Missouri Times - February 12, 2018

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The Missouri Times

FEBRUARY 12, 2018

SPECIAL ELECTION

THREE REPUBLICANS, ONE DEMOCRAT HEAD TO THE HOUSE PAGE 5

EDGE- NO-MOOR?

PAGE 8

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OPINION

Missouri Times The

129 E. High Street, Suite D, Jefferson City, MO | 573-746-2912

pressreleases@themissouritimes.com

@MissouriTimes

Scott Faughn, Publisher | scott@themissouritimes.com | @ScottFaughn Rachael Herndon Dunn, Editor | rachael@themissouritimes.com | @RachaelHernDunn Benjamin Peters, Reporter | benjamin@themissouritimes.com | @BenjaminDPeters Alisha Shurr, Reporter | alisha@themissouritimes.com | @AlishaShurr

Raise the age!

By Jennifer Bukowsky Currently, Missouri is one of only five states that sends all 17-year-olds accused of a crime to the adult criminal justice system.

When 17-year-olds are arrested in Missouri, they are treated as adults and no one is required to inform their parents of their arrest.

While in their junior year of high school, these kids can (and do) go to court, plead guilty, and get an adult criminal record – all without telling their parents.

Missouri makes it harder for teens to grow into successful adults by automatically sending 17-year-olds into the adult criminal justice system. And Missouri teens – unlike their counterparts in surrounding states and throughout most of the country – are given adult criminal records. This can handicap these kids for life – preventing them from joining the military, going to school, gaining employment, or obtaining an occupational license.

Raising the age of criminal responsibility would start kids off in the juvenile system, and allow judges to transfer those with the most violent offenses to the adult system.

During the 2017 Missouri Legislative session, “Raise the Age” was unanimously approved by a voice vote in the Missouri House.

Since then: Missouri State University economics Professor David Mitchell studied the fiscal impact of the Raise the Age bill and found that it would result in a net benefit to our State of $48.5 million annually once fully implemented.

This finding is consistent with similar studies in Texas and North Carolina concluding that raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction

would have a net annual benefit to those states of $88.9 million and $52.3 million, respectively.

The Show-Me Institute added Raise the Age to its 2018 Blueprint: Moving Missouri Forward North Carolina and New York both enacted Raise the Age. And the other four besides MO who have not yet raised the age (TX, GA, MI, WI), are working on doing so now.

Seventeen-year-olds tend to make some dumb decisions. That’s why they don’t get to vote, buy cigarettes, enter into contracts, serve in the military, get married without parental consent, and why it’s illegal to abuse and neglect them. They are still children. And it is in the best interest of our state and in the best interest of those children to give them the benefit of the services of our juvenile justice system.

Newt Gingrich wrote an Op-Ed in the St. Louis Post Dispatch in support of Missouri raising the age two years ago. He’s smart. It’s time to listen to him. Pass this bill.

Jennifer Bukowsky is a constitutional and criminal defense attorney in Columbia, Missouri. She is also a regular Missouri Times columnist and a weekly guest on the Gary Nolan Show. She serves on the Missouri Supreme Court’s Task Force on Criminal Justice and on the boards of the Show-Me Institute and the Federalist Society–Jefferson City Lawyers Chapter. She previously served on Governor Eric Greitens’ Transition Team, as a Trump delegate at the RNC in 2016, and was an adjunct professor of law for the University of Missouri. She received a J.D. with highest honors from the University of Missouri School of Law in 2006, and earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees in accounting from the University of Missouri–Columbia in 2001.

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The Missouri Times

TWEETS OF THE WEEK

Highlights in 280 characters or less.

Richard Callow @publiceyestl You would probably not be happy if a “local billionaire” bought the PostDispatch.

Kathie Conway @KathieConway Word of the day in budget hearings is “robust”. #moleg

Jeremy LaFaver @jeremylafaver Remember when the Royals won a national championship and we all got together in a big park and had fun and nobody got hurt or stole a TV? That was cool.

Bryan Lowry @BryanLowry3 Colyer: “I want to be the most approachable governor in Kansas history.” cc: @J_Hancock #ksleg #moleg

HOT LIST

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

HRCC

Rob Knodell and his team led Missouri Republicans to special election victory in 3 of 4 seats in a time when ratings for the leader of the Party inconveniently plummeted.

Bruce DeGroot @brucedegroot I caught one thiiiis big. #moleg

MIKE REVIS

Revis took a seat that voted overwhelmingly for President Trump and turned it blue with the help of a stellar team including veteran operative Angela Bingaman.

CHEZ MONET

It’s finally open!

The Capitol can be conveniently fed again!

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SUNDAY MORNINGS KANSAS CITY - 38 THE SPOT AT 10:00 A.M. ST. LOUIS - ABC 30 KDNL AT 11:00 A.M. SPRINGFIELD - MCN 22 AT 11:00 A.M. MID-MISSOURI - MCN 22 AT 11:00 A.M.

STREAM ONLINE AT TWMP.TV

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The Missouri Times

CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS

Democrats flip one district amid Greitens scandal

by Benjamin Peters

benjamin@themissouritimes.com

In an interview with the Morning Consult last week, Governor Eric Greitens wouldn’t say if he thought the Missouri Republican Party could hold all four seats in Tuesday’s special elections, saying “That’s up to the voters. …

What I can tell you is Republican policies are working.”

The voters, it seems, may see things a little differently, as Republicans failed to hold all four seats as their Democratic counterparts came up with a significant upset in one of the four races,and the fingers are already pointing toward Greitens’ scandal as a potential factor for the loss.

