Firefighters Back Page

In the St. Louis County Executive Democratic Primary, the Professional Fire Fighters of Eastern Missouri – IAFF Local 2665 are proud to support incumbent Dr. Sam Page for County Executive.

As we face down the public health threat that comes with a looming pandemic, St. Louis County’s Fire Fighters and Paramedics need a County Executive that intimately understands the nuances of such a dynamic and challenging environment. Dr. Sam Page chose to place his medical practice on hold to serve the citizens of St. Louis County. His sacrifices, knowledge, and leadership could not be more appreciated and more welcomed as we collective prepare our community for the challenges that lie ahead…

Albus Gets Gavel

Governor Mike Parson announced the appointment of Thomas Albus as Circuit Judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit in St. Louis County effective April 1, 2020. He will fill the Circuit Judge vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Gloria Clark Reno.

State Tax Receipts Surge

State revenues surged in February. “Net general revenue collections for February 2020 increased 22.2 percent compared to those for February 2019, from $561.0 million last year to $685.4 million this year.” Individual income tax collection drove the results with a 23.4% increase for the month. Obviously, the leap year gave us an extra day, but still it’s an impressive number.

Razer Gets National Endorsement

The Victory Fund endorsed Rep. Greg Razer for Senate 7. The Victory Fund is "the only national organization dedicated to electing openly LGBTQ people who can further equality at all levels of government."

CC Knocks Hough Bill Off Consent Calendar

All six senators of the Conservative Caucus signed a notice to Adriane Crouse, Secretary of the Senate, asking that Sen. Lincoln Hough’s SRB 796 be knocked off the consent calendar.

SRB 796 “repeals expired, ineffective, and obsolete statutory provisions.” See it here.

Election Wildcard: The R-Word

In addition to supply chain problems and lower global growth, Coronavirus is creating uncertainty damaging to the business environment. Two points from the WSJ’s Daily Shot this morning…

· According to JP Morgan, the S&P 500 now implies a 57% chance of recession, while the 5yr Treasuries indicate an 86% probability.

· Goldman's US GDP tracker points to sub-1% growth in the current quarter.

Driving the Day

The House’s new Special Committee on Disease Control and Prevention will hold its inaugural hearing today at 1:30PM. Chaired by Rep. Jonathan Patterson, they’ll be hearing testimony from Dr. Randall Williams, Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services regarding Coronavirus….

Arthur Gets Opponent

Mickey Younghanz filed to run against Sen. Lauren Arthur in Senate 17. He doesn’t appear to be much of a threat.

· A brief internet search shows his twitter account has 13 followers.

· He’s also known as Mickey “Funk” Younghanz.

Rowden for T21

Floor Leader Caleb Rowden filed SB 1085. This is a big consequential public health bill.

From the bill summary…

• This act raises the age under which the sale of certain tobacco, alternative nicotine, or vapor products to a minor shall be prohibited from 18 years to 21 years.

• This act modifies the definition of "vapor product" to include any device classified by the FDA as an electronic nicotine delivery system.

House Dems Target “Claire Districts”

House Democrats are targeting district won by Claire McCaskill in 2018 as they draw up their 2020 battle plans.

· The thinking is that there are places where the Dem brand is so damaged that even if voters agree with them on the issues, they won’t punch a D. But districts that voted for McCaskill two years ago have not gone “culturally Republican,” and can be flipped.

Senate Goes All Night

Democrats filibustered throughout the night – they’re still on the floor right now – to prevent SB 575 from being perfected. This is Sen. Bill Eigel’s bill which would change the procedure for folks harmed by asbestos getting restitution.

Brunnert to CDI

After nearly a decade and a half at Flotron & McIntosh, Zach Brunnert will be relocating to Minneapolis with Center for Diagnostic Imaging (CDI) to serve as Director of State Legislative Policy. Brunnert will be representing CDI’s interests in state legislatures throughout the country.

Brunnert joins Kit Crancer at CDI as Kit steps into the role of Vice President of Public Policy and Executive Director the CDI Quality Institute.

Rehder’s PDMP Set for Senate Hearing

Rep. Holly Rehder’s PDMP bill (HB 1693) will get a Senate hearing today.  It will be heard in the Judiciary Committee (1:30PM).  Chairman Tony Luetkemeyer filed a Senate version of a PDMP, so this should be a hospitable environment for the bill. 

Axion + Mouton

Axiom Strategies today announced a strategic partnership with longtime political consultant Paul Mouton, with whom Axiom has collaborated for more than two decades. However, this partnership establishes an official alliance, bringing Mouton’s leadership under the umbrella of the Axiom network.

Uniting MO PAC Staffs Up

The pro-Mike Parson PAC, Uniting Missouri, is hiring! They’re advertising to hire a…

• Communications Director

• Finance & Fundraising Administrator

• Grass Roots Coordinator

Razer Unveils Endorsements

Rep. Greg Razer this morning is unveiling some powerful endorsements that indicate he very well might not have a meaningful opponent in his Senate 7 race. 

Schmitt Re-Election Kick-Off

Attorney General Eric Schmitt will announce his campaign for Missouri Attorney General today with a new video.

· If the video is any indication, Schmitt will be running as a “law and order attorney general.”

Show-Me Disputes MedEx Savings

The free market think tank Show Me Institute has a blog post up disputing the analyses of those claiming that Medicaid expansion will result in cost savings. See it here.

Greitens Runs Ad on FB: “Fully Exonerated”

Eric Greitens seems eager as ever to spend money telling folks what a great guy he is.

KCStar’s Jason Hancock noticed that he’s running Facebook ads touting his total exoneration in the $178K fine he received from the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Greitens Fined

The Missouri Ethics Commission fined former governor Eric Greitens a whopping $178,000.

Greitens issued a statement – widely lampooned on social media – in which he declared he was “fully exonerated.”