MOScout Daily Update: Anti-A4 Starts Ad Campaign - Pro-A5 Hits 'Big Tech' - Vogel Adds $300K - Carter Complaint and more...
First in MOScout: Anti-A4 Starts Radio, TV
Missourians for Fair Governance, the Realtors’ campaign committee to oppose Amendment 4 (changes to the initiative petition process), is starting their ad barrage today.
One source says it’s a substantial buy.
· Listen to the radio ad here. They use the phrase ‘No on 4’ six times, driving home the message.
· See the TV ad here. It’s styled as a news report.
What It Means
This could be a short campaign. With no organized campaign to pass A4, the Realtors may be able to stick a fork in it after a couple of weeks of ads and focus entirely on Amendment 5 (Kehoe tax plan).
New A5 Message: Anti-Big Tech
The latest ad from the pro-A5 Missouri Promise campaign takes aim at “Big Tech.” See it here.
That hum is the sound of big tech making money from online gambling, from porn. Data centers are money machines making millions every minute. And Missouri's 1917 tax code means they make all that money and get away tax-free. But Amendment Five fixes the big tech loophole…
What It Means
It’s a smart move. I would bet dollars to donuts that railing against Big Tech polls a lot better than arguing about shifting the income tax burden over to the sales tax.
But…
The anti-Big Tech vibe really doesn’t jibe with the Kehoe Administration’s embrace of data centers as an economic growth industry.
Vogel Plops Down $300K
In Senate 6, Jake Vogel, coming off the big news of winning Missouri Right to Life’s sole endorsement, added $300,000 to his campaign.
Vogel statement: “The continued support from the people of SD6 to make sure their priorities are represented has encouraged me to personally invest in the race as well. Therefore, as we continue to fundraise, I am matching what we have raised thus far to show my commitment to winning this race.”
What It Means
The move fills his campaign coffers with seven weeks left, and may pressure Rep. Rudy Veit to add additional funds. We’ll see…
First Williams Ad
Sen. Brian Williams released his first campaign ad of the St. Louis County Executive race. See it here.
It’s a minute-long introduction piece that hits the themes of his campaign. He recites his record as state senator and says “I didn't just talk about it. I delivered. As St. Louis County Executive, I'll bring that fight for every zip code, every family, and even those that haven't always had a seat at the table.”
Endorsements
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed Cori Bush’s comeback campaign against Congressman Wesley Bell. Read it here.
MO Farm Bureau endorsed…
· Mike Deering in Senate 10.
· Rep. Greg Sharpe in Senate 18.
· And Rep. Brad Pollitt in Senate 28.
Carter Complaint
Today’s Post-Dispatch has a front-page article reporting that the Commission on Retirement, Removal, and Discipline of Judges has “filed a complaint listing two dozen instances of wrongdoing” by Judge Mike Carter, and recommends “he be removed from the bench.” The article says that the complaints focus on Carter’s social media posts violating judicial codes of conduct.
· Carter has run for state Senate and statewide offices in the past. He placed second in the 2022 Senate 10 race, losing to Travis Fitzwater.
MoDOT to Evaluate Tolls, Congestion Pricing
The Missouri Department of Transportation has published its Long-Range Transportation Plan “to serve as a roadmap through 2050.” See it here.
One thing that jumps out is the funding situation. MoDOT currently estimates $1.3 billion in “unfunded needs.”
And the long-term trend of more fuel-efficient cars and trucks (and more electric vehicles) creates a challenging revenue scenario.
One “mid-term” goal of the plan (5-7 years) is to strengthen Long-Term Transportation
Funding Stability. To do that, MoDOT plans to “evaluate strategies to address revenue challenges, including potential alternative funding mechanisms such as mileage-based user fees, tolling and congestion pricing.”
$5K+ Contributions
Missourians for Vogel - $300,000 from Jacob Vogel.
417 PAC (pro-Trent) - $25,000 from MOCS Action.
417 PAC - $15,000 from Missouri Soybean Association.
Conservative Justice for Missouri PAC (pro-Hanaway) - $20,000 from Leila Farr.
Stop the Ban - $100,000 from Scott and Nicola Stern.
MO Leadership Committee - $25,000 from Ketchmark & McCreight, P.C. (Leawood, KS).
MO Republican Attorneys for Civil Justice PAC - $12,500 from Edelman and Thompson, L.L.C.
MO Republican Attorneys for Civil Justice PAC - $20,000 from Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, LC.
Safer Families for Missouri - $6,250 from Langdon & Emison, LLC.
WPG PAC - $10,000 from Franklin Lassiter (Midway, KY).
Spirit of Missouri - $22,500 from Clean Grid Alliance (Minneapolis, MN).
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Sen. Lincoln Hough, Sam Licklider, Michael O'Donnell, and Barbara Fraser.
MOScout Schedule
I’ll be off this Friday (Juneteenth) and the weekend.