The Missouri Times | July 2020

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The Missouri Times

FEBRUARY 17, 2020

SHOWDOWN IN JEFF CITY OVER VIOLENT CRIME

‘It’s a Missouri problem’: Lawmakers back in Jefferson City to tackle violent crime while many call for a focus on police reform measures

Kaitlyn Schallhorn

Flanked by a bevy of state public safety officials and law enforcement in the Capitol rotunda earlier this month, Gov. Mike Parson, a former sheriff, summoned legislators back to Jefferson City to address what he called an imminent problem exasperating Missouri: violent crime.

Parson’s call for a special

session came on the heels of Kansas City announcing a 35 percent increase in homicides in 2020 from the previous year as more than 100 people have been killed.

St. Louis, too, has reported nearly 140 homicides as of July 23. (In the entirety of 2019, 194 people were murdered in the city of St. Louis.)

But against the backdrop

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of the special session is a national awakening about police brutality and race relations in the country.

It’s only been two months since George Floyd, a black Minneapolis man, was killed while in police custody, setting off massive protests across the country, including in Missouri. And those protests have included both violence and destruction —

sometimes at the hands of law enforcement and other times by those demonstrating — underscoring the cries for change on any side.

It’s clear Missouri is on a precipice, and the cacophonous calls to address violent crime and police brutality is sure to come to a head during the special session.

Continued on Pg. 8

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Scott Faughn, Publisher | scott@themissouritimes.com | @ScottFaughn Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Editor | kaitlyn@themissouritimes.com | @K_Schallhorn Cameron Gerber, Reporter | cameron@themissouritimes.com | @CamGWrites

PROPOSED RULE CHANGE TO PSC MOVING FORWARD Cameron Gerber

After a year of consideration by the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC), a proposed rule change benefitting solar energy providers will get a public hearing.

The change, proposed by nonprofit Renew Missouri, would allow utility-scale solar energy companies to have more access in Missouri. The PSC is accepting written public comments on the issue through July 31 and will hold a public hearing on the rule change on Aug. 11.

The proposal would increase the standard offer cap for purchases from qualifying facilities from 5,000 to 20,000 kilowatts.

The change would expand capabilities for companies and bring Missouri in line with other states that have increased access, according to Renew Missouri Executive Director James Owens.

“One of the reasons businesses go to other states like North Carolina instead of Missouri is that they have more access to renewable energy there,” Owens told The Missouri Times. “If you look at corporations and look at what their mission statements say, one of the biggest things they want is to be sustainable and run off of renewable energy. I think if we put more emphasis on solar and renewable energy — and open that access up to more companies — we will start to see businesses look at Missouri more seriously.”

Renew Missouri submitted its petition to propose the rule change last summer after observing the benefits that other states had had with expanded access, Owens said. Private companies in North Carolina employ more than 6,500 people, according to Renew Missouri, compared to Missouri’s 2,800 clean energy employees. Owens also said these companies have invested more than $7 billion in solar energy.

The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA), passed by Congress in 1978, was meant to allow market access

for small renewable energy generators and cogeneration facilities. Owens said the commission’s rules have not done an effective job at improving the market in Missouri but the proposed change would be a start.

“It would be a significant jump over what we’ve got. The point Renew Missouri wants to emphasize right now is that with everything going on COVID related, the clean energy sector is hurting.”

A report published in June by clean energy group E2 found that 9,312 renewable energy jobs in the state had been lost since March, with 340 unemployment claims coming from the industry in May. Clean energy jobs in Missouri had seen a growth of 4 percent since 2017 prior to the start of the pandemic, according to the report.

“We’re seeing the fastest growing industry in the state suffer,” Owens said.

The expansion of the renewable energy industry could be done while still observing social distancing practices and other protocols, according to Owens.

“The ability to work outside to build more solar and build up sustainable utilities, that’s something you can do without being concerned about the pandemic,” he said. “I think these are the kind of problems people need to look at that are realistic in our current environment. It’s something that can bolster the economy and attract jobs to our state and get people to work right away, and you can do it even with some of these health restrictions.”

Owens said sustainable energy remains a safe investment, and the expansion could bolster the economy and industry without raising rates for customers.

“Utility companies are not going to go away; as long as there’s electricity, they’re going to be around,” Owens said. “They are in a unique position to help Missouri’s economy; we just need to have regulations in place to make a framework to allow them to do that.”

Editor’s Box: As lawmakers and staff returned to Jefferson City this week, we’re pleased to bring you exclusive content in this edition of the newspaper. Be sure to check out our website, themissouritimes.com, for more up-to-date news as the special session progresses. www.missouritimes.com

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The Missouri Times

MEC LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE REPORTING SYSTEM Cameron Gerber The Missouri Ethics Commission (MEC) launched a new annual online reporting system for campaign data.

The MEC Annual Report System compiled data on lobbying, campaign finance, and personal financial disclosure information on public officials. Data is reported to the MEC throughout the year and is updated in real-time.

Information is available in the system from 2017 on.

“This system is part of an ongoing effort by the MEC team to provide up-to-date information to the public on its website,” MEC Executive Director Elizabeth Ziegler said in a statement.

“We continuously seek ways to further the mission of the Commission by promoting transparency and by educating and increasing awareness of these important laws concerning public elections and officials.”

The report includes graphics and tables on campaign and candidate committees, total campaign finance activity, contributions over $5,000, lobbyist expenditures by group, candidate annual operating budgets, ordinances, and more.

Data from 2017 and 2018 is available via PDF rather than the interactive format due to changes in lobbyist reporting systems. Information on enforcement by the commission will be added to the system when it becomes available, according to the MEC. The MEC Annual Report System can be found online.

CAPITOL CULTURE

STATE FAIR CANCELS MOST EVENTS

Cameron Gerber

After months of questions about whether the show would go on, Missouri’s State Fair has pivoted to a “Youth Livestock Show” only.

Gov. Mike Parson said in June that the State Fair would continue in some form despite the COVID-19 pandemic, with the exception of concerts in the grandstand. He also said the Governor’s Ham Breakfast would be held.

But the fair will be switching to a showcase of the state’s agriculture this year rather than the traditional event, forgoing the Governor’s Ham Breakfast, carnival midway, and all other events not related to youth livestock exhibition, according to an announcement.

“We care deeply about the public health and safety of our fairgoers and our community,” the notice read. “When the original decision to move forward with the Fair was made, the information and numbers were different than they are now. In collaboration with Gov. Parson and the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services it was determined that the best course of action was to work to reduce the number of individuals on the fairgrounds. Best practices for sanitation and public health will still be implemented during the youth livestock show.”

The announcement noted the decision was largely based on priori-

ties of public health and safety and a quality outdoor experience. Vendors and sponsors had been limiting or canceling their involvement in the fair, the announcement said.

The notice referred to the event as a “back to basics” approach to the

youth shows weren’t one of those. It is truly agriculture’s biggest family reunion, and we are proud to offer youth livestock shows in 2020. Just like a young person’s educational path, we are dedicated to making sure youth in agriculture get the

State Fair, noting that the original 1901 Fair took the same form.

“As a farmer myself, the Missouri State Fair is very near and dear to me, ” Parson said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has canceled many events around the world, and we wanted to be sure the Missouri State Fair’s

opportunity to have a real-world experience caring for their livestock.”

It was reported in early July that the State Fair had started confirming events that were to be held during the August gathering in Sedalia.

Special events, such as the Opening Day parade and ceremony and the

Homegrown Singer Contest, were to be featured at the Fair as well as the Governor’s Ham Breakfast.

Concerts, the senior dance, and rodeo had already been canceled for this year’s fair. Rabbit shows had also been canceled due to a highly contagious disease, found in other parts of the U.S., that can be deadly for small mammals.

Questions about if the State Fair would go on — or what an altered event would look like — have abounded as the state continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. Parson had promised at least “some version” of the fair would occur, noting it has only been canceled one time — during World War II. “As an [agriculture] governor, somebody who comes from the farm, I don’t want it to be the second time on my watch that it’s canceled,” Parson told reporters in June.

Other states, including Nebraska and Indiana, have made similar changes to focus on agricultural events rather than a more traditional fair.

The livestock show is scheduled for the State Fair’s original dates of Aug. 13-23.

BLAKE HURST’S STORIED CAREER WITH MISSOURI FARM BUREAU COMING TO AN END Kaitlyn Schallhorn Blake Hurst is retiring from the helm of the Missouri Farm Bureau (MOFB), a position he’s held for 10 years.

At the conclusion of the Missouri Farm Bureau Board of Directors meeting July 21, Hurst announced he would not seek re-election as president of the organization after his term is completed this year.

“I’ve been president for 10 years, and it’s been a wonderful and challenging assignment, but it’s time for a change for me and for the organization,” Hurst told The Missouri Times, noting he feels as though he’s leaving the MOFB “in good shape.”

Hurst was first elected president of MOFB in December 2010, but he’s had a storied career with the organization. He served on the Young

Farmers & Ranchers Committee before becoming the statewide chairman of the committee in the early 80s, eventually rising to the state board of directors. Hurst was a district board member in Missouri for eight years and served for seven years as the bureau’s vice president.

And Hurst is concluding his time with the MOFB after serving as its president for five terms.

“Blake’s been involved in the Missouri Farm Bureau from the time he was a very young farmer and has always been a leader at every level of the organization,” Eric Bohl, director of public affairs and advocacy for the Missouri Farm Bureau, told The Missouri Times. “He’s worked his way up through every level of the organization and has developed a national reputation as a leader on [agriculture] policy. He will be very sorely missed.”

Hurst said he’s proudest of his work “speaking up for Missouri farmers” and

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serving as a financial steward for the organization. He hopes future generations of leaders in the Farm Bureau “don’t do stupid stuff ” that would be detrimental to the longterm success of the organization.

“We must never lose sight of how important expanding markets for the things farmers produce is and that includes trade,” Hurst said. Sitting at the top of his priority list today — and Hurst said that could easily change in a few years — is “making sure we protect our access to foreign markets.”

Once he officially leaves his office, Hurst said he plans to travel, catch up on his reading list, and spend more time working on his family’s farm and greenhouse.

And although he’s already announced his intentions not to seek re-election, don’t count Hurst out: “I’ll still be around for a few more months. I’m not quite to the finish line yet.”

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WORK IN PROGRESS The Missouri Times

Capitol renovations are about 90% completed. So what still needs to be done?

Kaitlyn Schallhorn “No Trespassing” and “Danger: Construction Area” signs still adorn the perimeter of the Capitol building and a lone crane stands sentry on the north side. But scaffolding that shrouded the statehouse for years has largely come down and the work is about 90 percent completed.

The $33 million Capitol renovation project is still on schedule to be completed later this year with scaffolding set to be completely removed by early August, according to the Office of Administration. All work is expected to be completed by the inauguration activities in January.

The stonework is still being done on the north portico, southwest side, and south pediment side of the Capitol.

Once that is completed, the renovation will go into its final stage: site restoration.

Later this month, workers will check the drum lighting coverage and its intensity. Workers will also complete stone repairs and cleaning on the east entrance to the Capitol basement.

“Due to the importance of the use of this entrance, we asked [Bulley & Andrews Masonry Restoration LLC] to give us at least [a] one week heads up before they start this work,” Chris Moreland, OA communications director, said. “We will provide the starting date to all concerned and explain the type of work and its duration as soon as we receive that information.”

In August or September, Bulley & Andrews Masonry Restoration LLC (BAMR), the Chicago-based firm OA contracted with, will begin work on the Capitol grounds,

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roads, sidewalks, and worksite restoration.

The original cost to the project was estimated at just under $30 million, but it’s grown to about $33 million due to unexpected design and construction work, Moreland said.

Some of those unforeseen costs included the availability of scaffolding, safety access to the Capitol dome and drum from the outside for maintenance and lights, and additional cleaning to the stone on the west side.

The restoration also included $1.8 million in waterproofing to the terraces and roof ledge — something Moreland said is expected to last “a long time.”

About 6 percent of the stone throughout the entire building needed to be replaced, according to BAMR’s project manager.