I am going to say what no one else is right now - we (Missouri Republicans) just lost a MO House seat because of @EricGreitens and his refusal to put our party over his ego. @RobertKnodell and the @Missouri_HRCC team ran a hell of a race and deserved a win.

— Scott Dieckhaus (@sdieckhaus) February 7, 2018

And whether or not Eric Greitens had anything to do with this loss, Republicans in the

legislature will start feeling nervous and will want to blame him — Daily Kos Elections (@DKElections) February 7, 2018 The major upset of the night came in House District 97, a place where polling from a third party group showed that Republicans went from a +20 favorable to -15 in late December and early January.

That same district was one that President Donald Trump won by 28 points.

But that proved to have little effect, as Democratic newcomer Mike Revis claimed victory with a threepoint margin over Republican David Linton, despite Republicans dumping tens of thousands of dollars into the race.

Prior to the Tuesday election, Robert Knodell, the executive director of the Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee, told the Missouri Times that they were “cautiously optimistic in all four races,” but said they had seen more of a battleground in the 97th and 144th districts.

The 39th and 129th proved to be easy wins for Republicans, being in deep-red territory.

Republican Peggy McGaugh followed her son’s footsteps and takes the seat in HD 39, defeating Democrat Ethan Perkinson with 64 percent of the vote.

And Republican Jeff Knight rolled to an easy victory to replace now-Senator Sandy Crawford, defeating Democratic candidate Ronna Ford with a 69-31 percent victory.

Republicans will control 115 House seats going into the November 2018 elections, while Democrats will hold 47 seats.

A joint statement from House Speaker Todd Richardson, Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr, and Majority Floor Leader Rob Vescovo states: “House Republicans are pleased to have captured 3 of 4 special elections in Missouri tonight. On a day that be-

gan with winter weather conditions, we are disappointed to narrowly lose a district that had been historically held by Democrats until recent years.

“Tonight Missouri House Republicans retained and reinforced a strong supermajority moving forward that we will maintain and grow this November, as we have in the past four general elections. Rest assured that Missouri House Republicans are united, determined, and confident in our ability to successfully take our message of economic opportunity and renewing the greatness of Missouri and America to voters throughout our state this fall.”

A statement from the Missouri House Democrats reads: “Missourians have spoken: it’s time for change in Jefferson City, and the majority par-

ty can no longer ignore the wellbeing of our working families. These results will echo the halls of the Capitol and send a message to every Republican incumbent — if you keep putting special interests over the people of Missouri, we are coming for your seat. The Republican Party flooded these four districts with hundreds of thousands of dollars in negative attacks on our candidates. Our volunteers knocked doors, made calls, wrote postcards and spread the positive messages of our homegrown candidates.

We were outspent 10 to 1, but our message and people power mattered more than dollars. The special elections today are our first step towards regaining balance in this state. We are excited to welcome Rep.-elect Mike Revis to our caucus, and we look forward to adding even more new team members in November.”

WATER

We all need it to live and to feel alive.

Serving more than 1 million Missourians every day, water is all we think about.

We constantly monitor our treatment facilities, maintain miles of pipeline, and perform countless quality tests each day.

So no matter when you need your water, it’s always there.

Just the way it should be.

WE KEEP LIFE FLOWING

TM

6 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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Neely’s bill gives those with terminal illnesses access to medical marijuana House Committee on General Laws hears emotion-packed testimony from veterans, mothers and other witnesses

by Alisha Shurr

alisha@themissouritimes.com

Jane Suozzi’s daughter, Kim, knowingly and willingly broke the law in Missouri. Diagnosed with brain cancer shortly before graduating from Truman State University in 2011, Kim researched every option available.

“She was very bright and passionate and when the doctors gave her two years to live, she did everything she could to access experimental treatments to treat her brain tumor,” Jane Suozzi said.

That research led Kim to a clinical trial in Israel where researchers were studying cannabis in combination with chemotherapy. According to Jane Suozzi, Kim “took the plunge on her

own.”

“Kim viewed marijuana the same as all the other experimental options she pursued. She didn’t enjoy it but it gave her some additional hope and sometimes relieved her nausea,” Jane Suozzi said. Kim ultimately lost her battle to brain cancer in 22 months.

The use of marijuana, for any reason, is illegal under Missouri’s criminal code. Federally, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classifies all forms of cannabis as a Schedule I drug.

Legislation introduced by Rep. Jim Neely — who lost his daughter two years ago — would very narrowly open up the use of “medical” cannabis.

HB 1554 expands “the definition of investigational drugs to include medical marijuana

that may have passed out of clinical trials” according to Neely, which would allow those with terminal illnesses — like Kim — the option to access marijuana. The U.S. National Library of Medicine currently lists 42 active trials, and another 143 trails that are recruiting, regarding cannabis.

“This bill is a continuation of the ‘Right to Try’ legislation that passed in 2014,” Neely said.

The House General Laws Committee heard heart-wrenching, tear-jerking stories from veterans — one who drove 14 hours from Colorado — mothers, a former police officer, a cancer survivor and witnesses on the benefits of marijuana for medical purposes.

The veterans had a major caveat in the testimony offered — they were speaking to a broader scope than covered by the bill. As written, the legislation would not encompass most of their situations and experiences. It wouldn’t apply to a veteran with PTSD or for pain management or any situation that isn’t classified as terminal.

“I wish this went further than it does,” Rep. Peter Merideth said. “It bothers me that you have to be dying to access this.”

Neely isn’t opposed to expanding the scope of the legislation in the future but for now, he would like to see it go forward with the terminal individual to “get feel for how we are going to move forward with this.”

