Tag Archives: Eric Greitens

Whoops, there goes another special election…

31 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri Senate

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From Governor Eric Greitens (r):

Governor Eric Greitens Appoints Leaders Across State and Local Government
July 31, 2017
[….]
State Tax Commission

Senator Will Kraus was appointed as a member of the State Tax Commission. Kraus will be the successor of Ryan McKenna.

Senator Kraus represents the Eighth District of Missouri and has been a leader in tax policy during his time in the Missouri State Senate. He served in the United States Army for 25 years. Kraus also previously served as a State Representative. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Missouri State University.
[….]

There’ll be a special election in the 8th Senate District.

Gov. Eric Greitens (r) – July 2017 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report

19 Wednesday Jul 2017

Posted by in campaign finance

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Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

The quarterly campaign finance reports are due in at the Missouri Ethics Commission. It’s been a relatively quiet fundraising period for Governor Eric Greitens (r). All that Washington, D.C. travel can have an impact.

C151053: Greitens For Missouri
Committee Type: Candidate
Party Affiliation: Republican
Po Box 144
Jefferson City Mo 65102
Established Date: 02/24/2015
[….]
Information Reported On: 2017 – July Quarterly Report
Beginning Money on Hand $2,419,939.44
Monetary Receipts + $101,533.25
Monetary Expenditures – $127,360.60
Contributions Made – $0.00
Other Disbursements – $11,773.29
Subtotal ($37,600.64)
Ending Money On Hand $2,382,338.80

[emphasis added]

Some of the contributions:

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION
CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS RECEIVED
Greitens For Missouri [pdf] 7/17/2017
[….]
13. TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $8,175.29
[….]

[emphasis added]

And some others:

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION
CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED – SUPPLEMENTAL
Greitens For Missouri 7/17/2017

Dwayne Holden 3903 E Eaglescliffe Dr Springfield MO 65809 Custom Metalcraft — CEO 4/3/2017 $2,600.00
Sara Hargis 1470 E Meadowmere St Springfield MO 65804 4 Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper — Business Owner 4/5/2017 $2,600.00
Dolph Woodman 218 E Harrison Street Republic MO 65378 Requested — Requested 4/5/2017 $2,600.00
Dan Cobb 1165 S Post Oak Ct Springfield MO 65809 Retired — Retired 4/12/2017 $2,600.00
Coby Cullins 2732 S Farm Rd 241 Rogersville MO 65742 National Safety Compliance — President 4/12/2017 $2,600.00
James Ferguson 911 Saint Andrews Cir Springfield MO 65809 Heart of America Bev Co — Wholesaler 4/12/2017 $2,600.00
Craig Frazier 2465 S Forrest Heights Ave Springfield MO 65809 Retired — Retired 4/12/2017 $2,600.00
Larry Frazier 567 Dale Ave Hollister MO 65672 Retired — Retired 4/12/2017 $2,600.00
John Johnson 5670 S Glenstone Abbey Ct Springfield MO 65809 Self-Employed — Business Owner 4/12/2017 $2,600.00
William Killian 318 S Farm Road 193 Springfield MO 65809 Killian Construction — CEO 4/12/2017 $2,600.00
Gary Leondard 5101 Shady Oak Place Springfield MO 65804 Steak N Shake — Restauranteur 4/12/2017 $2,600.00
Bryan Magers 840 S Roanoke Ave Springfield MO 65806 Self-employed — Property Development 4/12/2017 $2,600.00
Randy Magers 2776 S Campbell Springfield MO 65807 Magers Management — Commercial RE Developer 4/12/2017 $2,600.00
Gary Metzger 3927 E Knollwood Ozark MO 65721 Simmons Bank — Banker 4/12/2017 $2,600.00
Nick Myers 5873 Riverside Dr Joplin MO 64804 Nick Myers CPA PC — CPA 4/12/2017 $2,600.00
Larry Sexton 10785 Greenlefe Dr Rolla MO 65402 Sellers-Sexton — Owner 4/12/2017 $2,600.00
Steven Warlick 1124 E Portland Ave Springfield MO 65807 Bates — President/CEO 4/12/2017 $2,600.00

[emphasis added]

You get the picture.

