Driving the Day: Price Censure Debate?

HC 1, the Ethics Committee’s complaint Against Rep. Wiley Price, is on the House calendar for third reading, meaning it’s cued up for debate. Post-Dispatch reports that it may be today.

MO Dems must be grinding their teeth that this will be the story of the day instead of the Republican madness in DC.

6K MO COVID Deaths

Missouri’s COVID data dashboard is in the midst of another maintenance update this morning. Yesterday the state death total was 5,951. Because of the reporting lag (which I have written about repeatedly), this means that Missouri has already experienced its 6,000th death from COVID. In fact, it likely occurred last month. Missouri’s population is roughly 6 million. That means 1 in 1000 Missourians have now died from COVID.

What To Watch For

I’m wondering if Trumpism is still the future of the MOGOP. What to watch: Do any of the Republicans jockeying to run for auditor try to grab the “Trump lane?”

1. Electoral College fun.

2. Who’s to blame for DC riot?

3. Federal money boost to income.

4. 2nd stimulus check plans.

5. Housing prices.

6. Minimum wage.

7. Gaming revenue.

8. Cigarette smuggling.

9. One more thing to worry about.

Remington/MOScout Poll

Survey conducted January 6 through January 7, 2021. 980 likely 2022 General Election voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2022 General Election. Margin of Error is +/-3%

· The poll finds little change in Republican attitudes since the Dec 5 poll. 72% of Republicans still believe that Trump actually won the election (versus 73% then), and 64% of Republican will get vaccinated against COVID (versus 60% then).

Hawley Takes Heat

Senator Josh Hawley took heat from a variety of sources yesterday for his role in President Donald Trump’s misinformation campaign to convince supporters that the election was “stolen.”

Vescovo to Push for Ed Reform

Speaker Rob Vescovo’s opening day speech made it clear that he’ll push for education legislation. By my measure 1,107 words of his 2,676-word speech were dedicated to the topic. That’s 41%. It’s personal for him…

There’s no certainty that this session will adhere to the usual rhythm of a legislative session. With the risk looming that there may be an elongated COVID break or the session itself might be suddenly truncated, there’s a premium on getting your agenda moving early and into position for passage as soon as possible.

First in MOScout: Shamed Explores STL Exec Run

Rep. Shamed Dogan is exploring a bid for St. Louis County Executive. Democrat Sam Page won a special election last year to finish the term of Steve Stenger who resigned amid federal corruption charges. The election is in 2022.

Staffing Scooplettes

· GROCE TO MAY… Dr. Jason Groce, chief of staff to termed Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, will move over to Sen. Karla May’s office, taking the same position there.

Results: End-of-the-Year Reader’s Poll

Q1 Senate Republican Most Likely to Lead First Filibuster

Bill Eigel… 64.4%

Denny Hoskins… 5%

Mike Moon… 20.6%

Cindy O'Laughlin… 10%

Vaccination Roll Out

If you vaccinate older folks, you will immediately save lives.

• Approximately half the COVID deaths in Missouri have been people over 80 years old.

• About 75% of deaths have occurred in those older than 70.

• And if you vaccinate everyone over 60, you’d cut the number of COVID deaths by 90%.

Bush Maybe Won’t Back Pelosi?

Politico reports on a CNN segment in which Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush decline to commit to vote for Nancy Pelosi for speaker.

Kleinsorge to Lime

Dan Kleinsorge, chief of staff to Senate Pro Tem Dave Schatz, will become the new head of the Missouri Limestone Producers Association.

5,000 MO COVID Deaths

As of Sunday morning, the state dashboard showed 4,937 deaths. Because of the reporting lag I’ve written about multiple times, we’re surely over 5,000 deaths at this point. We probably reach it a few weeks ago.

1. COVID crushing the Flu

2. Eviction/foreclosure risk.

3. K-12’s impact on labor pool.

4. November MO job report.

5. State’s UI benefits.

6. Missouri public pension funding.

7. The end-of-the-year lull is almost upon us…

Remington/MOScout Poll: Dems Will get Vaccine

Survey conducted December 16 through December 17, 2020. 1,512 likely 2022 Democratic Primary Election voters participated in the survey.

Q1: When a vaccine for COVID-19 becomes available, will you get vaccinated?

Yes: 82%

No: 8%

Not sure: 10%

More Reaction to Price Scandal

Reaction from folks in the MOScout world are running heavily against the sit-on-your-hands approach that Democratic leadership is taking with the Ethics Committee’s report on Rep. Wiley Price…

Ethics Committee Reports on Price

The House Ethics Committee released its report on Rep. Wiley Price. The report outlines allegations that Price had sex with an intern, sought retribution against a staffer who reported it, obstructed the Ethics Committee’s investigation and committed perjury.

How Will STLians React to Prop D?

Show Me Victories conducted a poll to see how St. Louis voters will approach their first election with approval voting. They found that “voters are thinking strategically.” See the result here.