MOScout Daily Update: Opening Day of Session - SCOMO Orals - Seeking Director of RHTP and more…

The legislative session kicks off today…

Priorities

According to tradition, Senate Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin and Speaker Jon Patterson will address their chambers with opening speeches.

·       O’Laughlin has prefiled two bills: SB 849 stops all solar projects until a regulatory process is in place to slow them down.  SJR 67 would make the Director of the Department of Transportation appointed by the governor.

·       JP has filed a single bill, HB 2639, which would create a “letter-grade” system to grade all schools, as well as offer some modest incentives.  Patterson has also been very interested in personal property tax reform.

But there will be a bit of a wait-and-see with next week’s State of the State address from Governor Mike Kehoe.  That speech will define the upcoming session more than today’s speeches.  Kehoe will…

·       Outline his FY2027 budget blueprint.

·       Lay out the specific plan the governor is proposing to phase out the income tax (see more below).

·       Push other priorities: expecting another public safety initiative as well as expanding access to childcare.

The vibe will matter.  If Kehoe gives a speech which reinforces recent warnings that the state’s budget situation is increasingly tight, that will throw cold water on a whole lot of legislative items from legislators all across the state.

Also Watching

Angry Dems – It’s no secret that Senate Democrats are furious with what they describe as bad-faith negotiations last session culminating in multiple PQs, followed by a steamrolled special session.  I doubt they’re disruptive from Day One.  Rather I expect targeted, strategic and painful obstruction throughout the session.

Eying Exits – Folks have mentioned Minority Leader Doug Beck as a potential St. Louis County Executive candidate; Sen. Travis Fitzwater is mentioned as a potential new leader of the Missouri Technology Corporation.  Other termed senators could be considering life after this legislative session.

Income Tax Push

Yesterday dozens of conservative organizations released a letter to state legislators urging them to support Governor Mike Kehoe’s still-unreleased plan to phase out the state income tax.  See the letter here.

Key points…

·       The sales tax needs to be broadened: Sales tax laws are also sorely in need of reform. Missouri now has 216 sales-tax exemptions… decades of carveouts secured by industries seeking special treatment.

·       Spending limits?: In their outline of responsible “path to zero,” the signatories call for “revenue triggers,” and “spending discipline.”

Also Today: Sean Soendker Nicholson v. State of Missouri

The Supreme Court of Missouri’s first oral arguments of 2026 start at 9AM today.  The first case is Sean Soendker Nicholson v. State of Missouri, et al. This concerns last year’s SB 22 which changed the process for the determining summary ballot language.

·       The suit alleges a variety of constitutional issues, including a Hammerschmidt violation of the single-subject rule.

One Big Job

Department of Social Services seeks Rural Health Transformation Office Director. The Director of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) will provide executive leadership, direction, and oversight of the implementation of Missouri’s federally funded health modernization initiative designed to strengthen Missouri’s rural healthcare delivery and outcomes. This role will also establish and lead the new Rural Healthcare Transformation Office (RHTO). The RHTO will be the central team coordinating Missouri’s five-year, $500M–$1B program’s strategy, governance, project, grant, and performance management, capability building, and specialized expertise required to drive successful implementation across all RHTP initiatives… Salary: $134,000… See the posting here.

Reed Files Synagogue Security Bill

Yesterday I reported that the Missouri Alliance Network has targeted Rep. Ray Reed as “one of the most anti-Jew legislators” who “must be replaced.”

Also yesterday… The St. Louis Jewish Light had a different story about Reed…  State Rep. Ray Reed, D-Brentwood, introduced the Missouri Safer Communities Act (HB 2519) in part to address an alarming increase in hate crimes and acts of antisemitism. “We’ve seen a real rise in threats and hate-motivated incidents including against the Jewish community and synagogues,” Reed said. “As an elected leader I feel like we can’t look away from that.”  In addition, the legislation would create the “Missouri Hate Crime Victim Assistance Fund” to help pay for mental health counseling, relocation support and legal aid for victims and families affected by hate crimes… “The cost is nothing compared to the cost of losing a single young or any Jewish life to a horrible hate crime,” Reed said.

eMailbag on Roundup (Again)

Regarding the decision we face in Missouri, manufacturers are complying with federal law (FIFRA), yet they continue to face litigation. The Trump administration has raised this issue with SCOTUS, stating that FIFRA preempts state failure-to-warn claims. Do we really want to keep Missouri family farmers and manufacturers in that box, or provide clarity?  Ultimately, without access to these crop protection tools, food prices skyrocket, consumers suffer, global competitors gain market share, and Missouri family farms go out of business. 

$5K+ Contributions

The Rowdy PAC - $9,400 from J & J Ventures Gaming of Missouri LLC (Effingham, IL).

Missouri Voter Project - State PAC - $40,000 from Missouri Wins Investor Network.

MO Outdoor Advertising PAC – $29,948 from Missouri Outdoor Advertising Association.

Lobbyist Registrations          

Rich AuBuchon and Mark Bruns added Missouri Valor Alliance, Inc.       

Chris Bresee added National Electrical Manufacturers Association.            

Nathan Wakefield added Missouri State Employees' Retirement System. 

Tracy King added Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, LLC. DBA AT&T Missouri, LLC. and its Affiliates.

Sarah Meuli added DraftKings Inc. and its Affiliates.

Gunnar See added Microsoft Corporation.  

Jeff Smith added Missouri Appleseed.

Tyler St. Clair added DoorDash, Inc.

Clark Kaericher deleted DoorDash Inc.

Adam Rapert deleted Missouri Retired Teacher Association and Public School Personnel.

Jay Reichard deleted Associated Landlords Advocating Responsible Modifications (ALARM)

Jason Zamkus deleted Dish Network LLC.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthdays to Chris Moreland, and Gentry Trotter.