December Monthly Report - Senate Personal Financial Disclosure
The Missouri Ethics Commission requires all legislators to complete a Personal Financial Disclosure form. The PFD form requires that the following be reported:
All employment (over $1,000) of legislator, their spouse and dependent children.
All sole proprietorships, general partnerships and joint ventures. All limited partnerships or closely-held companies in which the legislator (spouse or dependent children) owns more than 10%. All listed public companies or limited partnerships in which the legislator (spouse or dependent children) owns 2% or more.
Any other miscellaneous income over $1,000.
Real property (not including one’s residence) with a fair market value of over $10,000.
Stocks, bonds or other equities valued over $10,000 owned by legislator (spouse or dependent children), not including equities in qualified plans.
Corporations and not-for-profit corporations in which the legislator (spouse or dependent children) serves as an officer or director.
Spouse, parents and children who are employed by state of Missouri, political subdivisions, or as a fee agent for Department of Revenue, or as a lobbyist.
Any tax credits claimed on last income tax report.
I reviewed the PFD forms of all state senators (33 senators – 23 Republicans, 10 Democrats), not including Senate 4 (Sen. Joe Keaveny’s was not provided yet).
The form has some ambiguities and legislators take widely different approaches in answering questions. Some offering more details than required; others’ replies are quite vague.
The information in this report is from the most recent filing, but still may be out-of-date in some of its details. And while I believe all the information is correct, errors may have been made during research or transcription and should be independently verified.
Summary
Most state senators do not have a significant investment portfolios.
6 of the 10 Democrats reported neither real property holdings nor stock or bonds holdings. The same was true of 7 of the 23 Republicans. It is conceivable, because the reporting threshold is $10,000, that they could have a rebalanced portfolio of individual stocks and therefore have significant holding without triggering a reporting. But I assume that would be the anomaly.
On the whole, Republicans appear, in this limited view, to have greater assets that their Democratic counterparts. Only 2 of the 10 Democrats reported stock, bond or equity holdings, whereas slightly half, 12, of the 23 Republicans did. Only 3 Democrats reported real property holdings. Again, about half, 11, of the Republicans did.
Employment
Most senators have outside employment. Only 6 of the 33 senators did not show some occupation in addition to their legislative duties.
Republicans have seven attorneys serving (three of whom – Sens. Jack Goodman, Eric Schmitt and Kurt Schaefer – were all employed by Lathrop Gage). Democrats have only one, Sen. Jolie Justus. (But Sen. Joe Keaveny has a law degree and will soon be added to their numbers).
The next most common occupation is farmer (3 Republicans and 2 Democrats), followed by those working in the financial industry (4 Republicans and no Democrats).
Two Democrats work for labor organizations (Sens. Tim Green and Victor Callahan).
Family employment is not tied to ideology
There appears little correlation between one’s political party and the likelihood of one’s family employment being private or public sector. (This is slightly surprising since Republican small business owners out-number Democrats in the senate, especially if you include farmers and small law offices.)
Yet senators of both parties have relatives making careers in the public sector. Any outrage over a growing public sector workforce doesn’t seem to resonate on a personal level. The clearest case of this is Sen. Brad Lager who has a small-government philosophy yet listed eight family members who hold public sector jobs.
Tax Credits
6 senators claimed tax credits on their most recent tax return. This would seem to indicate a higher-than-average participation in the tax credit programs. That makes sense given their likely greater familiarity with the programs. They were mostly for donations made to not-for-profit organizations.
Senate Personal Financial Disclosures
Frank Barnitz
In addition to his senate duties, Barnitz works as a farmer. He owns Barnitz Farms and also has ownership stakes in Sho-Me Livestock and Briarwood Cabins LLC. His wife, Lisa, works at the Dent County Health Department.
Barnitz reported no real property holdings and no equity or bonds holdings.
He serves on the board of Mid-Ozark CASA.
He claimed Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits on his taxes.
Matt Bartle
In addition to his senate duties, Bartle works as a lawyer. He is a partner with Graves, Bartle & Marcus LLC. His uncle, Eddie Brickner, is the Cooper City Presiding Commissioner.
Bartle owns four rental properties in Jackson County, and holds stock funds as well as single issue equities including Merrill Lynch, Citibank, Bank of America, and MetLife.
Joan Bray
Bray has no other employment beside her duties as senator. Her husband, Carl, is on the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri.
Bray reported ownership in a limited partnership (an investment club) as well as owning Gabelli funds, T Rowe Price funds, Vanguard funds and TIAA-CREF funds.
She and her husband draw retirement pensions from Public Education Employee, and Lee Enterprises.
Victor Callahan
In addition to his senate duties, Callahan works for Greater KC Buildings and Trades.
