Ah, those little devils in the House, they do keep themselves busy. Wednesday, for example, they discussed at length whether or not to allow bingo 15 times a year instead of four and relieve churches of a small tax on each bingo card. Some Republicans were outraged at doing anything to expand gambling in our state. I’ve got my own reservations about gambling, but considering the hundreds of millions in moolah that casinos take in, to be shocked over giving bingo a break is akin to fretting about an ant wandering into a house that’s collapsing from termite damage.

It’s hardly surprising–typical, actually–that the floor was half to two-thirds full at any given time and that some of the reps were even listening to those speaking at the mikes.

Still in the category of irrelevant and still playing to the base, but with a whisper of “cruel and unusual” to my way of thinking, was the vote to imprison for ten to thirty years any sex offender who fails three times to register. Obligatory caveat: I’m not proposing to coddle sex offenders. But ten to thirty years? Aren’t some of the offenders guilty only of statutory rape (consensual sex with someone under 18), and don’t they face harassment once they’ve registered? Others are true predators. This bill bludgeons all of them with a ten to thirty year club.  

Moving from the irrelevant to the slightly more relevant, representatives voted in favor of making it an automatic felony to be found in possession of stolen explosives.

Moving from the slightly relevant to the less than wise, the House approved of conceal/carry on college campuses, expanding the Castle doctrine (it’s OK to use deadly force to defend your castle) and of lowering the age for a license to carry a concealed weapon from 23 to 21.

And then striding from less than wise to definitely damaging, the House perfected (love the irony of that term in this case) a bill to reduce the minimum wage for servers. One can still hope the Senate will put the kibosh to this idea, but our answer to much foolishness this year will be Nixon. RBH had the best line:

All Democrats against. Every Republican except one for. No word on if the House Republican caucus will up their tipping percentage if Jay Nixon accidentally signs this bill into law.

But the piece de resistance was endorsing a joint resolution for the 2010 ballot that would politicize our non-partisan court plan. Republicans failed to get more draconian legislation through the House last year, so they toned it down and slipped it through.

Supporters, including sponsor Stanley Cox, R-Sedalia, said the changes would give more power over the judicial process to the public through its elected representatives.

“I believe that citizens should be involved in the process, and right now they are an afterthought,” Cox said. He said the current process was an elitist system that assumed only a few Missourians qualified for a spot on the bench.

We don’t need no stinkin’ qualified judges selected through a plan so good that 34 other states have modeled theirs on it.

What a busy day.

Oh, hell no.

…Just have to add that what is the point to this? Are they concerned the Missouri Democratic Party is too leftwing, and so concerned that they have to yell out loud, “Those people are unserious leftists, but we are very serious people who people can trust?”?

According to Republican State Rep. Bryan Stevenson, the proposed pro-choice “Freedom of Choice Act” is the biggest federal power grab since the “War of Northern Aggression.”

And I thought Scott Rupp was overly dramatic.

Rep. Don Calloway got Stevenson to apologize for his, um, overstatement.

UPDATE: Via Fired Up, Jason Rosenbaum has audio on YouTube of Stevenson’s ridiculousness.

Our previous coverage of the business relationship between Representative Steve Tilley (r – 106), the republican Majority Floor Leader in the Missouri House, and lobbyist Travis Brown:

A Plane, a Business, a Representative, and a Lobbyist, part 2

A Plane, a Business, a Representative, and a Lobbyist

Today’s Republican Floor Leader co-owns plane with Lobbyist story is [RBH]

There are a number of threads connecting many people. Travis Brown is associated with Pelopidas, LLC. There are several other individuals who are also listed as participating in lobbying activities on their web site.

Again, the Missouri Ethics Commission has a convenient online place to look through fillings like a “Lobbyist Monthly Expenditure Report”:

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION

LOBBYIST MONTHLY EXPENDITURE REPORT

Report of activities for the month of January 2008…

…Electronically submitted by Carl Bearden, on 2/9/2008 8:56:54 PM…

…INDIVIDUAL EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on behalf of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children…

