MOScout Daily Update: DNR Seeks State Minerals Plan - ‘Woke Willett’ - Nicola Tussles with WH Over AI and more…
Starter: Sen. Jason Bean, wearing a necktie while tractoring a rice field, says it’s a busy time of year and looks ahead to the two big issues: budget and Kehoe’s tax plan. See it here.
Senate Budget Votes
One interesting question facing Senate Republicans: will they need Democratic votes to pass the budget? And if so, will they get them? Or could this be the retribution they face for last year’s PQs?
Last year eight Republican senators voted No on six of the budget bills requiring Democratic votes for passage.
· Those senators were: Rick Brattin, Ben Brown, Jill Carter, Mary Elizabeth Coleman, Mike Moon, Joe Nicola, Adam Schnelting, and Nick Schroer.
These are fiscal hawks who see the budget as bloated and not something they could support. But it doesn’t apply to all aspects of the state government. For example, the Department of Public Safety retains their support as well as the Department of Corrections, and the State Treasurer’s office, which houses the education voucher program.
1 Big Thing: DNR Seeks Critical Minerals Plan
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has released a Request For Proposal as it seeks to create what amounts to a state economic development playbook for critical minerals.
President Donald Trump’s tariff policy exposed weaknesses in America’s rare earth mineral production critical to many modern consumer and military products. According to the RFP, “Missouri, which is one of the top 10 mineral producing states and hosts 36 of the 60 mineral commodities identified by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as critical to the national economy and security, is positioned for critical mineral exploration and development due to its unique geology.”
· The background section says the goal is to promote a “cradle to grave” approach to mineral development in Missouri. In other words, this isn’t just about mining, but rather the entire production chain from exploration to processing.
· There is a whole section aimed at “private entities seeking investment opportunities,” with instructions to compare Missouri to rival states and create a “cohesive brand identity” for critical minerals development.
· There’s a legislative angle as well. The RFP seeks legislative recommendations (incentives, regulations), including specific proposed bill language. And the RFP timeline (6-month deadline from being awarded) suggests the legislative package could be in the queue for next session.
CD-6: “Woke Willett”
The Come and Take It PAC is running digital ads saying that “Woke Nate Willett opposed Trump’s ban on transgenders in the military.”
Nicola Crossways With Trump on AI
Daily Signal reports on a tussle between Sen. Joe Nicola and the White House over AI policy. Read it here.
Republican state Sen. Joe Nicola introduced the Missouri bill that would prohibit AI from having the legal status of personhood and ban harmful deepfake videos. He said he is discouraged by the White House’s intervention in his bill, but said he will not give up on regulating AI. “I’m very frustrated, to be quite honest,” he told The Daily Signal.
The state senator said he then called White House Intergovernmental Affairs Director Alex Meyer to advocate for his bill… Nicola says he was promised a conference call with the White House AI policy shop, but a week later, the meeting has not materialized.
· “I’d take great offense that the president would threaten us by withholding federal funds from protecting our people,” the Missouri Republican said. “That’s why I was elected, it’s what I’m doing here, and to be told I can’t do that, that ‘they’re gonna threaten you,’ that makes me want to push back even harder.”
What It Means
Nicola is pointing out that sometimes Missouri First isn’t the same thing as America First.
Luetkemeyer to Platte Prosecutor
KCTV5 reports on Sen. Tony Leutkemeyer’s move to run for Platte County Prosecutor.
“The race for Platte County prosecutor has raised questions after multiple candidates withdrew and filed in rapid succession, leaving state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer running unopposed. Incumbent prosecutor Eric Zahnd withdrew from the race Tuesday, five minutes before the filing deadline. One minute later, his first assistant, Mark Gibson, filed for the position. Because Zahnd withdrew in the final moments, the filing deadline was extended to Friday at 5 p.m. Gibson then withdrew Thursday, and Luetkemeyer filed five minutes later. No other candidates entered before Friday’s extended deadline.”
· Zahnd said he does not deny coordinating the sequence of events. He compared his move to U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, who also withdrew late in the filing period. “Am I trying to make sure that my office is in good hands? I am,” Zahnd said. “I think people who know me know that what I care most about is public safety in Platte County. And I just wanted to make sure that this office went to somebody who would continue to make sure Platte County is as safe as it can be. And Tony Luetkemeyer will do that.”
Eigel: Let’s Try RT Again
Bill Eigel, running for St. Charles County Executive, wants to put the property tax freeze proposal, which failed in last week’s election, back before voters in August when there’s higher turnout – and he’s on the ballot.
· “If a more representative sample of the population weighs in on freezing property taxes, Prop RT certainly passes by a mile.”
It’s Not About the Fence
Last week, I wrote about Sen. Kurtis Gregory’s SB 1516 that would let folks step onto another property – up to 10 feet – if they’re working on a property-line fence.
One reader clued me in that “the core issue with SB 1516 is not that anyone is worried about being charged with trespass while repairing a fence. Rather it would allow a property owner to destroy any trees or vegetation within 10 feet outside of their property line. So if you have some beautiful trees or bushes or vegetation on your property surrounding your property line, under SB 1516, your neighbor would now be able to cut them down without your permission.”
· In fact that’s the issue of a recent lawsuit in Cole County where destruction of mature trees alleged to be valued at $10,000+.
Waymo, Waze Fighting Potholes
The Nashville Business Journal reports that Waymo is partnering with Waze “on a pilot program that will use Waymo’s technology to detect and provide information on where potholes are in areas its driverless cars operate.”
· The data gathered by Waymo will be available to city and state departments of transportation through the Waze for Cities platform with user-reported pothole data... This gives officials the information they need to identify potholes that need to be filled.
Page Terminates Committee
St. Louis County Executive Sam Page terminated his campaign committee. See the final filing here. He spent about $40,000 on legal expenses.
Help Wanted
State Treasurer seeks MOScholars Program Specialist.This role assists the program manager with the administration and oversight of the full lifecycle of the program experience: prospective participant inquiries, application intake, eligibility determination, compliance, and reporting. This is an outward facing role that interacts with multiple stakeholders including parents, educational assistance organizations, third-party contractors, and the public… salary: $45,000 - 60,000/ year.See the posting here.
$5K+ Contributions
Her Health, Her Future PAC - $25,000 from Richard Tracy.
Her Health, Her Future PAC - $10,000 from Richard Wagner.
BUTZ STL PAC - $10,000 from Hampton Manor of Wentzville.
Lobbyist Registrations
Brian Engel added Western Missouri TDD Association.
Taylor Jackson added Midland Trade Expositions L.L.C.
Jennifer Monheiser added Parking Company of America - Kansas City.
Megan Alyse Crook deleted Civic Council of Greater Kansas City.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthdays to Clem Smith, Mark Reardon and Craig Fishel.
Condolences
To Freddy Barnes on the passing of his father, Carl Barnes. See the obituary here.