MOScout Daily Update: Hardwick Intro Ad - Torch’s Big Checks - NAACP Before SCOMO - Telehealth Weak Links and more…
Senate 16: Hardwick Intro Ad
Rep. Bill Hardwick has released what appears to be his first ad. It introduces him as an Army combat veteran, a former prosecutor and a state representative. It hits the big GOP targets: pro-life, pro-gun and standing up for freedom. See it here.
Hardwick is running to replace termed Sen. Justin Brown. He’s in a 4-way primary with Philip Lohmann, Don Mayhew, and Hannah Kelly.
What It Means
Hardwick is the first out of the gate because he has the most resources.
In the April campaign finance filings, Hardwick had a substantial money lead with over $300,000 between his campaign account and PAC. He has since banked another $50,000 from J & J Ventures. Kelly has the next closest cash-on-hand total with around $75,000.
Torch Adds $600K to ‘Tilley PACs’
Torch Electronics sent $600,000 to a half dozen political action committees related to former speaker Steven Tilley. His lobbying firm, Strategic Capitol Consulting represents Torch, which has been in the middle of the battle over video lottery terminals (VLTs) in the state.
Torch produced “gray machines,” which gave a pre-reveal and they argued were legal according to the letter of the law. Attorney General Catherine Hanaway declared the machines illegal and has continued to snuff out VLTs from gas stations and convenience stores.
What It Means
Between these big checks and the large contributions from J & J Ventures it appears the effort to legalize VLTs will continue to be pursued in next year’s legislative session.
· These contributions will very likely find their way to the campaigns and PACs of candidates who are sympathetic to the legalization argument.
Driving the Day: SCOMO Hears NAACP Challenge
This morning the Missouri Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Missouri Conference, et al. v. Governor Mike Kehoe, et al., “an appeal from Cole County involving challenges to the governor’s authority to convene an extraordinary legislative session.”
· The docket starts at 9AM. Listen online here.
RHTP and Telehealth
National Digital Inclusion Alliance has an essay up highlighting weaknesses in plans to expand telemedicine. Read it here.
The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), authorized under P.L. 119-21, is designed to modernize care delivery through telehealth expansion, remote monitoring, digital patient portals, and data-sharing infrastructure. These are good investments. But they are supply-side investments. They build the bridge without asking if residents know how to drive. Rural adults were 42% less likely to use telemedicine than their urban counterparts…
· That gap isn’t primarily about broadband coverage. It’s about what happens after the signal arrives… Consider a 72-year-old with diabetes whose daughter handles her online accounts but works two jobs and isn’t always available. Or a veteran who knows of too many people who have been scammed online and is hesitant to trust “click here” to schedule an appointment.
· The chain breaks in more places than you think. Self-scheduling a telehealth appointment sounds simple. In practice it requires a working device, reliable internet, an active email address, a password the patient actually remembers, the ability to navigate an unfamiliar portal interface, and enough confidence to try again when something goes wrong. Any one of those links can fail. For older and lower-income rural patients, several often fail at once.
· Device access is its own problem. Mobile phone ownership is near saturation — over 90% — but smartphones are poorly suited for clinical telehealth visits. Computers work better, and roughly 1 in 7 American households either lacks one or relies solely on a smartphone for internet access.3
Corrigan to Carmody
St. Louis Business Journal reports that former St. Louis County Executive candidate Bill Corrigan, “a former St. Louis County Circuit Court judge and ex-Missouri deputy attorney general, has joined Carmody MacDonald PC, a Clayton-based firm with one office, after departing Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP.”
· Corrigan’s last day as managing partner of the Clayton office of Shook, Hardy & Bacon was May 15. Tuesday was his first day as a principal at Carmody MacDonald.
Audit of Lottery Starting
According to the State Auditor’s website, they’ve begun an audit of the State Lottery Commission.
· The auditor’s office “reviews operations by conducting audits every two years.”
Lobbyist Registrations
Andy Blunt deleted Heidner Properties Inc.
$5k+ Contributions
Conservative Leaders of Missouri - $100,000 from Torch Electronics LLC.
Missouri C PAC - $100,000 from Torch Electronics LLC.
Missouri Growth PAC - $100,000 from Torch Electronics LLC.
MO Majority PAC LLC - $100,000 from Torch Electronics LLC.
Missouri Prospers PAC - $100,000 from Torch Electronics LLC.
Uniting Missouri PAC - $100,000 from Torch Electronics LLC.
Tarwater for Executive - $10,000 from Frank Molle.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Becky Lohmann, Bob Dixon, Scott Leiendecker, and Debbie Monterrey.