…DEMPSEY, TOM – Senator

      01/10/2008

    Entertainment

  $125.00

JONES, TIMOTHY – Representative

      01/10/2008

    Entertainment

  $125.00

NIEVES, BRIAN – Representative

      01/10/2008

    Entertainment

  $125.00

PORTWOOD, DR. CHARLES – Representative

      01/10/2008

    Entertainment

  $125.00

ST. ONGE, NEAL – Representative

      01/10/2008

    Entertainment

  $125.00

FUNDERBURK, DOUG – Representative

      01/13/2008

    Entertainment

  $125.00

ICET, ALLEN – Representative

      01/13/2008

    Entertainment

  $125.00…

…PRINCIPAL EXPENDITURES

All persons, business entities, governmental entities, religious organizations, non-profit corporations, or associations by whom the lobbyist is employed or retained, from whom the lobbyist receive any expenses or compensation or in whose interest the lobbyist appears…

…PELOPIDAS, LLC

912 EAST BROADWAY, SUITE 207

COLUMBIA  MO   65201

XXX-XXX-XXXX $875.00

[emphasis added]

Carl Bearden. Carl Bearden. Where have I seen that name before? Oh, right:

Friday, July 13, 2007

Carl Bearden to join Pelopidas

St. Louis Business Journal

Carl Bearden, who resigned his post as Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem effective Thursday, said Friday he will join Pelopidas LLC, a newly formed issue advocacy firm.

Bearden said his role in the “influence management firm” was as a “main player…”

“Influence management” must be the new euphemism for lobbying.

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION

LOBBYIST MONTHLY EXPENDITURE REPORT

Report of activities for the month of February 2008…

…Electronically submitted by Carl Bearden, on 3/4/2008 1:55:31 PM…

…INDIVIDUAL EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on behalf of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children…

…Aaron Willard – Employee or Staff

     Chief of Staff – Public Official 02/25/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $32.79

Adam Crumbliss – Employee or Staff

     Chief Clerk – Public Official 02/25/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $32.79

Kenny Ross – Employee or Staff

     Speaker’s Staff – Public Official 02/25/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $32.79

Marietta Rutledge – Employee or Staff

     Legislative Assistant – Public Official 02/25/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $32.79

SELF, TOM – Representative

      02/27/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $9.32…

…PRINCIPAL EXPENDITURES

All persons, business entities, governmental entities, religious organizations, non-profit corporations, or associations by whom the lobbyist is employed or retained, from whom the lobbyist receive any expenses or compensation or in whose interest the lobbyist appears…

…CARL BEARDEN

XXXXX

ST. CHARLES  MO   63302

XXX-XXX-XXXX $140.48

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION

LOBBYIST MONTHLY EXPENDITURE REPORT

Report of activities for the month of April 2008…

…Electronically submitted by Carl Bearden, on 5/8/2008 5:53:13 PM…

…GROUP EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on behalf of a group of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children, on any single occasion…

…ENTIRE MISSOURI HOUSE 04/11/2008

Other

$50.00…

…PRINCIPAL EXPENDITURES

All persons, business entities, governmental entities, religious organizations, non-profit corporations, or associations by whom the lobbyist is employed or retained, from whom the lobbyist receive any expenses or compensation or in whose interest the lobbyist appears…

…CARL BEARDEN

XXXXX

ST. CHARLES  MO   63302

XXX-XXX-XXXX $50.00

The entire Missouri House is a lot of people.

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION

LOBBYIST MONTHLY EXPENDITURE REPORT

Report of activities for the month of May 2008…

…Electronically submitted by Carl Bearden, on 6/10/2008 4:11:27 PM…

…GROUP EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on behalf of a group of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children, on any single occasion…

…JOINT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH, STATUTORY 05/14/2008

Meals, Food, & Beverage

$100.00…

…PRINCIPAL EXPENDITURES

All persons, business entities, governmental entities, religious organizations, non-profit corporations, or associations by whom the lobbyist is employed or retained, from whom the lobbyist receive any expenses or compensation or in whose interest the lobbyist appears…

…CARL BEARDEN

XXXXX

ST. CHARLES  MO   63302

XXX-XXX-XXXX $100.00…

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION

LOBBYIST MONTHLY EXPENDITURE REPORT

Report of activities for the month of July 2008…

…Electronically submitted by Carl Bearden, on 8/10/2008 11:14:00 AM…

…INDIVIDUAL EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on b
ehalf of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children.

