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Monthly Archives: March 2016

What’s Bob Onder got against Illinois?

31 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by willykay in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Bob Onder, dicrimintion, Heather Steans, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri Legislature, SJR 39, Tax policy

State Senator Bob Onder (R-2) is really, really worried that Missouri will go the way of Illinois, which is not experiencing good fiscal times.  Onder, under the guise of “religious freedom,”  is proposing a Constitutional amendment that would permit folks  who don’t like LGBT folks to discriminate against them in the business sphere. Faced with the rather clear evidence provided by Indiana and Georgia, states that have backed away from faux religious freedom-to-discriminate legislation in the face of potential economic blowback, as well as the brewing economic disaster in North Carolina which just passed one of these ugly  laws, Onder seems to be more than a little desperate to defend his earlier statement that no one has proved to him that such a bill could hurt the Missouri economy. How to do that? Find a state that has an anti-discrimination culture that is reflected in legislation that protects LGBT individuals and that, like Illinois, is also having a rough time economically.

Onder may be overusing the example  of Illinois’ financial status though. It seems to be his all-purpose scapegoat. Earlier he blamed Illinois’ financial problems on the fact that it extended Medicaid according to the provisions of Obamacare.  One cannot be faulted for wondering just what it is it that is driving Illinois so close to the edge? Addressing bigotry  or providing healthcare for the working poor?

Of course, it’s always possible that Illinois’ problems have an entirely different source. Indeed, Illinois Democratic State Senator Heather Steans noted in response to Onder’s claims that, “if Illinois’ tax rates were as high as Missouri’s, we wouldn’t be struggling with the budget problems we have today.”

There’s lots of evidence to support Steans’ statement. After Republican Governor Bruce Rauner came into office in Illinois he rolled back  the temporary tax increases implemented by former Governor Quinn – although financial experts agreed that, no matter how severely the budget was cut, if Illinois was to emerge from its financial crisis, the higher tax rates should be extended.   As a consequence of this action, combined with the open war between he hide-bound Republican Rauner and the Democratic legislature, the picture for Illinois is truly bleak.

If you want more evidence for Steans’ contention, I have one word for you: Kansas. Kansas enacted great big ol’ tax cuts for business and the wealthy and the place is a disaster area, huge deficits, degraded public services and, get this, it’s losing jobs. And none of the blame can be attributed to LGBT friendly laws or Medicaid extension. Of course, as a Missouri Republican who has touted tax cuts as the yellow brick road leading to  unimaginable trickle-down rivers of wealth, I don’t imagine Onder will be any more interested in exploring the Kansas example than he is in acknowledging the impact of the anti-LGBT legislation in Indiana, Georgia or North Carolina.

Better yet, look at the roster of prospering cities with a strong anti-discrimination culture. As one commentator notes, it “is no coincidence. San Francisco and Austin are arguably the most gay-friendly cities in the country, and they check in at #1 and #2 respectively on the Milken Institute’s 2014 List of Best-Performing Cities.” Of course, as Steans response to Onder implies, there are probably lots of other factors that affect prosperity – certainly the oil industry might be key to the relative prosperity in Texas and Oklahoma,  rather than the bigoted LGBT policies that Onder cites.

But one thing is sure. Lots of businesses don’t want to be associated with states that enshrine discrimination in their laws. The evidence is undeniable that there is a growing economic backlash against freedom-to-discriminate bills, no matter how pandering politicians attempt to disguise them under the high-minded rubric of ensuring “freedom of religion.” We all know nobody’s religious freedom is under threat.  I know that the GOP has come to stand for retrograde ideological purity over any practical consideration, including fiscal responsibility,  but is Onder really ready to take the blame for what his follow-the-ugly-leader legislation could cost the state?

There’s at least one thing we can count on most of the time

31 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

missouri, sunrise

This morning in west central Missouri:

Sunrise.

Sunrise.

Campaign Finance: it’s like a campaign contribution, only smaller – part 37

30 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

campaign finance, Eric Greitens., governor, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for Eric Greitens’ 2016 gubernatorial campaign:

C151053 03/30/2016 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Peter Paul 1401 Los Gamos Dr. Suite 200 San Rafael CA 94903 Headlands Asset Management Chair & CEO 3/28/2016 $5,001.00

[emphasis added]

Nope, can’t vote in the primary. Can write a nice check.

