MOScout Daily Update: Steelman PAC Supports Hardwick - Opp Research on Blue - Eslinger Departure Date - Burlison adds JFK to Portfolio and more…
Senate 18: Website Attacks Blue
In Senate 18, things are getting nasty. I always think of July 4 weekend as the starting point for the fast and furious campaign messages ahead of the August primaries. But Dusty Blue’s opponents are unveiling one of their attack lines a little early. A new website: Real Dusty Blue, says he “doesn’t reflect our rural values,” as it recounts his various run-ins with the law. Among the infractions: violation of protection orders and trespassing.
Blue is running against Reps. Ed Lewis (who is backed by termed incumbent Cindy O’Laughlin) and Greg Sharpe.
· The website is paid for by Let’s Go Brandon PAC. Its treasurer is Chris Vas. Vas works for the Herzog Foundation and serves on Governor Mike Kehoe’s task force to update the foundation formula.
Senate 16: Steelman PAC Backs Hardwick
The PAC previously supporting Joe Steelman in Senate 16 has given half its balance to Rep. Bill Hardwick’s PAC, Missouri Enterprise Fund, a move seems to signal Steelman support for Hardwick.
Hardwick is facing Hannah Kelly, Rep. Don Mayhew, and Philip Lohmann in the race to replace termed Sen. Justin Brown.
· The other half of the Steel Resolve PAC went to the PAC supporting Jake Vogel in Senate 6.
Senate 28: Yard Sign Wars
One MOScouter reporting on the yard sign wars in Senate 28… “Drove through the 28th today. I don’t know if [Rep. Brad] Pollitt is just taking his time or getting a late start, but Sam Alexander has 4x8 signs everywhere.”
· Alexander is known as a prodigious placer of big yard signs.
Driving the Day: Eslinger Departs DESE
Today is June 1, and Karla Eslinger is retiring as the Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Presumably we’ll get an announcement of an interim commissioner while plans are finalized for a permanent replacement.
· One reader thinks Dr. Kyle Kruse, Deputy Commissioner for Financial and Administrative Services, could be appointed Interim Commissioner.
Burlison Visits JFK Assassination Site
Congressman Eric Burlison posted a Facebook video of his visit to the site of the Kennedy assassination. See it here.
“It’s my job, on the Task Force for Investigating Government Secrets, and the JFK assassination is one of them so it’s good to be here and see it first-hand so I can understand the context and the location.”
But
Don’t worry, he’s still working on the UFOs. On Twitter, there’s a report that he’s “proposed an amnesty for UAP [UFO] whistleblowers, a 60-day window for those with information to come forward.”
Politico on Work Requirement Costs
Politico reports on states implementing the work requirements for Medicaid recipients. See it here.
State health departments are having to funnel resources into hiring more staff, paying for overtime, and upgrading their aging technology systems so they can determine which low-income residents are working, volunteering, caregiving, or studying enough hours to keep their Medicaid coverage.
Sen. Brad Hudson is quoted…
“We don’t have a bunch of extra money to go around,” said Republican Sen. Brad Hudson of Missouri, which expanded Medicaid by ballot initiative in 2020. “We had to make cuts this year. We’re probably going to have to make cuts next year. And, after a while, you can get into cutting some things that are pretty close to what all of us agree are essential services.”
· “I think in the long run we’ll be in better shape,” he said.
DHSS Offers Ebola Protocol
The Department of Health and Senior Services has released protocols for dealing with suspected Ebola infections.
Currently, DHSS and the CDC are monitoring travelers from impacted regions; these individuals have been instructed to contact public health prior to seeking medical care to minimize walk-in exposures. However, vigilance is still required at our triage and entry points.
Ebola testing should only be performed in consultation with public health authorities…
New PACs
· Good Deeds STL was formed. It’s a PAC to support St. Louis City Alderman Shane Cohn who’s running for Recorder of Deeds. See the filing here.
· FX PAC was formed. I assume this is in support of St. Louis City Collector of Revenue Gregg FX Daly. See the filing here.
Lobbyist Registrations
Ryan Rowden added American Digital Security.
Dustin Backes added Samsara Inc.
Derek Coats added City of Knob Noster; and deleted Missouri Primary Care Association.
Bradley Pryor added Lincoln Crossing Community Improvement District, and HISF LLC; and deleted QuikTrip Corporation.
Fred Dreiling deleted J & J Ventures.
Kileen Lindgren deleted Pacific Legal Foundation.
Connor Luebbert deleted Dream Corps.
Richard McIntosh deleted Walther, Antel & Stamper, Elizabeth Lauber Consulting, LLC (EL Consulting), and Annie Malone Children and Family Services.
$5k+ Contributions
Missouri Enterprise Fund (pro-Hardwick) - $18,183 from Steel Resolve PAC.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Miles Ross, Rosetta Okohson, Randy Pietzman, Steve Lynch, and John Wright.