…Crumbliss, Adam – Employee or Staff

     Chief Clerk – Public Official 07/09/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $10.00

ICET, ALLEN – Representative

      07/09/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $10.00

Schwartz, Mark – Employee or Staff

     House Staff – Public Official 07/09/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $10.00

JETTON, ROD – Representative

      07/29/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $20.74

TILLEY, STEVEN – Representative

      07/29/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $20.74…

…PRINCIPAL EXPENDITURES

All persons, business entities, governmental entities, religious organizations, non-profit corporations, or associations by whom the lobbyist is employed or retained, from whom the lobbyist receive any expenses or compensation or in whose interest the lobbyist appears…

…PELOPIDAS, LLC

912 EAST BROADWAY, SUITE 207

COLUMBIA  MO   65201

XXX-XXX-XXXX $71.48…

[emphasis added]

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION

LOBBYIST MONTHLY EXPENDITURE REPORT

Report of activities for the month of September 2008…

…Electronically submitted by Carl Bearden, on 10/6/2008 8:31:37 AM…

…INDIVIDUAL EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on behalf of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children…

…Dempsey, Molly – Spouse or Child

     DEMPSEY, TOM – Senator 09/23/2008

    Entertainment

  $170.00

DEMPSEY, TOM – Senator

      09/23/2008

    Entertainment

  $170.00…

…PRINCIPAL EXPENDITURES

All persons, business entities, governmental entities, religious organizations, non-profit corporations, or associations by whom the lobbyist is employed or retained, from whom the lobbyist receive any expenses or compensation or in whose interest the lobbyist appears…

… REX AND JEANNE SINQUEFIELD

XXXXX

ST. LOUIS  MO   63108

XXX-XXX-XXXX $340.00…

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION

LOBBYIST MONTHLY EXPENDITURE REPORT

Report of activities for the month of November 2008…

…Electronically submitted by Carl Bearden, on 12/2/2008 12:32:28 PM…

…INDIVIDUAL EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on behalf of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children…

…ALLEN, SUE – REP ELECT DIST 92 – Representative

      11/05/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $7.25

DIEHL, JOHN J JR – REP ELECT DIST 87 – Representative

      11/05/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $7.25

GATSCHENBERGER, CHUCK – REP ELECT DIST 13 – Representative

      11/05/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $7.25

JETTON, ROD – Representative

      11/05/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $7.25

KEENEY, SHELLEY (WHITE) – REP ELECT DIST 156 – Representative

      11/05/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $7.25

LEARA, MIKE – REP ELECT DIST 94 – Representative

      11/05/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $7.25

MOLENDORP, CHRIS – REP ELECT DIST 123 – Representative

      11/05/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $7.25

RIDDLE, JEANIE – REP ELECT DIST 20 – Representative

      11/05/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $7.25

RUESTMAN, MARILYN – Representative

      11/05/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $7.25

Russell, Jonathan – Employee or Staff

     RUESTMAN, MARILYN – Representative 11/05/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $7.25

SELF, TOM – Representative

      11/05/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $7.25

TRACY, CLINT – REP ELECT DIST 158 – Representative

      11/05/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $7.25

JETTON, ROD – Representative

      11/06/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $12.00

Crumbliss, Adam – Employee or Staff

     Chief Clerk – Public Official 11/18/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $10.40…

…PRINCIPAL EXPENDITURES

All persons, business entities, governmental entities, religious organizations, non-profit corporations, or associations by whom the lobbyist is employed or retained, from whom the lobbyist receive any expenses or compensation or in whose interest the lobbyist appears…

…PELOPIDAS, LLC

912 EAST BROADWAY, SUITE 207

COLUMBIA  MO   65201

XXX-XXX-XXXX $109.40…

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION

LOBBYIST MONTHLY EXPENDITURE REPORT

Report of activities for the month of December 2008…

…Electronically submitted by Carl Bearden, on 1/7/2009 10:09:47 PM…

…INDIVIDUAL EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on behalf of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children…

…LEMBKE, JIM – Representative

      12/16/2008

    Entertainment

  $125.00

GROUP EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on behalf of a group of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children, on any single occasion…

…ENTIRE MISSOURI HOUSE 12/17/2008

Meals, Food, & Beverage

$206.33…

…PRINCIPAL EXPENDITURES

All persons, business entities, governmental entities, religious organizations, non-profit corporations, or associations by whom the lobbyist is employed or retained, from whom the lobbyist receive any expenses or compensation or in whose interest the lobbyist appears…

…REX AND JEANNE SINQUEFIELD

XXXXX

ST. LOUIS  MO   63108

XXX-XXX-XXXX $331.33

Lobbyists are apparently doing their part to keep the food and beverage industry afloat in the State of Missouri.

