Driving the Day: Video Lottery/Gaming

I think the hottest committee today will be the Senate’s Progress and Development Committee, chaired by Democrat Gina Walsh. (1PM, SCR1).  That where Sen. Denny Hoskins’ SB 43 will get a hearing. This is the Missouri Video Lottery Control Act.  See it here. “This act allows the State Lottery Commission to implement a system of video lottery game terminals and to issue licenses to video lottery game manufacturers, distributors, operators, handlers, and retailers, as defined in the act…”

Mr. 2020 Wildcard: Jay Ashcroft

What’s in the mind of Jay Ashcroft?

Ashcroftologists have been trying to discern the motivations of the Secretary of State.There’s been some buzz since he enlisted Democratic State Auditor Nicole Galloway to help investigate the allegations that Republican US Senator Josh Hawley inappropriately used state resources when he was attorney general….

January Revenues Plummet

As of the close of business January 31, the state revenues were negative 6.96% compared to the year earlier.  That translates to 382 million fewer dollars in the state coffers.

Overall January’s net revenue collection was 24% below January of 2018.

In the coming months, budget officials expect the numbers to become more buoyant as Missourians start to file their 2018 returns and make up the difference. However it will be a couple of nerve-wracking months, because they’re expecting most of the ground to be made up in April.

Rumorville: Ballot Candy for Anti-CLEAN?
Republicans are strategizing to overturn the redistricting proposal passed as part of CLEAN Missouri last year. They’re considering various "ballot candy" provisions which could be added to their counter-measure to entice voters to support it.
One idea gaining currency would be a simple lobbyist gift ban.  CLEAN created a $5 cap on gifts, so going to a ban would have little practical impact on legislators at this point.  But “ban” does sound like a strong reform to voters.