Some of the expenditures:

MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION
ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES OVER $100 SUPPLEMENTAL FORM
Greitens For Missouri 7/17/2017

St Louis Cardinals 700 Clark St St. Louis MO 63102 4/5/2017 Event Expense $640.00
St Louis Cardinals 700 Clark St St. Louis MO 63102 4/6/2017 Event Expense $690.00
Kansas City Royals 1 Royal Way Kansas City MO 64129 4/12/2017 Event Expense $1,803.00

Austin Chambers 15 Cricklewood Place Frontenac MO 63131 5/1/2017 Campaign Worker Compensation $1,664.85

Campaign Solutions 117 N Saint Asaph St Alexandria VA 22314 5/2/2017 Merchant Service Fees $334.40
Campaign Solutions 117 N Saint Asaph St Alexandria VA 22314 5/2/2017 Merchant service fees $3,571.33

Missouri Ethics Commission PO Box 1370 Jefferson City MO 65102 5/2/2017 Penalty $100.00

Campaign Solutions 117 N Saint Asaph St Alexandria VA 22314 5/3/2017 Merchant service fees $495.17
Teralogix 1141 S 7th St St Louis MO 63104 5/4/2017 Advertising $1,792.00

Chalmers Pak Burch & Adams LLC 5805 State Bridge Road #G77 Johns Creek GA 30097 5/12/2017 Legal fees $17,350.78

Marriott 1331 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington DC 20004 5/17/2017 Travel $192.26

Campaign Solutions 117 N Saint Asaph St Alexandria VA 22314 5/18/2017 Merchant service fees $1,510.00
MegaPath 6800 Koll Center Parkway Suite 200 Pleasanton CA 94566
5/23/2017

Williams Keepers LLC 3220 W Edgewood Dr # E Jefferson City MO 65109 5/30/2017 Accounting fees $5,045.75

Austin Chambers 15 Cricklewood Place Frontenac MO 63131 5/31/2017 Campaign Worker Compensation $1,664.85

Something Else Strategies 212 Golden Willow Court Easley SC 29642 5/31/2017 Media production $8,000.00

[emphasis added]

Apparently the campaign still has sufficient minigun ammunition left over for future commercials.

Previously:

Gov. Eric Greitens (r) – April 2017 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report (April 18, 2017)

Campaign Finance: freedom to get paid less

17 Monday Jul 2017

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Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for an entity opposed to organized labor:

C161416 07/17/2017 MISSOURIANS FOR WORKER FREEDOM A New Missouri 6614 Clayton Road #181 Richmond Heights MO 63117 7/17/2017 $250,000.00

[emphasis added]

A New Missouri?

Oh, look:

C161416: Missourians For Worker Freedom
Committee Type: Campaign
7509 Nw Tiffany Springs Parkway Suite 300
Kansas City Mo 64153
Established Date: 12/23/2016
[….]
Information Reported On: 2017 – July Quarterly Report
Beginning Money on Hand $0.00
Monetary Receipts + $0.00
Monetary Expenditures – $0.00
Contributions Made – $0.00
Other Disbursements – $0.00
Subtotal $0.00
Ending Money On Hand $0.00

Now they’re flush with cash.

What are they up to?:

Ballot Measure History
Ballot Measures Election Date Subject Support/Oppose
Right To Work 11/06/2018 Initiative Petition 2018-092 Oppose
Right To Work 11/06/2018 Initiative Petition 2018-102 Oppose
Right To Work 11/06/2018 Initiative Petition Banning Right To Work And/Or Government Union Reform Oppose

And who gave them all that money? From March, in the Kansas City Star:

Nonprofit linked to Missouri governor raises new questions about ‘dark money,’ ethics
By Jason Hancock

JEFFERSON CITY
In the shadow of the Missouri Capitol, just a block from the governor’s mansion, sits the headquarters of a just-started nonprofit called A New Missouri Inc.

Founded by Gov. Eric Greitens’ campaign treasurer and housed in a building linked to one of Missouri’s most prolific political donors, the group’s stated purpose is to “promote ideas, policies and/or legislation to create more jobs, higher pay, safer streets, better schools, and more, for all Missourians.”