Our previous coverage of the business relationship between Representative Steve Tilley (r – 106), the republican Majority Floor Leader in the Missouri House, and lobbyist Travis Brown:

A Plane, a Business, a Representative, and a Lobbyist

Today’s Republican Floor Leader co-owns plane with Lobbyist story is [RBH]

The Missouri Ethics Commission has a convenient online place to look through fillings like a “Lobbyist Monthly Expenditure Report”:

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION

LOBBYIST MONTHLY EXPENDITURE REPORT

Report of activities for the month of February 2008…

…Electronically submitted by Travis Brown, on 3/10/2008 1:11:25 PM…

…INDIVIDUAL EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on behalf of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children…

…COOPER, SHANNON – Representative

      02/19/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $80.00

JETTON, ROD – Representative

      02/19/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $80.00…

…GROUP EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on behalf of a group of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children, on any single occasion…

RULES, STANDING   02/20/2008

Meals, Food, & Beverage

$530.00…

…PRINCIPAL EXPENDITURES

All persons, business entities, governmental entities, religious organizations, non-profit corporations, or associations by whom the lobbyist is employed or retained, from whom the lobbyist receive any expenses or compensation or in whose interest the lobbyist appears…

…PELOPIDAS, LLC

912 EAST BROADWAY, SUITE 207

COLUMBIA  MO   65201

XXX-XXX-XXXX $160.00

[emphasis added]

All of the reports from 2008 now include this:

…BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS

Direct business relationships, association or partnership with any public official during the reporting period.

Public Official Description Time Period Relationship Existed

Rep. Steve Tilley Co-owner, Mid Missouri Aviation, LLC, general purpose: general aviation, private travel Since 12/12/2006…

It’s a long slog, but we’ll go through the monthly reports.

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION

LOBBYIST MONTHLY EXPENDITURE REPORT

Report of activities for the month of March 2008…

…Electronically submitted by Travis Brown, on 4/10/2008 12:45:41 PM…

…INDIVIDUAL EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on behalf of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children…

…RICHARD, RON – Representative

      03/03/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $48.04

Aaron Willard – Employee or Staff

     JETTON, ROD – Representative 03/05/2008

    Entertainment

  $240.00…

…GROUP EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on behalf of a group of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children, on any single occasion…

EDUCATION 03/05/2008

Meals, Food, & Beverage

$449.46

…PRINCIPAL EXPENDITURES

All persons, business entities, governmental entities, religious organizations, non-profit corporations, or associations by whom the lobbyist is employed or retained, from whom the lobbyist receive any expenses or compensation or in whose interest the lobbyist appears.

…PELOPIDAS, LLC

912 EAST BROADWAY, SUITE 207

COLUMBIA  MO   65201

XXX-XXX-XXXX $400.04

REX AND JEANNE SINQUEFIELD

XXXXX

ST. LOUIS  MO   63108

XXX-XXX-XXXX $449.46

[emphasis added]

Representative Ron Richard is the current Speaker of the Missouri House.

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION

LOBBYIST MONTHLY EXPENDITURE REPORT

Report of activities for the month of April 2008…

…Electronically submitted by Travis Brown, on 5/10/2008 2:03:15 PM…

…INDIVIDUAL EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on behalf of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children…

…DEMPSEY, TOM – Senator

      04/18/2008

    Travel

  $206.25

JONES, KENNY – Representative

      04/18/2008

    Travel

  $137.50

COOPER, SHANNON – Representative

      04/19/2008

    Travel

  $96.25

DEMPSEY, TOM – Senator

      04/19/2008

    Travel

  $165.00

JONES, KENNY – Representative

      04/19/2008

    Travel

  $96.25…

…PRINCIPAL EXPENDITURES

All persons, business entities, governmental entities, religious organizations, non-profit corporations, or associations by whom the lobbyist is employed or retained, from whom the lobbyist receive any expenses or compensation or in whose interest the lobbyist appears…

… PELOPIDAS, LLC

912 EAST BROADWAY, SUITE 207

COLUMBIA  MO   65201

XXX-XXX-XXXX $1,201.97…

Four people traveled somewhere on April 19th (and one on April 18th). How did the get to where they were going? Just asking. I don’t know.

