MOScout Daily Update: Senate Strips MOScholars from Treasurer - Fitzwater Exits MPA - Jones to Leave DESE - Moon and Nicola Shake Fists and more…
Senate Strips ESAs from Treasurer
The Senate passed HB 2097 back to the House. The bill, which started as agricultural education programs in elementary schools, has become something of an education omnibus.
One big change the Senate made: it stripped the MOScholars Program from the Treasurer’s Office, and placed it in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
One Capitol denizen weighs in…
· It wasn’t surprising given the Auditor’s criticism of his handling of the program, the Treasurer’s general sour relationship with the Senate now, mishandling of students’ personal data, and the budget process taking away the small business retirement program funding this session…
· It will be interesting to see if the Treasurer can kill 2097 in the House on the last day, dooming other education priorities…
Fitzwater Exits MO Pharmacy
The Missouri Pharmacy Association’s CEO, Ron Fitzwater, has announced his retirement, effective at the end of the year. Today will be his last day officially working for Missouri pharmacists in the Capitol.
“As an association, I am most proud of the way our members stood up during the COVID crisis to work with other health care providers to make sure that we did the best we could to relieve the fears of patients and to get vaccinations to patients who chose to be vaccinated.”
· Fitzwater is the father of Sen. Travis Fitzwater, who will also be leaving the building as he transitions to become CEO of the Missouri Technology Corporation.
Prior Authorization “Inadvertently Left In’
The House had to reverse course yesterday afternoon after they “inadvertently left in” a pretty huge prior authorization provision in SB 1019 during morning session.
The maneuvers raised eyebrows, with one lobbyist texting me they “tried to sneak a massive amendment.”
It’s the sort of situation that exposes the dangers in last-minute legislating, and the fraying bounds of trust by the end of session…
1 Big Thing: Future ‘Conservative Caucus’ Forming?
There’s an obvious flow to legislative sessions. We all get back together in January and the air is filled with the celebratory mood of a mini-reunion, like high school in September after the summer break.
By late April and early May, everyone is ready to go.
So it’s hard to tell how much of Sens. Mike Moon and Joe Nicola standing on the floor of the Senate yesterday expressing frustration and disillusionment at the Senate process was “session fatigue” and how much could be the basis for a future alliance that disrupts Senate operations seeking to reform Senate procedures.
Nicola’s critique…
· “If this process here continues going the way I’m experiencing it, it’s gonna take some senators like you and I and others to stand up and say that’s enough. And we just stop things, we slow it down, we stop everything until we get some things changed.”
· “We get so much sludge, just so much stuff thrown in from the House. The titles are changed, the original intent is changed, and there’s all kinds of different things. We had a bill here just this week, a couple hundred pages, and there was so many unrelated issues to it. And it’s like we’re just gonna make these big old potpourri bills and just try to pass everything we can here in the last few days.”
Jones Follows Eslinger Exit
Kelli Jones, Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, announced she’ll also leave the department at the end of the month. Jones had previously served under Governor Mike Parson. This follows Commissioner Karla Eslinger’s announcement earlier this week.
This decision comes with mixed emotions. Serving the people of Missouri has been an incredible journey filled with growth, challenges, meaningful accomplishments, and lasting friendships. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given and for the many relationships I’ve built throughout my career.
What It Means
It’s looking like DESE will be getting a complete overhaul in the near future…
Hoskins for Eigel
Bill Eigel announced that Secretary of State Denny Hoskins has endorsed him for St. Charles County Executive. It’s not a surprise. The two have been friends and allies for many years.
· But one campaign pro says it’s “tone-deaf timing” by Hoskins: Just as he and Governor Mike Kehoe are hunkered together on multiple pivotal fights about ballot issues... Everyone knows Eigel is teeing up to challenge Kehoe for governor in 2028.
Fire Alarm
Yesterday as fire alarms rang out, no one budged or even raised eyebrows on the Senate floor. Senate Dems pointed social media fingers at a Republican colleague…
Herrera to DED
Press release: The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) announced today that Elizabeth Herrera will serve as its Deputy Director for the Division of Strategy and Performance…
As Deputy Director, Herrera will help lead the division that provides subject matter expertise in specialized areas such as economic research, data analysis, policy development, project management, and operational excellence.
Help Wanted
Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development seeks Deputy Director - Office of Workforce Development. “Assist the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) Director with developing and implementing strategic actions and policies that support achievement of WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) performance measures and goals as approved in the WIOA combined state plan…” See the posting here.
Lobbyist Registrations
Tony Benz added Doolittle Trailer Manufacturing Inc.
$5k+ Contributions
Missouri Voter Project - State PAC - $50,000 from Movement Voter Project (Northampton, MA).
Committee to Elect Tony Williams, Prosecutor - $10,000 from Tony Williams.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to John Wiemann and Angie Schulte.
Saturday: Deanna Hemphill, Cindy Kadlec, and Jackie Buschjost.
Sunday: Denise Lieberman and Doug Funderburk (the big 7-0)
MOScout Schedule
No MOScout this weekend!