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STATEWIDE

From COVID-19 to racial unrest to the economy tanking, it’s not surprising that President Trump’s numbers are slipping — not only across the nation but in Missouri as well. That will affect the Republican ticket, but starting at Trump +19 on Election Day in 2016, that slippage was going to happen. The question will be: Is Missouri looking at Trump +10 to 12 or Trump +4 to 5?

It’s unlikely to affect the outcomes of the down-ticket races, but that number could change the dynamic in the Governor’s race.

Governor | TIP SHEET PREDICTION- Primary: SAFE PARSON General: LIKELY REPUBLICAN

There have been some polls that showed Nicole Galloway closing the gap. And one Democratic pollster had her even in the race. While it’s not a Parson +19 like Trump scored in ‘16, from the consistent polling we have seen, the race is between Parson +8 to Parson +12.

The primary has seen a spirited online effort by the 2018 Republican nominee for state auditor, Saundra McDowell. She has been hustling around the state and is likely to pick up some votes from Republicans who are angry with any incumbent. Rep. Jim Neely has based his campaign on opposing Governor Parson’s statewide order. Former Governor Eric Greitens, who quit the office in 2018, has returned to the playbook he has consistently read from since his time a few years ago when he was a Democrat: attacking conservative Republicans. His criticism should be a boost to McDowell and Neely.

However, with neither raising much money, it’s unlikely either will post more than a protest vote in the primary which Parson will win easily.

Galloway is very fortunate that she was able to avoid a primary which has allowed her to avoid having to talk about some of the current issues with someone staking out positions to the left of her.

(R) Governor Mike Parson Contributions this quarter: $481,641.07 Cash on hand: $1,547,802.93 Uniting Missouri PAC Cash on hand: $5,142,758.54 (R) Rep. Jim Neely Contributions this quarter: $10,484.00 Cash on hand: $193,386.74 (R) Saundra McDowell Contributions this quarter: $26,155.03 Cash on hand: $8,218.48 (D) State Auditor Nicole Galloway Contributions this quarter: $1,128,479.65 Cash on hand: $1,521,885.39 Keep Government Accountable PAC Cash on hand: $1,635,314.37

Lt. Governor | TIP SHEET PREDICTION- Primary: SAFE KEHOE General: SAFE REPUBLICAN

You can tell Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe is making some waves as he drew the first straw in which Republican the Post-Dispatch would attack in an election year. With no real primary on either side, Kehoe has been putting a lot of miles on his Ford traveling the state, and something will have to dramatically change for this to become a race.

(R) Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe Contributions this quarter: $148,239.38 Cash on hand: $359,623.99 American Dream PAC Cash on hand: $185,593.02 (D) Former Kansas City Councilwoman Alissia Canady Contributions this quarter: $47,578.49

Cash on hand: $34,164.07

J U LY 2 0 2 0 T I P S H E E T

The Missouri Times

Attorney General | TIP SHEET PREDICTION: Primary: LEAN GROSS General: SAFE REPUBLICAN

Missouri Democrats have seen a spirited primary unfold as the aggressive newcomer Elad Gross has been hitting the trail as hard as anyone in the state in his primary against the more establishment, big firm attorney Rich Finneran. Most Democrats expect Finneran to win, but that mood has changed as Gross has been campaigning hard for more than a year now. We are listing the race as leaning toward Gross.

However, whoever wins will start off as the decided underdog to the candidate we predict leads the ticket in November: incumbent Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

(R) Attorney General Eric Schmitt Contributions this quarter: $90,575.85 Cash on hand: $643,808.02 MO Opportunity PAC Cash on hand: $1,939,385.60 (D) Elad Gross Contributions this quarter: $37,289.47 Cash on hand: $38,515.30 (D) Rich Finneran Contributions this quarter: $79,974.47 Cash on hand: $78,770.50

Secretary of State | TIP SHEET PREDICTION: SAFE REPUBLICAN

Every tip sheet we write about how impressed those who meet with Yinka Faleti are.

However, we then write that Jay Ashcroft is practically unbeatable in November.

Ashcroft has a solid amount of money and will have a higher-than-normal profile for a secretary of state this fall with the new voting laws. Faleti is an impressive person, but Ashcroft is an impressive candidate who is solidly favored to win.

(R) Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft Contributions this quarter: $20,065.00 Cash on hand: $322,591.86 Committee for Liberty PAC Cash on hand: $98,527.70 (D) Yinka Faleti Contributions this quarter: $154,326.01 Cash on hand: $182,187.48

Treasurer | TIP SHEET PREDICTION: LIKELY REPUBLICAN

If the Trump number gets low enough, and Galloway really does close the gap, this is the race Democrats point to as their chance to rebuild a statewide bench. Incumbent Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick is making the rounds, and no one that hears him speak isn’t impressed.

Former State Rep. Vicki Englund is a veteran of tough campaigns and will put the effort in. She has a wide money gap to close, and it seems that she is going to have to have some external factors break her way in order to change the dynamic of this race for her.

(R) State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick Contributions this quarter: $27,250.00 Cash on hand: $260,035.25 Missourians for a Responsible Budget PAC Cash on hand: $131,414.70 (D) Former State Rep. Vicki Englund Contributions this quarter: $31,293.38 Cash on hand: $16,567.66

STATE SENATE

As we enter the home stretch of the primary elections, some of the races are evolving. The cycle starts with a 24-10 Republican Senate, with the top General Election race being SD 15. There’s also the potential for competitive races in SD 1 and SD 10 for a range of outcomes from 25-9 Republican majority to a 22-12 Republican majority with a more likely outcome of a 23 or 24 to 10 or 11 GOP majority.

The races we have moved for this tipsheet are SD 15 from LEAN REPUBLICAN to TOSS UP; SD 9 from LEAN WASHINGTON TO SAFE WASHINGTON; SD 23 from SAFE EIGEL to LIKELY EIGEL; and SD 3 from LEAN SCISM to TOSS UP based on race trends, a huge dark money check dropped in SD 23, and the CL PAC getting involved in SD 3, among other factors.

However, the more compelling story for the primaries is a Conservative Caucus of 6 of the 24 Republican members that could grow. The Conservative Caucus is a new innovation in Missouri politics, and it’s hard to know exactly who will join it — and that includes whether returning members would attach themselves to it.

You can figure that 5 of the 6 current members are returning, and Senator Andrew Koenig is at worst a 50/50 bet. Rep. Mike Moon and former Rep. Rick Brattin seem very likely to join should they win, growing its ranks to 8. Josh Barrett in SD 3 would be a likely member,

as would Eddy Justice in SD 25. However, their election chances aren’t the same as the prior two. Rep. Holly Rehder and Rep. Robert Ross are both either leading or in races where they could likely win, and it’s not clear as to whether they would join, but it’s certainly possible.

Two weeks out, it seems clear that the Conservative Caucus could go from 6 to as many as 12, but could also go from 6 to 5 if everything on its board doesn’t turn out. We think it’s more likely the Conservative Caucus grows to 8 members, leading to more intrigue in the Senate next session.

Contested seats in 2020: 17

#1 SD 27 (R+16.4) Sen. Wayne Wallingford is termlimited.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: TOSS UP

The top race is still Rep. Holly Rehder versus Rep. Kathy Swan.

Rehder got out of the gate early attacking Swan, and by most polling, made the race razer tight or built up a lead.

We have seen polls out there that go from Swan up slightly out of the margin to one poll showing Rehder up more than 20 points.

Swan has booked substantially more television time for the final two weeks — and keep in mind PACs pay substantially higher rates

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for TV time then candidate committees.

This race will be as nasty as any in Missouri the last two weeks, and it probably comes down to the same question that it did at filing: Can Rehder cut her margin of loss in Cape Girardeau County enough to allow her to win the rest of the district and carry the race?

(R) Rep. Holly Rehder Contributions this quarter: $29,535.06 Cash on hand: $60,478.52 PAC: Holly PAC Cash on hand: $62,861 (R) Rep. Kathy Swan Contributions this quarter: $51,176.09 Cash on hand: $146,444.27

#2 SD 31 (R+6.2) Sen. Ed Emery is term-limited.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: GENERAL: REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: LEAN BONDON

SAFE

This has been a wild race in Cass County that has lived up to the billing as the No. 2 race from the start of the cycle. Rep. Jack Bondon has raised his own money for most of the cycle until a $100,000 check came to his PAC from the Carpenters.

Former Rep. Rick Brattin is the current Cass County auditor and has the advantage of having just run countywide. His campaign is

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very reliant on CL PAC to fund his PAC. He did get a boost when Missouri Right to Life gave him the exclusive endorsement and then doubled down by going on a district-wide tour touting his candidacy. Senator Ed Emery is helping him — and in a tight race where every advantage helps.

This is a close race where it will all come down to turnout in the Kansas City suburbs in northern Cass County. We are gonna stick with a lean Bondon, but if we had to pick a race that is the closest on election night we would pick SD 31.

(R) Rep. Jack Bondon Contributions this quarter: $40,518 Cash on hand: $217,888.41 PAC: Western Missouri Leadership Cash on hand: $34,056.99 (R) Fmr. Rep Rick Brattin Contributions this quarter: $17,618.82 Cash on hand: $13,291.63 PAC: The Brattin Brigade PAC Cash on hand: $11,455.95

#3 SD 33 (R+15.7) Sen. Mike Cunningham is termlimited.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: LEAN ROSS

Rep. Robert Ross was out early with mail attacking his opponents and has built up a lead in the race.

We have had this race leaning toward Ross all along, and the numbers are bearing that out. Rep. Karla Eslinger has a large amount on hand and received large checks from conservation backers Don Bedell and Howard Wood, but no one has seen any six-figure attacks on Ross that was rumored in the spring.

Former Rep. Van Kelly has been maintaining his base of support and probably needs Eslinger to spend the money she lent her campaign to bring down Ross for him to win.

As of now, we are sticking with the race as leaning Ross, but it’s certainly not over.

(R) Rep. Robert Ross Contributions this quarter: $51,317.01 Cash on hand: $174,664.44 PAC: Team Robert Cash on hand: $71,205.00 (R) Former Rep. Van Kelly Contributions this quarter: $18,919.35 Cash on hand: $45,489.25 (R) Rep. Karla Eslinger Contributions this quarter: $16,651.10 Cash on hand: $159,010.95 (D) Tammy Harty Contributions this quarter: $704 Cash on hand: $3,389

#4 SD 29 (R+19.9) Sen. David Sater is term-limited.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: TOSS UP

Many people thought this would be a more brutal race than it was. Rep. Mike Moon has raised very little money on his own and is pretty exclusively relying on the CL PAC to fund his campaign. He started with the lead, but David Cole has been shrinking that lead for several weeks.

The Republican electorate that turns out will probably decide this. If your more traditional southwest Missouri Republicans turn out, then Cole can win. If it’s more evangelical, hardcore, angrier voters, then Moon will win. We get the sense that

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Moon is leading, but we’re keeping it a toss up because Cole is showing some signs of tightening the race.

(R) David Cole Contributions this quarter: $41,854 Cash on hand: $135,320.66 PAC: Southwest Missouri Conservative Values PAC Cash on hand: $33,445 (R) Rep. Mike Moon Contributions this quarter: $22,001.60 Cash on hand: $30,851.82 PAC: Table Rock Conservative PAC Cash on hand: $78,850.77

#5 SD 25 (R+11.4) Sen. Doug Libla is term-limited.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: GENERAL: SAFE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: TOSS UP

This race began with most people figuring Rep. Jeff Shawan’s cash advantage would position him as the top candidate out of the western part of the district with Eddy Justice and Steve Cookson draining his support, making Jason Bean the favorite.

However, Justice came out of the gate early and very aggressive with some haymaker attacks. While most of them are untrue, they have clearly connected with Bootheel voters as Justice has gone from third to — depending on the poll — vying for first. The question is where he will have enough money to finish the campaign as now both Bean and Shawan will be attacking him.

Shawan has, for the most part, saved his money until now and has to spend some of that attacking Justice. He always needed a decent margin in Butler County and to make a strong showing in Stoddard County to win. His chances likely hinge on the response to Justice’s attacks.