Previously:

Eric Greitens (r) – January 2016 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report – “Running for governor in which state?” (January 17, 2016)

Campaign Finance: where the action is (March 28, 2016)

Campaign Finance: pedaling as fast as they can

29 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

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campaign finance, Catherine Hanaway, governor, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission

Yesterday at the Missouri Ethics Commission for Catherine Hanaway’s (r) 2016 gubernatorial campaign:

C141055 03/28/2016 HANAWAY FOR GOVERNOR, INC Menlo Smith 14 Ballantrae Court Saint Louis MO 63131 Requested Requested 3/28/2016 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

It’s just not the same.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: we almost forgot (December 29, 2015)

Catherine Hanaway (r) – January 2016 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report – “It used to be a lot better” (January 16, 2016)

Flailing away at the back of the pack (January 23, 2016)

Campaign Finance: shell game (January 24, 2016)

Campaign Finance: wholly owned subsidiary (February 24, 2016)

Campaign Finance: requests (March 1, 2016)

Campaign Finance: we almost forgot, again (March 26, 2016)

Campaign Finance: as if it’s really needed…

29 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

campaign finance, governor, John Brunner, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission

Yesterday at the Missouri Ethics Commission for John Brunner’s (r) 2016 gubernatorial campaign:

C151077 03/28/2016 MISSOURIANS FOR JOHN BRUNNER Chemisphere 2101 Clifton Ave St Louis MO 63139 3/28/2016 $5,001.00

[emphasis added]

Still, it’s a nice gesture.

Previously:

John Brunner (r) – January 2016 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report – “I want to be a loan” (January 15, 2016)

Campaign Finance: such a nice gesture (March 15, 2016)

Your late March morning sunrise moment of Zen

29 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

missouri, sunrise

This morning in west central Missouri:

Sunrise.

Sunrise.

21st Senate District: okay, this is interesting….

28 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Senate

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

21st Senate District, Denny Hoskins, ElGene Ver Dught, Mike McGhee, missouri

It’s an open seat in 2016.

Via the Missouri Secretary of State:

UNOFFICIAL Candidate Filing List
Primary 2016

State Senator – District 21

Democratic
ElGene Ver Dught 8290 BEAR GROVE RD HIGGINSVILLE MO 64037 817 2/23/2016 11:31 a.m.

Republican
Denny Hoskins PO BOX 118 WARRENSBURG MO 64093 580 2/23/2016 2:17 p.m.
Mike McGhee 5538 GRUBB RD ODESSA MO 64076 3/28/2016 10:45 a.m.

Libertarian
William Truman (Bill) Wayne 431 SE COUNTY ROAD Y WARRENSBURG MO 64093 3/8/2016 11:51 a.m.

[emphasis added]

David Pearce (r) is term limited. Denny Hoskins (r) is term limited out of the House. Mike McGhee (r) spent a whole lot of other people’s money challenging David Pearce (r) in the primary four years ago. Maybe it’ll be a similar story this time – the money part we mean.

We can’t wait to see the ads and mailers.

Previously:

Rep. Mike McGhee (r) and the amazing perpetual motion machine (July 16, 2010)

Campaign Finance: a microcosm of the struggle in the republican universe – 21st Senate District (August 1, 2012)

Campaign Finance: where the action is

28 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

campaign finance, Eric Greitens., governor, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for Eric Greitens’ 2016 gubernatorial campaign:

C151053 03/28/2016 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Jim Bildner 5 Boardman Ave Manchester MA 01944 DRK Exec 3/26/2016 $5,001.00

C151053 03/28/2016 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Marlene Ricketts 412 N. Elmwood Rd. Omaha NE 68132 Retired Retired 3/28/2016 $25,000.00

C151053 03/28/2016 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI William Hume 600 Montgomery St. 28th Floor San Francisco CA 94111 Basic American Foods Executive 3/28/2016 $5,001.00

[emphasis added]

Nope, they can’t vote in the primary nor the general election.

Apparently Massachusetts, Nebraska, and California don’t have elections that are worth dumping cash into.

Update:

There’s more.

C151053 03/28/2016 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Richard Uihlein 1396 N. Waukegan Rd. 1396 N. Waukegan Rd. Lake Forest IL 60045 Uline Inc. CEO 3/28/2016 $25,000.00

C151053 03/28/2016 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Pat Sechler 1736 E. Sunshine St. 304 Springfield MO 65804 Retired Banker 3/28/2016 $5,001.00

C151053 03/28/2016 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Paul Bancroft III 1750 Taylor St. Apt 305 San Francisco CA 94133 Retired Retired 3/28/2016 $5,001.00

[emphasis added]

Two out of three…

Update II:

There’s more.

C151053 03/28/2016 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Michael Blatz 11 Hortense Pl St Louis MO 63108 Bull Moose Industries CEO 3/28/2016 $12,000.00

[emphasis added]

The end of the first quarter (for reporting purposes) is on March 31st.

Previously:

Eric Greitens (r) – January 2016 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report – “Running for governor in which state?” (January 17, 2016)

Campaign Finance: Because Arizona doesn’t have an Attorney General?

