Driving the Day… Rehder Kicks Off

This morning Rep. Holly Rehder officially launches her campaign for state senate with a new video, first seen here. It’s largely a biographical piece, telling her life story.  See it here.

I grew up poor – we survived on welfare and food stamps. At 15, I had to quit school to help take care of my family.  Not long after I was a high school drop-out married and pregnant

I could have chosen a life on welfare, but I didn’t want that for my daughter… I wanted the American Dream.

Hospital Association Adds $250K to Expansion Campaign

The Missouri Hospital Association added $250,000 to Missourians for Healthcare.  That’s the campaign committee formed to advance Medicaid expansion through an initiative petition.  And it shows the financial muscle behind the movement.  They’ve already reported over $1.6M in contributions just days after announcing the formal campaign launch.

Walsh on Steward’s Agenda

Minority Leader Gina Walsh tweets about David Steward’s big check… Last year, Republican Senators pushed to change Title IX laws to make things harder on victims of rape and campus assault. Thankfully, they failed. But now, the money behind the Title IX effort is being funneled into a secret PAC to elect more Republican Senators. Coincidence?

Steward Joins Mega-Donor Ranks

David Steward, CEO of World Wide Technology Inc, sent $735,000 to CL PAC yesterday.  This comes on heels of a $100K contribution to the same PAC the day before.

Together with previous contributions of $150K to Bill PAC (associated with Sen. Bill Eigel) and $50K earlier in the summer to CL PAC, it puts Steward’s total giving to over $1 million.  He’s now a mega-donor.

Medicaid Expansion Campaign Launches Today

Today the campaign to expand Medicaid will formally launch.  See the website here.

Progressives have been buoyed by recent success with economic issues at the ballot box.  They won an increase in the minimum wage and also trounced right to work.  Nationally, other states have expanded Medicaid by initiative petition as well.

Merideth on Online Sales Tax

On Facebook, Rep. Peter Merideth makes the case for an online sales tax…

We are now one of only two states in the country that hasn’t yet passed legislation to start collecting sales/use tax from online purchases from out-of-state vendors. That’s millions of dollars we’re losing in state and local revenue for vital services, while giving out-of-state retailers a huge advantage over our local brick and mortars.

Brattin in Senate 31

I heard from a few folks that Rep. Mike Haffner dropping out of Senate 31 doesn’t clear the field for Rep. Jack Bondon… Look for former Rep. Rick Brattin to step up and enter Senate 31.

Liberty Alliance Hits Skelton

Liberty Alliance, the new Republican organization which debuted at the Governor’s Ham Breakfast, is making an initial foray into Senate 19.They’ve put out a recording on Facebook of Democratic candidate Michela Shelton talking about making Columbia a “sanctuary city.”See it here.

Fundy for Beck

The Dems’ Senate 1 candidate, Rep. Doug Beck, will hold a fundraiser next week, Thursday September 5.  The host committee includes members of the Roofing & Siding Contractors Alliance, as well as Sen. Scott Sifton and some big labor leaders.  The event will be at roofing magnate Eric Kirkberg’s “Car Barn” in St. Louis.

In the Field

I heard from someone that they took a twenty-minute live poll on their cell phone yesterday about abortion rights and the gubernatorial race.

• The abortion debate could vie for the center ring of Missouri’s 2020 cycle. 

• It has stiff competition. 2020 will most likely be a referendum on Donald Trump; or it could be defined by the “economy, stupid.”

• But there are clearly forces mulling a strategy to put abortion rights before voters, and mulling its broader electoral impact.

PAC Formed to Support Page

  County Executive Sam Page appears to be following a now well-worn path of having a third-party PAC.  The treasurer is Brad Bakker, who lost (to Rep. Wiley Price) in a primary for House 84 last year.

Quote of the Week

Lobbyist: Was at [at event this week]… [Business executive] introduced the governor as “Parsons.” It just makes me cringe….

KC Keeps Panettiere

Mike Mahoney reports that “KC Mayor is keeping veteran KC lobbyist Sam Panettiere on the job in Jeff City representing KC interests in the state Capitol.  He’s an established presence in Jeff City.  Has been a lobbyist for KC since 2011.”

One MOScouter’s take: Definitely shows somesavvy on the new Mayor's part…

Parson Calls Special Session

As expected, Governor Mike Parson called a special session to run concurrent veto session next month.  See the call here.  Dems hollered that the issue – how many cars you can trade in – is hardly an emergency like ________.

Dem 2020 Slate Still Has Holes

Since last week’s formal announcement that Auditor Nicole Galloway will seek the governor’s mansion, there’s been increased pressure for the Dems to round out their 2020 slate.  They face incumbents across the entire ballot.

I spoke to several Dems about their prospects.

Mosley for Senate

Angela Mosley has formed a candidate committee to run for Senate 13.  The current incumbent, Minority Leader Gina Walsh, is termed.  Mosley is the wife of Rep. Jay Mosley.  They’re related to the Walton family, powerbrokers in North St. Louis County.

This is a safe Democratic seat.

Humphreys Follow-Up

On Saturday, I speculated what David Humphreys’ denouncement of Jay Ashcroft was a prelude to.  I received this note from his lobbyist, Jorgen Schlemeier…

“Dave, your assessment of David Humphreys’ statement is reading it through a political lens.  He is neither attempting to remove himself from politics nor encourage an opponent to Ashcroft, but instead his intent is one of policy, which is to get the law changed. Jorgen”

Tonight, Missouri Democrats gather for their annual Truman Dinner in St. Louis.  “The dinner is expected to have over 400 Democrats in attendance to hear from speakers Senator Jamilah Nasheed, Representative Crystal Quade, and making her first speech since announcing her campaign for Governor, State Auditor Nicole Galloway…”

Who Is Liberty Alliance?

The most buzz from the State Fair was generated by some folks wearing “Liberty Alliance” t-shirts, handing out Don’t Tread on Me stickers.  One of them was former Greitens staffer Scott Turk.

Who is Liberty Alliance?  See their webpage here.  And their Facebook page here.  And their Twitter here.

Maybe Don’t Run on the Economy?

Yesterday’s stock market sell-off has folks using the “R word.”

I’ve been saying that it’s smart of Team Parson to try to stick with the policies in the governor’s wheelhouse – workforce development and infrastructure – because they reinforce the political asset of a strong economy.  But perhaps I’m wrong and it’s best to follow the president’s lead and make America’s cultural war the centerpiece.