Driving the Day: Voting Rights Before MO’s High Court

Before the Missouri Supreme Court (virtually, not actually before them) at 10AM this morning are arguments about the state of absentee voting. 

1. BLM Net Approval.

2. Missourian Apology.

3. “South Will Rise Again” in Jefferson City.

4. MO Continuing Unemployment Claims.

5. “V” Shaped Recovery Coming?

6. CIDs and TDDs.

Hickey Leaves Sierra Club

Long-time activist John Hickey announced on Facebook that he was splitting with the Missouri Sierra Club…

After more than ten years in leadership at the Missouri Sierra Club, I am no longer part of the chapter staff. The Chapter Chair and I disagree on the most effective way to achieve our conservation goals. That said, I continue to have deep respect for the membership, leadership and staff of the Sierra Club, and am proud of the accomplishments that we achieved over the last ten years….

June 16: BIB Day

Coming soon… Back in Business Day for Missouri. Governor Mike Parson said yesterday that Reopening Phase 2 was pretty simple: no more restrictions from the state.

Driving the Day: Reopening 2.0?

Post-Dispatch reports that the governor’s 3PM briefing today may include plans for “Reopening 2.0.” See it here.

Gov. Mike Parson is signaling that he is likely to lift coronavirus restrictions set to expire Monday. In a briefing in the Capitol on Tuesday, Parson said he would reveal his decision in the coming days.

Missouri Foundation for Health released a report that Medicaid expansion would “lead to large-scale economic growth. On a yearly average, Missouri would see a $2.5 billion increase in economic output (averaging approximately $16,500 per Missouri business), a $1.6 billion increase in gross domestic product, and a $1.1 billion increase in personal income. The personal income increase averages to more than $500 per Missouri household every year.” See it here.

Hemphill: COVID Emergency Was No Test Run for Virtual Ed

This is in response to today’s comments pulled from a WSJ article calling the coronavirus remote classes a “forced test-run to the long-promised notion of virtual schools.”

Virtual learning is a great tool and absolutely has a place within the education system… To expect teachers to completely change their lesson plans with almost no notice does not qualify this experience as a “test run” of virtual learning.

The No Campaign

No on 2 August was formed to oppose Medicaid expansion. See its paperwork here. Its treasurer is Debra McClelland. 

1. Lifetime risk of being killed by police.

2. Mainstream police reforms.

3. Geography of police killings.

4. Urban-rural divide.

5. Attitudes on coronavirus.

6. MO’s stagnate population.

7. State tax receipts.

MOScout’s Hallway Index: Costs of MedEx

There’s skepticism in the lobbying corps that Medicaid expansion would actually save the state money. I asked: “In your opinion, would the proposal to expand Medicaid…?”  

Governor Mike Parson signed SB 631 which among other things allows absentee voting for folks at high risk of the coronavirus.

May Revenues Down 22%

Although I haven’t seen an official release from Budget and Planning yet, according to the daily revenue sheets, May’s state revenue totals were 22.48% lower than May 2019.

That brings the fiscal year-to-date number at the end of May to negative 7.38%, $642 million below 2019.

Election Results

· Victory Enterprise was a consultant on Randy Feenstra’s win over right-wing lightning rod, 9-term congressman Steve King.

· Axiom’s Aaron Baker was elected to the Atlanta school board, leading the field with 135 votes.

Senate 25: Pro-Bean PAC

In Senate 25, Jason Bean has followed the practices of his primary rivals and started an independent expenditure PAC.  Conservative Leadership for Southeast Missouri was formed.

Parson Declares Emergency

The press release: Governor Mike Parson today signed Executive Order 20-11 to declare that a State of Emergency exists in Missouri due to civil unrest. The Missouri National Guard and the Missouri Highway Patrol stand ready to support local authorities.

1. Partisan View of COVID
2. Business Uncertainty
3. Business Reopening Concerns
4. COVID Liability Coming?
5. Missouri Initial Unemployment Claims
6. State Budget Shortfall

$5K+ Contributions

Missourians for Healthcare - $750,000 from Health Forward Foundation.

Keep Government Accountable - $250,000 from United Auto Workers V Cap.

KC Relaxing Beyond State Standard

After teasing a Phase Two, Governor Mike Parson instead announced an extension of Phase One for another two weeks. Of course, Parson has made it clear recently that the state will take no action to enforce it.

KC Mayor Quinton Lucas seized the opening to release new guidelines which are actually less stringent than the statewide order.

Driving the Day: Reopening Phase Two

With the “Phase one” reopening order expiring on Sunday, Governor Mike Parson promised to outline what “Phase two” will look like at today’s press briefing. With his recent shoulder shrug at businesses flouting the last order, it’s unclear whether the new rules really matter.

Parson: The Buck Stops There

Governor Mike Parson waved off suggestions that he should do anything to enforce his April 27 order about how businesses must conduct themselves during the reopening.  Instead he said repeatedly that it was at the discretion of the local health departments.