“If it is effective, why not expand it?” Neely asked.

Several of the witnesses advocated for that very thing but one veteran recognizes this bill as an “initial key step that absolutely needs to be taken.”

That’s not to say the legislation is without flaws. The main opposition point is that this would put Missouri at odds with federal law.

“People who comply with this law will be in violation of federal law,” a representative from the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorney said. “States don’t nullify federal law. It creates confusion.”

Schaaf, Libla lead filibuster against Emery’s ‘utility tax’ bill

by Benjamin Peters

benjamin@themissouritimes.com

Sen. Ed Emery has been pushing forward with utility legislation for years now, and the Republican from Lamar is doubling down in his latest attempt.

The senator on Wednesday night presented a substitute version of the so-called “rate-cap bill,” which sought to address some of the issues his fellow senators have discussed, but one provision, in particular, caught the eyes of many across the state.

An amendment to SB 564, would cut electric bills by more than $100 million per year, putting the money back into ratepayers’ pockets “in a matter of weeks,” according to a news release from Emery.

“Because the federal legislation cut the corporate income tax rate from roughly 39 percent to 21 percent, regulated utilities in Missouri will pay less in taxes,” stated Sen. Emery. “This money should go back to customers who are paying utility rates based on the old tax brackets. States with newer, more efficient regulatory models, are able to quickly refund these dollars back to utility customers. In fact, due to grid modernization language passed in Illinois in 2011, utility customers in Illinois will soon see millions in rate cuts.”

A number of states currently have a regulatory mechanism in place to quickly implement

similar rate reductions for consumers, but supporters of the bill note that in Missouri, a normal rate case before the Public Service Commission is the only method that could implement such a mechanism, saying it could take up to a year or more to be enacted.

The amendment would give the PSC one-

However, the same opposition that has appeared every time similar legislation has been produced was once again ready to make a stand.

Sens. Rob Schaaf, Doug Libla, and Gary Romine rose to filibuster the bill, with Schaaf and Libla taking the first shots against the bill that night.

“This is the bill that is shamelessly labeled as

time authority to change rates within 90 days for electric utilities not currently in a rate case. According to Emery’s release, without this amendment, customers may not receive full tax benefits, and any benefits they ultimately receive would be substantially delayed.

a rate cap bill,” Schaaf said, claiming that the bill was simply an attempt to enrich utility companies like Ameren. “It’s shameful how this bill has been put to the public.”

“The word around the Capitol is that we are to be broken,” he continued. “This bill is pure

special interest to help electric companies. Does anyone believe that Ameren wants a bill that will not make them more money?”

Schaaf referred senators and listeners to one of his tweets, urging the public to call their senators and lay the bill over.

This is a retweet from 5/21/17. pic.twitter. com/YwDCYNTMB3 — Rob Schaaf (@robschaaf) February 8, 2018 “What happens if we’re right?” Sen. Doug Libla asked. “This bill can permanently change how your electricity rates are set… It’s not about grid modernization, it is about bank account maximization.”

The two exchanged comments for more than an hour, questioning how long leadership intended to work on the bill and whether they would resort to the nuclear option of the PQ to perfect the bill. Their House counterparts had already used the PQ in that body twice during the course of the day.

“If they had 18 votes to PQ us, they’d do it,” Libla said.

“PQ us and see what the people of Missouri say,” Schaaf responded. “Just do it... or show us the respect of laying the bill over.”

Shortly after 8 p.m., Libla retired after Schaaf called for “Phase 2” of the plan, who then resorted to reading reviews of Tamko shingles.

Libla returned at 9 p.m., two hours after the Senate had taken up the bill for perfection.

The Missouri Times

7 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Committee hears Romine’s bill to revamp the gubernatorial appointment process Supporters point to the lack of a functioning Missouri State Board of Education to highlight the need to fix the ‘broken process’

by Benjamin Peters

benjamin@themissouritimes.com

As promised, Sen. Gary Romine’s legislation seeking to address the gubernatorial appointments process has made some progress this week, with the Senate Committee on Government Reform hearing arguments on the bill early Wednesday morning.

Romine’s bill, SB 794, was discussed on the Senate floor one week ago, while the Missouri Senate filibustered attempts to give approval and consent to some of the appointments made

by Governor Eric Greitens.

The bill, Romine told his colleagues, “would go a long way to correct the abuses of this Governor of appointing and removing people.”

And in Wednesday’s hearing, Romine echoed that sentiment.

“This bill is a response to some of the concerns we had this summer regarding the State Board of Education being appointed, asked to resign, and so forth,” he said. “This bill makes sure that if someone is appointed by the Governor in the interim, they will have the opportunity to serve and make most of the decisions placed before them based on their own understanding and conscience without fear of retribution.”

That bill would change several things regarding the processes of making appointments: It would require the Governor to inform the Senate, in writing, of any appointments made while the legislature is not in session, and states that no appointee can be sworn in until that notification would be made. It also states that the Governor cannot withdraw or rescind that appointment except for charges of malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office.

It also makes modifications to the State Board of Education, stating that at no time will more than two members be classified as “independent.”

It requires that each member of the Board is sworn in during open session, and that to establish a quorum, there must be five members who have “received the advice and consent of the Senate” and that no official actions may be taken unless a majority of such votes therefor.

It also repeals a provision authorizing the Governor to make a temporary appointment to the Board if a vacancy arises while the legislature is not in session.

In the event that the Board cannot act, the

State Treasurer would distribute funds and appropriations to school districts as necessary.