But its focus will be advocating for the governor and his agenda, a Greitens adviser said this week. And because it’s a nonprofit, A New Missouri can accept unlimited contributions and won’t be required to disclose who is giving it money….

Well.

From $0.00 to $250,000.00 with one contribution – with no way of knowing who actually anted up. “Missourians for worker freedom”? That’s serious fake grassroots.

Previously:

Gov. Eric Greitens (r) thinks you’re a moron (May 23, 2017)

Mix Eric Greitens, ambition, dark money, free speech, strongman rallies and get a toxic mess (June 10, 2017)

Welcome to Eric Greitens’ (r) Missouri…

30 Friday Jun 2017

Posted by in Missouri Governor, social media

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Perfect timing.

Erics Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].


Tony Messenger, via Twitter:

Tony Messenger‏ @tonymess
You know who cuts health care for seniors, K-12 funding and hurts workers on holiday weekend news dump? Career politicians. @EricGreitens
6:14 PM – 30 Jun 2017

Bingo.

99th General Assembly, 2nd Extraordinary Session – HB 1, HB 2, HB 3, HB 6, HB 7, HB 9, HB 14 – interfering in reproductive choice

13 Tuesday Jun 2017

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House

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The General Assembly is in its second extraordinary session called by the governor, by news accounts costing the taxpayers of Missouri $20,000.00 a day. The subject is abortion.

Bills introduced by the anti-choice republican majority:

HB 1 — PAIN CAPABLE UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION [pdf]
SPONSOR: Lichtenegger
This bill creates the “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” which specifies that no abortion may be performed or induced, or attempted to be performed or induced, unless the probable gestational age of the fetus has been determined by a physician to have reached the pain capable gestational age and it is necessary to avert the patient’s death or serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. The physician must terminate the pregnancy in a manner which provides the best opportunity for the fetus to survive unless doing so would pose a greater risk of death or substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function to the patient. Any physician who performs or induces an abortion shall report certain information, as specified in the bill, to the Department of Health and Senior Services. Beginning June 30, 2018, the department must issue a statistical report of reported information during the previous calendar year. Any physician or other licensed medical practitioner who intentionally or recklessly performs or induces an abortion in violation of this bill is subject to discipline from the appropriate licensure board.

HB 2 — ABORTION [pdf]
SPONSOR: Miller
Currently, a person is not permitted to knowingly perform an abortion on a minor unless the attending physician has secured the informed written consent of the minor and one parent or guardian of the minor. This bill requires, except in the case of an emergency, the consenting parent or guardian of the minor to notify any other custodial parent or guardian in writing prior to the securing of the informed written consent of the minor and consenting parent or guardian. A parent or guardian is not required to be given notice under certain circumstances as specified in the bill.

