MOScout Weekender: Schaefer to OA - Hallway on A3 Chances - Who Won the Week and more…
Schaefer Takes Over At OA
Former Sen. Kurt Schaefer will be the new Commissioner of the Office of Administration (OA). Governor Mike Kehoe made the announcement yesterday: "Kurt is a well-respected and valuable member of the Cabinet, and his background and experience in both the public and private sectors will serve him well as takes on the work ahead. At DNR, Kurt has led efforts to make efficiency, communication, and stakeholder engagement top of mind for his entire team, strengths which I am confident he will bring to OA."
· Taking Schaefer’s spot as Director of the Department of Natural Resources will be Jake Buxton, stepping up from the deputy director position.
MOScout’s Hallway Index: A3
I asked lobbyists, “What is the most likely outcome for Amendment 3 in November?” 20 replies…
RESULTS
1. Big win, 54%+… 5%
2. Close win, 50-54%... 15%
3. Close loss, 46-50%... 40%
4. Big loss, less than 46%... 40%
Sample of Comments
· I think Democrats are overplaying the support for abortion and underplaying how toxic trans issues are. I believe more Missourians want to ban trans surgeries than their desire for abortion regulations. In the end, 3 passes 51%
· Calling it Amendment 3 again was a fatal flaw
· If the Gov puts as much effort into this as he did 4&5, it will lose. Not by the historic number of 4&5. But he probably needs to step up his game if he doesn’t want to go 0-3.
· A “no” is easier than a “yes” and the $$ is on the “no” side and finally - and the “yes” side has no organic crisis they can point to to motivate people to change the law.
· Another big loss incoming. Portions of the right are cool to the idea or outright opposing the measure because it doesn't go far enough.
· We live in a world where there is a centrist governing majority available to those with the courage to step into it...the question is with the money/influence of the far right who helped get a bunch of them where they are, will they enter it? Here's looking at you, Kehoe.
· I do not feel any Republican excitement for November with most races being decided in the August primary. It will be interesting to see the Republican turnout for November. That alone could seal the fate of A3.
· Fails by double digits.
Who Won the Week?
Catherine Hanaway – The Attorney General kept piling up wins: $100 million–$150 million from the multistate Meta settlement, $192,000 in contractor-fraud restitution, and a settlement with the Mark Twain Hotel nuisance case in downtown St. Louis.
Ralls County’s data-center opponents – Constituent pressure got so intense that county commissioners scrapped plans to wait for a September hearing and instead imposed a one-year moratorium on data-center applications.
Jason Johnson – One week after becoming interim Greene County sheriff, the Aug. 25 certification deadline passed with Johnson as the only candidate for November, leaving him on a nearly unobstructed path to the permanent job.
Bayer – The 8th Circuit dismissed an effort to derail its proposed $7.25 billion Roundup settlement, keeping the deal alive in Missouri state court ahead of next month’s hearing.
MATA – The announcement that Rep. Mazzie Christensen would become their new Deputy Director solidifies the trial attorneys’ alliance with the conservative right faction in the Missouri legislature.
Find a downloadable version here.
Gubby Appts
Governor Mike Kehoe announced three gubernatorial appointments…
· Lauren Dudley, of St. Joseph, was appointed to the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board.
· Neal Farrar, of Willard, was reappointed to the Well Installation Board.
· Richard Lillard, of Jefferson City, was appointed to the State Committee of Psychologists.
$5K+ Contributions
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $25,000 from Roy Pfautch.
American Dream PAC - $25,000 from Douglas Albrecht.
American Dream PAC - $25,000 from Missouri Prospers PAC.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Edward Dowd.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Burns & McDonnell.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from David Farr.
Real Action PAC (pro-Christ) - $25,000 from Charles Goldman (Brighton, MA).
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $8,500 from Missouri Alliance PAC.
Another Viceroy PAC - $25,000 from J&J Ventures Gaming (Effingham, IL).
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,500 from Christopher Warwick.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $7,575 from Warwick for 128.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $10,000 from Burns & McDonnell, Inc.
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $40,000 from Real Action PAC.
People Not Politicians - $10,000 from Brian McInerney.
MoCannTrade PAC - $15,000 from C3 Industries Inc (Ann Arbor, MI).
Citizens to Elect Jeremy Mosley - $10,970 from Jeremy Mosley.
General Motors Company PAC Missouri - Federal Committee - $10,000 from General Motors Company Political Action Committee (Washington, DC).
UAW Region 4 Midwest States PAC (MO) - $6,763 from Midwest State Cap Exchange (Ottawa, IL).
Birthdays
Happy birthday to Robin Smith.
Sunday: Jason Hancock, and Louis Hamilton.