Strong Jobs Report

No sign of a recession here in Missouri as the latest state jobs report came in strong again. 

1 Big Thing: MRL’s Increasingly Empty Agenda

Without talk of a pro-choice initiative petition, Missouri Right to Life would hardly have any reason to rally their troops.

MRL Endorses Ashcroft

Missouri Right to Life endorsed Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft in a surprise early endorsement. 

Christ vs Virvus?

Rep. Brad Christ tried to tangle with Virvus Jones, pops to St. Louis City Tishaura Jones, on Twitter but found himself “blocked.”

1. Political polarization.

2. Missouri and “21 century” industries.

3. Teacher pay by state.

4. GOP distrusts Higher Ed.

5. MO tipping.

6. STL and KC Dogs.

7. WFH = Wednesday Golf?

Remington / MOScout Poll: Dem Statewide

Survey conducted by Remington Research on July 12 and 13 with 661 likely 2024 Democratic Primary voters. MoE: +/-3.9%.

Q1: Possible candidates in the Democratic Primary for Senator are Wesley Bell, Lucas Kunce, and Karla May. If the election were held today, for whom would you vote?

Wesley Bell: 24%

Lucas Kunce: 31%

Karla May: 10%

Undecided: 35%

Dinkins Antes $100K

Rep. Chris Dinkins added $100,000 to her campaign committee yesterday as she announced she was considering running for Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder’s Senate 27 seat.   

More 2024 Talk

Tipster: Look for House Budget Chair Cody Smith to make an announcement about his statewide intentions (Treasurer!) today on Politically Speaking with the mighty Jason Rosenbaum.

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.