MOScout Daily Update: Will of the People’s $1M Counterweight to HRCC - Moon and REAL ID - Deaton Resigns and more…
Liberal Counterweight to HRCC Emerges
Will of the People PAC (see its website here) reported $1 million in contributions yesterday.
· $500,000 from Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action.
· $200,000 from Missouri Workers Power.
· $175,000 from Missouri Organizing and Voter Engagement Action.
· $125,000 from Missouri Voter Project - State PAC.
“The coordinated campaign will prioritize state legislative races.”
Press release: The August election demonstrated that when voters understand what's at stake, they reject efforts to undermine democracy and put politicians ahead of everyday Missourians. In the August primary election, voters rejected the House sponsor of Amendment 4, Ed Lewis and the Senate handler of Amendment 5 Curtis Trent. The PAC will put that momentum towards the November election.
The first round investment of a $1 million coordinated campaign will support voter contact and organizing efforts led by grassroots organizations whose membership is made up of people from communities across Missouri. Rather than relying solely on television advertising or outside consultants, the campaign will build on their past success in neighbor-to-neighbor organizing that builds lasting civic engagement and political power.
What It Means
This is a big deal for Democrats. While they will still be out-funded by the financial juggernaut of the House Republican Campaign Committee, they won’t be defenseless. And, if deployed strategically, this liberal counterweight could be decisive in the half-dozen or so tight races that have always seemed to tilt Republican on Election Night.
Dems Hope to Capitalize on A4/5
Post-Dispatch reports that Democrats hope to tie Republicans to the unpopular ballot measures they put on the ballot. "To see 4 and 5 go down in flames with over 80% of the vote, that's a big deal," Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck of Affton said in an online party meeting on Monday night. "This is an opportunity for us to push forward to get some of these seats."
House Dems have created a website listing legislators’ votes on the measures. See it here.
And
Here’s what that looks like in Greene County…
Legislators Duped on A5 Pitch?
One MOScouter reacted to yesterday’s blurb about consistently negative polling on eliminating the state income tax, fuming that “legislators heard a very different sales pitch from the A5 campaign architects. Polling (like the March memo below) supporting income tax elimination was consistently presented to legislators prior to and during session, indicating the Governor's income tax cut was a home run on the ballot.”
AI Framework Proposed
Press release: The chair and members of the Future Caucus gathered at Lindenwood University in St. Charles City, MO to announce plans to introduce new legislation. The legislation will be introduced during the next session of the General Assembly and it will work to empower and protect Missouri communities as they engage the AI economy…
· “The legislation I have introduced to date, along with the framework we are releasing today, is designed to empower Missouri communities. I intend to continue supporting these efforts next year,” emphasized Rep. Colin Wellenkamp, chair of the Missouri House Future Caucus.
· Additionally, the Future Caucus released the AI Community Evaluation Framework to help Missouri communities now as they work to find footing and advantage while assessing the AI economy and the infrastructure demand that comes with it.
The Kicker…
Mark Maxwell reports that the document was produced using AI.
Moon and REAL ID
Deaton Resigns
Rep. Dirk Deaton wrote on social media that he won’t be serving out his term.
With my not seeking election this year, and with no more budgets I can pass, the moment has come to dedicate my time and attention to other opportunities. Friday, I sent Governor Kehoe a letter resigning my office effective Sunday, August 9th… thank you to my constituents for the honor of serving you for the past eight years.
eMailbag: Meaning of A4/5 Defeat
The defeat of 4 and 5 is yet another example of the right wing confusing a gerrymandered super majority for a mandate from the people.
eMailbag: Kehoe Dodged a Bullet?
What would have been disastrous for Governor Mike Kehoe is if somehow in an alternative universe A5 had passed.
Gubby Appt
Governor Mike Kehoe announced that he appointed Tom Smith, of Warson Woods, as Associate Circuit Judge in the 21st Judicial Circuit.
Lobbyist Registrations
Jay Reichard deleted Navigate Building Solutions.
Jake Silverman deleted Gillespie & Powers, Inc.
$5K+ Contributions
Will of the People - $500,000 from Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action.
Will of the People - $200,000 from Missouri Workers Power.
Will of the People - $175,000 from Missouri Organizing and Voter Engagement Action.
Will of the People - $125,000 from Missouri Voter Project - State PAC.
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $10,000 from Robert Olaughlin.
Missouri Leadership PAC (pro-Riley) - $25,000 from MCR PAC.
Missouri Leadership PAC - $25,000 from Sports Betting Alliance (Lubbock, TX).
Missouri Leadership PAC - $10,000 from Centene Corporation.
Serve Missouri PAC (pro-McCreery) - $10,000 from Missouri Gaming PAC.
Protect Freedom and Democracy - $31,411 from Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action.
MO Bankers Association State PAC - $10,000 from Southern Bank.
KBS PAC - $40,000 from Burns & McDonnell Corporate Services Inc.
Dr. Jeff Brown for Missouri - $11,000 from Jeffrey Brown.
BNSF Railway Company RAILPAC Missouri - Federal Committee - $35,000 from BNSF Railway Company RAILPAC (Fort Worth, TX).
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Sen. Barbara Washington, Sharon Jones, Mike Haffner, and Vicki Schneider.