Sen. Ed Emery spoke about his interviews with some of the appointees, and whether there had been any discussions of whether they had been instructed by the Governor on how to handle the Board of Education and what to do with former Commissioner Margie Vandeven, saying that they had told him that neither the Governor nor his staff had imposed on them.

“You have to consider that when there are ten appointees made, and are asked to resign or are withdrawn, to finally to get to a number needed to oust the commissioner, you can draw a pretty concise conclusion,” Romine re-

plied.

“Sure, I just think that personally talking to those people is probably better than drawing conclusions,” Emery said.

Sen. Bill Eigel said that the bill’s intent was not to remove the authority of the Governor, but really more to “protect the Senate’s role in advising and consent”, noting that he had also had discussions with the nominees and that none of them reported receiving a litmus test from the Governor’s Office.

“My only comment is that, given that the Governor had to make ten picks to fill the positions, perhaps he should have had a litmus test,” Eigel said, drawing chuckles from the committee and audience.

Eigel did question the provisions regarding the party requirements, saying that he was concerned that it made enrollment in a political party one of the standards or qualifications for public appointees.

“Most of the boards have that balance so as to not become a politically driven board or commission,” Romine said.

Speaking in favor of the bill, Mike Lodewegen of the Missouri Association of School Administrators said it was obvious that the process needed review.

“Right now, we don’t even have a functioning state school board,” he said.

“This process is broken.”

Right now, Greitens’ five appointees, Jennifer Edwards, Eddy Justice, Doug Russell, Marvin Jungmeyer and Eric Teeman, are still waiting for the Senate to confirm them. Without them, the state board cannot meet due to a lack of a quorum, but some senators - particularly Romine - have already made it clear that they will block the confirmation process.

Measure combatting human trafficking heads to Govenor As National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month came to a close, the General Assembly took the final step to send a bill to Gov. Eric Greitens that would bring even more awareness across the state for victims to obtain help. House Bill 1246, which passed the House 139–5, would require the Department of Public Safety to develop human trafficking hotline posters to provide victims information on how to reach the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline.

“This bill is the result of the tireless work of our dear friend, Rep. Cloria Brown,” said House

Speaker Todd Richardson. “Her dedication to raising awareness of this epidemic in Missouri and fighting for the vulnerable people being bought and sold for sexual exploitation is an inspiration to all in the House.”

Because of Missouri’s location in the crossroads of the country, human trafficking is a growing problem in the state. A $9.5 billion a year business nationally, Missouri ranks 14th for the most reported human trafficking cases according to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.

Bill sponsor, Rep. Patricia Pike said, “I was

honored to build on past legislation of many other legislators, such as Rep. Cloria Brown, who have worked to address human trafficking issues in Missouri. This informational poster is designed to be an import tool to make Missourians better aware of the resources available to assist victims of trafficking and provide law enforcement officials better means to identify victims and stop trafficking throughout Missouri.”

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline has had much success in rescuing victims of the modern day form of slavery.

Promoting the phone number and how to text

the hotline in common areas where human trafficking occurs - such as hotels or motels that have been cited for prostitution or train and bus stations, as well as, truck stops - is one step toward helping the victims of sex trafficking get help.

Richardson added, “This is a serious problem that we are committed to fighting to eradicate throughout Missouri. I am proud of my House and Senate colleagues on both side of the aisle for understanding the severity of this rampant crisis and making the passage of HB 1246 a priority this session.”

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Edgemoor loses the support of KC Mayor-elect ahead of final MOU vote

by Rachael Dunn

rachael@themissouritimes.com

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After being voted down by a super-majority vote in December, a second and final vote on the memo of understanding (MOU) for the Kansas City International Airport between Kansas City and Maryland-headquartered Edgemoor approaches, the opposition against the proposed developer has gained momentum and a major ally.

Wagner Wednesday, Councilman Scott Wagner, the mayor pro tem, is the latest member of the City Council to voice his opposition and concerns with further doing business with Edgemoor, posting on Facebook details of concerns he had ahead of a vote on the MOU. “I hope to see a thoughtfulness and a willingness to see what we’re saying yes to,” Wagner told the Missouri Times. “I focus in the post solely on the experience of other airports because you do not put that in a memorandum of understanding. There has not been, to date, any real discussion of what that is. I was making those calls to help me understand what is going on and help me understand how I should

vote on this MOU. What I was concerned the most with was this rhetoric that everybody was out there to obstruct something, but the point that I’ve been trying to make is that we’re trying to do our due diligence. We’re trying to understand what we’re walking into here.”

Earlier this week, the Kansas City Black Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas City Hispanic Contractors Association and other civic leaders have issued statements in opposition to entering into an agreement with Edgemoor.

Edgemoor is the lead on a team comprised of its parent company, Washington D.C.-based Clark Construction, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) from Chicago, Egyptian-owned Weitz Construction, and Clarkson Construction from Kansas City.

I’ve always found Scott to be thoughtful and forthright. I wish more elected officials explained their positions as thoroughly. KC needs to get this right, not add to the list of debacles. #NewKCI — Ryan Silvey (@RyanSilvey) February 7, 2018 In a thorough and detailed statement, Councilman Wagner laid out his opposition to

Edgemoor. Councilman Wagner’s opposition is a major blow to the Edgemoor effort as he is one of the more respected members of the council and one of Mayor Sly James staunchest allies.

Councilman Wagner’s opposition is the most detailed opposition to date. Wagner cites significant cost overruns, delays and other problems with Clark and Skidmore Owings and Merrill team at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport project.