HB 3 — ABORTION [pdf]
SPONSOR: Swan
This bill changes provisions relating to abortion.
SAFE AND RELIABLE CARE The bill allows the Department of Health and Senior Services to adopt rules governing complication plans to ensure patients undergoing abortions induced by drugs or chemicals have access to safe and reliable care (Section 188.021, RSMo).
DEFINITIONS This bill defines a “qualified professional” as the physician who referred the woman to the physician who is to perform the abortion or to the advanced practice registered nurse in a collaborative practice arrangement with the physician performing the abortion (Sections 188.027 and 188.039). This bill defines an “abortion facility” as any establishment operated for the purpose of performing or inducing any second- or third-trimester abortions or five or more first-trimester abortions and which does not provide accommodations for patients to stay more than 23 hours within the establishment (Section 197.200).
ABORTION FACILITIES The bill amends these sections to include abortion facilities (Sections 188.030, 192.665, 192.667, 197.150, 197.152, 197.158, 197.160, 197.162, 197.165, 197.205, 197.215, 197.220, 197.235, 197.240, 197.285, 197.287, 197.289, 197.293, 197.295, and 595.027). LICENSED PHYSICIANS In order to receive a license from the department, the bill requires an abortion facility to provide affirmative evidence that each person authorized to perform abortions is a physician currently licensed to practice in Missouri (Section 197.215). RULES FOR AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTERS AND ABORTION FACILITIES This bill allows the department to adopt separate rules to apply to ambulatory surgical centers and to apply to abortion facilities. Any rule that applies to an abortion facility shall, at minimum, be equal to any physical requirement of an ambulatory surgical center (Section 197.225).
ABORTION FACILITY INSPECTIONS The department shall make an unannounced on-site inspection of any abortion facility at least annually. The inspection shall include: compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, including requirements that the facility maintain adequate staffing and equipment to respond to medical emergencies; compliance that all organs or tissue removed at the time of the abortion be submitted to a board certified pathologist; review of patient records to ensure that no documentation authorizes improper utilization or organs or tissue; compliance with prohibition on the use of public funds to perform or assist a prohibited abortion or to encourage a woman to have a prohibited abortion (Section 197.230).
INTERFERENCE WITH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE A person commits the offense of interference with medical assistance if he or she, while working as an employee of an abortion facility: knowingly orders or requests medical personnel to deviate from any applicable standard of care or ordinary practice while providing medical assistance to a patient for reasons unrelated to the patient’s health or welfare; or knowingly attempts to prevent medical personnel from providing medical assistance to a patience in accordance with all applicable standards of care or ordinary practice for reasons unrelated to the patient’s health or welfare. This offense is a class A misdemeanor (Section 574.200). This bill contains an emergency clause. This bill is similar to HB 5 (2017, Second Extraordinary Session).

An emergency clause from right wingnut republicans in the Missouri General Assembly. Go figure.

HB 6 — ABORTION [pdf]
SPONSOR: Barnes (60) This bill changes provisions relating to abortion.
SAFE AND RELIABLE CARE The bill allows the Department of Health and Senior Services to adopt rules governing complication plans to ensure patients undergoing abortions induced by drugs or chemicals have access to safe and reliable care (Section 188.021, RSMo).
DEFINITIONS This bill defines a “qualified professional” as the physician who referred the woman to the physician who is to perform the abortion or to the advanced practice registered nurse in a collaborative practice arrangement with the physician performing the abortion (Sections 188.027 and 188.039). This bill defines an “abortion facility” as any establishment operated for the purpose of performing or inducing any second- or third-trimester abortions or five or more first-trimester abortions and which does not provide accommodations for patients to stay more than 23 hours within the establishment (Section 197.200).
ABORTION FACILITIES The bill amends these sections to include abortion facilities (Sections 188.030, 192.665, 192.667, 197.150, 197.152, 197.158, 197.160, 197.162, 197.165, 197.205, 197.215, 197.220, 197.235, 197.240, 197.285, 197.287, 197.289, 197.293, 197.295, and 595.027).
ATTORNEY GENERAL JURISDICTION The Attorney General shall have concurrent original jurisdiction throughout the state for actions for a violation of any: provision of Chapter 188 (Regulation of Abortions); state law regarding the use of public funds for an abortion; or state law which regulates an abortion facility or a person who performs an abortion (Section 188.075). LICENSED PHYSICIANS In order to receive a license from the department, the bill requires an abortion facility to provide affirmative evidence that each person authorized to perform abortions is a physician currently licensed to practice in Missouri (Section 197.215).
RULES FOR AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTERS AND ABORTION FACILITIES The bill allows the department to adopt separate rules to apply to ambulatory surgical centers and to apply to abortion facilities. Any rule that applies to an abortion facility shall, at minimum, be equal to any physical requirement of an ambulatory surgical center (Section 197.225).
ABORTION FACILITY INSPECTIONS The department shall make an unannounced on-site inspection of any abortion facility at least annually. The inspection shall include: compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, including requirements that the facility maintain adequate staffing and equipment to respond to medical emergencies; compliance that all organs or tissue removed at the time of the abortion be submitted to a board certified pathologist; review of patient records to ensure that no documentation authorizes improper utilization or organs or tissue; compliance with prohibition on the use of public funds to perform or assist a prohibited abortion or to encourage a woman to have a prohibited abortion (Section 197.230).
INTERFERENCE WITH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE A person commits the offense of interference with medical assistance if he or she, while working as an employee of an abortion facility: knowingly orders or requests medical personnel to deviate from any applicable standard of care or ordinary practice while providing medical assistance to a patient for reasons unrelated to the patient’s health or welfare; or knowingly attempts to prevent medical personnel from providing medical assistance to a patient in accordance with all applicable standards of care or ordinary practice for reasons unrelated to the patient’s health or welfare. This offense is a class A misdemeanor (Section 574.200).
This bill contains an emergency clause. This bill is similar to HB 3 (2017, Second Extraordinary Session).

