MOScout Weekender: Kehoe Throws Cold Water on Senate Budget Plan - Hallway on Kehoe Tax Plan - WWTW and more…
Cloudy Future for Senate Budget
Missouri Independent’s Rudi Keller reports that Governor Mike Kehoe might not be on board with the Senate plan to shift funds earmarked for the Capitol renovation over to cover education funding. It was a concern raised by Sen. Lincoln Hough in floor debate. Read the article here.
Kehoe said he’s reluctant to use money in the Missouri State Capitol Commission fund for two reasons. “It’s a little bit about trying to make sure we restore the Capitol for future generations,” Kehoe said. ”It’s also about using one time money to fix an ongoing problem. Sometimes it’s not the best way to work with it.”
· In an interview with The Independent, state Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Seneca Republican who is chairman of the House Budget Committee, said he is also reluctant to go along with the Senate decision.
RIP Hartmann
Ray Hartmann, a well-known liberal commentator in St. Louis, died Thursday in a car accident. Hartmann founded St. Louis’ alternative weekly, The Riverfront Times, selling to the Village Voice, and later made renewed forays into journalism.
· Hartmann ran unsuccessfully against Congresswoman Ann Wagner in 2024.
MOScout’s Hallway Index:
I asked lobbyists, “Personally, do you think eliminating the state income tax is good policy for the state?” 24 replies…
RESULTS
1. Yes… 33.3%
2. No... 62.5%
3. Not sure… 4.1%
Sample of Comments
· Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
· Great idea if starting from scratch but not trying to eliminate at this juncture
· Good joke.
· I think people have different ideas of what’s good for the state. The state is only as strong as its residents and moleg continues to hammer on its poorest residents which leads to poor health, drug abuse, lack of education all while gutting the social safety net.
· Missouri doesn’t have a Nashville but what we do have is 8 neighboring states that will pick us clean when given the chance.
· Depends on what happens if this passes. This could really go sideways.
· Absolutely!!
· Data speaks for itself. Name a state that doesn’t have an income tax that isn’t beating us in economic growth….plus, we can’t keep doing more of the same.
· Fucking stupid.
· The devil is in the details. Definitely would give people more control over how they spend their own money while at the same time provide additional reasons to live and do business in Missouri. The challenge is getting there.
· Your question only asks about half the equation.
· The state has ham-fisted tax policy the past decade with each change promising prosperity. Revenue attempting to collect an expanded sales tax seems like the next great boondoggle in line behind the child care subsidy payment system and MOVERS.
· Silly to do in a difficult budget situation
· Bold change is the only way to give Missouri a competitive advantage.
Who Won the Week?
Mike Kehoe – Saw his income tax plan passed to go before voters, and helped keep the Royals in Missouri.
Wes Sutton – Helped shepherd HB 2974 out of the Senate to changed regulations and help Missouri maximize its $200+ million yearly allocation from the Rural Health Care Transformation Program.
Wesley Bell – Extended his substantial fundraising lead over rival Cori Bush.
Rusty Black – Navigated the first step of the budget process with calm determination.
Find a downloadable version here.
$5K+ Contributions
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $25,000 from Rudy Farber.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from New Day Healthcare.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $9,500 from Friends to Elect Jim Kalberloh.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $5,001 from Hruza for Missouri.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Citizens for Owen.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Friends Of Doyle Justus.
We Are Missouri - $9,612 from Missouri AFL-CIO.
Respect MO Voters Campaign - $38,000 from Show Me Integrity.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Ingrid Burnett, and Lauren Gepford.
Sunday: Rep. George Hruza, and Caleb Arthur.