Dungan to GSA
Judy Dungan, lobbyist for Missouri Children’s Leadership Council, was appointed by President Donald Trump to be Senior Advisor to the Regional Administrator for the GSA.
Originally in February 6 MOScout.
SLBJ Endorses Wiemann’s Bill
St. Louis Business Journal endorsed Rep. John Wiemann’s HB 2242 to put municipal financial information on a public website.
From the editorial: Here’s a basic tenet of good government: If you spend taxpayer money, you should be able to account for it. Yet so many Missouri city officials won’t. Of 152 cities contacted by the Business Journal and Show-Me Institute, only 47 said they’d provide information about five years of payments for free. The city of Battlefield tried to charge us $35,101. Northwoods, in north St. Louis County, was essentially unreachable… Fortunately, state government can force the hand of its subdivisions. Legislators should pass, and Gov. Eric Greitens should sign, John Wiemann’s bill, which would establish the "Missouri Municipality Government Expenditure Database." It would include the amounts spent in each fiscal year beginning on or after June 1, 2019. Cities that don’t comply with the Missouri bill could be fined $100 a day…
Originally in February 1 MOScout.
Chappelle-Nadal “Injects”
Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal knocked SB 574 off the consent calendar. It’s Sen. Wayne Wallingford’s bill on mandatory reporting of nursing home neglect.
Chappelle-Nadal’s letter… “Pursuant to Senate Rule 45, please remove the SCS/SB 574 from the Consent Calendar and return such to the Seniors, Families and Children committee. While I take no issue with the underlying public policy of the legislation, (in fact, I wholeheartedly support increasing reporting requirements for sexual assault victims in long-term care facilities) I do take issue with the sponsor, who elected to interject himself into a public health matter situated wholly within my Senatorial District. Specifically, the bill’s sponsor, despite living 126.2 miles away from the radioactive West Lake Landfill, signed a letter, dated October 1, 2017, to the Environmental Protection Agency that stated, in part, that there is “no evidence of health risks to individuals living or working in the vicinity of the (West Lake) landfill.” Further, the letter expressed opposition to properly remedying this public health disaster that has killed, is killing, and, unless properly alleviated, will continue to kill my constituents. For this reason, I choose to inject myself into this Senator’s business, which includes the consent status of the SCS/SB 574…”
Originally in January 31 MOScout.
IPs Filed For Fuel Tax
Seven initiative petitions dealing funding for transportation were filed. See them here. Some are straight fuel taxes, but a couple of them are quite clever. They propose a new sales tax for law enforcement, not roads. That is, they would designate the new money for the Missouri State Highway Patrol. In 2017, the MSHP spent about $240 million from MoDOT’s budget. But freeing that up, there would be more money available for roads. And presumably a law enforcement tax polls better than a roads tax – which has been unsuccessful in the past.
The petitions were filed by Terry Briggs, executive director of SITE Improvement Association.
Originally in January 31 MOScout.
CMC for MMJ
According to Weed News, US Senator Claire McCaskill has come out in favor of medical marijuana. See it here. “I support medical marijuana in Missouri. I think it’s the right way to go.”
Originally in January 31 MOScout.
Bits
Treasurer Eric Schmitt is “St. Louis University's newest adjunct faculty member. He will come to campus in a few weeks to teach a special topics class in the philosophy department called ‘21st Century American Civics.’” See it here.
Secretary of State John Ashcroft joined an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the Pennsylvania gerrymandering ruling because it “will cause chaos in their states.” See it here.
The Twenty-First Circuit Judicial Commission announced the panel of three nominees to be submitted to Governor Eric Greitens to fill the circuit judge vacancy in St. Louis County created by the retirement of Judge Carolyn Whittington. Those nominated by the commission are: Judge Joseph L. Green, Peter W. Gullborg, and Judge Mary Elizabeth Ott.
Originally in January 30 MOScout.