Gee, another bill with an emergency clause. And similar to HB3.

HB 7 — FETAL TISSUE [pdf]
SPONSOR: Franklin This bill requires that all organs and tissue removed at the time of an abortion be submitted to a pathologist for examination. The pathologist shall file a copy of a report on the sample with the Department of Health and Senior Services and each sample shall be given a unique identification number for tracking. The bill requires that a report shall be created and submitted to the department for each sample at each facility that handles the sample, including the abortion facility, the pathology lab, and the location of final disposition. If the department does not receive a report, it could lead to the suspension of the abortion facility or General Assembly. This bill contains an emergency clause.

Emergency clause.

HB 9 — POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS [pdf]
SPONSOR: Kelly (141)
This bill states that the General Assembly acknowledges the right of an “alternatives to abortion” agency to operate freely and engage in speech without governmental interference and the right of a person not to be compelled by the government to participate in abortion contrary to his or her religious beliefs or moral convictions. The bill specifies that a political subdivision may not enact an order that:
(1) Prohibits, limits, interferes with, or otherwise adversely affects an “alternatives to abortion” agency’s operations or speech. This shall not prevent a political subdivision from exercising its lawful authority to regulate zoning or land use or to enforce a building or fire code regulation, as long as that political; subdivision treats an “alternatives to abortion” agency in the same manner as another similarly situated agency
(2) Requires a person to directly or indirectly participate in abortion if such participation is contrary to the religious beliefs or moral convictions of such person;
(3) Requires any person to conduct real estate transactions for or with an abortion facility or for or with a person for the purpose of performing an abortion not necessary to save the life of the mother; or
(4) Requires a person to provide coverage for or participate in a health plan that includes benefits that are not otherwise required by state law.
In any action to enforce these provisions, a court may order injunctive or other equitable relief, recovery of damages, legal remedies, and payment of reasonable attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses. In addition to a private cause of action, the Attorney General is also authorized to bring a cause of action under these provisions. Nothing in the bill prohibits a political subdivision from enforcing any order to assist pregnant women to carry their unborn child to term or assist women in caring for their children or placing their children for adoption. This bill has an emergency clause.

Allows entities to discriminate based on an individual’s reproductive choices. With an emergency clause. Go figure.

And, finally:

HB 14 — MISSOURI RIGHT TO LIFE ACT [pdf]
SPONSOR: Moon This bill creates the “Missouri Right to Life Act.” The bill states that it is the intent of the General Assembly to protect the life of all humans and require due process of law before the life of any human is ended prior to natural death.

What did you expect?

Gov. Eric Greitens (r): running for president

07 Wednesday Jun 2017

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor

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“…The governor called for the Legislature to pass more medically unnecessary restrictions targeting abortion providers, and override a St. Louis City law that protects people from being fired or discriminated against for getting pregnant, using contraception or any other reproductive health decision…”

Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

The General Assembly has been called into its second special session for this coming Monday, this time on the subject of abortion:

