MOScout Daily Update: Bean Veto Fundy - Trump Pushes Data Centers - Big Week at SCOMO and more…
Bean Veto Fundy
Sen. Jason Bean will be hosting one of the many fundraisers happening over Veto Session. But the invite demonstrates his extraordinary efforts to win the Pro Tem spot. He’s raising money for incoming senators, showing he’s a team player and highlighting his good relationships.
Missing from the list of incoming senators: Jim Avery, Mike Jones, and Lori Rook.
Trump on Data Centers
The Wall Street Journal reports that “President Trump warned Monday that communities that don’t embrace data centers will ‘end up being backwards and poor,’ putting himself at odds with most Americans who say they don’t want the facilities that power AI to be built near them.” Trump added that blocking data centers will give China the upper hand in the global race to become an AI leader. “China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement,” he said.
· Some of Trump’s outside political advisers have privately expressed concerns about the president’s support for data centers, worrying that the public will see him as out of touch with their concerns…
J & J’s Continuing Investment
In the large contributions (below), J & J Ventures sent $25,000 each to three different committees. That money will presumably find its way to the committees and PACs of supportive legislators.
Since the end of the last legislative session, J & J has made over $1.7 million in large contributions ($5,000+).
Driving the Day: Supremes Look at Moon Case
The Missouri Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today on a constitutional challenge from Sen. Mike Moon, Rep. Bryant Wolfin, and Ron Calzone. They objected to the legislation on a variety of issues (special law, more than one subject, public money to private persons). But the hearing will center on the question of whether they have standing.
From their brief: The trial court erred in dismissing Appellants’ Petition for lack of standing because the three Appellants adequately alleged their taxpayer standing based on direct expenditures of state funds, in that SB3 authorizes the payment of refundable tax credits before the holder of a credit has filed a return, which is an immediate cash payout from the state treasury upon request, and that constitutes a direct expenditure of state funds sufficient to confer taxpayer standing.
And
Tomorrow will be a bigger day at SCOMO when the Supremes hear a trio of election cases involving Denny Hoskins and initiative petitions.
Cattle Market
The latest from the Missouri Department of Agriculture: Compared to last week, feeders sold 10.00 to 20.00 lower. The supply of feeders was light… Demand for feeders is moderate. Media headlines are once again causing a lot of uncertainty and market volatility.
Help Wanted
Highmark Health seeks Director Government Affairs. This job leads and manages the Government Relations function for the Kansas City region, including Missouri, Kansas and local Kansas City affairs. This includes working closely with market leadership to set the government relations strategy for the company. Oversees the strategies and processes for communication with federal, state and local legislators, and government agency officials.
New PACs
West County Leadership PAC was formed. It’s in support of Rep. Philip Oehlerking. Dems are targeting his district for a flip. See the paperwork here.
Lobbyist Registrations
Bill Gamble, Jack Gamble, and Troy Stremming added Smart Distributors LLC Midwest.
Gamble & Schlemeier deleted Trilogy Integrated Resources LLC.
Strategic Capitol Consultants deleted City of Arnold.
Amy Blunt deleted Raptor Technologies, and Bloom Medicinals.
$5K+ Contributions
The Wonderdog PAC (pro-Kurtis Gregory) - $25,000 from Paul Vogel.
Paladin PAC - $25,000 from J&J Ventures Missouri Gaming (Effingham, IL).
Legio XIII PAC - $25,000 from J&J Ventures Gaming of Missouri LLC (Effingham, IL).
GPG PAC - $25,000 from J&J Ventures Gaming of Missouri (Effingham, IL).
Missouri Gaming PAC - $34,500 from Bally's (Providence, RI).
Missouri Gaming PAC - $21,000 from Affinity Gaming (Las Vegas NV).
House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc - $30,000 from Enterprise Mobility PAC.
MO Pork-PAC - $50,000 from Smithfield Support Services Corp (Lisle, IL).
MoCannTrade PAC - $15,000 from New Growth Horizon Inc.
Safer Families for Missouri - $18,880 from Gary Robb
Safer Families for Missouri - $19,000 from DM Law.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rachael Klarich, and Brian McCallister.
What It Means STL
For the past year, I’ve been writing a St. Louis-focused blog over on Substack. About 40 MOScouters subscribe, and they tell me they’ve found it useful. Each post (about three/week) is short, but written to leave you with one useful insight. The cost is minimal: $10/month. Subscribe here.