: State Senator Tracy McCreery announced she has received the endorsements of the St. Louis County Police Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2665, two of the region’s most respected organizations representing first responders.
“I am deeply honored to have the support of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe,” said Senator Tracy McCreery. “First responders represent the very best of public service. I will continue to fight for the resources, training, and protections they need to do their jobs and return home safely to their families.”
What It Means
Endorsements from both Police and Firefighting organizations months before filing even opens is a huge vote of confidence.
· Moves like this show McCreery is doing her best to slam the door shut on this race before any serious Republican candidate can gain traction.
Claudia Kehoe Enters The Arena
MOIndy reports that “Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s political team is taking a lead role in the campaign to pass a constitutional amendment banning abortion, enlisting key advisors and tapping First Lady Claudia Kehoe as treasurer.”
· “I don’t recall in my over 40 years as a pro-life lobbyist a first lady taking such a prominent role for any ballot measures – let alone a pro-life one,” said Sam Lee, who helped campaign against the 2024 abortion rights amendment.
· Members of the anti-abortion movement hope that access to the governor’s bully pulpit will help propel early fundraising success.
Why It Matters
Anti-abortion forces hope for a greater collaborative effort among the pro-life groups than last year’s failed campaign to stop Amendment 3. Leadership from the Kehoes could be very helpful in that regard.
Williams Continues Adding $$$
With two more large contributions recorded yesterday (see below), so far this week, over $100,000 has come into PACs supporting Sen. Brian Williams’ bid for St. Louis County Executive.
Keep RHTP $$$ in Rural MO
Sen. Eric Schmitt, with Congressmen Mark Alford, Bob Onder, Jason Smith, and Ann Wagner sent a letter to Governor Mike Kehoe and Directors Jessica Bax and Sarah Willson, regarding the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) which was part of the One Big Beautiful Bill, imploring them to use “the truest and most reliable measures of ‘rurality’.”
They want state leaders to “ensure all RHTP funds are distributed to support truly rural facilities rather than so-called ‘dually classified’ hospitals and other urban health facilities masquerading as rural.”
Why It Matters
There’s serious cash at stake here. The Missouri Hospital Association estimates $200-$250 million annually over five years. The RHTP was added to the OBBB to offset some of the impact of Medicaid cuts. The congressional delegation appears to be wary of non-rural hospitals seeking funding from the program because they serve rural populations.
Taxing Fees?
A new rule (12 CSR 10-103.55) proposed by the Department of Revenue would require retailers to charge sales tax on any fee they charge customers for using a credit card.
Credit card fees that a seller charges a customer who chooses to use a credit card as a form of payment to offset the fees the seller has to pay to the credit card company are subject to tax. There are many names a seller may call this fee, including but not limited to credit card fee, credit card surcharge, convenience fee, etc…
(4) Examples.
(I) A retailer makes a sale for $50, which the customer pays for using a credit card. The retailer charges the customer a $3 credit card fee for using the credit card. Sales tax should be collected and remitted on $53, which is the $50 price of the merchandise plus the additional $3 charge for paying with a credit card….
· One MOScouter: They may be technically right, but this will go over like a turd in the punchbowl when folks are checking out at a store.
Data Center Backlash Hits St. Chuck Mayor
St. Louis Public Radio reports that “a group of St. Charles residents wants to recall Mayor Dan Borgmeyer. They filed an affidavit Wednesday to start the recall process that alleges multiple potential conflicts of interest involving the mayor, including development deals and hiring… The effort to recall the mayor started gaining momentum in mid-August after plans were shared for a data center in the city.”
Why It Matters
It shows that data center developments are touching a nerve and may be a galvanizing issue for citizens.
Christ Harassed
Spectrum News reports…. Prosecutors have charged a St. Louis County man with felony harassment after they say he admitted to leaving threatening voicemails for state representative Brad Christ.
· According to court documents, Michael Reilly told St. Louis County Police that he called Christ’s multiple times on Monday, engaging “in an act with the purpose to cause emotional distress” when Reilly left voice mails saying he was going to “fight fascists.” In another voicemail he called for Christ’s death.
· Police say Reilly has a criminal history including felony burglary and stealing. He was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm in December of 2023. Court records show he later entered a guilty plea to peace disturbance charge.
Lobbyist Registrations
Strategic Capitol Consulting added Celebrate The Spectrum, and Sensiva Health.
Patrick Lobejko added AHIP.
Rebecca London added DraftKings Inc. and its Affiliates.
Steven Carroll deleted Curo Group LLC
$5K+ Contributions
Protect MO Voters PAC - $100,000 from Trails West, Inc.
STLCO PAC (pro-Brian Williams) - $50,000 from Michael Rayner.
B PAC (pro-Brian Williams) - $5,001 from St Louis County Police Association PAC.
Missouri Leadership Forum - $15,000 from The Larson Group.
Missouri Leadership Forum - $15,000 from Drury Development Corp
Missouri Leadership Forum - $15,000 from Warrenton Oil Company
Missouri Leadership Forum - $15,000 from Witte Bros. Exchange, Inc.
Missouri Leadership Forum - $15,000 from GJ Grewe, Inc
Missouri Leadership Forum - $7,500 from Roden's Landscaping, Inc.
Missouri Leadership Forum - $7,500 from Site System Landscaping, LLC.
Poultry Federation Missouri PAC - $10,000 from Tyson Foods, Inc (Springdale, AR).
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Jeff Roe, Katie Reichard Eiken, Gordon Reel, Mark Schwartz, and Bryan Spencer.