Cookson has hustled the district with a strong sign presence. His path is likely a strong showing in north Stoddard County, where his family is from, and his old district in Carter, and then benefit from Shawan and Justice hitting each other in Butler County.

Bean has thus far been able to sit back and watch Justice attack Shawan, but in recent days Justice has begun attacking Bean alone. And Bean is returning fire as well now. From the start, he needed the three Butler County candidates to divide that vote and just hold his Cootheel farm area to win. While any fourway race is volatile, if Justice and Shawan continue attacking each other, he can hold his base and should have the best odds on Election Day. (R) Rep. Jeff Shawan Contributions this quarter: $7,497.20 Cash on hand: $162,796.46 PAC: Conservative Future Fund Cash on hand: $31,982.51 (R) Eddy Justice Contributions this quarter: $5,900.00 Cash on hand: $103,244.87 PAC: Justice for All Cash on hand: $8,961.31 (R) Former Rep. Steve Cookson Contributions this quarter: $11,425.00 Cash on hand: $82,025.09 (R) Jason Bean Contributions this quarter: $61,900.00 Cash on hand: $115,514.78

#6 SD 5 (D+39.9) Sen. Jamilah Nasheed is term-limited.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: SAFE DEMOCRAT PRIMARY: TOSS UP The race to replace Senator Jamilah Nasheed

was wild eight years ago, and it’s a donnybrook again with the open-seat race. Rep. Steven Roberts is running the most aggressive and solidly traditional campaign with the most funding. He has also innovated in the COVID-19 world, arranging tests for constituents. Michelle Sherod has the support of Nasheed and is well-positioned to cut into some of Roberts’ traditional support. Alderwoman Megan

Green has the largest grassroots network of anyone running. There is no doubt that she would have had the largest door-to-door operation with the most committed volunteers. However, with COVID-19 in St. Louis, a door-to-door effort is severely hamstrung. If Green underperforms in the primary, that will be what many point to as the reason.

This race will be almost impossible to call as no one really knows who will turn out in St. Louis in three weeks. If you had to guess who has the advantage in that scenario, it could be Roberts’ campaign organizational skill getting his voters to the polls.

(D) Rep. Steven Roberts Contributions this quarter: $36,770 Cash on hand: $83,146.37 (D) Alderwoman Megan Green Contributions this quarter: $51,526.73 Cash on hand: $54,121.40 (D) Michelle Sherod Contributions this election: $28,964.68 Cash on hand: $31,153.76

#7 SD 3 (R+4.1) Sen. Gary Romine was term-limited prior to receiving an appointment.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: SAFE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: TOSS UP

SD 3 went from a cakewalk for Kent Scism when filing opened to a much tougher race by the time filing closed as he had two candidates file in between.

In St. Francois County, Josh Barrett has been pretty exclusively harassing him, trying to get votes in his home county that he was probably counting on. And Rep. Elaine Gannon is a serious threat who hails from the Jefferson County part of the district.

Gannon has the support of several area legislators.

Her husband is the Jefferson County Executive and his family used to represent Ste. Genevieve County.

She is from north St. Francois County and her brother is on the Farmington School Board. Up to now, her husband Rich has been a very popular county executive. However, a wildcard may be if Jefferson County imposes a mask ordinance. Keep in mind north JeffCo around Arnold, Imperial, etc. is really just an extension of south St. Louis County.

While southern JeffCo — Festus, Desoto, etc. — has more in common with Butler County than Arnold.

It’s easy to see folks in Imperial walking around the Arnold Dierbergs smiling under their mandatory masks, but it’s very hard to see anyone at the Festus Elks Lodge smiling while trying to drink a Natty Light while wearing a surgical mask.

Gannon is well poised to take this race if she gets an injection of money, but that is a lot of candidates. However, she has gotten the money with over $100,000 hitting her PAC since the first of the month.

Barrett is a veteran who is running a spirited campaign but has baggage. From sign controversies to unpaid tax bills to the fact that as of writing this he still hasn’t filed his quarterly report, there are places for Scism to respond to his attacks. He is currently pretty much exclusively funded by the CL PAC with $125,000 going to his Patriot PAC. Scism has nearly 100 percent name ID everywhere except parts of Jefferson County in SD 3 and has the type of profile that Barklage has elected to the Senate many times before: didn’t serve in the House, local businessman with a good community profile, can raise money. Think Schmitt, Clemens, Cauthorn, Lamping, Libla, Romine, and we could go on.

Seems like the Barrett path is pretty narrow: If he polls high enough, Scism starts hitting him, which he has.

The Gannon path is she pulls in another large check, the mask blowback doesn’t fall on her husband or her, and she runs strong everywhere while Barrett pulls Scism down far enough in Farmington for her to win. She has the momentum right now, but the attack pieces are in the mail as I type this.

Scism needs to win St. Francois County — as he should — and run a strong second in Jefferson

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County, keeping Barrett from picking his pocket at home.

With all of those variables and since both of his opponents have taken in $100,000 each in the last two weeks, we are putting this as a toss up, but the momentum is with Gannon.

(R) Kent Scism Contributions this quarter: $8,414.38 Cash on hand: $220,484.39 PAC: Keep Missouri Great Cash on hand: $30,425.91 (R) Rep. Elaine Gannon Contributions this quarter: $45806.80 Cash on hand: $25,742.93 PAC: Six County PAC Cash on hand: $120,100 (R) Josh Barrett Contributions this quarter: No reports filed.

Cash on hand: No reports filed.

PAC: Patriot PAC Cash on hand: $25,000.00

#8 SD 13 (D+27.5) Sen. Gina Walsh is term-limited.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: SAFE DEMOCRAT PRIMARY: LEAN PIERSON JR.

This race has been harder to read than most. Rep. Tommy Pierson has the support of outgoing Senator Gina Walsh, the huge money advantage, and is the favorite. However, Rep. Alan Green is a pro and will get a chunk of votes with that chunk likely to be mostly of votes that would have gone to Pierson.

The Walton machine is real and will run a good campaign. Angela Mosley, although the underdog, could win this race, and it could come down to how hard Pierson works it and how many votes Green gets. Mosley needs a lot of things to go right for her to win, but it’s possible.

Three weeks out bet on Pierson.

(D) Rep. Tommie Pierson Jr. Contributions this quarter: $27,081.00 Cash on hand: $70,236.97 (D) Rep. Alan Green Contributions this quarter: $1,300.00 Cash on hand: $9,137.62 (D) Angela Mosley Contributions this quarter: $7931.41 Cash on hand: $5,653.99

#9 SD 23 (R+3.3) Sen. Bill Eigel is running for re-election.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: SAFE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: LIKELY EIGEL

This was a nuisance primary for the spring and early summer. Then, a $390,000 dark money bomb hit, and all the eyebrows were raised. I’m not buying that Senator Bill Eigel is in real jeopardy, but any race that gets that kind of money dropped in it isn’t as safe as it was before. It’s hard to see that Eigel will be the first state senator I can remember to lose a primary when it’s still hard for Eric Wulff to get to his right.

The likely outcome is that Eigel wins by a tighter margin that people assumed before the money cavalry showed up, but he still wins by a double-digit margin. The fact that some of that money is showing up in SD 25 is proof that the donors who put it in agree with that take. However, that kind of money probably makes Eigel keep more of his money in St. Charles and less in Cassville and Cass County because another contribution of that size could change the dynamic.

(R) Senator Bill Eigel Contributions this quarter: $22,300 Cash on hand: $108,325.12 PAC: Believe in Life and Liberty (BILL) Cash on hand: $438,751.56 (R) Eric Wulff Contributions this quarter: $3,830 Cash on hand: $3,446.01 (D) Richard Orr Contributions this quarter: $2,681.00 Cash on hand: $$2,106.00

7

The Missouri Times

It took a long while for Kansas City area Democrats to settle in on a successor to the imminently respected Senator Kiki Curls. However, when they did, Rep. Barbara Washington was able to pull most of the party behind her. She is the Freedom Inc. candidate and should win easily next month. Hat tip to Raytown Alderman Ryan Myers who saw an opportunity with the early indecision that a crowded primary could have developed, and he could have come out the winner. He is an underdog in this one but look for his name to appear again — and next time be heading to Jefferson City.

(D) Rep. Barbara Washington Contributions this quarter: $11,505 Cash on hand: $24,096 (D) Raytown Alderman Ryan Myers Contributions this quarter: $5,959.70 Cash on hand: $3,999.99 (R) David Martin Contributions this quarter: $10 Cash on hand: $448.38

#11 SD 7 (D+20.8) Sen. Jason Holsman was term-limited before being appointed to the PSC. TIP SHEET PREDICTION: SAFE DEMOCRAT PRIMARY: SAFE RAZER

Former Rep. Michael Brown could have mounted a challenge to Rep. Greg Razer, but between COVID-19 and the very aggressive campaign Razer has run for more than two years, he never got out of the gate. Razer will cruise across the rotunda next month, and immediately be one of the biggest stars in the Missouri Democratic Party.

(D) Rep. Greg Razer Contributions this quarter: $44,460.00 Cash on hand: $102,422.73 PAC: KC Neighbors for Progress Cash on hand: $24,686 (D) former Rep. Michael R. Brown Contributions this quarter: $0 Cash on hand: $0

#12 SD 15 (R+9.3) Sen. Andrew Koenig is running for re-election.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: GENERAL: TOSS UP

Nothing that has happened since the end of session has done anything except help Rep. Deb Lavender. She had another impressive fundraising quarter, and she will need it. Don’t read too much into the poor quarter for Senator Andrew Koenig as both Senator Caleb Rowden and Senator Bill Eigel will make sure his race has all the money it needs in the fall. However, all that money can’t develop a vaccine or keep the president from tweeting.

Koenig may be tied to President Trump, and while that works just fine in the vast majority of the state, Kirkwood isn’t one of them. We are moving this to a toss up until the polling starts on SD 15.

(R) Sen. Andrew Koenig Contributions this quarter: $11,485.00 Cash on hand: $175,214.04 Pac: Freedom’s Promise Cash on hand: $120,977.70 (D) Rep. Deb Lavender Contributions this quarter: $141,678.28 Cash on hand: $424,671.53 Purple PAC Cash on hand: $59,516.56

#13 SD 19 (R+0.3) Senator Caleb Rowden is running for re-election.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: LEAN REPUBLICAN We will get back to this one with the eighth day

out reports.

(R) Senator Caleb Rowden Contributions this quarter: $57,106.00 Cash on hand: $237,262.31 PAC: Majority Forward: Cash on hand: $229,302.60 (D) Judy Baker Contributions this quarter: $75,467.00 Cash on hand: $135,182.81

#14 SD 1 (D+2.3) Sen. Scott Sifton is term-limited.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: LEAN DEMOCRAT

We will get back to this one next tip sheet as well.

(D) Rep. Doug Beck Contributions this quarter: $73,280.90 Cash on hand: $262,828.89 PAC: DougPac Cash on hand: $66,275.50 (R) David Lenihan Contributions this quarter: $28,081.00 Cash on hand: $48,406.68

#15 SD 17 (R+0.8) Sen. Lauren Arthur is running for re-election.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: SAFE DEMOCRAT The minute she dodged being on a Bernie Sanders ticket was the minute the Republicans raised the white flag and surrendered her reelection.

(D) Senator Lauren Arthur Contributions this quarter: $31,002.58 Cash on hand: $383,710.68 PAC: True North Cash on hand: $96,323.28 (R) Mickey Younghanz Contributions this quarter: N/A Cash on hand: N/A

#16 SD 21 (R+4.9) Sen. Denny Hoskins is running for re-election.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: SAFE REPUBLICAN

Senator Hoskins must have been an amazing House member because he never had a Senate race.

(R) Senator Denny Hoskins Contributions this quarter: $1,550 Cash on hand: $115,845.28 PAC: Old Drum Conservative Cash on hand: $74,996.68 (R) Rep. Dan Houx Contributions this election: $6,046 Cash on hand: $28,852.33

#17 SD 11 (D+8.9) Sen. John Rizzo is running for re-election.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: SAFE DEMOCRAT How smooth is Senator Rizzo? After a competitive primary and election in 2016, no primary and no general in 2020.