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION

LOBBYIST MONTHLY EXPENDITURE REPORT

Report of activities for the month of May 2008…

…Electronically submitted by Travis Brown, on 6/10/2008 3:41:23 PM…

…GROUP EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on behalf of a group of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children, on any single occasion…

…ENTIRE MISSOURI SENATE 05/05/2008

Meals, Food, & Beverage

$200.00

ENTIRE MISSOURI SENATE 05/15/2008

Meals, Food, & Beverage

$192.59…

…PRINCIPAL EXPENDITURES

All persons, business entities, governmental entities, religious organizations, non-profit corporations, or associations by whom the lobbyist is employed or retained, from whom the lobbyist receive any expenses or compensation or in whose interest the lobbyist appears…

PELOPIDAS, LLC

912 EAST BROADWAY, SUITE 207

COLUMBIA  MO   65201

573-256-1322 $392.59…

[emphasis added]

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION

LOBBYIST MONTHLY EXPENDITURE REPORT

Report of activities for the month of November 2008…

…Electronically submitted by Travis Brown, on 12/9/2008 7:56:18 PM…

INDIVIDUAL EXPENDITURES

Expenditures made by the lobbyist or principal on behalf of public officials, their staff, employees, spouse or dependent children.

Name and Title or Relationship of Recipient

Cassie Jetton
– Spouse or Child

     JETTON, ROD – Representative 11/07/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $162.13

ICET, ALLEN – Representative

      11/07/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $162.13

ICET, ALLEN – Representative

      11/07/2008

    Other

  $239.30

JETTON, ROD – Representative

      11/07/2008

    Gift

  $150.00

JETTON, ROD – Representative

      11/07/2008

    Other

  $239.30

JETTON, ROD – Representative

      11/07/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $162.13

Joncee Nodler – Spouse or Child

     NODLER, GARY – Senator 11/07/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $162.13

MAYER, ROBERT (ROB) – Senator

      11/07/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $162.13

MAYER, ROBERT (ROB) – Senator

      11/07/2008

    Other

  $239.30

Nancy Mayer – Spouse or Child

     MAYER, ROBERT (ROB) – Senator 11/07/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $162.13

NODLER, GARY – Senator

      11/07/2008

    Other

  $239.30

NODLER, GARY – Senator

      11/07/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $162.13

Patty Richard – Spouse or Child

     RICHARD, RON – Representative 11/07/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $162.13

RICHARD, RON – Representative

      11/07/2008

    Other

  $239.30

RICHARD, RON – Representative

      11/07/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $162.13

SUTHERLAND, MIKE – Representative

      11/07/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $162.13

TILLEY, STEVEN – Representative

      11/07/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $162.13

TILLEY, STEVEN – Representative

      11/07/2008

    Other

  $239.30

cassie jetton – Spouse or Child

     JETTON, ROD – Representative 11/08/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $25.63

ICET, ALLEN – Representative

      11/08/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $25.63

JETTON, ROD – Representative

      11/08/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $25.63

joncee nodler – Spouse or Child

     NODLER, GARY – Senator 11/08/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $286.21

MAYER, ROBERT (ROB) – Senator

      11/08/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $286.21

nancy mayer – Spouse or Child

     MAYER, ROBERT (ROB) – Senator 11/08/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $286.21

NODLER, GARY – Senator

      11/08/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $286.21

patty richard – Spouse or Child

     RICHARD, RON – Representative 11/08/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $25.63

RICHARD, RON – Representative

      11/08/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $25.63

SUTHERLAND, MIKE – Representative

      11/08/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $25.63

TILLEY, STEVEN – Representative

      11/08/2008

    Travel

  $88.00

TILLEY, STEVEN – Representative

      11/08/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $25.63

WASSON, JAY – Representative

      11/08/2008

    Meals, Food, & Beverage

  $25.63…

…PRINCIPAL EXPENDITURES

All persons, business entities, governmental entities, religious organizations, non-profit corporations, or associations by whom the lobbyist is employed or retained, from whom the lobbyist receive any expenses or compensation or in whose interest the lobbyist appears…

…PELOPIDAS, LLC

912 EAST BROADWAY, SUITE 207

COLUMBIA  MO   65201

573-256-1322 $88.00

REX AND JEANNE SINQUEFIELD

XXXXX

ST. LOUIS  MO   63108

XXX-XXX-XXXX $4,569.11

THE BROWN LOBBY FIRM, LLC

912 EAST BROADWAY, SUITE 208

COLUMBIA  MO   65201

XXX-XXX-XXXX $150.00

[emphasis added]

I wonder where and how that November 8, 2008 travel happened? Just asking. I have no idea.

