New Ads: Shields in Senate 8

Democrat Hillary Shields, challenging Sen. Mike Cierpiot in Senate 8, released her first ad.  See it here. It’s called “Being Heard” and the first half of the commercial only the back side of her head is seen as she’s listening to constituents.   While the ad touching on traditional themes – education etc – the main promise she makes is to listen.

New Ads: Amendment 2

Amendment 2 – the New Approach constitutional amendment for medical marijuana legalization – released an TV ad.  See it here.  It features a veteran describing the pain of battle injuries and asking Missourians to “please stand with us (veterans) by voting yes.”  Hard to say No to that.

New CMC Ad

A new Claire McCaskill sounds almost unscripted as she responds to the attack ad against her husband’s wealth.

“Let’s talk about these false attacks… I was a single mom raising three children when I met my husband who had already built a very successful business before we’d even met.  For my opponent to attack me for marrying a wealthy man is outrageous…”

One Republican shakes his head as it seems like an unusual McCaskill slip-up: “You don't ever ever ever repeat an attack. You can say ‘I'm being unfairly attacked’ and look sympathetic. But to talk about being rich, your husband being wealthy and the fact that his business was already successful when you found him is something that precisely no voters can relate to…”

“Safe Medicine” Forms to Oppose MMJ

Citizens For Safe Medicine was formed.  It’s a campaign committee.  Its purpose is to oppose the three medical marijuana questions on the ballot next month.

The treasurer of Safe Medicine is Judy Brooks.  She’s been involved in anti-drug efforts.  She’s featured in this Jefferson City Magazine article about Council for Drug Free Youth.

The deputy treasurer is Pat Rowe-Kerr, who recently lost a state representative campaign in House 60.

Hawley Launches Ad Pressing Kav Line of Attack

Hawley’s new ad is simple.  He speaks to the camera in front of a black backdrop. “I’m Josh Hawley and I will fight for the Supreme Court.  It’s the last line of defense for our values.  It’s worth the battle.”  See it here.

1 Big Trend: Future Revenue Streams

The current state revenue picture appears too be lackluster.  See below that September’s numbers were a tepid 2.3% increase over last September.  Fiscal year to date we’re still below water, down over 3% compared to last year.  Most observers blame the goofed withholding tables which will soon be corrected.

However most assessments of the future see a bevy of new revenue streams giving the state new ways to invest in priority areas….

Driving the Day: Amazon Ups Wages

Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon will raise its minimum wage to $15/hour.  “The new minimum wage will kick in Nov. 1, covering more than 250,000 current employees and 100,000 seasonal holiday employees. The company said it also will start lobbying for an increase in the federal minimum wage, currently at $7.25 an hour.”

What It Means

This suddenly makes the Raise Up Missouri ballot question look kind of tame.  That proposal bumps Missouri’s minimum wage to $8.60 per hour and implements yearly increases until it hits $12/hour in 2023.

It’s also a symptom of a full employment economy where a scarcity of workers is the biggest constraint to growth.  I’d like to say that Governor Mike Parson’s focus on workforce development is happening at exactly the right time, but the truth is it should have happened a decade ago to be ready for today.

Schaefer for Hawley

Former Sen. Kurt Schaefer showed up at a fundraiser for Josh Hawley last week.  The two had a bitter primary battle for attorney general in 2016.  Schaefer accused Hawley of being cozy with terrorists, and Hawley said Schaefer was in the pockets of the Chinese.

And

Former Senator Kit Bond gets a lot of credit, says one MOScouter.  Bond hosted the event and he’s “still playing the role of a senior leader in the GOP. He invited Kurt Schaefer… and Schaefer obliged, as a team player.”