PDMP Gets Initial Approval in House

Rep. Holly Rehder stood for hours on the House floor yesterday, explaining defending and debating her signature issue – prescription drug monitoring program.

Driving the Day: MMJ Hearing

Today at 1PM, the House’s Special Committee on Government Oversight will begin their hearings on the medical marijuana licensing process. Director Lyndall Fraker will provide testimony.

MEC’s Medicaid Enrollment Solution

Following revelations articulated by Rep. David Wood that thousands of Missouri kids aren’t receiving healthcare they’re entitled to because of cumbersome government paperwork, Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman’s bill (HB 1960) to cut the red tape may get a little momentum. The bill was referred to the General Laws Committee at the end of January.

Kerrigan to Faleti

Press release: On February 10, the Faleti for Missouri Campaign announced they have hired Conner Kerrigan as their Communications and Operations Manager. He most recently served as Communications Director for Empower Missouri, a statewide advocacy non-profit…

Pretty fascinating read in Sports Illustrated about Texas’ feral hog problem.  Missouri makes a cameo. 

• “In 1982 the USDA killed 86 feral hogs” in Texas, says Mike Bodenchuk, a San Antonio–based wildlife biologist. “Thirty years later we’re killing 30,000. We look at other states—Kansas, Missouri—and say, ‘You guys are where we were 30 years ago. You don’t wanna be where we are today.’ ”

CLEAN Itching For a Fight?

And just like… even before it has passed the Senate, CLEAN Missouri has a website up… www.cleanermissouri.com that claims “if you like gerrymandering, you’ll love SJR 38… map-drawing would return to secretive backrooms.”

O’Laughlin Gets Education Chair

Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin was appointed the Chair of the Senate Education Committee.  She replaces Sen. Gary Romine who was appointed to the Tax Commission.

This was rumored, and to reiterate the general view on it…

·         It’s a positive for the school reformers.

·         O’Laughlin is in favor of chart school expansion, and generally more favorable on their issues.

Chiefs Parade

The Superbowl champs will parade through Kansas City.  In a nod to KC legislators who are attending the parade, the legislature will have a quiet day.

The House is only holding a technical session, and the Senate is not expected to take up any “big” issues.

MO Department of Defense?

Rep. Adam Schnelting is proposing a constitutional amendment to add a Missouri Department of Defense.  See it here.

There shall be established a department of defense in charge of the adjutant general appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, charged with providing the state militia and other defense and security mechanisms as may be required…

CHIEFS WIN

Superbowl parade will be Wednesday.  One idea floated is for a shortened legislative week to let the KC delegation zip home for the celebrations.  We’ll see….

And

Some fist-shaking on social media after President Donald Trump places KC in Kansas.  See Ryan Silvey’s tweet here.

Cole Assembles Team

In Senate 29, David Cole is assembling his team.  He’s in a primary with Rep. Mike Moon.

Miles Ross is Cole’s general consultant.  Ross is a veteran of southwest Missouri politics.  In fact, he’s been involved in the Senate 29 Republican races since Jack Goodman won over a dozen years ago.

HB 2033 Unconstitutional?

Polsinelli penned a letter outlining the “legal deficiencies in proposed Missouri legislation to strip condemnation authority from the Grain Belt Express Transmission Project.” 

The bottom-line: “[T]he effect of the Bills would be to deprive Grain Belt of vital rights protected under the Missouri Constitution.”

Bean Jumps Into Senate 25

And then there were four….

I’ve previously reported on the rumors, but Jason Bean made it official, filing paperwork to run for Senate 25.  He joins Reps. Steve Cookson, and Jeff Shawan, and Eddy Justice in the Republican primary to succeed Sen. Doug Libla.

American Viewpoints: Parson In Strong Position

American Viewpoints, in a poll commissioned by the pro-Mike Parson PAC Uniting Missouri, found that the incumbent governor is in a strong position against Democrat Nicole Galloway, and also against potential Republican primary challengers. 

·         The Governor’s job approval rating is strong as well, with 60% of voters approving of the job he is doing and 26% disapproving.

Romine Gets Tax Commission

The press release: Today, Governor Mike Parson appointed Senator Gary Romine to the State Tax Commission…

Pro-Jones PAC Formed

314 Forward was formed.  According to the paperwork filed, the PAC’s purpose is to support St. Louis City Treasurer Tishaura Jones. 

Jones is widely expected to announce that she’s running for St. Louis City mayor.  That election is in the spring of 2021.  Jones narrowly lost to Mayor Lyda Krewson in 2017.

Q2: What is most important to you when determining your support for a Democratic candidate?

Their position on specific policies: 21%

Their experience and readiness for the job: 28%

Their ability to beat Donald Trump: 38%

Not sure: 12%

Razer: Numbness to Gun Deaths?

On Twitter, Rep. Greg Razer asks if we’ve become numb to gun deaths in Missouri.  See it here.  Imagine if there was a new virus loose in Missouri and this tweet said, “...the second death of the day...13th death  in the first 23 days of 2020.”  Do you think leadership in Jefferson City would be silent if that were the case? Of course not - so why silence now? #moleg

MSCC’s COH

The Missouri Senate Campaign Committee recorded another large contribution today.  This is the Republican Senate Caucus’ main vehicle to protect their majority. 

The steady stream of checks puts it in good shape.  MSCC finished the January quarter with about $560K on-hand.  Given these recent contributions, the committee is probably near $700K cash on-hand. 

IPs Spotlight

Initiative petitions are the topic of the day.  The Senate Local Government Committee will hear two proposals from Sen. David Sater. 

·         SB 522 throws out signatures if a court changes the ballot title, effectively killing the IP for that cycle. 

·         SJR 31- which would require voter approval – significantly increases the number of signatures necessary to put a constitutional change on the ballot.