(D) Senator John Rizzo Contributions this quarter: $16,250 Cash on hand: $185,758.50 PAC: Truth in Campaigns Cash on hand: $79,266.65

Open Senate seats in 2022: 6

SD 2 (R+9.9) SAFE REPUBLICAN Senator Bob Onder will be term-limited.

(R) Senator Bob Onder Contributions this quarter: $500.00 Cash on hand: $157,900.00 (R) Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann Contributions this quarter: $11,191.00 Cash on hand: $51,491.95 (R) Rep. Justin Hill Contributions this quarter: $1,300 Cash on hand: $16,457.13 (R) Rep. Nick Schroer Contributions this quarter: $5,900.00 Cash on hand: $53,844.85

SD 10 (R+6.7) SAFE REPUBLICAN Senator Jeannie Riddle will be term-limited.

(R) Senator Jeannie Riddle Contributions this quarter: $957.91 Cash on hand: $81,534.97 (R) Rep. Travis Fitzwater Contributions this quarter: $2,214.00 Cash on hand: $22,119.51 (R) Rep. Bryan Spencer Contributions this quarter: $125.00 Cash on hand: $31,267.63 (R) Rep. Randy Pietzman Contributions this quarter: $0 Cash on hand: $6,366.16

SD 12 (R+11.2) SAFE REPUBLICAN Senator Dan Hegeman is term-limited.

(R) Senator Dan Hegeman Contributions this quarter: $3,000 Cash on hand: $106,756.81 PAC: North Missouri Leadership PAC Cash on hand: $6,063.15 (R) Rep. Allen Andrews Contributions this quarter: $0.39 Cash on hand: $18,418.90 (R) Rep. J. Eggleston Contributions this quarter: $1,100 Cash on hand: $44,422.53

SD 22 (R+4.2) SAFE REPUBLICAN Senator Paul Wieland is term-limited.

(R) Senator Paul Wieland Contributions this quarter: $6.81 Cash on hand: $54.338.88 PAC: Jeffco Now Cash on hand: $33,568.07 (R) Rep. Dan Shaul Contributions this quarter: $3,250.00 Cash on hand: $11,683.41 PAC: Jeffco Vision PAC Cash on hand: N/A (R) House Floor Leader Rob Vescovo Contributions this quarter: $10,346.00 Cash on hand: $126,185.55 PAC: Mighty Missouri PAC Cash on hand: $219,586.61 (R) Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman Contributions this quarter: $11,411.00 Cash on hand: $31,792.77 PAC: Conservative Solutions for Missouri Cash on hand: $1,849.79 (R) Rep. Becky Ruth Contributions this quarter: $3,046.00 Cash on hand: $4,908.14

SD 24 (D+4.5) LEAN DEMOCRAT Senator Jill Schupp is term-limited.

(D) Senator Jill Schupp Contributions this quarter: $0 Cash on hand: $129,773.58 (D) Rep. Tracy McCreery Contributions this quarter: $3,975.00 Cash on hand: $128,018.95

SD 26 (R+9.8) SAFE REPUBLICAN Senator Dave Schatz is term-limited.

(R) Senator Dave Schatz Contributions this quarter: $3,798.53 Cash on hand: $153,732.08 (R) Rep. Aaron Griesheimer Contributions this quarter: $7,350.00 Cash on hand: $20,607.99 PAC: Four Rivers PAC Cash on hand: N/A (R) Rep. Nate Tate Contributions this quarter: $3,349.10 Cash on hand: $22,457.16 (R) Former Rep. Dave Hinson Contributions this quarter: $2,580.00 Cash on hand: $6,765.11

Senators seeking re-election in 2022: 11 SD 4 (D+24.5) SAFE DEMOCRAT Senator Karla May will be seeking re-

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election.

(D) Senator Karla May Contributions this quarter: N/A Cash on hand: N/A

SD 6 (R+12.5) SAFE REPUBLICAN Senator Mike Bernskoetter will be seeking re-election.

(R) Senator Mike Bernskoetter Contributions this quarter: $1,000.00 Cash on hand: $162,623.98

SD 8 (R+2.1) LEAN REPUBLICAN Senator Mike Cierpiot will be seeking reelection.

(R) Senator Mike Cierpiot Contributions this quarter: $1,000.00 Cash on hand: $162,623.98

SD 14 (D+18.9) SAFE DEMOCRAT Senator Brian Williams will be seeking reelection.

(D) Senator Brian Williams Contributions this quarter: $2,045.00 Cash on hand: $146,336.11

SD 16 (R+11.2) SAFE REPUBLICAN Senator Justin Brown will be seeking reelection.

J U LY 2 0 2 0 T I P S H E E T

#10 SD 9 (D+33.9) Sen. Kiki Curls was term-limited prior to receiving an appointment.

TIP SHEET PREDICTION: SAFE DEMOCRAT PRIMARY: SAFE WASHINGTON

(R) Senator Justin Brown Contributions this quarter: $500.00 Cash on hand: $49,864.99

SD 18 (R+8.1) SAFE REPUBLICAN Senator Cindy O’Laughlin will be seeking reelection.

(R) Senator Cindy O’Laughlin Contributions this quarter: $100.00 Cash on hand: $64,410.39 PAC: North Missouri Leadership Cash on hand: $6,063.15

SD 20 (R+16.1) SAFE REPUBLICAN Senator Eric Burlison will be seeking reelection.

(R) Senator Eric Burlison Contributions this quarter: $1,162.13 Cash on hand: $441,437.58

SD 28 (R+11.8) SAFE REPUBLICAN Senator Sandy Crawford will be seeking re-election.

(R) Senator Sandy Crawford Contributions this quarter: $500.00 Cash on hand: $244,531.10

SD 30 (R+4.6) LEAN REPUBLICAN Senator Lincoln Hough will be seeking reelection.

(R) Senator Lincoln Hough Contributions this quarter: $6,591.80 Cash on hand: $161,902.51 PAC: Lincoln PAC Cash on hand: $44,620.92

SD 32 (R+19.5) SAFE REPUBLICAN Senator Bill White will be seeking reelection.

(R) Senator Bill White Contributions this quarter: $0 Cash on hand: $30,952.06

SD 34 (R+1.3) LEAN REPUBLICAN Senator Tony Luetkemeyer will be seeking re-election.

(R) Senator Tony Luetkemeyer Contributions this quarter: $11,825.00 Cash on hand: $320,890.86 PAC: Tony PAC Cash on hand: $25,127.65

8

The Missouri Times

SPECIAL SESSION

SESSION EXPECTED TO CONTINUE AFTER PRIMARIES

Continued from cover

What’s on deck

The agenda for the special session includes six facets: residency requirements for St. Louis police officers, certification to try juveniles as adults, witness statement admissibility, creation of a witness protection fund, modification of the offense of endangering a child, and an increased penalty for illegally transferring a firearm to a minor.

A week before the special session is to begin, it’s still unclear if all those measures will be rolled into one bill or multiple pieces of legislation, said Sen. Doug Libla, the Republican who is expected to carry the provisions in the upper chamber.

His Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public Safety Committee is also expected to hear the bills on that side of the Capitol.

“We’re talking about the violent crime that’s becoming prevalent not only in St. Louis and Kansas City but other areas too,” Libla said, noting he’s been working with the Governor’s Office on the exact language they want to push through.

While session is set to convene on July 27, it’s expected to spill past the Aug. 4 primary elections — not to really liven until mid-August.

Parson has spent the week leading up to the legislative return touring Missouri and meeting with local officials to discuss what’s needed in their communities. On Thursday, his visit to Columbia was met with a few dozen protestors who demanded the governor “defund the police” or hold law enforcement accountable.

“As governor and a former law enforcement officer for more than 22 years, protecting our citizens and upholding the laws of our state are of utmost

importance to my administration,” the Republican governor has said. “We know we have a serious problem with violent crime here in Missouri that must be addressed. Violent crime has been a problem in our state long before COVID-19, and we have seen it escalate even more in recent weeks, specifically in our big cities.”

Parson said he’s been in contact with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence and is working with them to secure “more resources” for the state. He said the pair has been concerned about violent crime in Missouri “for weeks.”

‘Big missed opportunity’

Parson’s call for an extra session was immediately derided by many of the state’s Democratic lawmakers — especially from those who had implored him to convene legislators in Jefferson City to tackle a number of police reform measures, from banning chokeholds to ensuring accountability.

In a recent letter to the governor, state Rep. LaKeySha Bosley said, “We have the privilege and responsibility of safeguarding the lives of Missourians and fostering an environment for them to reach their full potential.”

“With a special session on violent crime on the horizon, we must make sure the conversation is broad and starts with improving interactions between law enforcement officers and the community,” Bosley said. “I implore you to make it a priority that all Missourians feel safe when they encounter the police.”

And the call to expand the scope of the session has been bipartisan. In a lengthy Twitter thread, state Rep. Shamed Dogan, the Republican chairman of the House Special Committee on Criminal Justice, said legislators should be able to address both violent crime and police misconduct.

“Holding a special session regarding crime and not even attempting to reach a consensus on the urgent need for police reform would be a big missed opportunity,” he said. “I urge the governor to expand his call for a special session to include the issue of police reform so that we can help our brave men and women in law enforcement and hold accountable those who fail to protect and serve.”

“We have the privilege and responsibility of safeguarding the lives of Missourians and fostering an environment for them to reach their full potential.”

OPINION: Specific solutions to violent crime Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer

We are returning to Jefferson City to address the alarming increase in violent crime sweeping Missouri. The governor’s call for an extra session declared the state in the midst of an “unprecedented wave of violent crime.”

Last year, Missouri’s three largest cities ranked among the most dangerous in the nation. Tragically, this year is on pace to be even worse.

As the governor’s extra session proclamation says, Missouri has seen more homicides during the first half of 2020 than in all of last year. This increase in violence led the White House to start a new violent crime initiative, Operation Legend, named for a 4-yearold boy who was tragically shot and killed in his sleep in Kansas City last month.

Something must be done.

My Senate Bill 600, which was signed into law earlier this month, targets the most violent offenders — ending probation for murders, cracking down on gangs and career criminals, and ensuring felons who use weapons to commit acts of violence are behind bars. The governor’s call for an extra session asks us to build upon that progress.

Two of the key actions requested in the extra session will ensure witnesses aren’t prevented from testifying in cases involving dangerous crimes. One measure expands the admissibility of witness testimony when a witness is intimidated from testifying. The other establishes a special fund to ensure the safety of witnesses in criminal proceedings. This proposal is similar to Senate Bill 857, which I introduced during the 2020 session. My legislation established a “Pre-

Testing for COVID-19 in the Capitol: What to know

Cameron Gerber

After concerns were raised over safety during the special session on violent crime, lawmakers and others working in the Missouri Capitol will be eligible for COVID-19 testing courtesy of the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).

DHSS said testing will be available by appointment on July 27-28, with additional dates possible as scheduling around the special session continues. Appointments will be available from 8 a.m. to noon. Testing will be held in room 14B of the Capitol.

Testing is voluntary for Capitol workers.

DHSS said the test will take five minutes, and the department will notify individuals of their results within two to three days. Only aggregate data will be shared with the federal database, according to DHSS. The testing will be funded by money from the CARES Act, DHSS said.

“Members of the General Assembly have expressed an interest in voluntary testing availability during the upcoming special

session,” DHSS Director Dr. Randall Williams said. “After seeing the experience [other] state legislatures had recently, we felt this was a reasonable request. This opportunity is available because of the governor’s testing initiative which has significantly expanded testing capacity throughout the state, in regards to both volume and accessibility.”

“I think that’s fine, anything to make it safe,” Parson previously said. “It’ll be a safe place to do testing, so we’re fine with that.”

Ahead of the official announcement regarding special session, Democratic Senate Leader John Rizzo asked the state to provide testing to employees working in the Capitol while back in Jefferson City. Parson said he was open to the idea at last Wednesday’s press conference.

