1. “Government is the problem.” 

2. Congress by age.

3. Docs going D?

4. Fortnite killing the environment?

5-6. Technology doesn’t “destroy jobs,” it boosts GDP.

7. How much Missourians drink.

China Balloon Over MO

One lobbyist joked that Republican legislators were “working to outdo one another” in response to the China Spy Balloon floating over Missouri.

Yawn: No Senate Fireworks

Brian Treece and Warren Erdman were confirmed to the State Highways and Transportation Commission yesterday without even a protest speech. 

Morning Drama: Highway Commissioners to Floor

Governor Mike Parson’s appointees to the State Highways and Transportation Commission (Brian Treece, a Democrat, and Warren Erdman, a Republican) were voted out of the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee yesterday after receiving bipartisan praise.

Their confirmation will come to the Senate floor today. 

Highway Commissioners in Gubby Appts

Governor Mike Parson’s appointees to the State Highways and Transportation Commission were added to the agenda of this morning’s Gubernatorial Appointments hearing (11AM, Senator Lounge).

Corporate Tax Cut Hearing

The House’s Special Committee on Tax Reform (HR7, Noon) will hear two bills seeking to phase out Missouri’s corporate income tax.

Kansas City Chiefs won a nail-bitter last night, advancing to Super Bowl LVII.  Scott Charton tweets: Just waiting to see customized Super Bowl 57 adornments of Missouri's happily embroidered "Gov57" @GovParsonMO, flamboyant @Chiefs cheerleader.

1. Biden Approval

2. Hated industries

3. Worker shortage

4. Rent.

5. BLM Impact

6. Wealth sources.

Missouri Mapper Dissects Senate 24 Race

The “Missouri Mapper” takes a look at the Senate 24 race from last year.

Senate To Start Debate Next Week

The honeymoon period could be coming to an end in the Senate. 

1 Big Thing: STL Crime Takes Center Stage

The legislature is focusing on St. Louis City crime…

Senate 15: And Then There Were Three

Mark Harder, St. Louis County Councilman, announced that he’s running in Senate 15.  He becomes the third Republican entering the race to succeed term-limited Sen. Andrew Koenig.

Gross Files IP

Former Democratic attorney general candidate Elad Gross filed an initiative petition. 

Clockwork Session – So Far

Democrats have been spoiled the last couple of years.  They’ve been able to grab some popcorn and watch the Republican supermajority tear themselves apart, preventing the passage of significant legislation.

This year looks different.

1. – 3. Infrastructure jobs

4. $now removal.

5. Roads are safer… depending on who you are.

6. Batterie$

7. – 8. Car loans.

9. Teaching the Holocaust.

Center-Right Pro-Choice IP?

There’s rumblings of a center-right group working on a more palatable measure (rape/incest exceptions, 15 week limit) tied with conservative-friendly measures like tax credits for family support orgs and protections for OBGYN medical training.

Federalist Society

The Missouri Chapter of the Federalist Society meets today in the House chambers. 

SOTS: $, $, $, $....

Governor Mike Parson’s speech was money, money, money, money.  It makes sense given the state’s historic amount of cash sitting in the bank.  But it was still stunning.  The biggest new spending items…

·       $859 million to add lanes to I-70 around St. Louis, Kansas City and Columbia.

·       $273 million for COLA increase in state worker pay.

·       $272 million for capital improvement projects at Missouri’s public universities.

·       $78 million to help subsidize child care.

·       $70 million increase in core funding to higher education.

Senate 15 Gets a Primary

Wildwood Mayor Jim Bowlin will announce for Senate 15 this morning, creating a Republican primary to succeed term-limited Sen. Andrew Koenig.

Scharf Breaks AG Fundraising Record

Will Scharf, running against Andrew Bailey for the Republican attorney general nomination, will report raising over $290,000 in his candidate committee during the month of December.