He reported no real property holdings and no equity or bonds holdings.
Norma Champion
In addition to her duties as a senator, Champion is employed by Evangel University.
Champion reported a residential rental and several duplexes. She also owned mutual funds as well as single issues Oklahoma Gas and Electric, and American Plaza Properties.
Champion earns money from her rental properties and Social Security.
Champion serves on the Board for Higher Christian Education (Assemblies of God in Springfield).
Dan Clemens
In addition to his senate duties, Clemens is a farmer and works for USDA/ FSA.
Clemens reported real property holdings of two farms in Webster.
Jason Crowell
In addition to his senate duties, Crowell works as a lawyer for Osburn, Hine, Yates & Murphy LLC.
Crowell reported no real property holdings and no equity or bonds holdings.
Jane Cunningham
In addition to her senate duties, Cunningham reported employment with England & Company Case Management Inc (Pacific, MO). Her husband, Gary, worked for HUD. He reported miscellaneous income from UniGroup.
Cunningham reported owning a vacation home (Osage Beach), and equity holdings of money market accounts and Growth Fund of America.
Cunningham claimed Maternity Home Credit (for $500) on her taxes.
Rita Days
Days reported no additional employment, income or holdings of any kind.
Tom Dempsey
In addition to his senate duties, Dempsey works at First National Bank. He also works at and has ownership in Pio’s Restaurant and Columns Banquet Center in St. Charles.
Kevin Engler
In addition to his senate duties, Engler works at Edward Jones. His wife, Chris, works at Burgess Development.
Engler reported owning real property (office space, and a house in which his son dwells) and mutual funds.
His wife serves on the Board of Habitat for Humanity in Farmington.
Engler claimed tax credits in association with Youth for Christ and Habitat for Humanity.
Jack Goodman
In addition to his senate duties, Goodman works as an attorney with Lathrop & Gage. His wife, Laura Hood-Goodman, works at Hood’s Service Center. His father, Samuel Goodman, is presiding commissioner of Lawrence County.
Goodman reported ownership in two limited partnerships - Goodman, Attorney at Law LLC and Goodman Properties LCC. He reported owning commercial space in Lawrence.
Tim Green
In addition to his senate duties, Green is employed by Missouri State Building Trades. His wife, Lisa Ann, is employed at Barnes Jewish College of Nursing. His father, John Green, served on the Spanish Lake Fire Board.
Green reported real property of a recreational mobile home, and a residence in Cole County.
Green serves as president of the Board of the Missouri State Building Trades.
John Grieseheimer
Grieseheimer reported no other employment beyond his senate duties. His wife, Rita, works at Hochschild, Bloom & Co, a CPA firm. His son, Sean, works for Sprint Nextel. His son, Aaron works for Missouri Eagle Distributing. His daughter, Michelle works for Parker-Hannefin/Spodla Value.
His reported an ownership stake in Hochschild, Bloom & Co. He also owns some equities: Steamboat Financial Group and Columbia Midcap Value Fund.
Grieseheimer serves on several not-for-profit boards: MPERS, MO Technology Corp, OATS, Inc. His wife, Rita, serves on the board of Pregnancy Assistance Center.
Grieseheimer claimed AG Production Utilization and Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits on his taxes.
Jolie Justus
In addition to her senate duties, Justus works as an attorney at Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP. Her father, James Justus, is an Associate Circuit Judge Taney County. Her mother, Jennifer Justus, works in the Branson School District.
Justus reported no real property holdings and no equity or bonds holdings.
Brad Lager
In addition to his senate duties, Lager works for LMS Communication LLC and Cerner Corporation. His wife, Stephanie, works at UMKC School of Pharmacy. His mother, Maureen works at the Maryville School District. His brother, Kent, works at Deputy Juvenile Officer in Nodaway County. Lager’s brother-in-law, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, and father-in-law all work in Northeast Nodaway School District. He also has a sister-in-law working in the Pattonsburg School District and a sister-in-law working at DFS in Nodaway County.
Lager reports ownership in Lager Enterprises LLC and LMS Communication LLC.
He also owns a residential development (with Craig Porter) in Andrew, and a commercial property in Andrew.
He owns several stocks including AG Edwards, Ameritrade, Berkshire Hathaway, and American Funds.
Jim Lembke
Lembke reported no other employment or income beyond his senate duties. His wife, Donna, works for the St. Louis Blues.
Lembke reported no real property holdings and no equity or bonds holdings.
Rob Mayer
In addition to his senate duties, Mayer works as attorney at Mayer Law Office. His wife, Nancy, worked at Three Rivers Community College, SEMO University, and the Dexter Public Schools.