“Legislators traveling to and from their districts to the Capitol could spread COVID-19 from one community to another,” Rizzo told The Missouri Times. “In Mississippi, 26 lawmakers tested positive for COVID-19

after being in their statehouse. I’m glad the Missouri Department of Health granted my request for testing in our Capitol before and during the upcoming special session.”

Rizzo said the next step is putting a plan in place for those who test positive in the building.

“I will be working with leaders in both Chambers to make sure that if a positive test occurs within the building, people are notified and the proper steps are taken to safeguard workers and the public,” Rizzo said.

During the regular session, one House member tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized. Two House staffers were also recently confirmed to have tested positive for the virus. Both are currently self-quarantining.

For help with registration, call 877-4358411.

Staff who become symptomatic or have come in contact with the virus can call 919413-7791 for rapid off-site testing options.

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trial Witness Protection Services Fund,” to provide for the security of witnesses and their families. Prosecutors and police can’t solve cases without witnesses, and witnesses won’t come forward unless they feel safe.

Providing the means for prosecutors to temporarily relocate witnesses will encourage more cases to move forward and help put dangerous criminals behind bars.

The call of the extra session also asked us to remove the requirement that police officers for the City of St. Louis live in the city.

Removing the residency requirement will help attract more recruits to the department, which is currently understaffed by 150 officers, according to the police officers’ association. Simply put, our largest cities need more officers on the streets to ensure law and order.

Finally, to address the large number of violent crimes committed by minors, the extra session also proposes requiring juveniles charged with weapons offenses to appear before a judge to determine whether they should be charged as adults. Likewise, encouraging a child to commit a weapons offense would become a new crime, and transferring a firearm to a minor without the consent of the child’s guardian would become a felony.

One of the core functions of government is public safety. We must never lose sight of the solemn duty of government to protect its citizens from violence. My hope is this extra session will continue the successes we had during the regular session to make our state a safer place for all Missourians.

The Missouri Times

SPECIAL SESSION

Williams to Parson: Missouri ‘cannot wait a day longer’ to reform police

9

Cameron Gerber

Sen. Brian Williams is set on enacting police reforms in Missouri — and he’s reached across the aisle to request Gov. Mike Parson’s help as well.

Williams sent a letter to the governor ahead of special session requesting attention be paid to the state’s law enforcement agencies and their tactics following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. His death sparked massive protests and calls for reform nationwide, including in Missouri.

“In light of recent events in our country, I am thinking more about policing and law enforcement policies,” Williams said. “As I reflect on our state and my own experiences with law enforcement, I believe reforms must be enacted regarding law enforcement and the tactics they employ. In my opinion, it is imperative that you call a special session to address policing, and more specifically, use-of-force tactics. These issues are extremely important to me personally, especially since I am

the only Black male senator to serve the state of Missouri in the past 20 years.”

“During the upcoming legislative session, I intend to file legislation regarding these very same issues; however, I believe our state cannot wait a day longer when it comes to reforming our law enforcement agencies,” Williams said.

Williams proposed possible solutions to increase police accountability and reform the state’s law enforcement system, including requiring an occupational license for police and a ban on chokeholds.

Williams said the proposed changes would be an effort to improve the relationship between police and Missourians rather than an attempt to defund the police.

“In order to move our state forward, I believe it is critical that we do everything we can to restore the trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, especially Black communities throughout our state,” he said.

State Rep. Steve Roberts last month proposed

similar police reform measures, including a ban on chokeholds, increased accountability measures, and a requirement for officers to report and intervene in uses of excessive force. Roberts also joined House Minority Leader Crystal Quade on a letter to the governor requesting an overhaul of police training requirements.

Republican state Rep. Ron Hicks also made clear his intentions to pre-file a bill that would increase police accountability by creating a charge of “abuse of force” for police officers found guilty of using “grossly unreasonable force which causes physical injury to another person.”

“As leaders, it is up to us to work together to enact positive change throughout our state, and I am asking for your help to achieve this goal,” Williams said.

“The one thing I do want to emphasize to the media and to the legislature; there’s a lot of things that will be discussed this year, through different ways through different mechanisms through the legislative branch, it’s gonna take some time,

whether that’s policy changes, whether that’s the police post commission going out receiving information trying to figure out how we’re gonna move forward,” Parson has said. “That will be a lengthy process and that will need to be done in a legislative session.”

In addition to his letter to the governor, the St. Louis Democrat has been vocal on social media about the need for change. He’s also highlighted Republican state Rep. Shamed Dogan’s comments calling for an expansion of the special session’s scope.

“Holding a special session regarding crime and not even attempting to reach a consensus on the urgent need for police reform would be a big missed opportunity,” Dogan said. “I urge the governor to expand his call for a special session to include the issue of police reform so that we can help our brave men and women in law enforcement and hold accountable those who fail to protect and serve.”

a commitment to changing course. Missouri is doubling down on policies that ignore this moment of transformation and ultimately place Missouri in an outlier position with no attempt to change course.

Police reform is not a topic that can wait. Indeed, it has waited far too long. We have 20 years of data showing Missouri’s persistent problems with racial profiling. We have too many Missouri stories. The deaths of Mike Brown, Cameron Lamb, Tory Sanders, and the assault of Brianna Hill, among many. We must change to ensure that their circumstances and the violence done to them are never repeated. We have the Ferguson Commission report and bipartisan examples of change that chart a path forward for Missouri. There is no justification to wait.

Missouri should halt no-knock warrants like Louisville. It should ban chokeholds like Iowa, require independent investigations of officerinvolved shootings like Utah, establish a duty to intervene when one officer sees another go too far as recommend by the U.S. Department of Justice.

We should demilitarize the police like Montana.

We should make it impossible for an officer fired for misconduct in another state to take up a post in Missouri, and we should spend our money in line with the outcomes we seek. Being a police officer should not mean that you are the community’s sole caretaker. We owe it to all of us to step in and get the right person on the job — mental health workers for people in crisis and substance abuse experts for those struggling with addiction, to start. We can do so much better.

Your intention is to make Missouri safe. We share that. However, before we jump into policy prerogatives that simply bandage our fractured criminal justice system, let us build a foundation where law enforcement is held to the highest standards. Together, we have a real opportunity to create a Missouri that holds the welfare of the people as its supreme law.

Sincerely, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri

Tricia Rojo Bushnell, Midwest Innocence Project Action St. Louis Color Of Change Empower Missouri LaTrisha Gandy (Metropolitan Congregations United) State Representative Steven Roberts MCU Marie Franklin United Congregations of Metro East Law Enforcement Action Partnership, Major Neill Franklin (Ret.), Executive Director Deaconess Foundation Missouri Faith Voices Law Enforcement Action Partnership Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee Jamala Rogers, Organization for Black Struggle NAACP Justice Gatson, Reale Justice Network Daniel Gould Missouri Faith Voices

LETTER: You can’t stop violence without police reform Dear Governor Parson, We, the undersigned, write to express our deep concern regarding your call for a special session on crime. Without a doubt, we support a Missouri where every individual can thrive and live their lives to the fullest. However, the call placed for a special session ignores the root causes of violence and perpetuates further escalation of interactions between law enforcement and the people they serve. This is why we must urge you to alter your call and focus on police reform. A foundation of trust is a prerequisite for addressing violence.

Now is not the time to increase the problems Missouri has with incarceration when we know that the ultimate way to address crime lies in innovation, in solutions that prioritize community resources and mental health services. We cannot seek to cure violence without addressing police brutality. Across the country in places like Louisville, Kentucky, and the state of Iowa, we have seen responsive governing bodies react to the murder of George Floyd with

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10

The Missouri Times

C A M PA I G N S

Senator Karla May weighs in on elections

As a resident of the City of St. Louis and having been involved in politics as a youth, I am witnessing the same historical backlash to change.

St. Louis City, a predominantly African American city — however, not reflected in its elected representation — is presently experiencing a revolution parallel to that of the civil rights movement. It is at this critical moment in the struggle for the soul of our community, our state, and our country — at this moment when the entrenched powers deploy the rhetoric of division to keep us from rising together for change — that we must begin the tough conversations around race and criminal justice reform from a diverse perspective. We must be willing to ask the question of why African American representation is criticized in a way where the opposite is not true. At this very point in time, we have the unique opportunity to redefine how we work collectively together in order to make the declaration of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” true for all humans regardless of race.

Furthermore, I believe there is hope, and we all can move forward together. By letting our voices be heard, we can elect quality leadership in order to push this city and state towards reconciliation of past policies. We all must be willing to stand up against discriminatory public policies and those who continue to perpetuate false narratives and an unwillingness to see public policy from an African American perspective.

Therefore, in this time of historical reflection when black men and women are having their lives taken by certain bad acting or (corrupt) police, I feel compelled to support Steve Roberts for the 5th Senatorial District. As a state representative, lawyer, and chairman of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus, Roberts has worked tirelessly on efforts to implement criminal justice reform to a sometimes unjust criminal justice system. He has remained an unflinching advocate in the face of current unrest as we grapple with the future of policing in African American communities.

If successful, he would become the second Black man to serve in the Missouri Senate in approximately 20 years and the chamber’s only African American lawyer. It is essential that we diversify government entities that formulate public policy. I believe Roberts, a former prosecutor, has what it takes to deliver results and move our community forward — whether he is standing up for criminal justice reform, social justice, or to ensure access to proper health care and testing during COVID-19. Therefore, I endorse Steve Roberts for the 5th Senatorial

District. Together, we can continue to address the unjust aspects of our criminal justice system and move our city and state in the right and just direction.

Additionally, we must reelect Kim Gardner as circuit attorney. We cannot afford to go backward. The historical roots of racism in American policing started centuries ago and have not been completely abolished.

The modern-day brutality against African Americans grew out of slave patrols, lack of adequate police training, and predominately white male forces with no diversity; over 100 years combined the Black Codes and Jim Crow Laws. It is important that we do not insult the intelligence of African American people by pretending that policing has always been equitable. It is this type of leadership that we must avoid moving forward. Kim Gardener is extremely qualified and demonstrates the courage to balance the scales of justice and not tilt them based on race.

For the first time in the history of St. Louis City, it is not business as usual, and the decision to prosecute individuals are reflected through the eyes of an African American, and various individuals are uncomfortable with that perspective. Some want to use diversionary tactics in discussing black-on-black crime in order to divert the real conversation from police reform. This tough-on-crime rhetoric produces no results in reducing crime but continues to perpetuate the same injustices of the past. History shows disproportionate numbers of African Americans in the criminal justice system as high as 85 percent, yet African Americans only make up approximately 12 percent of the population.

In an article written by Connie Hassett-Walker, Gary Potter, an Eastern Kentucky University criminologist, explained that authorities didn’t punish the perpetrators when African Americans were lynched nor did the judicial system hold the police accountable for failing to intervene when Black people were being murdered by mobs. Let us evaluate the history of the justice system and correct all unjust policies and the systematic abuse that have persisted for decades. Kim Gardner as a registered nurse, former legislator, and attorney understands the need for pairing criminal justice reform with a public health approach considering the social, behavioral, and environmental factors that cause violence. Kim Gardner is a local and national leader in changing the culture of a broken system. Gardner has never wavered in her commitment to accountability despite unprecedented attacks. Decades of silence and inaction will not fix our system, but having a clear outlook on its history and how we arrived where we are will help us make the necessary changes. Let us create unity in the community and make a commitment toward fairness.

Conservative nonprofit picks Missouri as ‘biggest target’ in primary elections Group focuses solely on state legislature races

Kaitlyn Schallhorn With a laser focus on nearly a dozen races, Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) is getting involved in Missouri’s legislative races with the biggest push to date.

YAL, a national “pro-liberty” youth organization, has partnered with about 80 Missouri students throughout the state to knock doors and meet with voters through its PAC, Make Liberty Win. The effort is part of the group’s “Operation Win at the Door” campaign to elect legislators “who share [YAL’s] commitment to liberty.”

YAL’s official slate of 11 candidates in Missouri is: Bishop Davidson for HD 130; Will Perry for HD 148; Bryant Wolfin for HD 116; Ryan Jones for HD 115; Chris Beyer for HD 62; Michael Davis for HD 56; Chris Sander for HD 33; Tina Goodrick for HD 9; Brian Seitz for HD 156; Jaret Holden for HD 143; and Mike Moon for SD 29.

