MOScout Daily Update: Gamble Explains Rubicon Alliance - Pro-A6 Jumps to Fundraising Lead - Hoskins Whistleblower? - MOFC Awards and more…
Exclusive: Crossing the Rubicon
A new video released by the Rubicon Alliance features veteran lobbyist Bill Gamble speaking about the new organization he’s co-founded with Troy Stremming and David Barklage. In it, he describes Rubicon as a network of independent experts to serve clients who need a unique, multi-skilled team to advocate for them on multiple fronts. The rollout video was created by Rubicon’s new senior communications counsel Scott Charton, who most recently led communications for the campaigns that crushed Amendments 4 and 5.
“Rubicon is an alliance, and we are bringing together experts, all-stars, people who know the subject matter, people who work hard, people who are dedicated and are dedicated to the win… What Rubicon does is allows us to bring various lobbying firms together. Each one is independent. Our Rubicon Alliance members have expertise in legislative, executive branch issues in the state of Missouri, other state capitals, and also Washington, D.C. They're custom-designed teams that bring unmatched service to clients of Rubicon…”
· I’m told that “Gamble remains majority owner of the Gamble & Schlemeier lobbying firm, but the network concept of Rubicon Alliance is Gamble’s passion project.”
Another Big Labor Check for A6
The IBEW Local Union No. 124 sent a check for $400,000 to the Vote Yes on Amendment 6. Last week MO AFL-CIO’s We Are Missouri sent a $500,000 check to that campaign.
Two other active campaign committees are also supporting A6…
· Respect MO Voters Campaign had $234,291 COH as of its most recent filing.
· Protect Freedom and Democracy had $183,737 COH as of its most recent filing.
And… there are no active opposing committees.
What It Means
This is shaping up to be a lopsided campaign that will lead to the passage of A6, and sharply curtail the legislature’s power.
Driving the Day: Hoskins Whistleblower
Attorneys for Nick La Strada, Missouri’s former Director of Election Integrity, are holding a press conference in Jefferson City this morning (10AM). They “will announce the filing of a whistleblower lawsuit under Section 105.055, RSMo, against Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and the Office of the Missouri Secretary of State. La Strada’s Petition alleges La Strada, a Republican whom Hoskins appointed, was fired for whistleblowing on illegal and unethical conduct within the Secretary of State’s Office, including a plan to fabricate evidence in a federal hearing and the decision to overturn a certified municipal election result.”
This Week’s Hearings
The legislature will use their Veto Session this week to get in some committee hearings. On the list…
TUESDAY
· Senate Select Committee on Rural Healthcare (Noon) – Presentations from Missouri Department of Mental Health, Gibson Center for Behavioral Health, and Missouri Behavioral Health Council.
· Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (12:30).
· House Ethics (1PM) – “To discuss Complaint 26-03.”
· Senate Select Committee on Abandoned Landfill Remediation (1:30).
WEDNESDAY
· Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight (9AM) – Presentation from the director of the Department of Transportation.
· Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement (1PM).
Culvert Watch?
The New York Times had an article over the weekend about culverts.
Culverts aren’t nearly as inspiring as bridges... These utilitarian tunnels or pipes that divert or direct streams and storm runoff under roadways don’t enjoy much public affection. But if a culvert doesn’t do its job, it can mean catastrophe: Failed culverts leave people stranded and cut off from emergency services. And failures are looking more likely. Almost two-thirds of the nation’s six million culverts “were built to standards insufficient for today’s storms,” according to Headwaters Economics, a nonprofit research organization.
Here’s a map of all the culverts in Missouri…
And some recent culvert failures…
· April 2026, Boone County/Harrisburg: heavy rain broke a rusted culvert beneath Route F. The roadway started caving in and MoDOT closed it. A nearby resident told ABC 17 that the culvert's rust had been a concern before the failure.
· July 2026, Reynolds County: flooding damaged a double-box culvert on Route 21 badly enough that MoDOT closed the road.
· May 2025: flooding damaged culverts and roads badly enough to close state routes in Sullivan, Linn, and Gentry counties simultaneously.
· In St. Charles County, MoDOT replaced a Route D culvert built in 1936 that was in poor condition and contributing to repeated flooding; the replacement was made larger specifically to handle more water.
· In Greene County, MoDOT is replacing a U.S. 160 culvert built in 1929, which it describes as being in poor condition and needing frequent maintenance.
Freedom Caucus Awards
The Missouri Freedom Caucus is part of a nationwide network of Freedom Caucuses. 15 states are represented by the State Freedom Caucus Network Summit (SFCN). They held their “3rd Annual Summit” last weekend. They give out awards, like the Oscars do.
· Sen. Nick Schroer won Best Lawmaker.
· And the Missouri chapter won Best Overall Freedom Caucus.
Help Wanted
Ameren seeks Legislative Representative. A Legislative Representative is responsible for maintaining and cultivating favorable stakeholder and legislative relations through personal contact with a variety of stakeholder teams, internal reports, internal and external presentations, and development of messaging to support legislative efforts… Collaborate with Ameren’s Manager of State Government Relations and lobbyists to develop coalitions in support of the company's positions on policy issues and to implement strategy.
$5K+ Contributions
Vote Yes on Amendment 6 - $400,000 from IBEW Local Union No. 124 General Fund.
American Dream PAC (pro-Kehoe) - $100,000 from NorthPoint Development, LLC.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from James Ferrell (Leawood, KS).
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Fry Family Enterprises.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Graves Garrett LLC PAC.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Matt Lowe.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Kelly Hill.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Chad Meyer.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Nathaniel Hagedorn.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Brent Miles.
American Dream PAC - $10,000 from Kerry Bush (Prairie Village, KS).
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to Rep. Brad Christ, Jon Dalton, Neil Smith, and Gene McNary.