MOScout Daily Update: Meet Missouri Valor Alliance - HJR 174 Debate Coming? - Filing Bits and more…
Welcome to the second-to-last week before spring break. Usually, the Senate leadership tries to get one big priority through before that traditional mid-point…
Breaking… Meet Missouri Valor Alliance
Press release hitting inboxes this morning: The Missouri Valor Alliance, a new statewide advocacy organization, is bringing together veterans, police officers, first responders, civic leaders, and public safety community advocates to advance responsible public policy…
The Alliance advocates for policies that strengthen public safety, promote safe Missouri communities, expand opportunities for veterans and first responders, protect those who place themselves in harm’s way, and advance fiscally responsible tax and economic policies.
The Missouri Valor Alliance has focused on two key legislative priorities in its inaugural
legislative session…
Juvenile Justice Reform – Senate Bill 888 and House Bill 2498 – The Alliance supports responsible reforms that address repeat violent juvenile offenses…
Veteran Business Support Legislation – Senate Bill 1245 | House Bill 1749 – the Alliance will
advocate for measures that expand opportunities for veteran-owned businesses to build, grow,
and lead successful enterprises in Missouri…
The Missouri Valor Alliance is repped in the capitol by Mark Bruns, Rich AuBuchon, and Boo Foley.
And I’m told that we’ll be hearing “a lot more about Valor Alliance moving forward” as they plan to launch an “aggressive” paid media campaign to highlight their issues.
Uber-donor Mike Rayner is one of MVA’s “stakeholders.”
HJR 174 Debate Coming?
Kurt Ericksonreports that “House Speaker Jon Patterson, R-Lee’s Summit, told reporters Thursday that House Joint Resolution 174 will be heard in a committee early in the week with an eye on advancing the proposed constitutional amendment to the Senate before lawmakers begin their annual spring break on March 13.”
· HJR 174 is the first step in the Kehoe plan to phase out the state income tax. But despite JP’s remarks, it is not noticed to be voted on in today’s Commerce Committee.
Interestingly, business interests so far have been lukewarm on the idea of scuttling the income tax. It seems their calculus is that the business sector might have to pick up some of the slack. Items that could be on the chopping block…
· Some 200 sales tax exemptions currently in statute.
· The 2% sales tax discount which has been criticized for years as a giveaway.
It could bring an interesting coalition if businesses decide to oppose the plan. Their allies would be advocates for low-income Missourians for whom a sales tax could take a bigger bite of their budgets.
Filing Bits
· I’m told that Brian Gelner was making calls late last week telling folks that he’s decided not to run for Senate. That news could clear Rep. Melanie Stinnett for a primary-free path as she attempts to hold Senate 30 for Republicans against Democrat Rep. Betsy Fogle.
· In the Democratic primary in Senate 4 where Sen. Karla May is termed, Chris Clark hasn’t filed yet. His mom passed away recently and the funeral was last week. I’m told he’s taking some time to evaluate things.
· Sarah Graff’s sudden exit from Senate 18 was because she “wasn’t gaining traction.” Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin quickly pivoted to Ed Lewis.
· Consultant Sophia Shore has a cast of “livewires” running in Republican senate primary races (Sam Alexander, Jim Avery, Dusty Blue, Rep. Bill Hardwick, and Lori Rook). And they all have one thing in common: they drew the low numbers last Tuesday and will all be first on the ballot.
· Former State Rep. Jeff Shawan, running in House 152 where Rep. Hardy Billington is termed, deposited $40,000 into his campaign account. That should dissuade any other entrants because, as one consultant says, he’s “shown in his past races he is willing to spend it.” But another reader hints at dissent, forwarding a social media post from Shawan’s adult daughter giving an anti-endorsement.
And
House incumbents with primary challenges…
· House 54 - Joe Plemons (R); Brandon Phelps (R)
· House 56 - Michael Davis (R); Steve Baker (R)
· House 61 - John Grady (R); Bruce Sassmann (R)
· House 64 - Jason Iannantuoni (R); Deanna Self (R)
· House 83 - David Dimmitt (D); Ray Reed (D)
· House 97 - David Casteel (R); David Robertson (R)
· House 138 - Tom Franiak (R); Burt Whaley (R)
· House 139 - Sandy Karnes (R); Bob Titus (R)
· House 144 - Chris Dodson Dinkins (R); Tony Harbison (R)
· House 145 - Bryant Wolfin (R); Scott A Sattler (R)
Driving the Day: MOVERS Talk
The House Subcommittee on Appropriations - General Administration will meet this morning (8AM). On the agenda: Information Technology Services Division informational hearing. Topics regarding MOVERS will also be addressed
Why It Matters: There’s been no shortage of criticism about the bumpy roll-out of the MOVERS software system. But the stakes were raised last week, when former Senate Appropriations Chair Lincoln Hough proposed that the state “cut bait” on the system, accept the sunk cost and stop paying for the bungled implementation. In the current budget environment, the idea – which could save $56 million – might gain traction.
Meanwhile
On other IT news, AP’s David Liebreports on the spending necessitated by the new work requirements for Medicaid.
· To receive Medicaid health coverage, some adults will soon have to show they are working, volunteering or taking classes. But to gather that proof, many states first will have to spend millions of dollars improving their computer systems… The task is not as simple as pushing through a software update on your smartphone or personal computer. That’s because each state has its own system for managing Medicaid, often requiring experts to make customized changes…
· States face extra pressure to get it right because the federal government will start penalizing states with too many Medicaid payment errors in October 2029.
· [Missouri] state lawmakers now are fast-tracking a $32 million appropriation needed to solicit bids for vendors to start upgrading technology platforms and improving a chatbot for Medicaid participants. Over the next year, the state’s social services agency expects to need about 120 additional workers — at a cost of $12.5 million — to handle the extra administrative workload.
eMailbag: Another Brother Combo
In 1977 Michael V Roberts Sr was elected to the St Louis Board of Aldermen for Ward 19 at the age of 28 the youngest ever elected. In the spring of 1979 his brother Steven C Roberts Sr., father of State Senator Steven C Roberts Jr., was elected at the age of 25 historically the youngest ever elected to the Board of Aldermen. The brothers were the only elected brothers to a major US city council under age 35 at the same time ! Mike served two terms and Steve served 3 terms with their desks next to each other on the floor of the historic Board of Aldermen.
Lobbyist Registrations
Mark Bruns and Stephen Schroeder added Torch Electronics LLC.
Ryan Gill added The Opportunity Trust.
Dennis Ganahl added Missouri Future, LLC
Mike Grote added Nexus Group.
Noah Reandeau added Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association.
Doug Stone added QMR 204 W 3rd LLC.
Jay Hahn and Ryan DeBof deleted City of Warrensburg, Whatabrands LLC, and Whataburger.
Alex Eaton deleted Thrive Homes LLC.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays to Rep. Mitch Boggs, Rob Monsees, “Buddy” Hardin, and Titus Bond.