MOScout Daily Update: Butz PAC Hammers Mitten - Richey on Willett - China Behind Data Center Oppo? - See Promoted and more…
Senate 4: Butz PAC Hammers Mitten
Butz PAC’s first commercial is hitting the airwaves and digital media this week. It hammers Rep. Steve Butz’ rival, Gina Mitten, for her time as an administrative law judge. The circumstances under which she was fired from that position form the basis of the attack ad.
When workers are injured on the job, every paycheck matters. But as a workers' comp judge, Gina Mitten failed injured workers. She was required to issue decisions within 90 days. Instead, workers waited 145, 180, 260, and even 488 days for answers.
The Department of Labor called Mitten incompetent, inadequate, careless, and inefficient, and fired her. Gina Mitten failed workers when they needed her most. Don't elect her to the state Senate.
CD-6: Willett to Get Soy?
One tipster says that Nathan Willett is in line to get the MO Soybeans endorsement. He’s been on a roll with the Farm Bureau and MOFOP endorsements.
Meanwhile
Former Rep. Doug Richey writes on Facebook: I’m going to say what everyone already knows, but it has to be said out loud. Nate is wearing out his outrage message regarding Sam Graves. Everyone knows that Nate wanted Sam’s support and endorsement. He was hurt by not gaining Sam’s support. Nate was enjoying the support and help from his Graves/Axiom team when he felt led to run for state senate (I guess they weren’t establishment at that point...)…
It's obvious that Nate defines ‘establishment’ as those individuals and entities who don't give him what he wants…
I do regret the fact that Nate has burned bridges unnecessarily. He’s a great young man, but he’s not ready. And he continues to show it.
Anti-Hanaway Account
One reader sent me the first tweet from a new parody account that apparently intends to skewer Attorney General Catherine Hanaway.
· Is someone testing out 2028 messages? We’ll see…
Data Center Concerns
Every day, it seems there’s another front of resistance to data centers popping up…
· Rep. Don Mayhew is “urging Governor Mike Kehoe to call a Special Session of the General Assembly. The proposed session is hoped to specifically address the pressing challenges and community concerns brought on by the rapid expansion of large-scale data centers across the state before irreversible long-term impacts are made. Representative Mayhew emphasized that the potential strain of these massive facilities place on our state’s electrical infrastructure, water resources, local roads, and consumer data privacy requires immediate legislative action.”
· The Springfield News-Leader reports that “the Springfield City Council heard a special ordinance that would put a 120-day waiting period — about four months — on accepting or processing any applications to establish or expand data centers in the city. The ordinance proposed by Mayor Jeff Schrag will be voted on during a June 29 council workshop.”
Meanwhile
One reader says that while “there is certainly some NIMBY opposition. There is also growing awareness that China and other foreign adversaries are pushing the narrative.” He points to Congressman Jason Smith’s accusations: Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri, the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, said in an interview that China is funding numerous nonprofits to turn the American public against the data centers pivotal to AI development. Smith, who has launched his own investigations, is calling on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to strip these entities of their tax-exempt status, arguing that the government should not effectively aid groups that “jeopardize our national and economic security.”
People on the Move
· HBS announced that Gunnar See has been named Principal on the firm’s Missouri Government Affairs team in Jefferson City. “Gunnar joined HBS as a legislative intern before moving into the role of Associate, where he supported the Missouri team with lobbying, legislative research, and readiness preparation to enhance client successes.”
· The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Board of Directors selected Geraldine Ide Gardner as the organization’s next executive director following a national search. Gardner will begin her role on Oct 1. “Gardner currently serves as executive director of the Centralina Regional Council in Greater Charlotte, where she leads strategy, operations and regional initiatives serving nine counties and 2.5 million residents.”
League of Women Voters Against A4
In the non-committee expenditures, the League of Women Voters of Missouri is spending money opposing Amendment 4. See the filing here.
Lobbyist Registrations
Steven Tilley, Thomas Robbins, Christopher Schoeman, and Caleb Rowden added Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis.
$5K+ Contributions
Missourians for Fair Governance (anti-A4) - $553,381 from Protect Majority Rule Missouri.
Missourians for Fair Governance - $318,438 from Protect Majority Rule Missouri.
MO Republican Attorneys for Civil Justice PAC - $10,000 from Nash & Franciskato, LLC.
Teamsters Local Union No 688 Political Action Committee - $8,313 from International Brotherhood of Teamsters Missouri PAC- Federal Committee.
Teamsters Local Union No 688 Political Action Committee - $8,488 from International Brotherhood of Teamsters Missouri PAC- Federal Committee.
Values First PAC - $6,500 from Brown and Crouppen.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Dirk Deaton for Missouri.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $30,000 from Missouri Soybean Association.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Missouri Leadership PAC.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Alex Curchin, Kevin Austin, Shelley Kenney, Dani Moore, and Roy Pfautch (the big 9-0).
Condolences
To Matthew Choinka on the passage of his mother, Kim Choinka. A memorial ceremony will be held Monday, June 29 at Immaculate Conception of Dardenne Parish.
Visitation: 9:00 AM
Ceremony: 10:00 AM
Immaculate Conception of Dardenne Parish
7701 State Rte N,
Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368