US Senate Watch

Mark McCloskey did not announce as a US Senate candidate this weekend.

1. Comparing constitution lengths.

2. Missouri feels Amazon hiring spree.

3. MO votes 2016-2020

4. Structurally deficient bridges.

5. Electric cars in the mix.

6. Lots of Malibi in Missouri?

7. Mouse names

Long Does Mar-A-Lago

It’s not just Congressman Jason Smith who’s jetting down to the Trump club to hold a fundraiser. So is Congressman Billy Long.

Roeber Resignation Rejected

The House unanimously voted to reject Rep. Rick Roeber’s resignation after Ethics Committee Chair Travis Fitzwater voiced an objection.

Greater St. Louis Inc, the St. Louis business umbrella group, called on the legislature to implement Medicaid expansion.

Roeber Resigns

Rep. Rick Roeber resigned, effective April 16. Roeber has been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegations of child abuse.

In my mind this morning, the Nietzschean aphorism: Under peaceful conditions, a warlike mind sets upon itself.

Time, Time, Time…

Five weeks left of session.One lobbyist told me in considering the fate of legislation: “I think time is the biggest enemy right now.”

1. Tech sector lobbying.

2. More Independents.

3. GDP growth in 2021

4. e-Commerce.

5. Patents by state.

6. Mizzou sends folks to DC

7. Appointment

Q1: Do you approve or disapprove of Mike Parson’s job performance as Governor?

Approve: 50%

Disapprove: 39%

Not sure: 11%

Plenty of Money

As the state budget takes center stage over the next few weeks, it’s increasingly difficult to find any reason to worry about state revenues.

House Forms Stimulus Subcommittee

Speaker Rob Vescoco formed the Subcommittee on Federal Stimulus Spending.He appointed Rep. Doug Richey the chair of the new committee.

Graves Gets His Spot

Early this morning the Senate confirmed Todd Graves for the University of Missouri Board of Curators.

Municipal Elections

It’s Election Day across Missouri.

Kolky Gets PSC

Governor Mike Parson appointed former Rep. Glen Kolkmeyer to the Public Service Commission.

Driving the Day: Graves Nomination?

It sounds like the Todd Graves appointment to the University of Missouri Board of Curators could come to the Senate floor today. Graves’ nomination was voted out of Gubernatorial Appointments yesterday after some light, but pointed, questioning from Sens. Mike Moon and Paul Wieland.

Here Comes the Free-For-All

Lots of talk about the US Senate race, and all of it seemingly indicates that more candidates will be entering. Among the rumors circulating…

Office of Childhood Being Born

The 60-day window for the legislature to object to Governor Parson's plans to create an Office of Childhood closed yesterday. DESE will begin transition activities this week as the office becomes official on August 28, 2021.

As of this morning “Phase 2” folks are now eligible for the COVID vaccine. This includes disproportionately affected populations and homeless, as well as workers in the following sectors: Chemical Sector, Commercial Facilities Sector, Critical Manufacturing Sector, Defense Industrial Base Sector, Financial Services Sector, Food & Agriculture Sector, Government, and Higher Education….

1. MO vaccination rates by age.

2. Vaccine hesitancy.

3. Peak gas and VMT.

4. Cyber-fears.

5-7. Employment charts.

8. Traffic jam at Suez Canal.

9. O’Fallon ranks #1.