Category Archives: Missouri Senate

SB 59: Let there be voting

11 Tuesday Dec 2018

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No excuse absentee voting. Such a novel idea.

Lauren Arthur (D) [2018 file photo].

A bill, prefiled by Senator Lauren Arthur (D):

SB 59 Establishes no-excuse absentee voting
Sponsor: Arthur
LR Number: 0290S.01I Fiscal Notes
Committee:
Last Action: 12/1/2018 – Prefiled
[….]
Effective Date: August 28, 2019

Current Bill Summary

SB 59 – Under current law, a person may vote absentee for candidates and ballot issues in any election in which he or she is eligible to vote if such voter expects to be prevented from going to the polls for specified reasons. This act permits a person to vote absentee for any reason or no reason at all.

This act is substantially similar to HB 1283 (2018), a provision in HB 1550 (2018), HB 1814 (2018), HB 173 (2017), a provision in HB 501 (2017), HB 644 (2017), HB 1764 (2016), HB 1767 (2016), HB 2451 (2016), HB 287 (2015), a provision in HB 1449 (2014), HB 1604 (2014), HB 188 (2013), a provision in HB 848 (2013), HB 375 (2011), HB 382 (2011), HB 1836 (2010), HB 1839 (2010), and HB 2195 (2010).

What are the odds that this will get through the right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly and get the Governor’s signature? You know, making it easier for people to actually vote.

SB 132: I’ve got secrets I want to keep

10 Monday Dec 2018

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Because lobbyists shrivel up when exposed to sunlight?

A bill, prefiled in the Missouri Senate by Ed Emery (r), which would broaden disclosure exemptions in the Missouri Sunshine Law for members of the General Assembly:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 132 [pdf]
100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR EMERY. Pre-filed December 1, 2018, and ordered printed.
ADRIANE D. CROUSE, Secretary.
0625S.02I

AN ACT

To repeal section 610.021, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to the closure of certain records.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

Section A. Section 610.021, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 610.021, to read as follows:

610.021. Except to the extent disclosure is otherwise required by law, a public governmental body is authorized to close meetings, records and votes, to the extent they relate to the following:

[….]

(25) Any record maintained in the office of a member of the general assembly that is related to a constituent of the member; and
(26) Any record maintained in the office of a member of the general assembly, an employee of either house of the general assembly, or an employee of a caucus of either the majority or minority party of either house that contains information regarding proposed legislation or the legislative process, however, nothing in this subdivision shall allow the closure of a record that has been offered in a public meeting of a house of the general assembly, or any committee thereof.

[emphasis in original]

We wouldn’t want anyone to figure out who’s been pushing those ALEC cut and paste bills on the Missouri General Assembly now, would we?

SB 63: …and “Right to Get Paid Less” is back

04 Tuesday Dec 2018

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It’s that time again. Bills are being prefiled for the coming session of the Missouri General Assembly.

Eric Burlison (r) [2016 file photo]

A bill, prefiled by Eric Burlison (r):

SB 63
Creates new provisions of law relating to labor organizations
Sponsor: Burlison
LR Number: 0284S.01I
Last Action: 12/1/2018 – Prefiled
Effective Date: August 28, 2019

Current Bill Summary

SB 63 – Under this act, employers are barred from requiring employees to become, remain, or refrain from becoming a member of a labor organization or pay dues or other charges required of labor organization members as a condition of employment.

Any person who violates or directs another to violate this act is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. Moreover, any person injured as a result of violation or threatened violation of this act is entitled to injunctive relief and certain other damages.

Prosecuting attorneys, circuit attorneys, and the Attorney General are charged with investigating complaints under this act.

The provisions of this act do not apply to any agreement between an employer and a labor organization entered into before the effective date of this act but shall apply to any such agreement upon its renewal, extension, amendment, or modification in any respect after the effective date of this act.

This act is identical to the truly agreed to and finally passed SS#2/SB 19 (2017) and substantially similar to HCS/HB 91 (2017), HB 42 (2017), HB 131 (2017), HB 265 (2017), HB 314 (2017), SB 667 (2016), SCS/HCS/HB’s 116 & 569 (2015) which was vetoed by the Governor and SCS/SB 127 (2015), HB 1462 (2016), SB 76 (2013), SB 547 (2012), SB 614 (2012), SB 438 (2012), SB 109 (2011), SB 1 (2011), SB 888 (2010), and HB 877 (2005).

Working people didn’t finish the job in 2018.

There’s definitely a disconnect with Missouri voters.

