Circus With the Tent on Fire

The House held its hearing last night on Rep. Justin Hill’s resolution declaring no confidence in the presidential election results. It was, in the words of one building denizen, “a circus with the tent on fire.”

How Many Vaccines? How Fast?

Director Randall Williams told reporters that he expected to have enough supply of vaccines to cover two million Missourians by the end of February.

That’s extraordinary news.

1. R is Rural – and Republican.

2. MO’s 2022 Partisan Weighting.

3. Work-sharing uptick.

4. COVID Qualms.

5. Presidential Pardoning

6. Best Cities for Beer Drinkers

Q1: House Bill 50 would abolish the death penalty and any person sentenced to death would be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. Do you support or oppose this bill?

Support: 34%

Oppose: 53%

Not sure: 13%

Hill “Don’t Accept the Results” Resolution

Rep. Justin Hill’s resolution asking that Congress “refuse to accept electoral votes for the office of President of the United States from the states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada” is scheduled for a House hearing Monday at 5PM.

MO GOP Hearts Texas Lawsuit To Overturn Election

Following Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s embrace of the Texas AG’s lawsuit to overturn election results in other states, Missouri Republicans are jumping on the bandwagon.

Gov to Streamline Early Childhood

Word is circulating that Governor Mike Parson is planning to boost the profile of early childhood services by consolidating initiatives from across state government into a new office.

According to initial plans, the yet-to-be-named structure will be located in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Cannon to Liberty

Joelle Cannon will be the new Midwestern director of government relations for Liberty Utilities. A 12-year veteran of Capitol Hill, she has worked for Mike Pence, Tom Coburn, and, most recently, Senator Roy Blunt.

What Will Next Year (As In, Next Month) Look Like

Folks are considering how COVID will shape the political year ahead. I’ve written before about the question of Governor Mike Parson’s inauguration. There still hasn’t been any indication how it will be handled in this time of COVID. Public health officials would surely recommend against an indoor party/ball. But Parson has been reluctant to abandon traditions this year. It fits his general orientation of “learning to live with the virus.” It wouldn’t surprise me to see a traditional inaugural ball – masks optional.

1. More Americans confident in COVID vaccines.

2. But Pfizer vaccine protocol will take about a month.

3. Missouri’s sharp drop in labor force is not unique. It’s happening nationally.

4. Wentzville gets workers from closed GM plant in Ohio.

5. Local sales and use tax collection nears state sales and use tax collection.

6. License plate requirement by state.

7. Which gun laws actually reduce violence.

8. If “did not vote” were an electoral college candidate.

WSJ on Farr

Wall Street Journal published a long and in-depth article about Emerson CEO David Farr’s navigating the COVID crisis. It’s full of lots of color.

· This could all be managed, Mr. Farr thought. Seeing the Chinese government deal with the virus early in the year and reopen without major outbreaks gave him some confidence. “I got into a lot of heated battles around here in St. Louis because I had the opinion that you can live with this virus,” he said.

Targeting SuperPay

Among the pre-filed bills, Rep. Jered Taylor’s HB 93 would put a salary cap on school superintendents. “The total compensation provided to a superintendent under this section shall not exceed three and one-half times the average total compensation provided to all teachers who are certified under section 168.021 and employed full time by the school district.”

How Red is MO Now?

Missouri now a redder state than Kansas? Nate Silver tweets “Kansas (Trump +14.7) now less red than Missouri (Trump +15.4)”

Gov Retreats on COVID Liability

Just weeks after expanding the special session to include COVID liability, Governor Mike Parson did an abrupt U-turn and yanked the topic.

COVID liability will now join a thousand other bills at the start of the new session, subject to the same competition for attention, and subject to the same hostage and horse-trading scenarios.

Driving the Day: Pre-Filing Day

Today legislators will start pre-filing their bills for next month’s session.It’s worth scrolling through the list at the end of the day

Coming: Renewed Push for Transportation Funding

Look for a new effort to increase the state’s transportation funding. Two years ago, voters rejected Proposition D, a gas tax proposal. 46% voted in favor and 53% against.

Still, there’s some optimism that with a longer “education campaign,” voters would be more amenable.

Vaccine Website

Governor Mike Parson announced a new website, to give Missourians facts about COVID vaccinations.

See it here.

House Floor Leader seeks Legislative Director. “The Legislative Director, together with the Majority Floor Leader’s staff, will advise the Majority Floor Leader on all legislative areas. The position assists the Majority Floor Leader in managing the legislative schedule and floor debate procedures. The selected candidate must be available to work extremely long hours during the legislative session from January through May….

Waiting on MO GOP to Accept Election

MOScouter: “I feel like it’s a pretty big deal that only two state reps [Reps. Shamed Dogan and Doug Richey] have had the courage to acknowledge who won the presidency. The US Senators and other statewide office holders… are clearly avoiding saying it out of fear of a primary opponent from Trump’s base.”

Parson Extends Emergency, Outlines Expectations

Governor Mike Parson extended the state of emergency in Missouri through next Spring.

He also issued new “public health warning.” The document sets “expectations for all individuals living and/or working in Missouri” that they will wear a mask when they can’t socially distance, wash their hands etc.