MOScout Daily Update: Rayner Added $1.6M to PAC - Freedom Caucus Spikes State of the Judiciary and What It Means and more...
Meet MCR
Mike Rayner contributed $1.6 million to a new PAC, MCR PAC.
Rayner has emerged as a top Republican donor in recent years. In 2024 he gave Governor Mike Kehoe’s PAC $250,000, and then-AG Andrew Bailey’s PAC $750,000. Last year, he supercharged Jason Law’s campaign with a $400,000 check. Additionally, he’s deposited millions into the Missouri Law Enforcement for Good Government PAC which then made a slew of contributions to politicians. That PAC successfully pushed for the state takeover of the St. Louis City police.
Statement to MOScout: “Mr. Rayner remains fully committed to advancing policies that strengthen public safety, support Missouri’s veterans, and protect the men and women who serve on the front lines in our communities. His contribution to the MCR PAC reflects his support for common-sense causes and candidates who champion policies that equip police officers, prosecutors and veterans with the tools they need, promote economic growth, and help build a stronger, safer future for Missouri families.”
· Rayner’s Jefferson City lobbyists: Jim Foley, Rich Aubuchon, and Mark Bruns.
Lashing Out At SCOMO
The annual State of the Judiciary speech was postponed yesterday as Republicans fumed over the recent Missouri Supreme Court decision that SB 22 was unconstitutional. That address is given by the chief justice. Freedom Caucus members rallied their colleagues to make a stand. Their feeling is that “if you look at the Court’s rulings, they share commonality: any time the legislature passed a law that the Court felt curtailed their power, they kicked it, but whenever a special interest ballot proposition went after the legislature, they upheld it and allowed it to proceed.” This is not a new grievance. Bob Onder, as state senator, used to rail against “the tyrants across the street.”
Here’s how it went down, according to one insider…
· Rep. Ben Keathley led the charge in the House. The initial plan was speak against having the State of the Judiciary address, vote “no” on the suspension of rules to have Joint Session, and then stage a walkout.
· As the effort picked up steam, Keathley went to House Floor Leader Alex Riley and informed him of his plans so it wouldn’t come as a surprise.
· Riley, according to this source, agreed with Keathley’s criticisms and agreed to “just jettison the whole thing.”
· Meanwhile, on the Senate side, Sen. Nick Schroer was scheduled to lead the Senate filibuster on the motion “with the full blessing of leadership,” but when the House cancelled the address, they decided to have Sen. Rick Brattin say his piece and adjourn.
What It Means
First, a little context…
· The SB 22 decision was unanimous.
· It was written by Chief Justice Brent Powell, who’s been appointed by Republicans his entire career.
· This wasn’t a “liberal” decision. It’s more about institutional power.
I think there are two possible plays here..
· Short-term: there are some big cases before the courts right now, especially concerning the redistricting map. The old baseball adage: You don’t yell at the ref because you think they’ll change their call. You yell at them so you get the next one.
· Longer-term: there’s been a long-running, if inconsistent, campaign to change Missouri’s Non-Partisan Court Plan. The conservative critique has been that the legal establishment has too much influence in the plan and bends the judiciary left as a result. With Republicans winning 60% statewide, they’d love to make judges all elected. This could reignite that effort.
MOBar’s Statement
The Missouri Bar stands firmly against any effort to diminish the role of the judiciary as a co-equal branch of government.
The Supreme Court of Missouri, as part of a system of checks and balances, has a constitutional responsibility to determine whether laws passed by the legislature comply with the Missouri Constitution. The Court makes all decisions consistent with this charge, applying the facts before them, regardless of their personal beliefs or which political interests may be affected.
Missouri’s independent judiciary, combined with merit-based judicial selection through the Non-Partisan Court Plan, ensures that all Missouri cases receive equal consideration under the law.
Cats and Dogs Living Together
In the House Commerce Committee hearing yesterday of Speaker Jon Patterson’s HJR 174, there was a “cats and dogs living together” moment. HJR 174 is the first enabling step to phase out the state income tax and replace it with a broader sales tax.
Speaking against the proposal was Randy Scherr representing Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers and Michael Sudokum representing the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys. Scherr said that the two normally opposing organizations hardly ever agree on legislation. “This is very rare. It's only happened maybe three times in my career, and it's also historic because it's the first time I've ever appeared in opposition to a speaker's bill.”
What It Means
The legal community is just one of the hundreds of “services” which would be newly taxed in the proposed plan. It’s indicted how broad the opposition could be.
Meanwhile
Gregg Keller tweeted that the White House is supportive of the plan.
Dinkins on Possible Run
Former Rep. Chris Dinkins issued a statement about her consideration of running again for her old seat…
· Over the last several months, I’ve been surprised and humbled by the number of calls, messages, and outreach I’ve received from friends, neighbors, and community leaders urging me to consider running for State Representative again…
· [O]ur current representative has a 0% voting record of supporting President Trump’s priorities as they relate to building a better Missouri…
· Constituents deserve a representative who returns calls, engages directly, and is willing to step in and help families navigate government bureaucracy — not someone who sits on their hands when the decisions get hard…
· We need leadership willing to take a serious look at the tax burden on working families and seniors and fight for real relief…
· For all of these reasons, I am considering running for State Representative again. I am grateful for the trust, encouragement, and prayers I’ve received, and I will be making a final decision over the next 30 days…
Rep. Tony Harbison is the current incumbent in House 144.
Gambling Help Ramps Up
BetMissouri reports that “mental health and addiction treatment providers across the Kansas City metro are expanding problem gambling services as Missouri sports betting continues to grow and the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches.”
· Kansas City will host six matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium between June 16 and July 11, 2026. The schedule includes four group-stage matches, a Round of 32 match on July 3, and a quarterfinal on July 11.
$5K+ Contributions
MCR PAC - $1,600,000 from Mike Rayner.
Lobbyist Registrations
Graham Ballard added Hayfin Capital Management LLC.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays to Brian Schmidt, Karen Buschmann, Craig Redmon, Alan Gray, and Tommie Pierson Sr.