Between the number of candidates and “deployment” of nearly 100 students, Missouri is the biggest targeted state for the group in its history, YAL President Cliff Maloney said.

“It’s cool to see Missouri have so many people who are tired of this idea that government is the answer to every single one of our problems,” Maloney said. “If I’m a resident of Missouri, I’m excited to know there’s a new wave of up-and-coming, actually principled people who won’t let special interests and the powers that be drive policy.”

“We’re trying to build a caucus in the statehouse that will actually be conservative when it comes to the power of government,” he said. “I didn’t know that cutting taxes and getting conservative legislation through that limits government is so radical; there are a lot of bad Republicans in Missouri.”

To receive YAL’s support, candidates complete a six-page survey, and the group decides if a he or she is sincere about “limiting the size and scope of government” and “giving power back to the people.” The focus is less on geography and more on the candidates’ principles, Maloney said.

Missouri had the most candidates turn in a survey this year than any other state.

The next facet of YAL’s plan is putting students on the ground to engage with voters.

Missouri students are assigned one of the 11 races and have already knocked more than 200,000 doors in a little more than 30 days, Maloney said.

“A lot of Republicans aren’t used to seeing young Missouri students engage with them.

They aren’t used to seeing someone who is 19 [years old] at the door excited about a local Republican candidate,” Maloney said, noting many students get asked if they are campaigning for former Vice President Joe Biden or U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. “These Missouri students really provide energy that a lot of Republican candidates lack.”

YAL focuses on state legislature races — not “shiny objects” like a gubernatorial or national contest. The rationale behind that, Maloney explained, is students want to be involved in races where they can be the most impactful and have “valuable conversations at the door.”

“We are really focused on trying to rebuild the state legislatures, not just in Missouri but across America with this new wave of folks,” Maloney said.

YAL had a presence in Missouri during the 2018 elections, albeit a much smaller one.

It previously supported three candidates in Missouri: Dirk Deaton, Tony Lovasco, and Phil Christofanelli.

Galloway endorsed by national gun violence prevention group

Cameron Gerber

The Brady PAC, a gun violence prevention advocacy group, has endorsed State Auditor Nicole Galloway in her race for Missouri governor.

Brady announced the endorsement Thursday as well as an investment of $25,000 in the campaign. It also said it’s starting a grassroots movement with 800,000 volunteers with the goal of raising an additional $100,000, according to a spokesperson.

Brady PAC Executive Director Brian Lemek said Galloway’s stance on guns mirrored that of the organization.

“Nicole Galloway knows we can save lives from gun violence without disrupting Missouri’s rich gun and sporting culture,” Lemek told The Missouri TImes. “For that reason, she will prioritize gun violence and common sense solutions in Missouri starting day one as governor. While A+ rated NRA member Gov. Parson has deflected any accountability, we know Galloway will take this issue head on. Nicole Galloway is a gun violence prevention champion and we are proud to support her race for governor.”

“As governor, I’m committed to standing with Missouri families and fighting for common-sense gun safety reforms

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like background checks and permits,” Galloway, a Democrat, said on social media. “I’m honored to be endorsed by Brady PAC, which was founded on the belief that keeping our communities safe is a bipartisan issue.”

Brady, established in 1974 as the National Counsel to Control Handguns, became known as the Brady Group in honor of former President Ronald Reagen’s press secretary, Jim Brady, who was wounded during an assassination attempt on the president in 1981. Brady and his wife began urging Congress to pass laws on background checks for gun owners, and in 1993, the Brady Bill was signed by thenPresident Bill Clinton.

The organization continues to advocate for the expansion of background checks, expanding categories of people prohibited from buying guns, restricting access to certain weapons, and other gun violence related causes.

Galloway has also received endorsements from Missouri Women’s Political Caucus, Planned Parenthood, and EMILY’s List.

Parson has received endorsements from the Associated Industries of Missouri (AIM) PAC, Missouri Right to Life, and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.

‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’ On May 5, 2017, Tory Sanders ran out of gas on the outskirts of Charleston in Mississippi County, Missouri. When he called his mother and asked her what to do, she told him to ask the police for help.

Sanders died the next day. He did nothing unlawful — but was taken into custody by the same police officers he believed would help him. He was tortured, beaten, tased, and pepper-sprayed. He was killed less than 10 hours after being admitted to the Mississippi County Detention Center. He lived his last moments unable to breathe, with a policeman’s knee on his neck.

There have been no charges filed in this case.

Along with Rod Chapel, the president of the Missouri NAACP, I have contacted the Missouri Attorney General’s Office several times, hoping for an update on the investigation into the killing of Tory Sanders. Each time, we’ve been told that the investigation is ongoing, and the Attorney General’s Office cannot comment. The attorney general has not provided further information or guidance on the development of the investigation.

On June 28, Patricia and Mark McCloskey stood outside their mansion in St. Louis’s Central West End neighborhood and menaced peaceful protesters with a handgun and a military-style assault rifle. Images of the couple made national news and quickly circulated around the internet — an all-too-perfect visual representation of our times. Subsequently, the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office filed charges against the couple for threatening peaceful protesters.

Less than 24 hours after the charges were filed, Attorney General Eric Schmitt reacted by releasing a

Lawmakers should fight for students at public, private schools to return to classrooms this fall Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin

State Rep. Steve Roberts; Chairman of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus

passionate statement asserting that as Missouri’s chief law enforcement officer, he would immediately enter into this case and seek a dismissal.

I write today not to argue the merits of the criminal case against the McCloskeys. Instead, I wish to highlight the actions of Schmitt regarding these two cases — and how his actions show unequivocally which Missourians the attorney general cares about and which Missourians he does not consider worthy of attention.

The most noteworthy fact of the McCloskey case has nothing to do with the Castle Doctrine or Second Amendment rights. The Attorney General’s Office did not investigate the incident involving the McCloskeys, and its actions are based on nothing more than a blind judgment on the merits. Governor Mike Parson has already spoken about pardoning the McCloskeys — which makes Schmitt’s actions even more baffling. A pardon would only take place if, after a presentation of the evidence, a jury found Mr. or Mrs. McCloskey guilty of the crimes they are accused.

Schmitt is attempting to circumvent the prosecution of the case altogether — without knowing the facts or with indifference to them; he is making it clear that his office does not care whether a crime was committed or not.

The attorney general feels this incident is so important that he must take the unprecedented action of intervening in the case of a local prosecutor — while, at the same time, he feels that the murder of Tory Sanders is so insignificant, that three agonizing years later, his office has yet to take any action at

COVID-19 has wrecked more than just our economy; it has thrown a wrench into America’s education system.

Students have been forced out of the classroom and into their homes, thrust into a world of virtual learning that few were prepared for. Missouri schools have not been alone in all this; every single child has been greatly impacted by COVID-19. Our next step in recovery is to find a way to safely return students to the classroom and to their schools. Schools around the state, especially schools in poorer districts, are struggling to find it in their budget to keep it open.

That is why Congress is considering extra aid for schools in the next COVID relief bill. I think that any aid for K-12 education needs to take into account the enormous role that private schools play in American society. 5.7 million students attend private schools around the nation. That is no small number. Private schools make up 10 percent of the student body. Many of these private schools serve children in low-income families in America’s poorest regions. Of course, private schools are not immune from the effects of COVID-19 either, and many are considering closures.

all. Schmitt responds immediately to a case of rich white lawyers waving guns around on the lawn of their mansion, while he delays any form of justice for Sanders and his family.

Unfortunately, this attention to certain lives and disregard for others is not an exception, but the rule.

These two cases serve as undeniable examples of the systematic racism that permeates this nation — and a heartbreaking reminder of which lives actually matter.

Tory Sanders was a father, husband, and son.

His life was taken while he was in police custody.

His family deserves justice, which at the very least, includes a comprehensive examination of the case and an honest effort to seek justice.

The McCloskeys are neither indigent nor need the backing of the Attorney General’s Office; they have already hired counsel and are among the wealthiest lawyers in the state. They face a charge for which they are already being offered diversion. Yet, Schmitt acted on their behalf without conducting any investigation.

This is the unfortunate reality of Black people and other minorities in this country. Indifference is as great a problem as hatred, perhaps more so.

I am reminded of a radio interview I listened to in high school with James Baldwin, which was recorded in 1961. The host asked Baldwin about the struggles of being a Black writer. Baldwin responded: Well, the first difficulty is really so simple that it’s usually over-looked: to be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a state of rage almost, almost all of the time — and in one’s work. And part of the rage is this: It isn’t only what is happening

As it stands, public education simply couldn’t handle even a small influx of private school students. A lot of educrats may not be happy about this reality, but private schools are saving some of the poor public districts from going under. It would cost school districts (already strapped for cash) $15 billion if just 20 percent of the 5.7 million students in private schools had to go back into the public system.

So, if Congress feels the need to roll out another round of aid to help education, it only makes sense that the millions of students and families who rely on private education likewise get help. I support the idea of a onetime appropriation to provide direct tuition relief to private schools for lower-income families. Tax money should follow the students, and these private schools are the lifeline for millions of kids nationwide. State governors would identify the scholarship granting organizations to disperse the funds to, and those organizations would distribute the funds to needy families.

Additionally, this one-time emergency aid should be paired with a federal tax credit proposed by President Trump and known as Education Freedom Scholarships.

OPINION

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The Missouri Times

to you. But it’s what’s happening all around you and all of the time in the face of the most extraordinary and criminal indifference, indifference of most white people in this country, and their ignorance.

I often think of Baldwin’s words these days. The global protests in response to George Floyd’s murder reflect the rage that many of us feel about an unjust system that condones the killing of innocent people and endorses the privilege of unlawful behavior, all depending on the politics of skin color. The protests reflect not only the rage at these injustices but also the rage that these injustices continue to be downplayed and ignored. George Floyd’s murder became a rallying cry because there were concerned citizens on the scene to record the killing. Unfortunately, in the case of Tory Sanders, the only cameras around were in the possession of law enforcement and turned off in the cell where he died.

The McCloskeys are going to be alright. In one of the chief ironies of the situation, they were never in danger. Tory Sanders, on the other hand, is still dead.

His young children will never know their father.

The disparity in how Schmitt has handled these two cases lays bare which lives truly matter in the state of Missouri.

“Enough is enough,” Schmitt said in a video posted to Twitter.

Enough is enough, indeed.

The theory behind these programs is that it would encourage private donations and contributions to scholarship granting organizations — privately funded, instead of direct taxes. States would choose to participate in the program, and the scholarships could be used for a variety of educational uses, including tuition, special needs services, tutoring, and workforce training. This allows more versatility than exists in what public education can provide.

It only makes sense that since private schools educate 10 percent of the K-12 student population, the emergency appropriation should be 10 percent of whatever is appropriated for public schools. Since House Democrats are sure to indulge in some budget craziness, it is up to the Senate to make sure some common sense comes through to help education. If not, private schools serving children from lower-income families will close, and states will incur the costs for educating a massive influx of students For the sake of students, it’s time we recognize and support the role of private education.

Expanding Medicaid makes sense for Missouri

We often think of maintaining our health as a personal matter, discussed only with our doctor and close friends and family. The COVID-19 pandemic, though, has exposed how interconnected we are to the health of our fellow Missourians. More than ever, being healthy means keeping our communities and loved ones safe and our economy running.

Right now — amidst a global pandemic — many of our family, friends, and neighbors don’t have access to the health care they need to stay healthy, go to work, and support their families. This is a crisis that affects all of us.

Through my practice at Jordan Valley Community Health Center in Springfield, I see firsthand the consequences when our neighbors do not have health insurance. I have patients whose preventable health conditions have become emergency situations that are so severe they can

no longer work and no longer care for themselves or their family. I see my patients’ parents having to choose between filling prescriptions or paying next month’s rent. This leads to worsening mental health, as well. These problems have only gotten worse as this pandemic has caused people to lose jobs — and often the health insurance that comes with them.

Currently, parents in a family of four must earn $5,550 or less per year to qualify for health insurance through Missouri’s Medicaid program, MO HealthNet. Among the lowest in the nation, this threshold leaves many working Missourians without a realistic way to get health insurance.

