Emergency Clause

The other redistricting debate – besides where the lines will fall – involves the emergency clause.

House Sprints Ahead

The House has been galloping ahead with their priorities at a lightning speed. Yesterday they passed the congressional redistricting map out of committee. They also have held hearings on key priorities: initiative petition reform, charter school funding, and anti-vaccine mandates.

Bill Referrals Raise Senate Tensions

Considering we haven’t even started debating bills it’s remarkable that every day there’s bubbling tension between the Conservative Caucus and Senate leadership. Yesterday Sens. Mike Moon and Bob Onder complained about bill referrals.

MRL Picks New Fights

Missouri Right to Life entered two hot debates yesterday, neither directly related to abortion policies. Still, the organization argues both fights are critical to their mission.

Coming Soon… COVID Off the Charts

I won’t be surprised if this week the COVID hospitalizations are literally “off this chart.” Yesterday according to the state dashboard 3,235 Missourians were hospitalized with COVID smashing the old record and jumping above 3,000 for the first time.

1. Consumption shift.

2. What/Who shrank the labor force?

3. It’s the older folks who have “disappeared.”

4. With lots of them just retiring early.

5. Missing immigrants.

6. Immigrants are entrepreneurs.

7. Lead pipe map.

8. The rise and fall of “Alexa.”

Q2: When thinking about your next United States Congressman, would you rather have someone whose first priority is helping Southwest Missouri, or someone whose first priority is fighting the agenda of the Biden Administration?

Help Southwest Missouri: 38%

Fight the agenda of the Biden Administration: 58%

Not sure: 4%

Senate Tees Up Rules Debate

The first big debate in the Senate will be about process. Two changes to the Senate rules have been proposed and will give senators another chance to list their grievances from past sessions.

Acrimonious Start to Senate’s Session

Normally the opening day rhetoric is all sunshine and optimism. Not so yesterday in the Senate where several Republican senators, led by Sen. Denny Hoskins, took to the floor to air grievances.

Here’s something that boggles my mind… I started MOScout back during the 2007 session. That means – due to term limits – I’ve been in the building longer now than any of the legislators. And I’m not even an old-timer.

Wasson To Report $800K+

Jay Wasson, the last major candidate to announce his bid for the 7th Congressional District to replace Congressman Billy Long, will report raising over $830,000 on his January FEC filing.

Wallingford Gets Revenue

“Governor Mike Parson announced Wayne Wallingford as the new Director of the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR)…

Rumorville: Congressional Map Coming

Rumors are that the legislation containing the congressional map will be pre-filed any day now so that it’ll be ready when session begins next week.

MOScout Readers’ Poll 2021

The ever-popular “readers’ poll” is back.

Friends of Erika Leonard Formed

Friends of Erika Leonard was formed. It’s a PAC to support Leonard who is running for Jefferson City School Board.

Post Source: McIntosh Has MMJ Interest

Post-Dispatch has a report on lobbyist Richard McIntosh having an interest in a medical marijuana company.

MOSERS Sues Money Manager

Bond Buyer reports that the “Missouri State Employees Retirement System is seeking to recoup losses it blames on the alleged misleading and fraudulent conduct of one of its private equity investment managers…”

Haffner Reiterates Floor Leader Commitment

Rep. Mike Haffner is sending an email to his House Republican Caucus colleagues reiterating his commitment to the Floor Leader race.

JeffCo Rumors… Roorda for Senate?

The departure of Becky Ruth and Rob Vescovo from the Jefferson County race has shaken up the Jefferson County senate race. Lots of moving parts here…

Rep. Chris Dinkins put $30,000 into her campaign account. This is likely a precautionary move given the unknowns at play in redistricting.