MOScout Daily Update: Torch Bows to Hanaway - Realtors Prep Busy 2026 Cycle - Freeze Fallout in St. Charles - No More EcoDevo Whack-a-Mole and more…
Torch Waves White Flag
Press release from Attorney General Catherine Hanaway: “Torch Electronics, the largest provider of illegal gambling devices in the State of Missouri, has agreed to suspend all operations, effective Friday, April 10, 2026. This action follows an ongoing joint criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri, and the Attorney General’s Office… Missouri’s laws are clear: It is illegal to provide access to unregulated machines and games for gambling purposes. This action is a part of Attorney General Hanaway’s continuous efforts with local, state, and federal officials to hold businesses accountable for profiting from unlawful activity and creating spaces for lawlessness in our communities.”
What It Means
We’ll see if this fuels appetite to rework the VLT bill. On the one hand, this concession from Torch removes an objection from opponents that the bill would go easy on the gray machines.
On the other, it so radically alters the landscape that it probably takes the conversation back to Square One.
Regardless, it’s a huge win for Hanaway. And it shows the power of the AG’s office when its occupant is focused on a problem.
Realtors Continue To Put $$$ Into War Chest
The Missouri Association of Realtors is prepping for a very busy election season. Yesterday, they reported adding $300,000 to Missourians for Fair Governance. That’s their campaign committee opposing Amendment 4, which would change the requirements needed to pass an initiative petition.
The Realtors also are opposed to the current version of the Kehoe tax plan which could be before voters this year as well.
Changes have been made to the Davidson/Patterson resolution on the Senate side. However, it still doesn’t include the explicit carveout that Realtors insist they need to drop their opposition.
Freeze Fallout in St. Charles
There’s a little back and forth following the demise of the property tax freeze proposal in St. Charles. Apparently County Executive Steve Ehlmann put up signs preemptively taking credit for the freeze – which voters then rejected.
On social media, rival Bill Eigel blamed the proposal’s loss on Ehlmann: St. Charles County Leadership has continually failed you. This was an incredible opportunity to control outrageous property taxes, but instead it passed us by while Sleepy Steve Ehlmann did absolutely nothing.
Meanwhile
In the capitol, the question circulating is whether the vote results indicate a further purpling of parts of St. Charles – and if the chances for a Dem flip in some of those St. Chuck battleground House seats are increasing.
Innovation Zones Hearing in Senate
Rep. Brad Christ’s HB 3231 & HB 2531 received a friendly audience in the Senate Economic Development Committee yesterday.
Christ explained it as a “statewide economic development plan” as opposed to the scattershot approach that’s been used. “Since I've been up here, we're playing whack-a-mole and one-offs with all types of economic incentives.”
In contrast he pitched the innovation zones as providing a consistent statewide framework. “This can affect any senate district, any house district in the state, big and large… you set up this innovation zone… [and] you have that stable, consistent scorecard that the entire state can use, and gives that accountability across the state.”
Wild West of HOAs?
Yesterday Rep. Mike Costlow’s HB 3176, which would create a statewide framework for homeowner associations’ governance, received its hearing in the House Local Government Committee. It’s late in session for a bill at this stage to realistically make it across the finish line. But it was interesting to hear testimony calling Missouri the “Wild West” of HOAs.
Della Miller: “I get to talk to associations from all over globe… And you know, we're laughed at because we're the Wild West… [when I say that] in Missouri, we don't have the statutory frame framework. They laugh, and they're like, ‘holy crap. You guys just get away with everything.’ And I'm like, that's why we have a bad name…”
New PACs
Missourians for Common Sense PAC was formed. It’s in support of Sean Smith. He’s running as a Republican in House 34.
New Candidate Filings
WITHDRAWAL – House 34 – Joey Murphy (Democrat). This removes a primary challenge for Rep. Kemp Strickler. He can focus on the general election (see above).
$5K+ Contributions
Missouri Right to Life PAC - $7,200 from James Hawkins.
Respect MO Voters Campaign - $20,300 from Mid America Carpenters Regional Council Missouri Kansas Area PAC.
Lobbyist Registrations
Jackson Chenoweth added Aypa Power Development LLC.
Nicole Marie Lynch deleted VOYCE.
Jeff Smith deleted City Greens Market.
Happy Birthday
Happy birthday to Casey Wasser.