“The people want to see a project that is smooth, where they see that they see all the various stakeholders coming together and being part of the project,” Wagner told the Missouri Times. “There has been an assumption of speed over anything else, but I think that becomes an issue because speed is no substitute for a good process and people thinking through what they’re doing. My hope in calling some of these things to light that are going on in Seattle, that there’s a price for speed and that’s not doing the due diligence that we have a good partner and a good deal.”

In a partner, Wagner said that he hoped to see understanding and demonstration of understanding, which he believes has been lacking to the people of Kansas City.

“They’ll say whatever they need to say to satisfy me,” Wagner said, pointing to a labor agreement that he was told the Edgemoor team was ready to sign, but hasn’t come to fruition almost a month and a half later.

But, the last straw for Wagner in pulling his support was emerging patterns similar to the Seattle airport project.

“I was told, ‘if you have these guys, you need to run away as fast as you can.’ That’s kind of a curious statement to hear,” Wagner said. “The last straw for me was looking for patterns and taking what I’ve been told, taking what has been suggested either based on the desire to work in Kansas City, and just kind of answering what isn’t going well in Seattle. Is the experience that they’ve been having in Seattle similar to the experiences we’ve been having in Kansas City in the conversations I’m having here.”

Though this may be a bump in the road to Kansas City’s new aiport, Wagner is hopeful that the City will be better served for it.

“We are still moving forward,” Wagner said.

“But the question is, ‘are we sure in who our partner is that we’ve selected - and why?”

The Kansas City City Council will take up the Edgemoor on Thursday at their regularly scheduled City Council hearing.

The Missouri Times

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Greitens looks to continue state job cuts while bringing in jobs in other sectors Governor’s administration trimms 223 positions in first year, budget reduces an additional 391 positions

by Benjamin Peters

benjamin@themissouritimes.com

Republican Governor Eric Greitens has long been a proponent of bringing more jobs to Missouri, as well as shrinking the size of government.

In today’s world, Missouri is putting a high premium on private sector jobs while looking to cut back the public sector.

In his first year in office, the Greitens administration trimmed 223 positions. His proposed budget for FY 2019 looks to further reduce the size of the government’s workforce by another 391 full-time positions.

In his State of the State address, Greitens said he was “proud to tell you that we continue to shrink the size of government. In fact, today the government of the state of Missouri is the smallest it’s been in two decades.”

That statement is true, though, as a Jefferson City News Tribune report shows, a major factor in that reduced number can be attributed to the 6,464 positions eliminated during the Blunt and Nixon administrations.

“When Blunt came into office in January 2005, the Legislature had approved a total of 61,254.55 FTE for all state operations. When Greitens became governor Jan. 9, 2017, the budget envisioned 54,790.39 FTE positions,”

Bob Watson wrote in the News Tribune.

“Today, government can’t move people to where they will help the most, can’t reward people for good work, and unlike a business, it can’t get rid of poor performers who fail our citizens and fail their colleagues. We need your help to build a common sense government,” Greitens said during his State of the State address.

One of the major points on the campaign trail for Greitens was to consolidate the workforce, which would, in theory, allow more money to be spread among fewer workers, thus addressing the fact that Missouri’s state employees are the lowest paid in the nation.

Oftentimes, the Missouri Legislature allocates more in appropriations than the actual number of state employees. In the current fiscal year, they set aside funds for more than 54,000 positions, but as of Dec. 31, the Office of Administration reported a little less than 52,000 state workers.

And while Greitens’ administration continues evaluating red tape and laws in order to make things easier for businesses to operate in the Show-Me State, as well as auditing the departments, boards and commissions, the truth is that most of the positions that have been eliminated have been through the consolidating of positions and attrition.

But some would ask why Governor Greitens in October, announced that 800 Missouri National Guard jobs would be coming to the state, with Greitens saying that he had been working closely with Major General Stephen L. Danner to support and grow the Guard.

Those 800 jobs are expected to have a $15 million impact.

But that’s not necessarily the same as state workers, as the National Guard holds a sort of dual role, the only branch of the military to do

so. While the National Guard may receive state funding, in most states, it is primarily funded from the federal government.

Perhaps the most effective option right now in addressing the state’s employee pay issues is Greitens’ budget proposal, which would put in place a $650 increase for state employees making less than $50,000. That, however, is contingent upon the legislature passing civil service reform. What exactly that civil service reform remains to be seen.

Corsi drawing salary from two different state agencies

by Alisha Shurr

alisha@themissouritimes.com

In a unique situation, in appears that the director of one state agency is being paid through two different agencies and the total sum exceeds the set salary range for his position.

As Director of the Missouri Department of Social Services, Steve Corsi receives a salary of $128,244 a year, according to information the social services department submitted to the House Budget Committee. This salary falls within the range set by state Personnel Advisory Board. Under the most recent executive pay plan published on the Office of Administration website, annual pay for an Executive I position ranges from a minimum of $88,212 to a maximum of $128,244.

The issue that arises is that according to the

Missouri Accountability Portal, Corsi is paid an additional $13,756 through the state’s Department of Health and Senior Services. That brings his total annual salary to $142,000. As a result of the additional compensation, it appears Corsi’s total annual salary beyond what is permissible for a Department of Social Services director under state law.

The salary discrepancy was brought up Tuesday morning during a House Budget Committee hearing. Rep. Deb Lavender inquired why the additional salary was not part of the DHSS budget.

“I was under the impression that the additional $14,000 in my salary was reflected in the Department of Health and Senior Services budget,” Corsi told the committee. “We absolutely do want to be as transparent as possible.”