Governor Greitens Announces Pro-Life Special Session
June 7, 2017
Today, Governor Eric Greitens announced his plan to call the legislature back for a special session to protect the lives of the innocent unborn and protect women’s health. The session will focus on protecting pregnancy resource centers and proposals for common-sense health and safety standards in abortion clinics.
Governor Greitens explained his announcement in a Facebook video, stating:
“I’m pro-life, and I believe that we need to defend life and promote a culture of life here in the state of Missouri.
For me, that comes from the work I’ve done. I’ve worked with kids in Cambodia who’d lost limbs to land mines and who were survivors of polio. Children of the street in Bolivia, and children who were orphaned because of war and genocide.
I also saw the value of true love and compassion in one of Mother Theresa’s homes for the destitute and dying. I saw the power of faith leaders who stood up and affirmed that every life had value and worth. 
Our faith community and volunteers do incredible work to support people in need. And there’s few finer examples than the work pregnancy care centers do across our state.
These charitable organizations and community groups work with pregnant women and new moms. They offer newborn children food and clothing, offer free pre-natal care and ultrasounds, and help find women find housing and even pay for utilities. They help with adoption when needed, and protect women from domestic abuse. They even do job training and help women find jobs to support their new families.
In the city of St. Louis, some of these pregnancy care centers are under attack. There’s a new city law making St. Louis an abortion sanctuary city—where pregnancy care centers can’t work the way they’re supposed to. Politicians are trying to make it illegal, for example, for pro-life organizations to say that they just want to hire pro-life Missourians.
The Senate had a bill to address this during the session—but they failed to act. We’re calling a special session to support the people doing this vital work to help women and children.
I also believe that we should have common-sense health and safety standards in all medical facilities. A court decision from earlier this year weakened our state’s health standards in abortion clinics. So, we’re also proposing some basic, common-sense standards to keep Missourians safe.
We’re proposing, for example, that abortion clinics should have an annual safety inspection.
We’re proposing that these clinics should have a plan for complications.
And we’re proposing a fix that will stop abortion clinics from interfering with emergency responders. If a woman needs help, abortion clinics shouldn’t be able to tell an ambulance to come slowly–to not use their lights and sirens–or to go around to the back gate, just because they are worried that an ambulance arriving might make their abortion clinic look bad.
I’m proud to support life—the lives of mothers, their children, and the innocent unborn. It’s an honor to serve you, have a great day and God Bless.”
[….]

Interestingly, neither Medicaid expansion nor repeal of the death penalty are on the right wingnut agenda for the session. That makes this special session anti-abortion, not “pro-life”.

From Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri:

Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri Criticizes Gov. Greitens for Playing Politics with Missourians’ Health
For Immediate Release: June 7, 2017
Unnecessary and costly special session caters to anti-reproductive health extremists

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today, Governor Eric Greitens called on lawmakers to return to  Jefferson City for an extraordinary legislative session — costing Missouri taxpayers $20,000 a day — to restrict Missourians’ reproductive health and rights. The governor called for the Legislature to pass more medically unnecessary restrictions targeting abortion providers, and override a St. Louis City law that protects people from being fired or discriminated against for getting pregnant, using contraception or any other reproductive health decision. Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri opposes this extreme, frivolous and expensive effort to endanger women’s health with even more medically unnecessary restrictions on safe, legal abortion.

On the heels of a costly special session and just one month after regular session adjourned, Gov. Greitens is forcing lawmakers to return once again to push more measures that undermine individual rights to access sexual and reproductive health care.

M’Evie Mead, director of policy and organizing for Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri, issued the following statement:

“Since the November election, tens of thousands of Missourians have taken to the streets, filled town halls, and rallied to support reproductive rights, access to abortion, and affordable health care. Planned Parenthood supporters in Missouri, a list that grows by the thousands each month, will not tolerate politicians who promote more government intrusion into their personal reproductive health decisions and think the best use of tax dollars is on more government bureaucracy.

In just the past two years, Missouri lawmakers have rejected millions in federal funds and replaced it with precious, limited state dollars just so they can discriminate against patients and block their ability to access health care from providers that offer comprehensive reproductive health care. Governor Greitens should reject that irresponsible and deeply unpopular measure rather than invite the Legislature to pass more unconstitutional bills that restrict access to health care.”

###

Gov. Eric Greitens (r) thinks you’re a moron

23 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by in campaign finance, Missouri Governor, Missouri Senate

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“…The people who believe in voter intimidation believe that the minute you make a political donation that you immediately need to turn all your information over to the government…”

Uh, that would be called “transparency”.

From two senators:

For immediate release
May 23, 2017
Senators to Gov. Greitens: Do You Really Want to Abolish the Missouri Ethics Commission?

