Blunt and Ashcroft Split Over Gay Marriage

Senator Roy Blunt (who served as president of Southwest Baptist University in the 90s) voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, hours after Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft sent a public letter asking him to vote No.

Drone Deliveries Coming?

Axios had a story up yesterday about Amazon planning to roll out drone deliveries in 2024. And it’s not alone.The article says that they’re “lagging behind Walmart, which says it's expanding its DroneUp delivery network to 34 sites in six states.”

Bailey as AG

Wednesday, Governor Mike Parson appointed his general counsel Andrew Bailey to succeed Eric Schmitt as attorney general.

Driving the Day: AG Announcement

Knocking an item off the To Do list before the holiday, Governor Mike Parson will announce his appointment to replace Attorney General Eric Schmitt. The press conference is scheduled for 9:30AM.

Chatter on Gubby Appts

The twin openings for state treasurer and attorney general are the subject of chatter while JeffCity waits for Governor Mike Parson to make the appointments.

First in MOScout: MADA for Kehoe

Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe will announce his twelfth organizational endorsement for his gubernatorial campaign today.

1. Gen Z AWOL?

2. MO childcare costs.

3. Insulin $$

4 & 5. Trump

6. Travel has improved.

Q1: Do you think the recent elections were conducted fairly, or was their widespread fraud?

I think they were conducted fairly: 40%

I think there was widespread fraud: 39%

Not sure: 21%

Dampf to O’Laughlin

As rumored, Drew Dampf will become Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin’s chief of staff.

The Case for Koenig To Take Ed Chair

With Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin’s recent election to Floor Leader, the Senate Education chairmanship will be vacated.

Clock Ticking on Parson Appts

Governor Mike Parson is on a foreign trip right now, and won’t return until Sunday. But the clock is ticking away as folks wait for his appointments to the statewide offices of attorney general and state treasurer.

The Case for Optimism in the Senate

Earlier this year we were in peak pessimism with regard to the Senate functioning next session. Following nasty and divisive primaries, there was the sense that the factions were more deeply entrenched than ever.

Beck Wins Assistant Floor

Senate Democrats re-elected Sen. John Rizzo to his position as Minority Leader.

O’Laughlin Wins Floor

Sen. Caleb Rowden was elected to be senate pro tem next session, and Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin was elected to be floor leader.

Patterson Wins Floor

Rep. Jon Patterson was elected to be the next House Floor Leader.

The Big Picture

The toplines from last night…

What To Watch For

Here’s what I’ll be watching for tonight…

City of Baldwin Fined

Missouri Ethic Commission fined the City of Ballwin $100 for failing to put a “paid for” on a mailer about a use tax ballot question.

1. Labor force participation rate.

2. Childcare as a (or maybe the) workforce issue.

3. Disabled people in the workforce.

4. Partisan divide – is it money or education?

5 & 6. Trust in government.

7 & 8. Flu season.

Q3: Do you think Missouri is headed in the right direction, or going off on the wrong track?

Right direction: 29%

Wrong track: 55%

Not sure: 16%