“The Greitens administration once again

demonstrates its disdain for both Missouri law and transparent government,” said House Minority Leader Gail McCann Beatty, D-Kansas City. “Not only is Director Corsi being paid more than the law allows, the administration tried to hide the fact by funneling the excess salary through another state department. If the compensation permitted by law isn’t sufficient for Director Corsi, he should seek employment elsewhere.”

It was pointed out that the arrangement could violate another statute that states: “Compensation for the director and employees of the department of social services and funds for other expenses incident to the performance of their duties prescribed by authority of this and other laws shall be payable from appropriations made in the same manner as for other departments.”

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The Missouri Times

Attorney says grand jury investigating Greitens’ affair, but what exactly does the grand jury do?

by Benjamin Peters

benjamin@themissouritimes.com

The investigation into the allegations against Governor Eric Greitens is moving forward, with the latest news breaking this week that the ex-husband of the woman who had an extramarital with Missouri’s Republican governor in 2015 has been subpoenaed to testify before a St. Louis grand jury.

More details and questions continue to arise in the aftermath of the release of a secretly recorded conversation between the ex-husband and wife, where she claimed that Greitens had taken a compromising photo to blackmail her if she spoke about the relationship.

Since admitting to the monthlong affair on January 10, the Governor has repeatedly denied threatening to blackmail the woman but has never directly answered whether he took a photo.

That spurred an investigation, led by Kim Gardner of the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office, to look into the allegations of blackmail and misconduct. Several lawmakers have called on the Governor to resign, including five fellow Republicans.

According to several media reports, Greit-

ens’ attorney Jim Bennett has stated that neither he nor the Governor has been contacted by law enforcement. The woman’s lawyers have not made any statements about whether they have received any subpoenas.

Only the ex-husband’s lawyer has stated that they have received a subpoena, but the circuit attorney’s spokesperson has not confirmed nor denied the issuance of a subpoena.

If, in fact, a grand jury case is a trajectory that this route will follow, then the prosecutors would present evidence in secrecy, leaving the decision to file charges by a panel of citizens in a closed session. These 12 citizens are selected similarly to those for jury trials and

will be tasked with reviewing evidence, issuing subpoenas for evidence, testimony, and documents, before nine of them must agree on whether a crime was committed and there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed it.

The prosecutors decide what evidence to present and what specific charges the jury should consider.

The process, however, does not allow for any defense. Subjects of the investigation are invited to testify - without their lawyers.

And just like in a preliminary hearing, the case will either be bound over to the circuit court or the defendant is free to go.

New features added to Schmitt’s Missouri Economic Dashboard The Missouri State Treasurer’s Office today announced it has released an update to the Missouri Economic Dashboard (MissouriDashboard.com), including new features and functionality.

The updated design allows users to compare Missouri’s unemployment rate, labor force participation rate and leading economic index to other states. Users can also now access historical data on county-level unemployment rates.

The Missouri Economic Dashboard was designed by a team of economists and government accounting experts and launched

by State Treasurer Eric Schmitt in September of last year. The dashboard gives the public a snapshot of the state’s economic climate and features key data on unemployment, state and national debt, exports, housing, and more.

MissouriDashboard.com was the first economic dashboard in the nation to be launched by a state treasurer’s office. Prior to its launch, state economic indicators were extremely difficult to find and compare.

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12 ELECTION 2018

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT UPCOMING ELECTIONS FINANCES, OPPONENTS, AND MORE STATEWIDE, SENATE, AND HOUSE

McDowell announces 2018 TIP SHEETS AND bid for State Auditor The springfield lawyer is 5th person to enter the race

by Benjamin Peters

benjamin@themissouritimes.com

Another candidate is entering the ring in the race to become the next State Auditor of Missouri.

Saundra McDowell announced last week that she will run for the seat in the 2018 election, saying that “it’s time to prosecute fraud, stop waste, and expand our vision to see the potential for how much more can be accomplished with every existing tax dollar.”

Saundra McDowell McDowell, a lawyer from Springfield, Mo., is a former assistant attorney general for the state, and currently serves as the Director of Enforcement for the Securities Division of the Secretary of State’s Office.

McDowell served in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from high school and was stationed overseas as an airman med tech in the wake of 9/11. She went to school to receive her law degree and went into private practice

before joining the AG’s Office.

“As an assistant attorney general, I managed teams of accountants and investigators successfully going after those who cheated Missourians. As the state’s director of enforcement in the securities division of the secretary of state’s office, we’ve prosecuted large law-breaking financial institutions and con artists — taking on the crooked — to win court orders to return millions to individual Missouri investors and residents,” she said.

“My entire career has been as a defender of the people. That’s why I’m running for state auditor.”

She says that to make the state auditor’s office a “better steward for the people,” she would work to fully implement her “Every Dollar Works” plan.

McDowell said her plan will create a “new standard for transparency in state government” to bring “light to what has been shrouded in darkness and to raise our sights to realize a brighter and more prosperous and secure future.”

JANUARY FINANCIAL REPORTS ONLINE AT

THEMISSOURITIMES.COM

The Missouri Times

Best wishes to the General Assembly in 2018!

MRTA - protecting public educator pensions since 1960!

MRTA is over 27,000 strong.

We have strength in numbers!

WHO IS MRTA? MRTA Legislative Day will be February 13, 2018

Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel (MRTA) consists of over 27,000 members who together make the largest education retiree organization in Missouri.

THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS! MRTA is the only retired educator associaition whose #1 priority is to promote and protect pensions, programs, and benefits of all retired public school personnel.

