1. Water stress map.

2. Dobbs in KS.

3. Student loan debt.

4. Health insurance, by education level.

5. What We Pass On.

6. Life expectancy by state.

7. GM EV Sales.

8. Most popular UK monarchs, by pub.

Remington/MOScout Poll: Statewide

The candidates in the November general election for US Senate are: Eric Schmitt, the Republican; Trudy Busch Valentine, the Democrat; Jonathan Dine, the Libertarian; and Paul Venable, the Constitutionalist. If the election were held today for whom would you vote?

Eric Schmitt: 51%

Trudy Busch Valentine: 40%

Jonathan Dine: 1%

Paul Venable: 1%

Undecided: 7%

Kehoe Lands New Endorsement

Today the Missouri Forest Products Association (MFPA) will announce they’re endorsing Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe for Missouri governor.

ALEC Agenda

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) released its “model legislation.” There are 29 items.

This is important because ALEC’s free-market/conservative model legislation is often the basis of some Missouri Republican legislation.

Wood Drops

And just like that… the Jack Danforth-inspired Independent candidacy of John Wood which promised to spice up the US Senate is gone. Poof!

Special Session Coming

Governor Mike Parson formally issued his call for a special session to cut the state income tax and extend agriculture tax credits.

Special Session Talk

According to a press advisory, Governor Mike Parson will announce “announce details regarding the upcoming special session on the extension of key agricultural tax credits and permanent income tax relief” today at a 2PM press conference.

1. Congressional control.

2. “Heat Belt.”

3. One more thing to worry about.

4. Salary to buy home.

5. Partisan views of political experience.

6. View on Immigration.

7. IRA, math police.

MOScout “House Battlegrounds” Report

There are 163 seats in the Missouri House. More than half (94) of these seats are uncontested. 67 Republicans do not face a challenger in November, and 27 Democrats likewise are uncontested. Most of the remaining 69 seats are not very competitive either. MOScout’s 2022 Watch Page breaks down the districts according to the likely outcome of each race. This report covers the 14 districts which are most competitive.

The EV Economy

We could be entering a transformative period for the transportation industry where electric vehicles replace gas vehicles. Missouri policy-makers should consider how best to position the state to capitalize.

Parson Tax Cut

Governor Mike Parson is revving up the push for his tax cut. Veto Session is less than a month away, and it’s assumed he’ll be calling a special to run concurrent with that.

Eigel Responds to MOScouters

Sen. Bill Eigel offers his response to the anonymous criticisms in yesterday’s MOScout.

Conservative Caucus Disbands

The Conservative Caucus announced that it’s going to disband.

They said that they are disbanding in order to help form a “new coalition of leadership” for the body.

Schupp’s Golfing Husband

Sen. Jill Schupp’s husband, Mark Schupp, gets some ink in the Post-Dispatch as he closes in on his goal to play “every one of the 386 golf courses in Missouri.” 

1. Tampon Tax

2. Breadwinner chart

3. Student debt

4. Credit card solicitations

5. Distribution of immigrant employment

7. Did you take a summer break?

House Overview

I went through the 163 districts and placed them each into a bucket to get a rough estimate of where things stand. 

What Kind of Senator?

With the looming rift between Republicans in the Senate, an interesting exchange between Americans for Prosperity’s Jeremy Cady, and Sen-elect Travis Fitzwater points to the late Sen. Ed Emery as an alternative way of operating.

 GOP’s New IP Incentive

Last session one of the Republicans’ top priorities was to reform the initiative petition process.  For years, Republicans have grumbled that the process is too easy.  But also, it’s been used to circumvent their control over major public policy areas.  

Marijuana IP Certified

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced that the initiative petition asking Missouri voters to legal marijuana had gathered enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot. 

Cierpiot Rips Conservative Caucus

Sen. Mike Cierpiot let loose on the Pete Mundo radio show yesterday.  It’s about 17 minutes.  But it’s jammed packed.