Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is ho-hum about the need to draw new congressional maps THIS YEAR.

1. Yachts vs Arms

2. More Advice, Less Consent.

3-4. Voters’ concerns.

5. Americans moving less.

6. More Americans identifying as LGBTQ.

7. Babysitter wages.

Q: How confident are you in the integrity of Missouri’s elections?

Very confident: 45%

Somewhat confident: 37%

Somewhat unconfident: 10%

Very unconfident: 3%

Not sure: 4%

Cruz Ad for Schmitt

Texas Senator Ted Cruz has backed up his endorsement of Attorney General Eric Schmitt in the US Senate race with a 30-second ad.

Trafalgar Poll on MO Sen

Trafalgar Polling released a MO US Senate race poll.

It’s shows similar stratification that the MOScout/Remington polls have shown with Eric Greitens in the lead, followed by Eric Schmitt and then Vicky Hartzler. Billy Long, Mark McCloskey and Dave Schatz are all in single digits.

New Broadband Committee

Speaker Rob Vescovo created the Special Committee on Broadband and Infrastructure.Rep. Louis Riggs, who has been a leader on the issue in the House, was appointed chair.

Lew, Cash and Cayne Add $300K to RightPath

The RightPath PAC added another $300,000 to its coffers.This comes on the heels of $2.1 million raised two weeks ago.

Incumbent GOP Sens Get Primaries

I’ve been focused on the Senate Republican primaries in open seat where it seems the expansion or diminishment of the Conservative Caucus will be determined.

But there’s also another phenomenon occurring – several incumbent Republican senators running for re-election have a primary challenge.

1. Rural USA poll.

2. Aging population driving healthcare costs.

3-5. Trucks and roads.

6-7. China.

8-10. Tax credits

11. WFH.

Parson Hearts Bruce?

On the invite to an April 1 fundraiser, CD-4 candidate Kalena Bruce lists Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Theresa as “invited special guests.”

Legislative Update

The Senate had a second productive day.They passed Sen. Lincoln Hough’s SB 672 dealing with incentives and programs for workforce development.

Senate Passes a Bill!

Pro Tem Dave Schatz and recalcitrant Sen. Mike Moon made amends. They started the day on the outs, with Moon once against filibustering any business in rebellion against his being taken off committees. But this little cold war which has frozen the Senate for a week thawed after the two met in private.

The Boy Who Cried RINO?

In what universe is Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler a RINO?In Eric Greitens’. The Greitens campaign has a webpage now calling his opponents “RINOs.”

Probably Not What Danforth Had In Mind

Thomas Schneider says he’s going to answer Jack Danforth’s call for an “Independent Republican” to run for US Senate.

House and Senate Off Today

Today is President’s Day. The legislature is not in session. They’ll be back tomorrow. House Floor Leader Dean Plocher, in a note to members, warns of another upcoming winter storm expected to arrive Wednesday or Thursday, but says he has no plans for another shortened week. Reps should plan accordingly, he writes, if they’ll need to stay an extra day until roads are cleared.

1. Hawley Bush security expenses.

2. Ag input prices skyrocket.

3-4. Polarization

5. Labor participation rates by age of children.

6. Dissatisfaction with immigration level.

7. Uber Ratings.

8. Butter.

Danforth Promises Independent Senate Candidate

Assuming that when Danforth pipes the bugle, a platoon will show up and fall in line (not a given), this is an absolute bombshell. It would suddenly put Missouri’s US Senate seat in play.

Bryant Announces in CD-7

Alex Bryant announced that he’s running for Congress to replace Billy Long.

Politico: Trump Told Long to Drop

Folks will be talking about the Politico Playbook article this morning (“INSIDE THE GOP’S MISSOURI CLOWN SHOW”).

Senate Meltdown Continues

The Senate reconvened yesterday to yet another fruitless session. After a week of the Conservative Caucus filibustering a vote on congressional redistricting maps, leadership decided to give that rest and try regular business.