27 Sunday Mar 2016

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Attorney General, campaign finance, Josh Hawley, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission

Just asking.

This past week at the Missouri Ethics Commission for Josh Hawley’s (r) 2016 campaign for Attorney General:

C151132 03/25/2016 HAWLEY FOR MISSOURI Herzog Contracting Corp. PO Box 1089 Saint Joseph MO 64502 3/25/2016 $25,000.00

C151132 03/25/2016 HAWLEY FOR MISSOURI Randy Kendrick 3964 E Paradise View Drive Paradise Valley AZ 85253 Retired Retired 3/25/2016 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

Why would out-of-state big dollar donors be interested in Missouri’s Attorney General race? Do you think it’s because we have no limits? Just asking.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: no limits (August 22, 2015)

Understanding your job… (September 5, 2015)

Campaign Finance: What flavor? (September 6, 2015)

Campaign Finance: You paid what for what? (September 23/October 2, 2015)

Campaign Finance: Do you pick your faction, or do they pick you? (September 29/October 2, 2015)

Campaign Finance: there’s no such thing as a “moderate” republican (October 14, 2015)

Josh Hawley (r) – October 2015 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report (October 18, 2015)

Campaign Finance: What was that again about contributions under $5,000.00? (October 22, 2015)

Campaign Finance: can’t vote in the republican primary (November 13, 2015)

Campaign Finance: What else is new? (December 9, 2015)

Campaign Finance: Hail Columbia! (February 3, 2016)

Campaign Finance: it’s been very quiet of late (February 11, 2016)

Campaign Finance: Because Arkansas doesn’t have an Attorney General? (February 24, 2016)

Campaign Finance: Because Florida doesn’t have an Attorney General? (February 29, 2016)

Campaign Finance: probably not one of them San Francisco Liberals (March 2, 2016)

Campaign Finance: One out of four ain’t bad, right? (March 8, 2016)

Primaries and Caucuses

27 Sunday Mar 2016

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

caucus, missouri, president, Primary

There is a difference.

Voters in Missouri do not register by party. As a consequence all primaries are open. That is, when you vote in a primary at your precinct you have to request a party ballot. There is no provision or mechanism for splitting parties by contest in primary voting.

In 1992 there was no presidential primary. I participated in the Missouri Democratic Party presidential candidate caucus in Johnson County. If memory serves me correctly approximately 100 people (probably fewer) attended the caucus in an elementary school in Fayetteville, Missouri, at bend in the road off of Highway 13. The candidates were nominated from the floor of the caucus. They were Bill Clinton, Paul Tsongas, Jerry Brown, and uncommitted. The Tsongas group didn’t have enough people to meet the viability threshold, so they joined the uncommitted group. Again, if I recall correctly, the distribution of the allocated delegates from Johnson County to the Congressional District meeting and the state convention were 3 for Bill Clinton, 2 for “uncommitted” and 1 for Jerry Brown.

Think about that. Approximately 100 people made those decisions.

The Missouri Secretary of State has the statistics of Democratic Party votes by county in presidential primaries from 2000 to the present. The turnout in Johnson County, Missouri over those cycles:

2000 Presidential Primary 1287 votes for Democratic Party candidates

2004 Presidential Primary 2535 votes for Democratic Party candidates

2008 Presidential Primary 4788 votes for Democratic Party candidates

2012 Presidential Primary 289 votes for Democratic Party candidates

2016 Presidential Primary 3433 votes for Democratic Party candidates

[emphasis added]

There is a difference.

In 2012 Barack Obama was the incumbent – anecdotally, a significant number of Democrats in Johnson County pulled republican ballots in the primary to vote for Rick Santorum for the purpose of messing with Mitt Romney’s presidential candidacy. Rick Santorum (r) won the statewide beauty contest with more than 50% of the vote. The delegates were allocated later – they went to Mitt Romney (r). Note that republican party rules for delegate allocation are different than those of the Democratic Party.

It’s the system we have. Individual states decide to hold a caucus or a primary. The candidates operate in that environment and they know the rules and the processes ahead of time.

When I hear that “super delegates” are inherently “undemocratic” from supporters of one candidate or another I wonder why they aren’t also pointing out the participation rate differences (and the challenges of turnout) in caucuses versus primaries. It’s the system we have, the candidates and voters have to operate in it. If you don’t like it you have four years to get your party and legislature to change it in time for 2020. Just don’t try to tell me in 2016 that the results of a caucus are an indicator of anything other than the views of the people who could show up.

Keep Calm and Carry On.

Previously:

Keep Calm and Carry On (March 9, 2016)

Keep Calm and Carry On – part 2 (March 16, 2016)

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