New House Subcommittees
Speaker Todd Richardson created several new subcommittees: The Subcommittee on Agriculture Education will report to the Committee on Agriculture Policy, and be chaired by Rep. Hannah Kelly; The Subcommittee on Creation and Appointments will report to the Committee on Insurance Policy, and be chaired by Rep. John Wiemann; The Subcommittee on Scope of Practice will report to the Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing, and be chaired by Rep. Chrissy Sommer; The Subcommittee on Second Amendment Preservation will report to the Committee on General Laws and be chaired by Rep. Chuck Basye; The Subcommittee on Tax Credit Review will report to the Special Committee on Government Oversight, and be chaired by Rep. Jered Taylor; and the Subcommittee on Mandatory Minimums. It’s being chaired by Rep. Tom Hannegan, and will report to the Committee on Crime Prevention and Public Safety.
Originally in February 2 MOScout.
White Houser Johnny DeStefano
Washington Post reports that KC native Johnny DeStefano (brother-in-law to Centene lobbyist Shawn Furey) is thistight with Trump’s chief of staff John Kelly. See it here.
Kelly’s views on personnel and policy are shared only with a group of people he trusts, including Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen; Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, also a former general. At the White House, he confides in White House aide Johnny DeStefano, deputy Joe Hagin and Rob Porter, the president’s staff secretary.
Originally in January 26 MOScout.
Onder Pounds Anthem
On Twitter Sen. Bob Onder continues his criticism of Anthem wheich he began on the Senate floor a few days ago. See it here. “Anthem expands unconscionable policy of denying ER claims and discouraging needed care in doctors’ offices. That’s why I filed #SB928 to protect patients and ensure needed care. #moleg”
Anthem’s lobbyists in Jefferson City are: Nikki Strong, Katherine Casas, Scott Swain, David Smith, Brian Grace, Rodney Boyd, and Kelvin Simmons.
Originally in January 26 MOScout.
Neely MMJ
Rep. Jim Neely’s medical marijuana bill was referred to General Laws Committee. That’s a good path for them. The committee will likely be sympathetic to the bill as the chairman, Rep. Robert Cornejo, is a co-sponsor of the bill.
Originally in January 25 MOScout.
New Committee
James Murphy formed a candidate committee (Citizens For Murphy) to run as a Republican for House 94. This is the father of Jamie Murphy who works for Sen. Paul Wieland.
Originally in January 24 MOScout.
Help Wanted
The Missouri Department of Social Services seeks Missouri Medicaid Director (MO HealthNet Division Director). “This position will make key policy decisions and shape administrative strategies to enhance the operating efficiency of Medicaid and related initiatives across the state. This position requires significant interaction with Missouri’s General Assembly, Missouri health care providers and health plans, other state departments, and numerous local and federal government agencies. Excellent communications skills and the ability to effectively engage stakeholders on important policy matters are essential. Strong leadership and creative problem-solving skills are critical…” See it here.
Originally in January 23 MOScout.
The Missouri Department of Social Services seeks Missouri Medicaid Director (MO HealthNet Division Director). “This position will make key policy decisions and shape administrative strategies to enhance the operating efficiency of Medicaid and related initiatives across the state. This position requires significant interaction with Missouri’s General Assembly, Missouri health care providers and health plans, other state departments, and numerous local and federal government agencies. Excellent communications skills and the ability to effectively engage stakeholders on important policy matters are essential. Strong leadership and creative problem-solving skills are critical…” See it here.
Originally in January 23 MOScout.
Help Wanted
St. Louis Community Colleges seek Government and Community Relations Liaison. “Works with the state legislature during the legislative session to formulate, track and support legislation favorable to the community college and to secure funding and support;Works with local elected officials to create awareness of the college and expand awareness of college programming; Provides leadership for Governmental Affairs at the State and local levels. Coordinates such activities with the Chancellor and MCCA officials as applicable; Oversees federal government relations consultants to track policy initiatives and secure targeted federal appropriations to support the College…” See the ad here.
Originally in January 22 MOScout.
Bits
Dana Loesch gets profiled in the in NYTimes’ Style section. See it here.
See the City of St. Louis’ 300+ page Amazon proposal here.
The Senate website shows Jonas Hughes joining the staff of Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal.
Lucas Dieckhaus terminated his committee to run for House 109.
