Can Parson Be a Crisis Gov?

Governor Mike Parson held his first “daily press briefing” on the coronavirus yesterday. But there’s a growing concern that the governor temperamentally mismatched for this crisis.

Post-Dispatch columnist Tony Messenger describes his “bed side manner” as inadequate when there’s a clamoring for action.

The Missouri Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint against Ward Franz because it was “moot” after he resigned his position. See it here. The complaint that was filed with the Commission alleged that Mr. Franz violated the employee code of conduct established by Governor’s Executive Order 18-10... The remedy for violations of Executive Order 18-10 is “disciplinary action including, but not limited to, termination of employment.” The complaint seeks to apply the Executive Order to these facts despite the fact that Mr. Franz has resigned.From the facts presented, the Commission dismissed the complaint because the matter is moot.

Those ads that Governor Mike Parson’s PAC was running about jobs and the economy won’t work for at least the next month. And depending on how long this crisis lasts, how many businesses fold during it, and how quickly or slowly the economy rebounds, they may be gone for the cycle. This deprives the GOP of one of their top selling point this cycle: a low unemployment rate.

Q4: How worried are you about the spread of the coronavirus? Very worried, somewhat worried or not at all worried?

Very worried: 28%

Somewhat worried: 49%

Not worried: 22%

Not sure: 1%

We’re in a wait-and-see mode right now. But there are clearly some imagining that this legislative session will be truncated in some fashion.

· If things go full Italy here, one would expect legislative leaders with the second floor to decide what handful of priority bills need to get passed, and let everything else wait until 2021.

Senate To Start Spring Break Early

Floor Leader Caleb Rowden tweeted last night: “The Missouri Senate will not be in session next week as we work to ensure the safety of our members and Capitol guests from the ongoing #COVID19 realities…”

MO Dem Prez Results

Joe Biden won Missouri with 60% of the vote. He also notched wins in Michigan, Mississippi, and Idaho. It appears he’ll ultimately be the Democrats’ presidential nominee.

The conventional wisdom among Missouri Democrats holds that Biden as nominee is marginally helpful to their efforts.

Leading Age Cancels Lobby Day

Caution in dealing with the coronavirus is behind Leading Age’s decision to cancel their “lobby day” in the capitol.

Leading Age is an association of non-profits that provide the entire continuum of senior care including nursing facilities, assisted and residential care communities, senior housing communities, adult day providers, and home health providers. See their website here.

Their concern is to reduce the possibility that one of their workers picks up the virus and brings it back to one of their communities with older residents who are more vulnerable to the virus.

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.