Justice’s First Ad: Liberals Crazier Than Sprayed Roach

In Senate 25, Eddy Justice has released his first TV ad. It’s memorable, and could create some buzz.

He calls himself a “hardcore conservative.”  The ad is hardcore.  It starts with a punch at “liberal geniuses” who want to “abolish the police.”  “They’re crazier than a sprayed roach.” 

COVID Flares Up

New fears are rising that the coronavirus is spreading more rapidly in new places in Missouri.

• The most likely impact will be to dampen the economic recovery.

1. Biden leads Trump with women voters

2. But not in Missouri.

3. COVID in SWMO

4. COVID in SEMO

5. Charter school opening / closures in Missouri.

6. Why charters fail in Missouri.

7. Labor force participation, Missouri.

8. Continuing claims for unemployment insurance, Missouri

MOScout’s Hallway Index: Special Session

Lobbyists expect a special session with 80% of them saying it’s either very likely or somewhat likely. 

May Unemployment Unch

Missouri’s May unemployment rate decreased a smidge from 10.2% in April to 10.1% in May. June will be the number to watch. Will the reopening of the economy have made a real dent in the number or are we in for a long slog?

Zimmerman On the Air

St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman goes on the air today with his first TV ad. He’s in the middle of a four-way Democratic primary for County Executive.

In the ad, a supporter, Registered Nurse Mimi Signor, addresses the camera. She first hits incumbent Sam Page (“you should know the facts about Sam Page…”).

Revenues Showing Some Bounce

At the half-way point in the month, state tax receipts are showing a little life.  That’s good news for budgeteers

Driving the Day: Back to Business Day

Today marks the end of the state restrictions related to the coronavirus. Local municipalities can keep their own, but it appears that many will follow the state’s lead.

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.