Rehder Announces

Sen Holly Thompson Rehder announced she’s running for lieutenant governor.  This had been rumored for a while, but she made it official. 

May to Announce

Sen. Karla May will formally announce for US Senate today (3PM) in downtown St. Louis. 

1 Big Thing: Hot Button Issues Here to Stay

The next legislative session is still six months away, but it’s increasingly clear that it will likely again be dominated by hot-button cultural issues.

1. Kehoe Question.

2. Falling behind.

3. Heating up.

4-5. EV trends

6. Marrying later.

7. Donut shops.

Remington/MOScout Poll: GOP Statewide

Survey conducted by Remington Research on July 5-7 with 706 likely 2024 Republican Primary voters. MoE: +/-3.4%.

Q1: Possible candidates in the Republican Primary for Governor are Jay Ashcroft, Bill Eigel, and Mike Kehoe. If the election were held today, for whom would you vote?

Jay Ashcroft: 34%

Bill Eigel: 4%

Mike Kehoe: 14%

Undecided: 48%

Parson Only Issues One Veto

Governor Mike Parson signed all of the bills from last session that made it to his desk except one: SB189. 

O’Laughlin Vows “Total Makeover” at PSC

Senate Floor Leader Cindy O’Laughlin on Facebook takes aim at the Public Service Commission for the coming changes to Evergy’s peak-time rates.

“[T]hey are joining in the ‘Woke’ movement which involves shutting down your power… The PSC needs a total makeover and it will be my goal to accomplish this…”

Aune for Minority Leader

Rep. Ashley Aune announced that she’s running for minority leader. 

Sensible MO

Sensible MO filed three versions of their proposed gun reform initiative petitions to allow for local control of gun regulations.

Wood Retires - Again

On Facebook former Rep. David Wood writes: Turned in my ID badge, taking 3 days of vacation, and retiring again officially on Friday.  I promised Cheryl Charlson Wood that I will give it a try and do more traveling.  There may or may not be a betting pool on how long this will last.  Looking forward to the next chapter in this adventure…

Pereles Forms Committee

As rumored, Joe Pereles has formed a candidate committee to run for Senate 15 as a Democrat. Republicans have a spirited primary brewing, and Pereles is the only Dem so far. 

Oliver Backs Scharf

Prominent Republican fundraiser Jack Oliver is on the invite for an end-of-the-quarter Will Scharf fundraiser Wednesday.

1. Fed money.

2 – 3. Dobbs impact.

4. Less relocating.

5. Paid family leave, by state.

6. Inheritance, by generation.

7. Books losing the competition for young eyeballs.

MOScout’s Hallway Index: Future Conservative Caucus

I asked lobbyists, “Will the Senate's ‘former’ Conservative Caucus disappear after Sens. Bill Eigel and Denny Hoskins are termed out?” 27 replies…

RESULTS

1. Yes… 29.7%

2. No… 55.5%

3. Not sure… 14.8%

Kehoe Draws SW Support

Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe will hold a fundraiser Sunday night at the home of Jan and Peter Herschend, just outside Branson.

1 Big Thing: High Ed Funding

We’re about eight days away from a potentially big shift in the narrative about how the state funds its institutions of higher education.

1 Big Thing: New Labor IP Coming

The progressive Sixteen Thirty Fund sent a $350,000 check to Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages, a campaign committee established to advance a “statewide ballot measure on working conditions.”

Waiting on Cody…

State Treasurer Vivek Malek is still unopposed.  Last week his PAC, American Promise PAC, recorded another large contribution ($50K).

How long until Rep. Cody Smith makes a formal announcement? 

1 -2.  Weather.

3. Cattle biz.

4. Teacher penalty

5. Birthing costs.

6. Religious diversity.

7. States recognizing Juneteenth.

8. Happy Father’s Day.

Remington/MOScout Poll: Trump Indictment

Survey conducted by Remington Research on June 12, 13 with 940 likely 2024 November Election voters. Margin of Error is +/-3.1%.

Q1: From what you have heard about the indictment of Donald Trump, which best describes your reaction?

Donald Trump is the target of a political attack: 47%

No one is above the law: 44%

Not sure: 9%