Beck Gets Head Start in Senate 1

In Senate 1, Rep. Doug Beck has started his campaign in earnest.  Senate 1 (Scott Sifton termed) is a district Dems need to defend in 2020, so Beck’s early start is helpful to them.

•           There’s a new PAC, DougPAC.

•           And Beck is already dialing for dollars…

Abortion Battle Widens

The abortion war ignited by HB 126 is no longer a Republican-Democratic battle, or a liberal-conservative battle.  This morning Missouri’s healthcare power-players are entering the fray…

• Healthcare is Missouri’s biggest industry. 

• These voices, together with Republican donor David Humphreys, are constructing a narrative the law that’s beyond simply conservative, and anti-medicine.

Brower Promoted

Erin Brower was promoted to Hallmark’s Government & Community Affairs Director.  She’s now responsible for developing and implementing the vision and strategy for Hallmark’s external touch points, including:  federal, state and local government relations; community relations and involvement; corporate philanthropy; and management of the company’s attractions – Hallmark Visitors Center and Kaleidoscope.

Senate’s Interim Committees

Senate Pro Tem Dave Schatz established three interim committees. 

·         These committees will hold hearings, collect testimony and act as working groups for issues potentially facing legislative action next session.  It gives the Senate a running start at issues of complexity.

·         Interesting to note the heavy representation from the Conservative Caucus.  They snagged the chair and vice-chair positions of the retirement system study committee; and comprise four of the eight members of the tax credit study committee.

Humphreys Forms Committee

Committee To Protect The Rights Of Victims Of Rape & Incest was formed. This is the Humphreys’ committee to support a referendum on HB 126, the abortion bill.  Humphreys issued a statement: I support the Committee’s referendum petition to overturn HB126. Abortion is very personal subject with complicated moral issues for all involved. With no consideration given to victims of rape and incest, this legislation’s impact reflects bad public policy with negative consequences for Missourians. As such, I support the Committee’s effort to protect women in the case of rape or incest.  

I invite other like-minded people to join in the Committee’s efforts and with financial and personal support of its signature gathering and campaign.