Parson Says No Redistricting Special

AP reports that “Missouri Gov.Mike Parson on Thursday said he won’t call lawmakers back to work this year to redraw the state’s congressional districts, setting up a compressed timeline for candidates running for the U.S. House in 2022.

$400M for Rural Broadband Plan

Press release: During a press conference at the Missouri State Fair hosted by the Missouri Farm Bureau, Governor Mike Parson announced plans to deploy more than $400 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to increase broadband internet access, adoption, and assistance statewide…

Walsh Passes

Rep. Sara Walsh, on Twitter this morning, shares news of the death of her husband, Steve Walsh.

Bruce Enters CD-4

Kalena Bruce is announcing she’s running for the 4th Congressional this morning.

According to her campaign press release, she’s “a mother, cattle farmer, and business owner… a 5th generation farmer who lives in Stockton, Missouri, with her husband, Billy, and their daughter.”

Missourians in the ICU with COVID remains near record highs according to the state’s dashboard. But they haven’t moved meaningfully higher in the past few days, bringing hope that this wave may be cresting.

Parson For Fitz

Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick has landed a big endorsement in his bid to become state auditor: Governor Mike Parson will be a special guest at his fundraiser next month in St. Louis County.

Franklin County Snubs Schatz

The Franklin County Republican Central Committee passed a resolution that they will “provide no further material or financial support for any future campaigns or political endeavors, undertaken by Senator Schatz.”

MO COVID ICU Hits Record High

According to the state’s dashboard (see it here), there are now more Missourians in Intensive Care Units because of COVID than at any time previously.

This morning the number hit 689, breaking the old record set on December 23.

DAR: Bean To Revisit SAPA

Daily American Republic reports on Bootheel legislators promising “to help fix” SAPA, the Second Amendment Protection ACT passed by the legislature last session.

HRCC $$$

It looks like about a quarter-million dollars was gathered at the House Republican Campaign Committee’s summer caucus.

· Leading the pack, $35,000 from speaker-in-waiting Dean Plocher’s PAC, Missouri United.

More CD-7 Prospects

Dixon Out

Former state senator Bob Dixon writes on Facebook: I am deeply grateful for the interest and honored by those who have encouraged me to consider the 7th District Congressional race. After thoughtful consideration and discussion with close family and friends, I plan to stand for re-election as Presiding Commissioner of Greene County where I have made commitments to those who have trusted me.

1. Billy Bus.

2. Team USA, by state.

3. Gun owners vs non-gun owners on various policies.

4. State political leanings and government spending.

5. Electric emissions.

6. COVID blame.

7. Why folks aren’t vaccinating.

8. COVID ED.

Emery Passes

Former state senator Ed Emery, a rock-hard conservative whose gentlemanly mannerisms were seemingly untouched by the pettiness of politics, has died.

Bush Comments Fire Up GOP

“You are going to see this 10,000 times between now and next November.” That’s a what a Republican staffer texted me yesterday after Congresswoman Cori Bush’s comments about defunding the police and her own private security.

Potential Game-Changer

Kansas City Star reports on the infrastructure bill in the Senate that could bring billions to Missouri. Read it here.

Gregory Joins Auditor Race

Rep. David Gregory will formally announce today that he’s running for state auditor.

Wagner Rejects Senate Bid

Congresswoman Ann Wagner writes in a MOTimes op/ed (see it here) that she’s running for re-election.

Partisan Splits in Poll

Last weekend’s Remington/MOScout poll of St. Louis County voters showed an electorate split on the recent mask mandate, but supportive of institutions adopting vaccination policies.

1 – 2. State of COVID in MO.

3. COVID wedge.

4. All those masks…

5. [Reading interlude]

6. Congressional competitiveness by state.

7. Top languages (other than English and Spanish) by state.

8. Happiness from…

Q1: Do you approve or disapprove of Sam Page's job performance as St. Louis County Executive?

Approve: 38%

Disapprove: 36%