Pelopidas, LLC has a charitable fundraising story up on their web site:

…The event, which was held Thursday, December 11, at the Chase-Park Plaza Hotel was hosted by Missouri-focused philanthropists Rex Sinquefield and his wife, Dr. Jeanne Sinquefield, Travis Brown and Rachel Keller Brown of Pelopidas, LLC, an advocacy management company and Laura Slay, president of Slay & Associates, Inc., a marketing and public relations firm…

Is it just me, or does everyone else involved in Missouri politics appear to know everyone else?

A “Lobbyist Monthly Expenditure Report” for November 2008 which was “Electronically submitted by Travis Brown, on 12/9/2008 7:56:18 PM” with the Missouri Ethics Commission:

…Lobbyist Name: Travis Brown

Address: 912 East Broadway, Suite 207

Columbia,  MO   65201…

…BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS

Direct business relationships, association or partnership with any public official during the reporting period.

Public Official Description Time Period Relationship Existed

Rep. Steve Tilley Co-owner, Mid-Missouri Aviation, LLC, general purpose: general aviation, private travel Since 12/12/2006…

…PRINCIPAL EXPENDITURES

All persons, business entities, governmental entities, religious organizations, non-profit corporations, or associations by whom the lobbyist is employed or retained, from whom the lobbyist receive any expenses or compensation or in whose interest the lobbyist appears.

Principal Name, Address and Phone Number Amount

PELOPIDAS, LLC

912 EAST BROADWAY, SUITE 207

COLUMBIA  MO   65201

XXX-XXX-XXXX $88.00

REX AND JEANNE SINQUEFIELD

XXXXX

ST. LOUIS  MO   63108

XXX-XXX-XXXX $4,569.11

THE BROWN LOBBY FIRM, LLC

912 EAST BROADWAY, SUITE 208

COLUMBIA  MO   65201

XXX-XXX-XXXX $150.00

Note the mailing addresses of the first and third entities.

Let’s take a look at a few businesses registered in Missouri:

Name   Name Type

Pelopidas, L.L.C. Legal

Limited Liability Company – Domestic – Information

Charter Number: LC0819091

Status: Active

Entity Creation Date: 5/25/2007 7:22:47 AM

Expiration Date: Perpetual

Registered Agent

Agent Name: Creach, Erick S.

Office Address: 1103 East Broadway

Columbia MO 65201

Mailing Address:

Organizers

Name: Erick S. Creach

Address: 1103 East Broadway

Columbia MO 65201

Name   Name Type

The Brown Lobby Firm, L.L.C. Legal

Limited Liability Company – Domestic – Information

Charter Number: LC0772785

Status: Active

Entity Creation Date: 10/24/2006

Expiration Date: 12/31/2099

Registered Agent

Agent Name: Creach, Erick S.

Office Address: 1103 East Broadway, Suite 101

Columbia MO 65201

Mailing Address:

Organizers

Name: Erick S. Creach

Address: 1103 East Broadway, Suite 101

Columbia 65201

Name Name Type

Mid-Missouri Aviation, L.L.C. Legal

Limited Liability Company – Domestic – Information

Charter Number: LC0780453

Status: Active

Entity Creation Date: 12/5/2006

Expiration Date: 12/31/2099

Registered Agent

Agent Name: Creach, Erick S.

Office Address: 1103 East Broadway, Suite 101

Columbia MO 65201

Mailing Address:

Organizers

Name: Erick S. Creach

Address: 1103 East Broadway, Suite 101

Columbia 65201

And that plane, owned by Mid Missouri Aviation, LLC?:

FAA Registry

N-Number Inquiry Results

N355PM is Assigned

Aircraft Description

Serial Number   4697071           Type Registration   Corporation

Manufacturer Name PIPER Certificate Issue Date 04/08/2008

Model PA46-500TP Status Valid

Type Aircraft Fixed Wing Single-Engine Type Engine Turbo-Prop

Pending Number Change None Dealer No

Date Change Authorized None Mode S Code 50774261

MFR Year 2001 Fractional Owner NO

Registered Owner

Name     MID MISSOURI AVIATION LLC

Street 12600 S RT N

City COLUMBIA State MISSOURI   Zip Code    65203

County BOONE

Country UNITED STATES

Airworthiness

Engine Manufacturer   P&W   Classification Standard

Engine Model   PT6A SER   Category Normal

        A/W Date 06/12/2001…

…Other Owner Names

None

Temporary Certificate

None

Fuel Modifications

None

A Piper Meridian PA46-500TP. A six seat single engine turbo prop built in 2001. I wonder what they go for? New, right now:

STANDARD EQUIPPED LIST PRICE   $1,896,500

A 2001 model? Depending on the hours, $850,000 to over a million.