They make too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to buy private health insurance on their own and aren’t offered insurance through their jobs.

On Aug. 4, Missourians will have the opportunity

to vote on whether or not to expand Medicaid.

By expanding MO HealthNet, an individual who makes up to $18,000 per year would be eligible.

More than 230,000 Missourians would gain health insurance under this proposal, including many who are in hourly jobs like restaurant servers, retail clerks, and construction workers — those who have been hit the hardest by the economic fallout of COVID-19.

The benefits of Medicaid expansion extend far past those gaining access to health care. It’s estimated that expansion would create 16,000 new jobs on average per year and save our state $39 million in the first year alone. The federal government would cover 90 percent of the costs each year to expand Missouri’s Medicaid program.

This commitment is written into law and guarantees this funding will be available. These are funds that

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Missourians have already paid into through federal taxes, and we deserve for these funds to be returned home.

These dollars would also help keep rural hospitals and clinics open. Seven rural hospitals have closed recently across the state. In Springfield, the Ozarks Community Hospital was forced to shut its doors a few years ago, eliminating a critical access point for care in our community.

As difficult as these last few months have been, this pandemic has also shown the strength and resilience of our community. We are all stronger when our family, friends, and neighbors have what they need to stay healthy. For everyone in our state, expanding Medicaid just makes sense.

Dr. Kayce Morton, MD; Jordan Valley Community Health Center

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BILL SIGNINGS

MISSOURI ADDS GREATER PROTECTIONS FOR RAPE VICTIMS, STREAMLINES KIT TESTING SB 569 grew to a bipartisan omnibus bill during the legislative session

Kaitlyn Schallhorn

A little more than a year after the Attorney General’s Office began investigating the backlog of untested rape kits in the state, Missouri is adding greater protections for victims and a process to streamline that testing.

Gov. Mike Parson signed SB 569 into law on July 13, a bipartisan omnibus bill to help sexual assault survivors in Missouri.

Championed by state Sen. Andrew Koenig, the underlying bill created a process for streamlining the testing of rape kits and making it easier for victims to track the kits’ status. The bill was born following Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s audit last year that found more than 6,000 sexual assault kits in Missouri sat untested.

The bill mandated law enforcement agencies to retain evidentiary collection kits for 30 years that have not been adjudicated. And except for in the cases of minors, unreported kits should be retained for at least five years.

“My legislation puts an end to the grievous harm that has been inflicted on too many sexual assault victims and survivors in our state,” Koenig said. “Survivors will no longer have to suffer in silence. They will finally have the resources and support needed to find closure.”

“Senate Bill 569 demonstrates our state’s commitment to supporting victims of sexual assault by giving them the rights and protections they deserve,” he said. “I am very grateful for the governor’s support in helping sexual assault victims and survivors in our state.”

In the shortened legislative year — when most of the legislation that passed out of the General Assembly pertained to the budget or global health crisis — the bill grew to include the “Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights,” which established certain protections for victims, including the right to consult with a counselor or support person during the tedious medical

or legal process that comes with reporting such crimes. From state Sen. David Sater, the measure also protects a victim from having to pay for a rape kit and ensures communications between a counselor and survivor are privileged.

State Sen. Jill Schupp also attached an amendment to increase access to rape kits in the first place — an effort she’s led for more than a year. The measure created a statewide telehealth network to mentor, train, and provide assistance to medical providers who are conducting forensic examinations, meaning hospitals wouldn’t necessarily have to be staffed with full-time Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) around the clock.

A telehealth system alleviates a possible additional burden placed on victims who seek treatment after an assault. Now, if a hospital cannot provide a rape kit, a victim might either forgo the examination or have to travel long distances, an experience that could be retraumatizing or contaminate evidence, Schupp has said.

“My Justice for Survivors Act included in SB 569 will help survivors of sexual assault across our state as they bravely seek treatment and evidence collection to hold perpetrators to account,” Schupp told The Missouri Times. “I am grateful for the broad bipartisan support that helped to get this legislation passed.”

Jennifer Carter Dochler, public policy director for the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCADSV) said: “On behalf of the 53 rape crisis centers and the victims of sexual assault they serve each year, MCADSV is very thankful for the strong bipartisan support of many legislators on SB 569. This law will change lives as survivors will have greater access to expert sexual assault nurses, established rights during a sexual assault forensic exam or interview with law enforcement or a prosecuting attorney, and a process for unreported sexual assault kits.”

The bill has earned national praise as well.

Amanda Nguyen, founder and CEO of Rise, a group that

advocates for a Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights at the federal and local levels, said: “Today is a historic day for Missouri, as 1.8 million survivors are now empowered with basic civil rights that help them get one step closer to justice.”

“Survivors both in Missouri, and across the country, deserve at a minimum the rights guaranteed by the federal law, and we applaud the Missouri House of Representatives, Missouri Senate, Gov. Mike Parson, and our local Risers for getting across the finish line,” she said.

Schmitt’s office has made tackling the untested rape kits a priority during his tenure in office. In all, 6,987 kits were identified under his office’s audit, which included 6,157 untested kits and an additional 830 that might need to be retested. Of those kits, police reports were located for 75.4 percent; reports were not filed or accessible for 1,719 kits.

Partnering with local law enforcement offices across the country, the Attorney General’s Office has sent off 1,056 kits to be tested since the audit.

“It’s important to remember these kits are not just numbers.

They are not footnotes to the reporting of a crime. They represent real human beings, who have suffered, confronted their fears, reported the assault, and submitted a kit,” Schmitt has said.

Miriam Joelson runs on hope to help survivors in Missouri

Kaitlyn Schallhorn

Miriam Joelson is quick to admit she’s a relatively new Missourian, but she’s laser-focused on enacting change in her new home state. And Gov. Mike Parson’s recent signing of legislation adding sweeping protections for sexual assault survivors is proof she’s already making a difference.

Joelson, 32, is the Missouri state organizer for Rise, a nonprofit advocating for civil rights protections for sexual assault survivors nationwide.

She was raised in Switzerland, but it was in the northeast of the U.S. where she learned firsthand

just how difficult reporting a sexual assault can be.

She was raped in 2007 and 2008 in Pennsylvania and Massachusets, she said, and reported the assault to Massachusets police in 2016.

Although her case was not prosecuted, Joelson sought a copy of the police report, hoping to have that tangible proof of her testimony in case other women would someday come forward as well. Instead, her request was denied, and she learned it would be “purged from the system.”

Joelson had heard about Amanda Nguyen, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee who founded Rise, and reached out to seek her guidance. At the time, Joelson had just moved to St. Louis to attend the Brown School at Washington University — where she now works full-time — but she joined the Rise team almost immediately after speaking to Nguyen. She had a new mission: to bring the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights to Missouri.

In her role, Joelson has met with a bevy of legislators as well as former Attorney General Josh Hawley to advocate for a Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights — a component included in the recently-signed SB 569.

The bill also made changes to Missouri’s rape kit testing process and created a statewide telehealth system to increase access to rape kits.

“The combination of these three bills just give such comprehensive rights to sexual assault survivors in Missouri really in a way that we’ve never seen before,” Joelson told The Missouri Times in an interview.

“Especially in these times, it can be so easy to feel hopeless about our capacity to make change but doing this work really makes me feel that it is possible, and I hope that the bill signing shows that there is reason to hope and certainly always reason to fight for what’s right.”

Joelson’s work is not done. Now, she’s focused on Rise’s Survivor Safe Haven Initiative, an effort born out of the COVID-19 pandemic. With most states or local municipalities enacting some sort of movement restriction policy during the global health crisis, reports of domestic and sexual violence skyrocketed.

The initiative provides resources — such as flyers or information — to grocery stores, restaurants, and other businesses to provide aid to victims. One flyer encourages those in need to say the phrase “Rise Up 19” to a cashier who will then contact RAINN, the largest anti-sexual assault organization in the U.S.

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Joelson noted perpetrators can track or have access to a victim’s phone, making it unsafe for him or her to call RAINN’s hotline themselves.

There hasn’t been a big push to implement the Safe Haven Initiative in Missouri yet, but that’s coming in the next week or so, a Rise spokesperson said.

“Sadly, sexual and domestic violence won’t be eradicated once the virus has been defeated, and that’s why we’re working to expand this program for long term implementation,” Joelson said. “We’re starting to work with state governments to find out if they have programs like the Survivors Safe Haven already in place and how we can help expand them. Ultimately, the goal is to make sure survivors have the resources they need longterm.”

Borrowing a quote from Nguyen, Joelson said “hope is contagious,” and it’s what keeps her going in her line of work.

“There’s a proof point that we can make change,” she said. “We’ve already made change in so many states, and now we’ve made this change in Missouri. There’s no reason not to keep fighting.”

“There’s no reason not to keep fighting.”

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What bills did the governor veto this year?

Cameron Gerber

Gov. Mike Parson signed 42 bills into law this year, concluding signings from the 2020 legislative session on July 14. Of the bills that made it to the governor’s desk this year, two were vetoed.

Parson vetoed HB 1854, sponsored by Rep. Donna Pfautsch, and SB 718, sponsored by Sen. Bill White.

HB 1854 would have made changes to political subdivisions, including prohibiting the state auditor from conducting performance audits during audits of a county office, allowing state employees to run for office if they were not part of the Merit or Uniform Classification and Pay

Systems, and creating a “Missouri Local Expenditure Database” to track data on local government spending, among numerous other changes and provisions.

Parson said the bill was vetoed due to the number of items included in the language.

“There were multiple reasons on that bill,” Parson said. “I think it had 37 provisions in it, so there were multiple reasons we vetoed it. General Counsel went through it, and the veto letter has seven or eight things in it, including multiple subjects there had never been hearings on.”

Parson’s veto letter cited seven issues with the bill, including many that he said he felt did not relate to the underlying bill’s purpose,

a violation of Article III of the Missouri Constitution, which requires that a bill only contains provisions on a single subject.

Other issues reported in the letter included the criminalization of school districts or charter schools advocating for ballot measures, a change to candidate declaration deadlines for subdivisions, modifications to the Missouri Works Program, the removal of a requirement for county officials to vacate their office of charged with a misdemeanor, and restrictions on the state auditor examining thirdclass counties if the county elected not to be audited.

SB 718 included various provisions on military service members and families, including

Missouri eases motorcycle helmet requirements Cameron Gerber

Gov. Mike Parson signed a bill into law that will ease helmet requirements for some motorcyclists.

HB 1963, sponsored by Rep. Travis Fitzwater, allows riders over 26 years of age with proof of health insurance to opt-out of using helmets once the law goes into effect on Aug. 28.

The bill saw opposition from a number of safety groups, including representatives for the National Safety Council and the National Association of the State Motorcycle Safety Administrators’ Policy and Research committee.

“The repeal of the all-rider helmet law will have ripple effects across the state of Missouri,” representatives for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety said in a statement. “More riders will choose to leave their helmets at home, resulting in more unhelmeted motorcyclist fatalities and injuries.

These preventable tragedies will in turn upend the

lives of their families and increase health care costs for all Missourians. We hope this imprudent policy change will be reversed in the future and the state’s universal helmet requirement will be restored.”

The group’s statement also said when Michigan loosened helmet restrictions in 2012, fatalities involving non-helmeted riders quadrupled. The group also said the previous helmet requirements had been a part of Missouri law for 52 years.

The bill saw extensive debate before passing through both chambers on the final day of the legislative session.

The bill contains numerous other provisions relating to transportation, including special license plates, funding for the state’s Hyperloop testing track project, vehicle registration, licensing, Real I.D., and highways named for fallen law enforcement officers.

Parson signs crime bill after visiting injured officer’s family Cameron Gerber

Gov. Mike Parson signed Missouri’s controversial crime reform bill, SB 600, into law.

“This legislation is a large step towards safety and justice for our communities.,” Parson said. “However, there is a lot more to be done.

These tools are just the beginning of the work that needs to be done to fight violent criminals.”