Org. 1960 www.mrta.org 1-877-366-6782

MRTA, a 501(c)(4) not-for-profit corporation, is a grassroots advocacy association. MRTA is independent and nonpartisan.

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www.themissouritimes.com

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THINGS THAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK

1. Al Watkins says his client was subpoenaed for a Grand Jury investigating the Governor.

2. Chez Monet opens its doors.

3. Missouri’s Revis represents the 35th flip of a statehouse seat from red to blue since President Trump assumed the presidency.

4. Senate hosts fillibuster on Sen. Emery’s amended utilities bill.

5. 3 Republicans, 1 Democrat join House.

Read on these and more online at www.missouritimes.com.

Email your news to pressreleases@themissouritimes.com

Atlanta | Charlotte | Chicago | Dallas | Hamburg Hong Kong | Irvine | Jefferson City | Kansas City | London Los Angeles | New York | Paris | Phoenix | San Francisco Shanghai | Singapore | St. Louis | Washington, D.C. www.bryancave.com

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The Missouri Times

CAPITOL CONVERSATION

Commission signs off on several KCPL items, agrees to revisit Spire rate case next week

by Benjamin Peters

benjamin@themissouritimes.com

Seven items appeared before the commission in this week’s agenda meeting, though little debate was needed from the commissioners on most.

After approving the minutes from the previous week, taking up the first item of the afternoon: KCPL’s application asking for the authority to issue debt securities, in an amount up to $750 million. With a 5-0 vote, the order takes effect on Feb. 25.

The second order involved KCPL’s rate case. With a 5-0 vote, the PSC will suspend the tariff sheets, giving notice of a contested case, and delegating authority. With the suspension, the commission will receive more time to evaluate the tariffs, which are seeking a 1.88 percent revenue increase in the amount of $16.4 million. KCPL GMO will seek a 2.61 percent increase in the amount of $19.3 million.

Chairman Daniel Hall said it was a very typical process at the beginning of rate cases, and the commission approved the order.

The PSC also denied a motion by the Office of Public Counsel to dismiss the Public Funding Corporation of the City of Ozark’s application to sell its water system. OPC had contended that the PSC did not have jurisdiction.

“I do not agree with that interpretation,” Hall said.

The Missouri Public Service Commission also approved KCP&L-Greater Missouri Operations’ request to change the fuel adjustment charge (FAC) on the monthly bills of its electric customers. For a residential customer using 1,000 kWh a month, the FAC will increase by approximately $0.80 a month, from approximately $0.46 a month to $1.26 a month. The change will take effect on March 1.

The commission also approved an order overturning the North American Numbering Plan Administrator’s decision, allowing

Windstream Missouri to obtain a location routing number and a block of one thousand numbers to support the deployment of a Connect America project.

“One of these days, we are going to deny these, but today is not that day,” Commissioner Scott Rupp said, receiving a chuckle from the room.

The commission also signed off on a rulemaking item, putting in place a staff-assisted process to make things easier for small water and sewer companies in their rate case filings, while also signing off on a 73 page order encapsulating decisions made by the commission in case discussions concerning Indian Hills’ rate increase request over the last month.

Hall and the commissioners all agreed that it was a difficult case, but applauded the companies that take on projects like the one in this instance for despite the risks.

The commissioners did say that the financing of this was very difficult to get to a level of comfort with their structure and the subsequent effects it would have on customers, but it was approved with a 4-0-1 vote, with Silvey abstaining.

The final item on the agenda was case discussion in the matter of Spire’s rate case, particularly the effects the new tax cuts would have.

The commissioners agreed to back Chairman Hall’s proposal in that regard, which would place trackers on the savings, ADIT, and 2018 increased property taxes.

They acknowledged that next week would require more discussion, saying they intended to revisit the issue of capital structure as well as some others.

Willard joins Missouri Rising as senior advisor Missouri Rising Action announced that Aaron Willard has joined the pro-Josh Hawley Super PAC as Senior Advisor. Willard served as the Missouri State Director for the Trump campaign in 2016.

“Claire McCaskill has spent over a dozen years in D.C. consistently siding with liberal Democratic party leadership and putting their priorities over those of average Missourians. It’s time for a conservative leader to represent the people of Missouri in the U.S. Senate and work on their behalf to advance policies focusing on job creation and reducing government overreach,” said Aaron Willard.

Missouri Rising Action is an independent Super PAC dedicated to supporting Attorney General Josh Hawley’s candidacy as he challenges incumbent Senator Claire McCaskill.

Willard is leaving his post as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Commerce under the Trump Administration. He previously served as Chief of Staff to Republican leaders in the Missouri Legislature including multiple Speakers of the House.

Willard also has extensive campaign experience in Missouri having been campaign manager and advisor to Missouri Republican Congressional members and past Executive Director with the Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee.

In December 2017, Missouri Rising Action announced that Missouri State Treasurer Eric Schmitt joined as Honorary Chairman, and Missouri’s longtime former Republican National Committeeman Lance Beshore joined the group’s Board of Directors.