Via the Missouri Secretary of State web site:

State of Missouri – General Election, November 06, 2018
Official Results
As announced by the Board of State Canvassers on November 30, 2018

State Senator – District 20
63 of 63 Precincts Reported

Eric W. Burlison Republican 62,209 73.871%
Jim Billedo Democratic 22,004 26.129%
Total Votes: 84,213

Christian County
Eric W. Burlison, REP 26,768
Jim Billedo, DEM 8,906

Greene County
Eric W. Burlison, REP 35,441
Jim Billedo, DEM 13,098

Proposition A, “right to get paid less”, was overwhelmingly defeated statewide in August. In Christian and Greene Counties:

State of Missouri – Primary Election, August 07, 2018
Official Results
As announced by the Board of State Canvassers on August 27, 2018

Christian County
Proposition A
27 of 27 Precincts Reported
YES 8,387 51.457%
NO 7,912 48.543%
Total Votes: 16,299

Greene County
Proposition A
113 of 113 Precincts Reported
YES 25,192 42.589%
NO 33,959 57.411%
Total Votes: 59,151

Passing by just under 500 votes in one county and losing big in another ain’t exactly an anti-labor mandate.

Unless you’re a republican.

Campaign Finance: restocking republican committee coffers

30 Friday Nov 2018

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The past few days at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C091068 11/28/2018 HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, INC Gold Rush Amusements Inc 5277 Trillium Blvd Hoffman Estates IL 60192 11/27/2018 $10,000.00

C091068 11/28/2018 HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, INC Timothy Drury 15 Squires Lane Huntleigh MO 63131 Drury Development Corporation Executive 11/27/2018 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

C071094 11/30/2018 MISSOURI SENATE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE CFM Insurance PO Box 968 Concordia MO 64020 11/30/2018 $10,000.00

C071094 11/30/2018 MISSOURI SENATE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE The Doe Run Company 1801 Park 270 Drive St Louis MO 63146 11/30/2018 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

They’ll always have all the money they’ll ever need. In nice, round numbers.

The result:

The distribution of votes (statewide) by party for the Missouri House of Representatives – November 2018

The distribution of seats by party in the Missouri House of Representatives – 2019 Session

Previously:

Gerrymander (November 16, 2018)

Gerrymander – illustrated (November 17, 2018)

Campaign Finance: restocking the shelves (November 28, 2018)

Campaign Finance: maybe they ran out of right wingnut candidates in Kansas

25 Thursday Oct 2018

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Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission, two right wingnut Missouri PACs get some of that Johnson County, Kansas silk stocking money:

C171211 10/25/2018 Citizens for a Prosperous 34th Senate District Ketchmark & McCreight, P.C. 11161 Overbrook Rd. Ste. 210 Leawood KS 66211 10/24/2018 $50,000.00

C180456 10/25/2018 Senate Conservatives Fund Ketchmark & McCreight, P.C. 11161 Overbrook Rd. Ste. 210 Leawood KS 66211 10/24/2018 $50,000.00

[emphasis added]

What’s the matter with Kansas?

Previously:

Campaign Finance: No contest is too small… (October 22, 2018)

Campaign Finance: infinite loop (October 23, 2018)

Campaign Finance: infinite loop

23 Tuesday Oct 2018

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Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for a PAC:

C180455 10/23/2018 Missouri Senate Conservatives Fund Herzog Contracting Corp 600 South Riverside Dr. Saint Joseph MO 64507 10/22/2018 $100,000.00

[emphasis added]

C180455: Missouri Senate Conservatives Fund
Committee Type: Political Action
7509 Nw Tiffany Springs Parkway Suite 300
Kansas City Mo 64153
Established Date:
06/08/2018
[….]
Information Reported On: 2018 – October Quarterly Report
Beginning Money on Hand $33,647.98
Monetary Receipts + $0.00
Monetary Expenditures – $6,336.50
Contributions Made – $0.00
Other Disbursements – $200.00
Subtotal ($6,536.50)
Ending Money On Hand $27,111.48

Now they have some real money.

You think they answer their phones with: “Department of Redundancy Department”?

Campaign Finance: No contest is too small…

22 Monday Oct 2018

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…for a big check from Rex Sinquefield.

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for a PAC involved in the 34th Senate District:

C171211 10/22/2018 Citizens for a Prosperous 34th Senate District Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Westpahalia MO 5085 Retired Retired 10/22/2018 $50,000.00

[emphasis added]

Why would he be so interested in a state senate contest on this side of the state?

The republican in the 34th Senate District, Tony Luetkemeyer:

C171131: Luetkemeyer For Senate
Committee Type: Candidate
Po Box 14360
Parkville Mo 64152
Party Affiliation: Republican
Established Date: 05/12/2017
[….]
Information Reported On: 2018 – October Quarterly Report
Beginning Money on Hand $116,558.11
Monetary Receipts + $155,515.00
Monetary Expenditures – $42,337.31
Contributions Made – $0.00
Other Disbursements – $0.00
Subtotal $113,177.69
Ending Money On Hand $229,735.80

[emphasis added]

He’s not lacking for resources.