SB 600, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, made a number of changes to Missouri’s criminal law, including adding the offense of vehicle hijacking, altering the definition of a street gang, allowing additional charges for conspiracy, and changing probation standards to deny parole eligibility to offenders of second-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon, among others.

“The signing of SB 600 is an important step to begin addressing the systemic effects of violent crime that landed Missouri’s three largest cities high on the list of America’s most dangerous,” Luetkemeyer told The Missouri Times. “I greatly appreciate the partnership with prosecutors and law enforcement from across the state who worked with me throughout the process to get this bill enacted into law.”

The bill received support from law enforce-

ment and some conservative groups since its passage by the General Assembly earlier this year. It garnered an endorsement from the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, as well as a digital marketing campaign by the conservative group Liberty Alliance.

But a number of other organizations, including conservative ones, opposed SB 600, specifically the ACLU and Americans for Prosperity – Missouri (AFP-MO).

“It’s sad Missouri is repeating decades of past mistakes by embracing discredited toughon-crime policies that fail to make our communities safer,” AFP-MO State Director Jeremy Cady told The Missouri Times Monday.

“Locking up more people does not result in safer neighborhoods, but rather harms taxpayers and needlessly rips families and communities apart. Even though our neighboring states in Kansas and Illinois have a lower incarceration rate than Missouri, their violent crime rates are substantially lower than ours. We urge Governor Parson to embrace smart-oncrime policies that increase justice and compassion in our criminal justice system and are proven to reduce crime.”

Read more about SB 600 and Parson’s comments on crime in Missouri online at themissouritimes.com.

establishing November as Military Family Month, creating a program to assist military families looking for legal counsel, the inclusion of surviving spouses in the merit system, increase protections for children in military families, and more.

Parson’s veto letter of the bill noted that it would have required a constitutional amendment to create a new department, known as the Department of Military Forces, given that the constitution allows for 15 state departments in Missouri.

The letter also expressed concern over a provision that would have included part-time jobs as part of the Missouri Works Program.

Parson signed a total of nine bills

BILL SIGNINGS

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on July 14 to conclude the passage of 2020 bills. Bills signed included one establishing the “Authorized Electronic Monitoring in LongTerm Care Facilities Act” and another expanding the definition of a service animal.

“This year’s legislative session was very challenging for obvious reasons,” Parson said. “However, the General Assembly pushed through these challenges and continued to work for the people of Missouri. We appreciate their efforts to get several important pieces of legislation across the finish line despite the unprecedented circumstances of COVID-19.”

Parson signed 42 bills this year, including 19 appropriations bills.

Bill expands foster care system, expanding rights for parents and children Cameron Gerber

Gov. Mike Parson signed a pair of bills into law increasing child protection in Missouri and making changes to the foster system.

HB 1414, sponsored by Rep. Sheila Solon, and SB 653, sponsored by Sen. Sandy Crawford, included multiple provisions aimed at increasing child protection in Missouri. Both bills reform Missouri’s foster care system and expand the rights of foster children and parents.

The bills allow foster parents access to medical records, allow for non-expiring child care licenses, require a risk assessment within 72 hours of a report of abuse or neglect in a foster home, create temporary alternative placement agreements, and prohibit the requirement for children to appear in court unless the judge and family think it’s in the best interests of the child.

“Even in a pandemic-shortened legislative session, the legislature prioritized our most vulnerable children by passing this sweeping child protection bill,” Solon said. “This bill improves transparency, modernizes, and expands best practices to ensure

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that the foster system remains focused on the best interests of each child.”

HB 1414 also allows homeless youths to access their birth certificates for free and gives them access to Medicaid coverage and mental health services. The bill provides new provisions for child care facilities, including the procedures for background checks, and removes the requirement to renew licenses every two years.

Provisions on substance abuse treatment waivers and children in military families are also included in the bill.

“The passage of this bill is the work of passionate policymakers and it will positively impact children of all ages,” said Craig Stevenson, director of policy and advocacy for Kids Win Missouri.

“We are grateful for the partnership of the legislature and thank Gov. Parson for signing this important legislation.”

The reforms received support from other Missouri legislators.

“Missouri has not taken a significant look at our child welfare statutes in more than 15 years,” said Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman. “Creating temporary alternative placement agreements and

requiring a standard risk assessment within 72 hours of a report of a report of child abuse or neglect is critical for improving outcomes of our foster care system for our children.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated concerns around the health of everyone, including our homeless youth who are at an elevated risk of mental health issues. This legislation will enable these vulnerable young people to seek supportive mental health services,” said Rep. Patricia Pike.

SB 653 allows the Children’s Division to share records and other information with local and federal law enforcement and child welfare agencies in circumstances where the information is needed to protect the child.

“Today was a great day for the foster families in Missouri,” Crawford told The Missouri Times. “Foster parents are the trusted caregivers of our state’s most vulnerable children. SB 653 gives foster parents the tools necessary to protect foster children both inside and outside the courtroom. I am so proud to have sponsored this legislation. I am very pleased that Gov. Parson signed SB 653.”

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Missouri Times Ad 2.pdf 1 1/23/2019 3:41:28 PM

Capitol Calendar

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8 | Citizens for Wiemann casiAUGUST no night fundraiser — Ameristar Casino, St. Charles 17 | Wieland golf tournament — Oak Valley Golf Course, Pev- NOVEMBER ely — 9 a.m.

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NEXT STEPS

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As elected officials vacate Jefferson City and return to their families and jobs, The Missouri Times is bringing you updates on initiatives that didn’t quite make it through before May. The “Next Steps” series will showcase progress made on certain legislative issues and offer a look ahead to what could come. Find more in the series online.

A SERIES BY CAMERON GERBER

Competency-based learning incentives After a school year complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers and students are looking ahead to a very different educational landscape.

As schools explore remote learning options and blended schedules promoting social distancing, more flexible approaches to education are becoming the norm despite school funding in Missouri being largely determined by in-seat attendance. One of the bills that failed to pass the finish line during this year’s abbreviated session would change that.

SB 582, sponsored by Sen. Lauren Arthur, would create incentives for schools in Missouri to explore competency-based learning. Arthur said the current funding system penalizes schools for taking a more flexible approach.

“The way our system is set up currently, everything is measured by credits and seat time, so schools that want to have a more innovative approach sometimes get punished by not receiving all the funding they need,” Arthur told The Missouri Times. “My bill would eliminate that punishment and hopefully encourage schools to try this kind of approach.”

Competency-based learning is an approach to education that assesses students on demonstrations of what they have learned and their proficiency in subjects based on state learning standards, as opposed to putting a strong emphasis on time in the classroom or attendance hours. This allows for more flexibility in learning and lets teachers make more personalized decisions on educating students, according to Arthur.

“The basic idea is, if you’re teaching a skill or a standard, a student doesn’t take a test and just pass or fail and move on; it allows a student who needs to practice and show that they know that material to do it at their rate,” she said.

She noted that competency-based learning allows students to move on once they grasp a concept or receive additional instruction until they do, rather than making students learn at the same pace.

Currently, school funding in Missouri is determined by the Foundation Formula, which is heavily influenced by in-seat attendance numbers and student performance. The formula looks at high-performing districts and uses their data to calculate funding for districts across the state. The weighted average daily attendance of

a district is one of four major factors that the Foundation Formula deals with.

Arthur’s bill would grant schools providing competency-based courses the same state funding received for normal courses. The attendance of a student would be calculated by a similar formula, taking the school’s average attendance of the previous year and multiplying it by the number of hours typically given to a standard course of the same credit value.

Arthur, who has worked as a middle school teacher and holds a Master’s degree in education, said the idea to incentivize this alternative form of learning came from working with other educators.

“One of the superintendents I’ve worked with mentioned that this was an issue they encountered, so we worked on a way to address that problem. It’s gained a lot of support from other legislators, and I think we just need the opportunity to take it across the finish line.”

Arthur said the bill passed through committee unanimously this year. The last action on the bill was a public hearing in late April.

Arthur said she plans to support the bill again during the next legislative session.

“We plan on filing the bill or a similar version of it in December,” she said. “There might be interest in the House to file similar legislation on that side, and we’re also looking at ideas to push the legislation a little further. Then it’s just a matter of working it through the process.”

Arthur said that the complications that came with educating students during the COVID-19 pandemic made the legislation even more important.

“It’s entirely appropriate in response to the pandemic and some of the virtual learning issues we’re heard about,” she said. “It allows students to be assessed by what skills they know, and it helps both students who need remediation and those who excel. It allows students to learn at their own pace, while also making sure students keep learning even if they aren’t in the classroom.

It’s a much more flexible approach.”

Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) approved a rule change to allow schools to count remote attendance during the 2021 school year and waived programs encouraging high attendance earlier this month.

Video lottery terminals As Missouri deals with the financial impact of COVID-19, the state’s education and workforce development departments have seen withholds and cuts. With the economy attempting to recover and federal funds going toward supplementing budgetary shortfalls, a bill that didn’t pass the finish line this session would create new tax revenue for education funding, proponents have stressed.

SB 566, sponsored by Sen. Denny Hoskins, would have established the Missouri Video Lottery Control Act, which would legalize and control video lottery terminals (VLTs) in Missouri.

Hoskins said it would be another funding source for schools and veterans’ facilities.

“The Video Lottery Control Act would provide more money for education by legalizing video lottery terminals in fraternal and veteran organizations, truck stops, and possibly bars and restaurants,” Hoskins told The Missouri Times.

“You see a lot of these machines that are currently unregulated. There are a lot of these video lottery machines that are at truck stops, bars, and restaurants, and if we began regulating them we could see an increase in funds without needing to raise taxes.”

Hoskins’ bill would allow the State Lottery Commission to issue licenses for video lottery terminals to manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and businesses. In addition to standard licensing fees, the commission would charge an additional $200 annual fee for each gaming terminal.

Licenses would be granted to fraternal and veterans’ organizations and truck stops, as well as bars and other establishments allowed to sell liquor. VLTs would be connected to a computer system regulated by the commission, with wagers not to exceed $100 and winnings capped at $1,000.

Vendors would be required to make sure users were above the age of 21 or face a $5,000 fine or license suspension. The bill would also allow vendors to collect fees when accepting debit cards or other forms of electronic payment for the sale of lottery plays.

Hoskins said while small businesses had supported the bill, Missouri’s casinos had come out in opposition since he first introduced the bill in 2017.

“The casino industry has been the biggest hurdle,” Hoskins said. “There are 13 casinos in the state of Missouri and none of those towns that have a casino want that competition from small businesses that could include these machines

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and participate in the same type of activities they operate. That has been the biggest hurdle to overcome, but we have plenty of small businesses located in other counties and cities across Missouri that would like to participate and have VLTs in their businesses.”

In addition, other Republicans have shied away from supporting legalizing VLTs because they do not condone the “spread of gambling” in Missouri.

Others have expressed concern about a store or organization’s ability to regulate the games and ensure minors aren’t using them.

The bill made it to through a hearing in both the Senate Appropriations Committee and the House Budget Committee this year before session went on hiatus due to COVID-19. Hoskins said the recent budgetary fallout of the pandemic is another reason to push the bill forward next year.

“Unfortunately, the governor had to withhold funds for education as well as several other services this year because we have to have a balanced budget in Missouri,” he said. “The Video Lottery Control Act, depending on how many machines could be in each one of those different facilities as well as the types of facilities they can be in, could generate millions of dollars in revenue, which would go towards education and veteran’s services.”

Under the act — in its 2020 language — the total proceeds of video game lottery ticket sales would go towards transportation costs for primary and secondary education, as well as workforce development programs for institutions of higher learning. And 36 percent of video lottery game gross receipts would go to the commission, which would compensate for the administrative costs of a community where a video gaming lottery machine operates up to 4 percent of the games’ gross receipts.

The rest of the revenue collected from video gaming machines would go to the owners and operators.

Hoskins said that he hopes to pass the bill during the upcoming legislative session to make up for funding shortfalls over the past few months.

“I’m hopeful that we can pass a version of the VLT piece this next session in order to help fund education and veterans’ programs,” he said. “In these tight budget times when the governor is having to withhold these funds, this would provide new revenue to support our schools without a tax increase.”

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The Missouri Times

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