MOScout Daily Update: HJR 173/174 Prepped for Floor - Freshmen Future Leaders - Nicola Shakes Fist at ‘Poor Communication’ - Moy to SOS and more…

HJR 173/174 Reappears!

The House started their session reading in HJR 173/174 (the Kehoe tax plan).  It was then referred to the House Fiscal Review Committee where it was voted out on party lines.

That tees up the resolution to come before the House floor today for a final vote.

Future House Leaders?

A scan through the list of HRCC’s legislative donors offers a good sense of frontrunners for future leadership spots.

The top five freshman donors to HRCC…

·       George Hruza - $38,391

·       Brandon Phelps - $23,241

·       Bill Irwin - $15,548

·       John Martin - $15,250

·       Jeff Vernetti - $13,340

One MOScouter adds “Probably a few other names that should be considered, including Cathy Jo Loy ($9,300), Chris Warwick ($12,490), and Cecelie Williams ($6,820)”

Nicola: Better Comms from Lobbyists Than Leadership

Sen. Joe Nicola talking to the press last week complained about the lack of information from Senate leadership: “And here's another thing, Rudi, that that is just frustrating being a senator. I get more information about what we're going to do on the floor from lobbyists. We had this discussion last year when you brought me a document that we've been asking for. The information and communication is poor. Me being a senator, I should know what we're doing, when we're going to do it, and not be told one thing and then something else happens.”

Rumorville: Royals Looking To State for More $$$?

In the hallways there some chatter that the Royals may be looking at a “not insignificant” shortfall on stadium funding.  And it could result in another ask.

A Fox4 report yesterday cited Mayor Quinton Lucas saying that “he believes the state will look at sales tax and other state revenues to build out a long term package for the team.”

·       But the article also had Speaker Jonathan Patterson ruling out any new legislation: “state leaders will have to get into a room with the Royals and hammer the number out. He also says there’s no other bill lawmakers have to pass with this issue.”

Moy to SOS

Anne Marie Moy has started at the Secretary of State’s Office as their new Communications Director.

·       Moy comes with great experience having previously handled communications for the House, the Senate and the Department of Revenue.

Gospel in Government

One lobbyist joked the state legislature spends hours passing a bill to squelch antisemitic bullying and every day starts with a prayer to Jesus Christ.

·       Yesterday’s House prayer concluded with: We come boldly before Your throne of grace, by the shed blood of Christ Jesus, our Lord, and it is in His name we pray.

·       Yesterday’s Senate prayer concluded with: In a world so full of the shifting sands of deceit may we choose to stand on the solid rock of the Gospel. In the words of our Savior, "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever."

Franks’ Ex-Wife Pandemic Fraud

Post-Dispatch reports that “Dana Kelly, 47, an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for license collector in 2018 who two years later filed to run for mayor, was among those indicted Wednesday in the case… The new indictment alleges a broader scheme. A news release from the U.S. Attorney's office in St. Louis says the six defendants altogether turned in a total of at least 40 fraudulent applications between 2020 and 2024 for federal pandemic business loans, yielding at least $8.3 million.”

·       Kelly is the ex-wife of former legislator Bruce Franks.

Moore Goes Sub-3

Josh Moore, director of MO HealthNet Division, amazingly ran a sub-3-hour marathon in Boston yesterday.

Help Wanted

Missouri CASA Association seeks Executive Director.  The Executive Director will oversee financial stewardship, organizational development, and local program evaluation, ensuring alignment with National CASA standards and long-term strategic goals. Responsibilities include leading fundraising efforts, cultivating donor relationships, managing high-performing staff, representing the organization at public events, and maintaining positive relationships with state agencies, legislators, and the judiciary.  See the posting here.

$5K+ Contributions

P J Guastello For Mayor - $50,000 from PJ Guastello.

Respect MO Voters Campaign - $10,000 from Kenneth McClain.

Committee to Elect Susan Wilson - $6,345 from Pete AI Agent.

Lobbyist Registrations

Gunnar See deleted Promontory 150 LLC c/o Platform Ventures, LLC.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthdays to Rep. Doug Clemens, David Barlage, Dan Mehan, Paul Curtman, and Theresa Parson.