Jefferson City, Mo. – State Senators Jason Holsman, D-Kansas City, and Scott Sifton, D-St. Louis, are calling on Gov. Eric Greitens to clarify or recant his recent comments disparaging Missouri voters’ support of campaign finance transparency.
“Recently, Gov. Greitens went on the radio and seemingly called for an abolition of Missouri’s voter-approved campaign disclosure laws. Even for a Governor who prefers to operate from the shadows, this new call for complete and total darkness for his big dollar donors is troubling,” Sen. Holsman said. “I cannot truly believe that a Governor who recently admitted to breaking campaign finance laws would have the audacity to call for dismantling the very system that exposed his wrongdoing. The Governor needs to clarify or recant his statements so that the people of Missouri know where Eric Greitens stands on laws that protect against corruption and pay-to-play.”
During his interview with St. Louis radio station KMOX on Monday, the Governor criticized Missouri’s donor disclosure laws, which were recently reaffirmed by Missouri voters, saying:
“The people who believe in voter intimidation believe that the minute you make a political donation that you immediately need to turn all your information over to the government. You need to turn over your home address and your contact information, so that the government can turn around and publish that,” Greitens said.
The ‘people’ to which the Governor was referring, are the nearly 70 percent of the electorate that voted for strengthening Missouri’s current campaign finance laws, which include the disclosure requirements criticized by the Governor.
“Missouri’s ethics disclosure laws have provided a bedrock of transparency for decades. The Governor is wrong to malign transparency and disclosure,” Sen. Scott Sifton said. “The people have a right to know who is paying for campaigns.”
On November 8, 2016, Missouri voters overwhelming approved Constitutional Amendment 2 with 69.95 percent of the vote, far surpassing Gov. Greitens’ 51.14 percent vote total in that same election. Among its provisions, Constitutional Amendment 2 states that: ‘The people of the state of Missouri hereby find and declare that excessive campaign contributions to political candidates create the potential for corruption and the appearance of corruption … (and) … the interests of the public are best served by limiting campaign contributions, providing for full and timely disclosure of campaign contributions, and strong enforcement of campaign finance requirements.’
During his 2016 campaign for Governor Eric Greitens in a radio interview on the Politically Speaking Podcast with Jason Rosenbaum made the following statement:
“What I have found is the most important thing is there is transparency around the money, we have already seen these secretive super PACs where they don’t take any responsibility for what they are funding. We saw secretive super PACs who were attacking Tom Schweich where people hide behind these organizations. There will probably be more (super PACs) because that is how the game has always been played. I am very proud to tell people that I am stepping forward and you can see every single one of our donors because we are proud of our donors and we are proud of our campaign.”
The existence of Governor Greitens’ secret 501(C)(4) PAC, A New Missouri, ensures that he will continue to play the game like a ‘career politician’.
“Perhaps the Governor is no longer proud of his donors and wishes them to remain in the dark,” added Sen. Holsman. “Either way, his reversal of position on transparency is disappointing.”
###

Uh, the government is the people.

On the wisdom of picking a fight with the entire General Assembly

20 Saturday May 2017

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

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Big mistake. Big. Huge.

Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

From the Governor’s office:

Governor Eric Greitens Calls Special Session on Jobs
May 18, 2017
Today, Governor Eric Greitens announced that he is bringing the legislature back for a special session on Monday with one topic: the steel mill bill. At the end of the 2017 legislative session, some career politicians in the Senate blocked efforts to bring a steel mill and other projects to the state of Missouri. Those projects could create hundreds of jobs in southeast Missouri.
Governor Greitens released the following statement, “We are fighting to bring more jobs to the people of Missouri. Some career politicians failed to do their jobs and then went home. That’s wrong. We’re cancelling their summer vacations and calling a special session to get this done.”
This issue was championed by Rep. Don Rone (R-Portageville)during the 2017 legislative session, and an amendment aimed at addressing the issue was passed by the House (148-2) but blocked in the Missouri Senate.
The special session will begin at 4:00 P.M. on Monday.

