Here Comes the Free-For-All

Lots of talk about the US Senate race, and all of it seemingly indicates that more candidates will be entering. Among the rumors circulating…

Office of Childhood Being Born

The 60-day window for the legislature to object to Governor Parson's plans to create an Office of Childhood closed yesterday. DESE will begin transition activities this week as the office becomes official on August 28, 2021.

As of this morning “Phase 2” folks are now eligible for the COVID vaccine. This includes disproportionately affected populations and homeless, as well as workers in the following sectors: Chemical Sector, Commercial Facilities Sector, Critical Manufacturing Sector, Defense Industrial Base Sector, Financial Services Sector, Food & Agriculture Sector, Government, and Higher Education….

1. MO vaccination rates by age.

2. Vaccine hesitancy.

3. Peak gas and VMT.

4. Cyber-fears.

5-7. Employment charts.

8. Traffic jam at Suez Canal.

9. O’Fallon ranks #1.

Remington/MOScout Poll: MO Senate Scenarios

Survey conducted March 24 through March 25, 2021. 1,041 likely 2022 Republican Primary voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2022 Republican Primary Election. Margin of Error is +/-3% with a 95% level of confidence.

House Budget Rejects MedEx Funding

The House Budget Committee rejected HB 20 by a vote of 20-9 yesterday. It was a party-line vote.

Greitens Grilled

Chatter about the Missouri Senate Republican primary continues to captivate.Yesterday, the hot item was an Eric Greitens interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt.Greitens was raked over hot coals for his various scandals.

Schmitt Enters Senate Race

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt officially entered the US Senate race this morning. See Schmitt’s website here.

Greitens Enters Senate Race

Everyone saw it coming, but it’s still news… Former governor Eric Greitens announced he’s running for US Senate.

Kehoe Decides Against Senate Bid

Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe issued a statement that he won’t seek to replace Senator Roy Blunt…

I am humbled to know so many Missourians see an even greater leadership role for me in Missouri… While Claudia and I have been honored by the encouragement and offers of support for me to serve as Missouri’s next US Senator, my true calling remains to work on behalf of Missourians in Missouri as Lieutenant Governor and as a candidate for Governor in 2024.

Parson Outlines Increased Vaccine Eligibility

Governor Mike Parson announced that “Missouri will activate Phase 2 of the state's COVID-19 Vaccination Plan on Monday, March 29, 2021, and Phase 3 on Friday, April 9, 2021.”

The expansion in eligibility comes as the state expects a rapid increase in the number of doses available in the coming weeks.

Gas Tax Faces House Resistance

After Senate Pro Tem Dave Schatz’ herculean effort to pass the gas tax through the Senate before Spring Break, it’s not clear that there’s enough muscle on the House side to push it to the governor’s desk.

Kidd Starts Committee

Jamie Kidd formed a candidate committee to run for House 20 in 2022.

Hartzler Eyes Entry

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler’s team sent word to various media outlets that she’s seriously considering the US Senate race.

Senate Race Captivates

The legislature chugged across the finish line to Spring Break, but talk was mostly about the wide-open US Senate race.

Gas Tax Compromise

The legislature moved several priorities another step farther yesterday.

· In the Senate, Sen. Dave Schatz’ gas tax legislation was perfected. The tax would increase 12.5 cents (phased in) down from the original 15 cents proposed.

All Eyes on Ashcroft

Senator Roy Blunt’s bombshell announcement that he won’t seek re-election continues to dominate the talk of Missouri politicos.

Yesterday brought even more possible Republican candidates to replace him…

Blunt Passes on Re-election

Senator Roy Blunt announced yesterday that he would not seek re-election.

The surprise jolted a wave of Missouri’s most prominent politicians to declare that they were going to talk to their families and prayerfully consider how they could best serve the state.

The Week Ahead

It should be a very full week in the building as the legislature tries to wrap up loose ends before next week’s Spring Break.

1. Changing “metro” definition.

2. Q in JC

3. LGBT by generation.

4. COVID MO death tally.

5. Masks burnings.

6. Provel USA