Vescovo Tells Derges To Resign

House Speaker Rob Vescovo said in a statement yesterday that he’d spoken with Rep. Tricia Derges and asked her to resign. So far, she’s hasn’t done anything.

Senate Filibuster

Just minutes before hitting “send” the Senate – which worked throughout the night – was coming to a conclusion on the COVID liability. The bill was perfected around 5:10AM. The debate started around 2PM yesterday.

Derges Indicted

Rep. Tricia Derges was indicted on 20 counts yesterday. US Attorney Tim Garrison unveiled the allegations at a press conference. She’s accused of lying to patients, telling them they were receiving stem cell treatment when they weren’t, as well as illegally prescribing medicine, and lying to the FBI.

CMC to Europe?

Axios reports on possible ambassadorships under President Joe Biden… “Biden is most likely to reward loyal politicians and former aides, with talk about former senators like Claire McCaskill headed for a gilded post in Europe…”

Parson Vents

In sign of great tension between the governor and House leadership, Governor Mike Parson has apparently sent a letter to Republican legislators venting about his State of the State speech being shunted over to the Senate.

1. V-shaped recovery comes up short.

2. Fewer Black people getting vaccinated so far.

3. Only one capitol riot arrestee from MO.

4. Republicans and Democrats want to focus on different things.

5. Smoking decline stopped last year during COVID.

6. Maybe money can buy happiness?

Remington/MOScout Poll

Survey conducted January 27 through January 28, 2021. 1,070 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%.

Q1: How would you rate the distribution of the COVID vaccine in Missouri so far?

Excellent: 12%

Good: 12%

OK: 18%

Not good: 24%

Terrible: 35%

Vaccine-gate

Governor Mike Parson started off his press conference yesterday dinging Dems who got vaccinated earlier this week. “Really what happened is people just went over there and tried to use their positions to jump the line is the simple truth of what happened.”

Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell at the end of his press conference yesterday (see it here, at about the 55-minute mark) summed up how to help the economy: “That is really the main thing about the economy is getting the pandemic under control, getting everyone vaccinated, getting people wearing masks and all that. That’s the single most important economic growth policy that we can have.”

Vescovo Eyes Auditor’s Race?

In what could potentially shake-up the Republican primary for state auditor, Speaker Rob Vescovo amended his campaign committee paperwork to state that he’s seeking a “statewide” office in 2022.

Pay Raise Issue Rises Again

Today in Chair Phil Christofanelli’s Rules - Legislative Oversight, Rep. Andrew McDaniel’s HCR 7 will have a hearing. This would disapprove the proposed 5% pay raise for state legislators.

Driving the Day: Will There Be a SOTS?

Speaking of State of the State… will it even happen? And in what form? It’s scheduled for Wednesday at 3PM, and normally takes place before a joint session.

· But one building denizen points out that the governor has “not been invited to give a State of the State Address? The Floor Leader [Dean Plocher] has yet to offer the House Resolution.”

1. “Excess” deaths in 2020

2. COVID impact on quality of life

3. St. Louis Black businesses

4. MO coal

5. Indicator of R&D leadership.

6. DUI by car model

COVID Fears Ripple Across Senate

Sen. Andrew Koenig acknowledged yesterday that he’s tested positive for COVID. This comes after a week of hearings in the Senate in which Koenig was often engaged in heated exchanges.

MOIndy: Dem Staffers Air Disappointment

Fallout from the Wiley Price ethics complaint continues.This morning the Missouri Independent has published an essay from a group of Democratic House staffers decrying the actions of their caucus.

Getting the National Guard In On It

Governor Mike Parson announced yesterday that he’s activating the National Guard to help with COVID vaccinations. They’re going to create mass vaccinations sites across Missouri. The first one – which will operate as a pilot to work out any logistical issues – will start this week.

Moody Sees Excess Revenue

Budget watcher Jim Moody (find his reports here) sees state tax receipts exceeding the consensus revenue estimate this fiscal year.

Let’s Look Out For Each Other

With last week’s COVID outbreak in the House, I wanted to start this week with a quick recitation of things we all know are true.

· We all want to be safe and healthy – and more importantly, we want to keep our families safe and healthy.

· Wearing a face mask is primarily about protecting those around you. It offers the wearer some protection, but much more protection for others.

· Masks are not panaceas. They help. But transmission can still happen. That’s why we try to social distance as well, and also try to avoid crowded indoors spaces. We do it all because we’re trying to protect those who are vulnerable. We’re trying to keep our families safe.

· Even if you do it all this, you may still get COVID. There’s no shame in that. LET PEOPLE KNOW. Then they can assess their risk, and decide if they should get tested. If you don’t let people know, you’re putting their families at greater risk.

· Remember: although you may feel healthy, you may be carrying COVID. Asymptomatic people are contagious.

· We’re in this together. Let’s look out for each other.

House Presses Pause

With a number of members testing positive for COVID, the House announced yesterday afternoon that they were going to cancel session for next week.

“Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the building, we are exercising an abundance of caution to protect members, staff, and visitors by canceling session next week. Our goal is to return to work the following week.”

Moving on Speaker’s Priority

Today, the House Rules – Legislative Oversight will hear the adoption support bills passed out of Families and Children Committee earlier this week.