The Democratic Party candidate in the 34th Senate District, Martin Rucker:

C171000: Rucker For Missouri
Committee Type: Candidate
Po Box 681313
Riverside Mo 64168
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Established Date: 01/04/2017
[….]
Information Reported On: 2018 – October Quarterly Report
Beginning Money on Hand $88,155.51
Monetary Receipts + $48,988.00
Monetary Expenditures – $14,902.02
Contributions Made – $0.00
Other Disbursements – $2,000.00
Subtotal $32,085.98
Ending Money On Hand $120,241.49

[emphasis added]

Okay, that’s respectable. And over $100,000.00 less than the republican candidate.

Are the republicans getting nervous? Just asking.

What would happen if Rex Sinquefield couldn’t write big checks like that anymore? Oh, yeah…

Previously:

Campaign Finance: we’re not surprised (November 9, 2018)

Getting schooled on legislative redistricting reform

03 Monday Sep 2018

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Senate, social media

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State Senator Denny Hoskins (r) had a thing or two to say about gerrymandering on social media yesterday.

Because it worked out so well last time?:

Missouri – 21st Senate District

Denny Hoskins (r) [2017 file photo].

Senator Denny Hoskins, CPA @DLHoskins
If “Clean Missouri” passes in November, my new state senate legislative district would not have to be adjacent. So it could include “islands” of Warrensburg, downtown Kansas City, Saint Louis and Hannibal…and nothing in between. That doesn’t sound fair and clean to me. #moleg
10:24 AM – 2 Sep 2018

Some of the replies:

This is bullshit and you know it.

Sounds like you are nervous about Clean Missouri passing.

And then, getting schooled by Sean Nicholson from CLEAN Missouri:

Sean Soendker Nicholson @ssnich

Just false.

“Subject to the requirements of subdivisions (1)(a) and (1)(b) [prohibitions on gerrymandering], Districts shall be composed of contiguous territory. Areas which meet only at the points of adjoining corners are not contiguous.”

**shall**

[….]
9:35 PM – 2 Sep 2018

That was much nicer than the direct responses.

Campaign Finance: recharging

11 Monday Jun 2018

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At the Missouri Ethics Commission for the republican senate campaign committee:

C071094 06/07/2018 MISSOURI SENATE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE Friends of Wayne Wallingford 217 NW End Blvd Cape Girardeau MO 63701 6/6/2018 $12,500.00

C071094 06/11/2018 MISSOURI SENATE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE Leggett & Platt Inc PO Box 757 Carthage MO 64836 6/10/2018 $25,000.00

[emphasis added]

Well, they did spend a lot of money. It didn’t quite work out the way they wanted.

Lauren Arthur (D) wins in 17th Senate District special election

05 Tuesday Jun 2018

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It wasn’t even close. By over nineteen points.

There was a special election in the 17th Senate District today to fill the vacancy due to Ryan Silvey’s (R) gubernatorial appointment to the Missouri Public Service Commission. The candidates were Representative Lauren Arthur (D) and Representative Kevin Corlew (R).

The republican Missouri Senate Campaign Committee spent a significant amount of money running a contant deluge of nasty fear/immigrant televison ads in the Kansas City media market. Those ads obviously didn’t work in the manner they were intended.

Lauren Arthur (D) [2018 file photo].

The results from the Clay County Board of Election Commisioners:

Clay County – 17th Senate District Special Election – 100% reporting
Corlew – 9,917 40.28%
Arthur – 14,674 59.61%
Write In – 27 0.11%

From Senator Claire McCaskill (D), via Twitter:

Claire McCaskill @clairecmc
Congratulations Senator Arthur! It’s a flip…red to blue. Thanks to all the hard work of Lauren and many volunteers we have won a state senate seat that Trump won and was held by a Republican. By a lot!! Not even close….
8:37 PM – 5 Jun 2018

Well, yes. In the 2016 General Election:

County Results [Clay]
State of Missouri – State of Missouri – General Election, November 08, 2016
U.S. President and Vice President

Hillary Rodham Clinton, Timothy Michael Kaine Democratic 45,304 41.120%
Donald J. Trump, Michael R. Pence Republican 57,476 52.167%
[….]
Governor
Chris Koster Democratic 52,429 47.652%
Eric Greitens Republican 53,883 48.974%
[….]

My, oh my.

2018. There’s trouble brewing.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: About that June 5th special election? (May 28, 2018)

Lauren Arthur (D): in the 17th Senate District special election (May 29, 2018)

Campaign Finance: 8 day reports in the 17th Senate District special election (May 30, 2018)

Campaign Finance: they’re paying for it (June 2, 2018)

Campaign Finance: at the last minute (June 5, 2018)