Originally in January 22 MOScout.
New Committee
Missouri Leads was formed. Its treasurer is Matthew Patterson. It’s a campaign committee to support an initiative petition.
Shall Missouri Law Be Amended To Create A Long-Term Capital Gains And Qualified Dividends Tax At A Rate That Could Be 15.8% Or Higher Based On Federal Law, Determined By Each Taxpayer's Federal Tax Bracket, But Exempts Taxpayers With Family Income Less Than 110% Of Poverty Threshold, Which May Be Used To Fund A Renewable Energy Program For Improving Energy Efficiency In Buildings, Constructing And Installing Renewable Energy Sources, Updating Infrastructure, And Planting Trees On Public Lands; And All Funds Generated By The Program Will Be Used As Decided By The Legislature?
Originally in January 18 MOScout.
Help Wanted
St. Louis Housing Authority seeks General Counsel. “The General Counsel serves as the chief legal advisor to the Board of Commissioners, the Executive Director and all Department Directors on all legal matters involving or relating to the Authority. These matters include litigation, public housing, Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP), HUD rules and regulations, landlord and tenant issues, fair housing issues, ordinance violations, risk management, compliance, real estate transactions, development, contracts and procurement, personnel, employment, labor relations, relevant local and federal statutes, inter-agency issues and other administrative functions… Salary $110,182 - $118,147…” See it here.
Originally in January 17 MOScout.
Top COH – January Quarter
Greitens For Missouri - $2.7 million.
Citizens for Steve Stenger - $2.4 million.
Hawley for Missouri - $1 million.
We Are Missouri - $1 million.
Eastern MO Laborers Education & Benevolent Fund - $910,842
Mantovani For STL - $905,844
Nicole Galloway for Missouri - $834,583
Leadership For America - $751,324
Citizens For Wasinger - $734,139
Friends of Gregory FX Daly - $595,906
Pipefitters Assoc Local Union #533 - $574,208
Schupp for Senate - $569,651
Supporters of Health Research and Treatments - $494,002
Callahan for Missouri - $491,688
Carpenters Help In the Political Process (CHIPP) - $474,603
Home Building Industry Political Action Committee - $462,860
MO National Education Assoc PAC - $461,316
Missouri Realtors PAC Inc - $444,700.
Health PAC - $395,206
House Republican Campaign Committee Inc - $353,473
Committee to Elect Scott Taylor - $347,939
Friends Of Eric Burlison - $343,289
Onder for Missouri - $323,370
Midwest Region Laborers’ Political League Education Fund - $322,831
Friends Of Todd Richardson - $309,373
Citizens for Schatz - $301,716
Luetkemeyer For Senate - $296,110
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $295,720
Friends Of Jamilah Nasheed - $288,534
MO Republican Party - $286,510
Originally in January 17 MOScout.
Engler for County Clerk
Rep. Kevin Engler has amended his campaign committee to run for St. Francois County Clerk. The primary is this summer.
Originally in January 16 MOScout.
Leadership for America Loss
For those following the Leadership for America saga (see it here). On its January finance report, LRT Global Opportunities reported a $111,310 loss for the committee.
Originally in January 17 MOScout.
PPP: Missouri Has “Shifted”
Public Policy Polling release a new Missouri poll. See it here.
The release: A new Public Policy Polling survey of Missouri voters finds that Claire McCaskill leads Republican challenger Josh Hawley 45-44 for reelection. The political climate in Missouri has shifted in a number of ways since 2016 that greatly improve McCaskill’s reelection chances: Voters in the state are almost evenly divided now on Donald Trump, with 48% approving of him to 47% who disapprove. That represents a sharp decline in Trump’s popularity given his 19 point victory in the state, but is also consistent with the decline in his approval numbers seen across the country…. Public Policy Polling interviewed 965 Missouri voters on January 8th and 9th. Respondents with landlines were reached over the telephone, with respondents who don’t have landlines interviewed online. The survey’s margin of error is +/-3.2%. This research was conducted on behalf of The Majority Institute.
Originally in January 16 MOScout.