MOScout Daily Update: Kehoe Preps for Weather - House Rebukes Dean - Data Center Opposition and more…

Quick Friday update…

Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 26-05, declaring a State of Emergency as a precautionary measure to prepare for hazardous winter weather expected to impact the State of Missouri this weekend. The Order also activates the Missouri National Guard for state and local response efforts, if needed.

House Rebukes Dean

The House voted 138-10 to reprimand Rep. Jeremy Dean, accepting the Ethics Committee’s unanimous recommendation. 

The complaint stated that on September 4, 2025, during a meeting of the Elections Committee,

Complainant received an unsolicited and inappropriate text message from Respondent… The text message was sent at approximately 7:46 pm… The substance of the message was vulgar and sexual in nature. Minutes later, Respondent sent a second message after watching Complainant's reaction on the live feed of the committee hearing. Complainant was shocked by these messages, which were unprofessional and disruptive to the legislative process…

THEREFORE, the Committee on Ethics…  recommends that the House of Representatives reprimand Respondent, Representative Jeremy Dean, for his conduct set forth herein, with the following conditions, including the denial of certain privileges of office:

a. That Respondent be removed from any committee assignments for the remainder of the 103rd General Assembly;

b. That Respondent attend additional training in the subject of preventing sexual harassment in the workplace;

c. That Respondent refrain from any contact with Complainant and maintain physical separation of at least fifty feet from Complainant; and

d. That Respondent be subject to reassignment of seating on the House floor and garage parking space.

·       The ten No votes were: Reps. Doug Clemens, Aaron Crossley, Anthony Ealy, Elizabeth Fuchs, Jeff Hales, Keri Ingle, Ian Mackey, Ray Reed, Del Taylor, and Wick Thomas.

eMailbag on Bartle Hall Appropriation

It seems term limits are affecting both the legislature and OA.   Representatives should know that the State made an agreement with Kansas City and St. Louis convention centers and stadiums in 1990 originally, which was renewed in 2020.  It is not in perpetuity, but anyone who understands the ROI it provides the state would want to keep the agreement intact.

Phillips on Shawn Ryan Show

Elizabeth Phillips popped up this week on the Shawn Ryan Show — the country’s No. 2 long‑form podcast behind Joe Rogan.  She discussed her family’s horrific experience and the decades of abuse tied to Kanakuk in southwest Missouri.  Phillips is pushing SJR 93 / HJR 130 this session, which has already been adopted in more than 30 states.

·       She’s coming off last year’s passage of Trey’s Law, named after her brother, which bans NDAs in child sexual abuse cases.  U.S. Senator Ted Cruz is carrying Trey’s Law at the federal level.

·       Listen to the episode here.

Data Centers Opposition

The opposition to data centers does not seem to fall along predictable ideological lines.  Rather it’s a coalition of disparate concerns (local control, concerns of higher utility bills).

Earlier this week, the Warrenton City Council approved a data center.  One MOScouter shared a flyer left behind by opponents of the proposal…

Help Wanted

Gateway to Hope seeks Director, Statewide Grassroots Engagement – Missouri.  The Director of Statewide Grassroots Engagement – Missouri, reporting to the Chief of Philanthropy and Strategic Communication, will serve as a vital connector between Gateway to Hope’s mission and local communities across Missouri. This enthusiastic and skilled individual will be responsible for creating and implementing strategies to build and mobilize local support to advance Gateway to Hope’s mission at the community level. This person’s work will bridge community engagement, fundraising, and volunteer coordination.   See the posting here.

$5K+ Contributions

Committee to Elect John Nicholas - $10,000 from John Nicholas.

Lobbyist Registrations

Heath Clarkston, Michael Henderson, and Doug Nelson added Western Union, and MoneyGram Payment Systems Inc.

Debbie Cochran added Liberty Link Missouri.

Catherine Gunsalus and Harrison Hems added Honest Elections Project Action.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to Kyle Aubuchon, Ken Jacob, Steve Walker, and Jordan Overstreet.