MOScout Weekender: Deaton’s Higher Ed ‘Windfalls and Shortfalls’ Proposal - Hallway on Pro Tem 2029 - Who Won the Week and more…

Deaton Proposes Higher Ed Funding Shift

In the House Democrats press conference on Thursday, Rep. Betsy Fogle expressed concern over House Budget Chair Dirk Deaton’s proposed changes to the Higher Education budget this year.

It has some college presidents “freaking out.”

Deaton’s plan doles out funding according to a formula based on each institution’s full-time enrollment. 

Critics note that this lacks nuance: it doesn’t account for dual-enrolled or part-time enrolled etc.  Additionally, while it doesn’t alter the overall funding recommended by the governor, the shake-up creates winners and losers who would immediately have a windfall or shortfall to accommodate in their upcoming budget. 

BIGGEST DEATON PLAN WINNERS

·       Missouri State University - $30 million gain

·       Northwest Missouri State University - $10 million gain

·       Ozark Technical College - $4 million gain

·       St. Charles Community College - $2.5 million gain

·       Moberly Area Community College - $2.5 million gain

BIGGEST DEATON PLAN LOSERS

·       Truman State University - $27 million loss

·       St. Louis Community College - $10 million loss

·       Lincoln University - $9 million loss

·       University of Central Missouri - $8 million loss

·       Missouri Western State University - $6 million loss

·       Missouri Southern State University - $6 million loss

·       Harris Stowe University - $5 million loss

·       Metropolitan Community College - $2 million loss

One source tells me that this plan wasn’t vetted by the governor’s office, but is rather a “Deaton Special.”

Remington/MOScout Poll

No poll this week.

MOScout’s Hallway Index: Pro Tem 2029

I asked lobbyists, “Which Senate freshman is most likely to be pro tem someday?” 22 replies…

RESULTS

1. Jamie Burger… 18.2%

2. David Gregory… 4.5%

3. Kurtis Gregory… 27.3%

4. Mike Henderson… 13.6%

5. Brad Hudson… 36.4%

Sample of Comments

·       Hudson has the right temperament and leadership skills, but he may be too honest to be in leadership.

·       [Burger] Burger or Henderson. Both are well equipped for the job.

·       [Hudson] Well respected and conservative but deal maker. Also great staff.

·       [Henderson] Simply put - he checks all the boxes.

·       [Kurtis Gregory] Leader and likeable.

Who Won the Week?

David Casteel – Shepherded through the Speaker’s tax plan and a comprehensive statewide Eco Devo package through committee. He’s made House Commerce relevant again.

Sophia Shore – Her cast of “livewires” running in Republican Senate primary races (Sam Alexander, Jim Avery, Dusty Blue, Rep. Bill Hardwick, and Lori Rook) all drew low numbers and will all be first on the ballot.

Mike Rayner – Adds another half-mill to his PAC as he becomes the new go-to uber-donor for Missouri Republicans.

Keri Ingle – A polling memo showing Senate 8 voters aren’t sold on Kehoe’s tax plan gives her campaign a boost.

Find a downloadable version here.

Gubby Appts

Governor Mike Kehoe announced seven appointments…

·       Matt Klumper was appointed to the Children’s Trust Fund Board.

·       Roger Stottlemyre was appointed to the Missouri Gaming Commission.

·       T Mark Elliott and Benjamin Rosenberg were reappointed to the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors.

·       Mark Garnett was appointed to the Missouri Air Conservation Commission.

·       Meridith Vogeler was appointed to the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

·       Yulissa Gomez-Delgado was appointed as a student member to the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors.

New Candidate Filings

·       House 99 – Nathan Mai-Lombardo (D)

·       House 116 – Whitney Wisker-Brooks (D)

·       House 127 – Marvin Manring (D)

$5K+ Contributions

Rural Conservative PAC (pro-Overcast) - $10,000 from Shaman Botanicals LLC.

Her Health, Her Future PAC - $10,000 from Teri Basnett.

Best Start for Kids STL - $17,500 from WEPOWER.

Association of MO Electric Cooperatives (AMEC PAC) - $12,500 from KAMO (Vinita, OK).

Association of MO Electric Cooperatives (AMEC PAC) - $5,525 from Southwest Electric Cooperative.

Committee To Elect Steve Ehlmann - $10,000 from Andrew Taylor.

Stop the Ban - $10,000 from Laura Cohen.

Missouri Right To Life PAC - $10,000 from Sherry Tyree.

MO Leadership Committee - $9,350 from Tom Burcham.

Together KC - $50,000 from KCFOP Political Action Committee.

Together KC - $25,000 from Lockton Management LLC.

Birthdays

Happy birthdays to Frank Barnitz, Jeff Layman, Rich AuBuchon, and Benjamin Peters.

Sunday: David Steelman.