MOScout Daily Update: Bean’s Data Center Bill - The Stakes of High Ed - Carter Endorses Byrne and more…

Feb 27

‍Quick Friday update…

Bean Files Data Center Bill

Sen. Jason Bean introduced a bill yesterday to give local homeowners a financial benefit when data centers enter a community. The bill, SB 1790, would exclude data centers from the “new construction” exemption on assessments so that overall rates could be lowered based on the value of the new facilities.

· This comes amid the continuing backlash against data centers in some communities.

Dems Offer Counter Property Tax Reform

In the Special Committee on Property Tax Reform, Rep. Kathy Steinhoff presented a Democratic alternative to the property tax discussion. HB 3253 has a number of provisions, among them:

· Requiring counties to offer installment plans on property tax instead of one lump sum at the end of the year.

· State reimbursement of revenue lost by local governments to the senior circuit breaker.

· Mandatory training and continuing education for county assessors

Senate 10: Carter for Byrnes

In a social media post, Mike Carter says he’s not running in Senate 10 (Sen. Travis Fitzwater to MTC), but rather is endorsing Rep. Tricia Byrnes.

As many of you know, my wife is battling Stage 4 Medullary Thyroid Cancer. What Tricia Byrnes accomplished alongside Senator Josh Hawley to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) for nuclear waste victims cannot be overstated. Through her leadership, Tricia Byrnes helped extend protections to millions of Missourians who had been waiting far too long. That work matters deeply to my family.

District 10 — Lincoln, Callaway, Pike, Montgomery, and St. Charles Counties — needs disciplined advocacy, compassion, and proven results. I have zero doubt that Tricia Byrnes will continue delivering exactly that as our next State Senator.

Green Bros

KFVS reports on an interesting quirk: Lucas Green and Jason Green, brothers, have filed for the House. They believe if they’re both elected, they’d “become the first two brothers to serve together at the same time in the House.”

· Jason Green is running in House 116 where Rep. Dale Wright is termed.

· Lucas Green is running in House 146 where Barry Hovis is termed.

Education’s Ripple Effect

At yesterday’s Joint Committee on Education Bennett Boggs, Commissioner of the Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, expressed concern about the financial state of some public universities – and warned about the consequences.

· The fragile state…We have six regional universities. You saw the enrollment numbers. Those presidents are working incredibly hard. And they serve incredibly important roles in their communities. I will say that out of the six, I am genuinely concerned three are hitting upon very difficult financial times.

· Warning…The last thing we want is for an institution to all of a sudden need an immediate bailout or assistance of some sort to make sure they can stay viable. That I think is a real consideration we need to be talking about.

· The consequences…I've watched in other states that have had to close some of their campuses… That region loses an economic hub. And oftentimes, you lose the regional hospital. Oftentimes, the K-12 school district has lost its teachers' pipelines. And now you've got an economic desert …

Prayers for McCracken

Lobbyist David McCracken’s home was consumed by a fire.

· See the GoFundMe here.

Gubby Appt

Governor Mike Kehoe appointed former Rep. Robert Cornejo as Circuit Judge for St. Charles County in the 11th Judicial Circuit.

$5K+ Contributions

KC Forward Progress - $10,000 from Lathrop GPM LLP.

KC Forward Progress - $10,000 from Tension Envelope Corporation.

KC Forward Progress - $10,000 from Husch Blackwell.

KC Forward Progress - $25,000 from KC Chamber of Commerce.

Clay County Democratic Central Committee - $7,500 from Local union 124.

Lobbyist Registrations