1 Big Thing: “Tax Hike Mike”

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft revealed his #1 attack on Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe with a scorching release yesterday.  They’re going to label him “Tax Hike Mike.”

Kehoe Kick Off

Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe will officially kick-off his campaign tonight, though he’s been running for governor for about a year now already.

Fox Send Off

House Communications Trevor Fox was bid goodbye by the House, and presented with a proclamation by Speaker Dean Plocher.

Final Day Ahead

The stage is set for a dramatic, or dispirited, final day of session.

2 Days Left

The Senate had yet another unproductive day as Sen. Mike Moon, and a few others, whiled the day away. 

3 Days Left

It was another meandering day in the Senate thanks to Sen. Mike Moon, who seemed to wander in and out of mini-filibusters. 

Exclusive: Poll on Potential STL Circuit Atty Replacements

Lots of names are being floated to replace St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner.  And it seems someone is polling on the issue.

Which Senate?

After last week’s volatile sessions, which Senate will we get today?

1. End of the pandemic.

2. STL’s downtown blues.

3. Childcare workers since 2019.

4. Ripley County: housing prices vs wage growth.

5. Twitter by party.

6. Baseball.

Senate Rallies

The Senate showed its mercurial nature Friday, rallying and forging ahead with compromises after a squandered day had invoked a glooming pessimism.

Brattin Threatens Final Days

Sen. Rick Brattin gobbled up the entire Senate Day yesterday as he raged that he’s been unable to pass the “landfill” bill. 

Senate Talks Landfill

The Senate spent significant time again yesterday debating the House’ “landfill” bill.

1 Big Thing: Games of Chicken

Eight days left in session, we’re in the chicken stage on a lot of issues. 

Bernskoetter Pokes Hoskins

Yesterday Sen. Mike Bernskoetter poked Sen. Denny Hoskins by offering an amendment similar to Hoskins’ DEI amendment to the budget bills. 

10 Days Left…

Two weeks left.  Here’s where some of the action will occur…

1. State tax burden

2. Diploma divide

3. Abortion polling

4. Parental leave

5 - 6. Biden approval

7. Diversity in data

8. Font analysis

Remington/MOScout Poll: IP Language

I asked about components to Jobs for Justice’s initiative petition filings.  Interesting that they’re all around above the 50% level needed to win passage now, but below the new proposed threshold of 57%.

Senate Passes IP Reform, But…

The Senate quickly passed a resolution to ask voters to approve changes to the initiative petition process. 

The End of the $$$ Shower

Although the budget debate has had some very prickly moments, it’s an entirely different experience than when there’s a shortfall and everything is on the chopping blocks.  We may look back on these days with longing – when the legislature had the luxury to spend time debating DEI instead of whether services or programs get cut or zeroed.

Senate Slogs Through Budget

The Senate got a later start than I thought they would and then found itself mired for hours in the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Belonging) debate.  It finally finished up passing the budget around 3:30AM this morning.