Governor Eric Greitens (r), via social media:

Eric Greitens‏ @EricGreitens
I’m fighting for more jobs. Some politicians failed to do their job and then went home. That’s wrong. No vacations. I’m bringing them back.
[….]
4:10 PM – 18 May 2017

Representative Bruce Franks, Jr. (D) [2017 file photo]

From Representative Bruce Franks, Jr. (D):

Bruce Franks Jr‏ @brucefranksjr
Dear Gov @EricGreitens Funerals, graduations, mentoring,community meetings, saving lives! That’s what I’ve been doing on my #moleg vacation
9:45 AM – 19 May 2017 from St Louis, MO

Not on vacation.

Representative Cora Faith Walker (D) [2017 file photo].

From Representative Cora Faith Walker (D):

Cora Faith Walker‏ @CoraFaith4MO
Not a career politician, but I do know that holding elected office & being a true public servant is SO much more than a photo op.
7:37 PM – 19 May 2017

Not a career politician, but a public servant.

Ouch.

State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D) to Governor Eric Greitens (r): veto SB 43

17 Wednesday May 2017

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly

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State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D) has concerns about the impact of new legislation on whistleblower protections.

State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D) [2016 file photo].

Auditor Galloway statement on legislation to weaken whistleblower protections for state employees
State Auditor urges Governor to veto bill
May 17, 2017

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway issued the following statement on Senate Bill 43, which jeopardizes whistleblower protections for state employees.

“This legislation makes it easier for government to operate in the shadows. Employees must be able to raise concerns without fear of losing their jobs. If enacted, the measure would almost certainly create a chilling effect that would undermine the state’s ability to uncover wasteful, improper or illegal uses of taxpayer dollars. Compromising long-standing whistleblower protections increases the threat of retaliation and fosters an environment of intimidation for those who report wrongdoing.”

Auditor Galloway urged the Governor to veto the bill, which the legislature passed during the 2017 legislation session. [….]

The text of the letter [pdf]:

Nicole R. Galloway, CPA
Missouri State Auditor
May 17, 2017

The Honorable Eric R. Greitens
Office of the Missouri Governor
State Capitol, Room 216
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102

Dear Governor Greitens,

While numerous issues were raised about SB 43 in the General Assembly, I am specifically concerned the bill weakens protections for government whistleblowers. I ask you to veto this legislation.

As Auditor, it is my duty to hold government accountable by exposing wasteful spending. That is why my office operates a whistleblower hotline to allow Missourians to report waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement, and potential illegal activity.

Audit staff investigate allegations made through this hotline. We take very seriously our need to protect whistleblower identities because the threat of retaliation is real. I fear SB 43 makes it much less likely whistleblowers will come forward to report public misconduct or corruption.

The so-called Whistleblower Protection Act specifically excludes employees of state and local government and higher education from protections against retaliation for reporting unlawful activity. This exclusion could allow state employees to be fired for reporting government activities that threaten public health or disclosing other malfeasance to the legislature, state auditor, attorney general, or any state entity charged with investigating alleged misconduct.

Additionally, employees who are requested by a public entity to come forward and provide evidence of government misconduct could be subject to firing. Conceivably, the Missouri department of Corrections employees who were invited to testify before a House committee this past session about issues within the department could be fired for providing that testimony.

Government must operate with transparency, and that transparency necessarily must include a guarantee of protection for government employees reporting mismanagement of taxpayer dollars. Compromising protections for state employees who come forward with allegations of improper activity will allow government to increasingly operate in the shadows.

SB 43 means Missourians are less likely to see elimination of wasteful practices that whistleblowers culd expose. This will cost taxpayers money. In the interest of uncovering wasteful spending and deterring retaliation against those that expose government wrongdoing, I urge you to veto SB 43.

Sincerely,
/s
Nicole R. Galloway, CPA
State Auditor

We’ll see.

Campaign Finance: that’s a fine mess he’s gotten into

29 Saturday Apr 2017

Posted by in campaign finance

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Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

(Everybody else seems to like this photo.)

Yesterday the Missouri Ethics Commission fined Governor Eric Greitens (r) and his campaign $1,000.00 for a campaign reporting violation. According to the Missouri Ethics Commission at some point [pdf] in early 2015 the Greitens campaign received a donor list which it did not initially report and which was used by someone in the campaign to contact potential donors.

If the respondents pay 10% of the fine ($100.00) within forty-five days and there are no further violations within two years that will end the matter.