Mayer reported ownership in Mayer Cattle Ranch, LLC, and additional income from farming and cattle sales.
Mayer owns 187 acres of farm land in Stoddard County.
He reported holdings in the Euro Pacific Growth Fund and Fundamental Investors.
Mayer serves on the boards of the Stoddard City Rescue Mission, MO Delta Center, MO Veterans’ Home. His wife serves on the board of MSTA.
Ryan McKenna
In addition to his senate duties, McKenna works for LECET, Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust. His wife, Angela, works at Savvis Communications.
McKenna reported ownership in MRH Properties LLC, but no other real property holdings and no equity or bonds holdings.
Gary Nodler
Nodler reported no employment outside of his senate duties.
Nodler reported no real property holdings and no equity or bonds holdings.
He did report miscellaneous income from his AG Edwards IRA.
David Pearce
In addition to his senate duties, Pearce works at First Community Bank. His wife, Teresa, works at Eye Care Specialties.
Pearce reported miscellaneous income from his wife’s work with the Shawnee Mound School District.
Pearce reported owning a home in Johnson County. He owned equities including Apple, Waddell & Reed, Edward Jones.
Pearce claimed a tax credit relating to New Beginning Pregnancy Resource Center on his taxes.
Chuck Purgason
In addition to his senate duties, Purgason works at Ozark Wings.
Purgason reported no real property holdings and no equity or bonds holdings.
Luann Ridgeway
In addition to her senate duties, Ridgeway works as an attorney at Ridgeway Law Office. Her husband, Richard, works at Sprint.
Ridgeway reported real property in Clay County, and equities in her Schwab IRA.
Scott Rupp
In addition to his senate duties, Rupp works at UMB Bank.
Rupp reported no real property holdings and no equity or bonds holdings.
Kurt Schaefer
In addition to his senate duties, Schaefer works as an attorney at Lathrop & Gage. His wife Stacia worked at City of Columbia and University of Missouri. His father-in-law, Bill Wyrick, is a senate door keeper.
Schaefer reported no real property holdings and no equity or bonds holdings.
Eric Schmitt
In addition to his senate duties, Schmitt works as an attorney at Lathrop & Gage.
Schmitt reported owning Progenics Pharmaceuticals stock.
Schmitt serves as a trustee for DeSmet Jesuit High School.
Delbert Scott
Scott reported no other employment of income beyond his senate job. His wife, Donna, works at the Missouri Dept. of Revenue. His son, Tad, works as chief of staff for Sen. Matt Bartle. His uncle, David Scott, is director of administration in Department of Public Safety.
Scott reported ownership in a Limited Partnership, Scotts of Lowry City, a retail home furnishings business.
Scott reported no real property holdings and no equity or bonds holdings.
Charlie Shields
In addition to his senate duties, Shields works for Heartland Health. His wife, Brenda, works for United Way of St. Joe.
Shields reported own several stocks including Macy’s, Oracle, Walmart, Chares Schwab, Pepsico and Cerner.
Shields serves on the boards of Heartland Health, Boy Scouts and AHEC. His wife serves on the boards of the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Greater St. Joe.
Wes Shoemyer
Wes Shoemyer reported no other employment or income beside his senate job. His wife, Cheryl, works for Shelby County. And his daughter, Wendy, was a paid intern for the Secretary of State.
Shoemyer reported ownership in SKS Farms.
He reported real property holdings of a farm in Monroe as well as equity stakes in American Energy Producers (Carrollton, MO), NEMO Grain Processor, Ozark Mountain Pork Coop, and Premium AG Products.
Showemyer claimed a New Gen Cooperative Tax Credit on his taxes.
Bill Stouffer
In addition to his senate duties, Stouffer reported employment at Precision Enterprises.
Stouffer owns Cedar Hill Farms.
Stouffer reported owning three farm properties in Saline County and a residential condo in Cole County.
Stouffer reported an equity stake in Alma Meat, Missouri Food and Fiber LLC, and Paseo BioFuels.
Carl Vogel
In addition to his senate duties, Vogel works at JC Coca Cola and JC Coke LLC. His wife, Kimberly, works at BWB Entertainment.
He reported ownership in a General Partnership, 20 Investment Club, and owning equity stakes in JC Coca Cola Bottling Co and JC Coke LLC.
Vogel serves as a director of the Central Bank, and on the boards of the JC YMCA and Great Rivers Boy Scouts.
Yvonne Wilson
Wilson reported no employment or income outside of her senate duties.
Wilson reported no real property holdings and no equity or bonds holdings.
Robin Wright-Jones
In addition to her duties in the senate, Jones works in real estate for her own company, Arjen One LLC.
Jones reported no real property holdings and no equity or bonds holdings.