MOScout Daily Update: Low Confidence in Fiscal Notes - Auto Dealers for Law - Calfo-Costlow Again - Filibuster Nuggets and more…
Quick Friday update…
Waning Confidence in Fiscal Notes
This week on the Senate floor there have been multiple voices expressing concern about whether fiscal notes can be trusted. The lack of confidence has been voiced from both political parties.
Why It Matters: In this tight budget year, fiscal notes are critical for legislators to understand the consequences of legislation.
Recent examples…
· Minority Leader Doug Beck: We get this fiscal note that was done hastily, and I don't blame those folks in oversight. And it says zero on the local part, but it could be a billion dollars in taxes.
· Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern: Oversight didn't have an opportunity to prepare an accurate fiscal note… Senator, we don't know the fiscal impact of this legislation.
· Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman: You mentioned the fiscal note. I heard earlier in the debate that this fiscal note is $50 million. I spoke with the senator who is handling the bill, and he doesn't believe it's actually $50 million. I don't have any faith in our fiscal notes either.
Meanwhile
Rep. Doug Clemens recently filed a bill requiring each member of the general assembly be issued a calculator…
Auto Dealers for Law
In the St. Charles County Executive race, the Missouri Auto Dealers Association is assisting Jason Law with fundraising…
Why It Matters
MADA was also a major fundraiser for the Governor’s 2024 campaign, with Dave Sinclair still serving as treasurer of the Governor’s American Dream PAC. It’s a good fundraising “get” for Law that ties him in with key donors in the Governor's fundraising network.
Malek Praised By Epoch
The Epoch Times gives Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek some love… Missouri is another state making significant efforts. In order to prevent situations like the alleged payout of day care support payments in Minnesota to foreign recipients in Somalia, Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek is supporting legislation to verify that people making foreign money transfers are legal residents. “The Show-Me State is well on its way to becoming the first in the nation to establish a clear, enforceable standard that protects taxpayers and strengthens the integrity of our financial system,” Malek stated in a statement emailed to The Epoch Times.
Why It Matters
Epoch Times is a bit of a crazy-right publication, but for Missouri Republican primary voters this is good press for Malek.
Costlow-Calfo Rematch
Max Calfo filed for House 108 yesterday, setting up a rematch from the 2024 race. Calfo lost to Rep. Mike Costlow in that contest 60%-40%.
Calfo and Costlow traded blows and accusations, including Calfo’s post-race assertion that Costlow was ineligible to hold office.
Before tussling with Costlow, Calfo had been embroiled in controversy surrounding then-Rep. Justin Hicks’ record.
· What I’m Saying Is: buckle up, folks.
Lohmann Forms Committee
Philip Lohmann, Republican running in Senate 16, formed a candidate committee. But if the past is any indication, don’t expect a lot of activity. When he ran in 2024 for House 143, he told the Houston Herald: “I don’t take campaign donations, I 100% self-fund, I loathe government corruption and I enjoy a challenge.” He lost that race 77%-22% to Rep. Bennie Cook.
· Lohmann faces Reps. Bill Hardwick and Don Mayhew, and Hannah Kelly.
Notes From This Week’s Filibuster
Listening to Senate debate, you often get personal information or anecdotes. A couple from this week…
· Sen. Stephen Webber likes to watch nature documentaries. “You know those videos of the wildebeest going through the river and the crocodiles are waiting to grab one? One of them is going to get eaten.”
· Sen. Jamie Burger is a Memphis Grizzlies fan. “I’m a big basketball fan. I go down to see the Memphis Grizzlies play pretty regular.”
· Sen. Mike Moon lost patience teaching his wife to drive stick shift. “I had a Datsun king-cab truck… a five-speed. My wife didn’t know how to drive a stick shift and she would grind the gears occasionally. I had to ask a friend with another car to teach her because she had more patience than I did.”
· Sen. Travis Fitzwater’s family has dealt with multiple sclerosis. “My mom and my sister have MS… and the drugs they take are very expensive… My family has experienced this firsthand.”
New Candidate Filings
· House 108 - Max Calfo (R).
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri Right to Life PAC - $25,000 from Phillip Desloge.
UAW Region 4 Midwest States PAC (MO) - $6,843 from Midwest State Cap Exchange (Ottawa, IL).
We Are Missouri - $500,000 from Preserve Middle Class Values, Inc.
Supporters of Community Fire - $6,500 from Kevin Pruellage.
Lobbyist Registrations
Derek Coats and Matthew Roney added Burns & McDonnell Engineering.
Mike Gibbons and Tricia Workman added Lenovo Group.
Tettie Dotstry added We Speak Foundation.
Caleb Rowden added Holistic Alternatives Recovery Trust.
Tom Dempsey and Dave Berry deleted People United for Privacy.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthday to Christine Page.