Lobbyist Moves Courtesy of the Gate Way Group

Changes on: 02/08/2018 ST LOUIS APARTMENT Andrew B Blunt ASSOCIATION Added CLAY COUNTY Michael H Morris Andrew B Blunt Deleted Added COMMUNITY ECO CONSTRUCTORS INC HEALTH SYSTEMS Changes on: 02/06/2018 Shanon M Hawk Andrew B Blunt Added NOTARIZE INC Added Shanon M Hawk B B AMUSEMENT OF Added ILLINOIS MAVERICK CONSULTING Andrew B Blunt GROUP Added PARAQUAD Christopher P Moody Courtney Kawelaske Added COMMUNITY Added HEALTH SYSTEMS MISSOURI DEPARTMENT Christopher P Moody OF PUBLIC SAFETY Added CLAY COUNTY Christopher P Moody Jewell D H Patek Added Added COMMONB B AMUSEMENT OF WEALTH MISSOURI LLC ILLINOIS Jay Reichard Christopher P Moody Added COMMUNITY Added PARAQUAD HEALTH SYSTEMS Linda Rallo Angela Schulte Added KIDSWIN Added CLAY COUNTY MISSOURI Angela Schulte Linda Rallo Added COMMUNITY Added ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH SYSTEMS CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Ginger Steinmetz DBA ALIGNED Added CLAY COUNTY Jay Reichard Ginger Steinmetz Added B B AMUSEAdded COMMUNITY MENT OF ILLINOIS HEALTH SYSTEMS Jay Reichard Noel Torpey Added HEIDNER Added COMMUNITY PROPERTIES INC HEALTH SYSTEMS Angela Schulte Noel Torpey Added Added CLAY COUNTY B B AMUSEMENT OF Shanon M Hawk ILLINOIS Deleted TAXED Angela Schulte ENOUGH ALREADY Added PARAQUAD Shanon M Hawk Angela Schulte Deleted Added MISSOURIANS FOR LOCAL HEIDNER PROPERTIES INC ASSET GOVERNANCE Ginger Steinmetz Jewell D H Patek Added Deleted B B AMUSEMENT OF MILLER COMPANIES ILLINOIS Changes on: 02/07/2018 Ginger Steinmetz Andrew B Blunt Added Added CORNERSTONES OF CARE HEIDNER PROPOERTIES Noel Torpey INC Added PARAQUAD Samuel G Licklider Noel Torpey Added CAPITAL Added CORNERHEALTH MANAGEMENT STONES OF CARE LLC Noel Torpey Christopher P Moody Added DXC TECH Added NOLOGY COMPANY HEIDNER PROPERTIES INC Noel Torpey Michael H Morris Added B B AMUSEAdded CLAY COUNTY MENT OF ILLINOIS Jay Reichard Noel Torpey Added CLAY COUNTY Added HEIDNER Ginger Steinmetz PROPERTIES INC Added Noel Torpey HEIDNER PROPERTIES INC Added MARITZ MOTISamuel G Licklider VATION SOLUTIONS INC Deleted MISSOURI Lucy Williams ASSOCIATION OF COSMEAdded ALZHEIMERS TOLOGY SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION Michael H Morris Linda Rallo Deleted Deleted ALLIANCE FOR PRESTIGE POWERS CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Michael H Morris Angela Schulte Deleted Deleted ROCKWOOD TOTAL ORGANICS RECYASSET MANAGEMENT CLERS INC Changes on: 02/05/2018 Michael H Morris Andrew B Blunt Deleted Added MISSOURI ASPHALT PAVEMISSOURI ALLIANCE FOR MENT ASSOCIATION HOME CARE Michael H Morris Andrew B Blunt Deleted Added KANSAS CITY AGRICYCLE INC SOUTHERN RAILWAY Michael H Morris Andrew B Blunt Deleted MISSOURI Added COUNTY COLLECTORS TRILOGY INTEGRATED ASSOCIATION RESOURCES INC Michael H Morris Joshua M Collins Deleted MISSOURI Added COALITION CABLE TELECOMMUNICAAGAINST BIGGER TRUCKS TIONS MCTA Richard Cowan Michael H Morris Added COALITION Deleted AGAINST BIGGER TRUCKS ST LOUIS COMPOSTING Cindy Mills Michael H Morris Added COALITION Deleted US CELLULAR AGAINST BIGGER TRUCKS Michael H Morris Christopher P Moody Deleted COMPOSTING Added CONCENTRA AND ORGANICS ASSOCIAChristopher P Moody TION OF MISSOURI Added KANSAS CITY Michael H Morris SOUTHERN RAILWAY Deleted Christopher P Moody

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16

Paid for by Missouri REALTORS®, John Sebree, CEO.

Support the Missouri First-Time Homebuyer Initiative Here’s how the program works:

Most Americans still dream of owning their own home. Homeownership strengthens communities, provides stability for families and helps build financial strength.

But saving enough money for a down payment and closing costs is too hard for many Missourians—especially for young people and those looking to buy their first home.

Low paying jobs, the cost of living and high student loan payments are tough obstacles to overcome. Many people don’t know where to start.

That’s why we need the Missouri FirstTime Homebuyer Initiative—a new idea to help prospective homebuyers save for their first home.

• Individuals could deposit up to $1,600 ($3,200 for couples) annually into a savings account to go toward a first home purchase.

We should be doing more to help first-time homebuyers— not with government handouts but by providing incentives to encourage people to save more of their own money towards the cost of a home.

That’s why we need to ask our legislators to approve the Missouri First-Time Homebuyer Initiative.

• The maximum amount that can be deposited over the life of the account is $25,000; the maximum total amount in the account is limited to $50,000.

• Parents or grandparents can contribute to this account as well.

• An amount equal to 50% of the annual contribution may be deducted from the contributor’s taxable gross income and any gain within the account would not be subject to state income taxes.

• Money from the savings account would have to be used toward the purchase or construction of a first home.

Ask Your Legislator to Support the Missouri First-Time Homebuyer Initiative (HB 1796) Today! MissouriFirstHome.com MO_FTHB_MOTimes_9.75x11.indd 1

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