What does this particular aircraft look like? Thanks to a plane spotter, you can see a photo of the actual aircraft.

Representative Jason Kander (D – 44) gets cut back by the Speaker:

For Immediate Release

Republican Speaker Blocks Freshman Representative’s Appointment to Powerful Committee

Democrat Jason Kander chooses to view extraordinary step as compliment

Jefferson City – In a late-night meeting between Republican and Democratic senior staff, Speaker Ron Richard’s office characterized Rep. Jason Kander (D-Kansas City), an attorney and Afghanistan veteran, as a “political problem” for the Republicans. Accordingly, the Speaker took the extraordinary step of blocking Kander’s appointment to the powerful professional licensing and registration committee.

A select few other Democratic appointments were blocked, but only Kander did not receive another appointment as a consolation prize. While a handful of senior members in leadership positions have fewer committee assignments, the over 150 rank-and-file members of the House all serve on a minimum of three committees. Kander, who was sworn in less than two weeks ago, is the only rank-and-file member of either party that the Speaker has limited to just two committees.

The professional registration committee oversees the regulation of a variety of professions ranging from insurance agents to physicians. Kander remains on the Homeland Security Committee and the high-profile Budget Committee.

“I think it says a tremendous amount about the strength of young Democrats when the Speaker of the House is going out of his way to play defense against one of our freshmen,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Paul LeVota (D-Independence). “Despite the Speaker’s best efforts, Representative Kander is going to be an extremely effective member of this body.”

“I came here to champion the economic agenda that gave Governor Nixon a twenty point victory, so this presents an obstacle,” said Kander, “but I’ve decided to take the advice of senior members and view this as a roundabout vote of confidence from the Republican leadership.”

But Kander is unlikely to have difficulty filling his day, as he has political duties to tend to outside the Capitol. After his election, Rep. LeVota appointed him to the House Democratic Campaign Committee and his peers in the freshman class elected him to the executive committee of the Freshman Democratic Caucus.

“Jason’s efforts this last election cycle have made his work ethic legendary,” said Rep. Mike Talboy, chair of the House Democratic Campaign Committee.  “It’s no surprise to me that the Speaker is worried about him.”

***

[emphasis added]

Well, let’s look at another freshman representative – Denny Hoskins (r- 121 – “noun, verb, CPA”):

Representative

Denny Hoskins

District 121

Republican

Committees:

   * Budget

   * Appropriations – Transportation and Economic Development

   * Higher Education

   * Veterans

Four committees, count ’em, four. Maybe because he doesn’t like counting the Speaker has figured he wouldn’t notice if they slipped him another one.

Or, maybe because he’s a legislation generating machine. Nope. This is it:

Missouri House of Representatives

2009

95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session

Legislation Sponsored by Rep. Denny Hoskins

COSPONSOR

HB303

Prohibits health insurers from discriminating against any willing provider in the geographic region of the health benefit plan

HB303 — (LR# 0462L.01I)

Introduced and Read First Time (H)

Hmmm. Let’s look at Jason Kander’s bill sponsorship:

Missouri House of Representatives

2009

95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session

Legislation Sponsored by Rep. Jason Kander

COSPONSOR

HB49

Allows voters to cast advance ballots

HB49 — (LR# 0275L.01I)

Read Second Time (H)

HB150

Changes the laws regarding unsecured loans of $500 or less, commonly known as payday loans, and allows the Attorney General to maintain an action to enforce compliance

HB150 — (LR# 0649L.01I)

Read Second Time (H)

HB168

Prohibits members of the General Assembly from contracting with or soliciting each other for the purposes of securing services for political campaigning, fundraising, or consulting

HB168 — (LR# 0638L.01I)

Read Second Time (H)

HB219

Changes the laws regarding the requirements of certain corporate filings

HB219 — (LR# 0888L.01I)

Read Second Time (H)

HB221

Prohibits elected officials from registering or acting as lobbyists within two years after leaving office

HB221 — (LR# 0481L.01I)

Read Second Time (H)

An active legislator interested in accountability. What a concept.

As for the contrast between the two freshman?: One of these things is not like the other…