Hottest Fundraiser?

On MOScouter correctly observes: “Looking at the fundraisers for Tuesday night, with Floor Leader Dean Plocher being the presumptive next speaker the House, the one fundraiser every lobbyist should be at is his at Bar Vino, 5PM.” Co-hosted, by the way, with Rep. Dan Houx and Jeff Knight.

1. License to Work.

2. Parson vs Trump in MO.

3. How COVID Hurt Kids.

4. Domestic Violence.

5. Building Out EV Infrastructure.

6. Vax Trends in MO.

7. Pujols.

Baringer for Auditor?

Word is that Rep. Donna Baringer has been asked by MO Dem Party to consider running for state auditor.

Biden Announces Employer Mandates

The big news event yesterday was President Joe Biden announcing COVID vaccination mandates.

Gregory Gets Firefighters

Rep. David Gregory is announcing today two more big endorsements for his campaign to become auditor.

Jeff City Fundys

Veto Session is next week, and invites are circuiting. Here are a couple I’ve seen…

· Sens. Jason Bean, Justin Brown, Lincoln Hough, Tony Luetkemeyer, Cindy O’Laughlin, and Holly Rehder at lobbyist Rich AuBuchon’s house Monday night.

· Senator Dr. Bob Onder, Tuesday 5-6:30PM at The Grand Café.

Vaccination Mandates from Business

Gallup polling shows a trend among Americans, losing patience with the unvaccinated.A majority now favoring businesses requiring vaccinations to go to office (56%), take a plane (61%), stay at hotel (53%)…

August Budget Numbers

August state tax receipts were 3% below August 2020 numbers.That brings the year-to-date number to -22.5% or $483 million below last year’s collection.

Burlison Announces in CD7

Sen. Eric Burlison declared himself a candidate for CD-7. The announcement came one day after his colleague, Sen. Mike Moon, jumped into the race. They join Dr. Sam Alexander in the Republican primary. And former Sen. Jay Wasson is said to be calling calls and lining up support for his bid as well.

Moon Announces in CD7

Sen. Mike Moon announced that he’s running in CD-7 to replace Billy Long, who’s running for US Senate.

COVID Hospitalizations Starting to Ebb?

The good news this morning is that we may have seen the peak in COVID hospitalizations.

New IP Petitions

New initiative petitions continue to be filed with the Secretary of State’s office.

1. Schmitt goes after school masks, where partisan divide is widest.

2. What states “get” versus “give” the federal government.

3. How state use road funds. Expansion / maintenance mix.

4. Nursing home staffs still shrinking.

5 and 6. Missouri’s Ag industry versus our healthcare industry.

7. Roman emperor deaths.

MOScout’s Hallway Index: No Special Session Impact

I asked, “How will no special session on redistricting impact next session?”

1. Increases likelihood of early session PQ… 4.5%

2. Increases conflicts between Republicans… 59.1%

3. Increases horse-trading with other legislation… 22.7%

4. Not that big of a deal; there's always drama in the building anyway… 13.6%

Flags to Half-Staff

From OA: By order of the President, U.S. and Missouri flags at all government buildings statewide will be flown at half-staff effective immediately and should remain lowered until sunset on August 30, 2021 in honor and to pay our respects to the U.S. service members and other victims killed in the terrorist attack on August 26, 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Martin, Loudon Make Jan 6 Records Request List

The January 6 Committee made a request yesterday for records of contacts between the Trump White House and outside groups.

On that list of requests are two folks with Missouri roots…

· Ed Martin, former chief of staff to Governor Matt Blunt and now head of the Schlafly Eagles.

· Gina Loudon, wife of former state senator John Loudon.

Schmitt Continues Anti-Mask Crusade

Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed suit against the Columbia Public Schools calling their mask mandate arbitrary, capricious, and unlawful.

The move drew a response from the White House: "We've seen, including recently I think today or yesterday in Missouri, additional steps taken that in our view put more kids at risk. The president thinks that's completely unacceptable."

Gregory’s Police Support

Auditor candidate David Gregory’s PAC – Show Me Growth PAC – recorded a large contribution of $10K from the St. Louis County Police Association.

According to the state’s dashboard, Missouri’s ICUs remain full of COVID patients.

1. Confidence in institutions, by party

2. Death penalty use, by state

3. Senate Splits

4. New inflation era emerging?

5. Marijuana uses over 50 years.

6. Tech salaries, by state

7. Experience required.

8. The hidden story.