Missouri Times - April 23, 2018 by Missouri Times

The Missouri Times

APRIL 23, 2018

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HAWLEY FINDS EVIDENCE OF ANOTHER FELONY Attorney General hands evidence over to St. Louis Circuit Attorney and House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight PAGE 5

HOUSE PASSES HAAHR’S TAX REFORM PAGE 6

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OPINION

Tariffs could have unintended consequences By. Sen. Wayne Wallingford Missouri Chairman, Vets4Energy The United States is in the enviable position of being the global leader in the production of oil and natural gas which has led to job growth, benefits to U.S. consumers and enhancement of national security. Recent actions by President Trump and his administration have placed new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports which could produce unintended consequences that adversely impact U.S. energy security. Many aspects of natural gas and oil development (including the construction of production facilities, pipelines, liquefied natural gas terminals, refineries and petrochemical plants) rely upon specialty steel that is not available domestically. Forbes contributor Jude Clements writes: “There are serious concerns about whether U.S. steelmakers would be able to handle higher volumes and produce all grades of steel necessary for industrial production… Such anti-import policies can lead to critical delays and even cancellations for U.S. pipeline projects, holding up hundreds or thousands of

miles of new builds.” Mark Perry, an American Enterprise Institute scholar and University of Michigan professor states “[A] decline in U.S. oil production will enable OPEC and Russia to raise world oil prices. In the current political environment, as trade wars with other countries loom on the horizon, a reduction in U.S. oil and gas exports would also represent a major setback in efforts to check Russia’s growing economic and political power.” I’m concerned that tariffs on aluminum and steel could adversely impact our nation’s ability to continue to supply adequate energy products to our military and to our foreign partners that rely on these products for their national security. Of course, the looming prospect of a trade war could impact exportation of other critical U. S. products such as agriculture and automobiles, two products made extensively in Missouri. Chinese tariffs on these industries make this issue hit dangerously close to home. I hope that future determinations by the administration will consider the unintended consequences of a trade war on our national security and economic prosperity.

LETTER: Standardized education needed for radiology procedures Missourians, Are you aware that when you need a Radiology procedure in Missouri (x-rays), the person performing your exam might be a person who has no education in the use of radiation used during x-ray procedures; proper positioning to demonstrate structures, as well as no radiation protection or patient safety measures that would assure you of a diagnostic exam could be lacking. Your physician has the knowledge to diagnose your issues but without quality Radiology images, he/she might not receive that information. The Missouri Society of Radiologic Technologists (MoSRT) wants to be sure that you receive the same type of safe exams as someone in other states. Why should Missouri citizens/ patients receive substandard care? Missouri is one of only 5 states that do not require any type of standardized education. Isn't it time we tell our legislators in Jefferson City that we want educated individuals performing Radiology procedures? We currently have two bills up for consideration in the House and Senate. HB 2468 sponsored by Rep. Kathy Swan (R 147) and SB 926 sponsored by Senator Jeanie Riddle (R 10). Ask your legislators for their support of these vital bills with a YES vote. Now is the time to ensure that patients receive the care they need during a time of illness or injury. Speak up now, contact your legislators asking for their support. Thank you, Diane Hutton BA, RT(R) ARRT Missouri Society of Radiologic Technologist (MoSRT) Legislative Activities Chair

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TWEETS OF THE WEEK

Highlights in 280 characters or less. Gregg Keller @RGreggKeller Whoa: #MOLeg State Rep from estimable @missouriscout today: “Lots of people, including me, have been threatened that if we go against the Governor, we will never get financial support from any of the major donors in MO.” Eric Greitens @EricGreitens I will not be resigning the Governor’s office. In three weeks, this matter will go to a court of law—where it belongs and where the facts will prove my innocence. Until then, I will do what the people of Missouri sent me here to do: to serve them and work hard on their behalf.

Josh Foster @SoCoGOP This week keeps getting weirder...#moleg

Jake Sherman @JakeSherman the campaign should have absolutely no involvement with the Greitens issue.

HOT LIST

REP. COOKSON

One of the first lawmakers to come out asking for the Governor’s resignation, Cookson has demonstrated courage in his last year in the legislature while also standing up for policies he knows will make a lasting impact in this state beyond his tenure.

DAVID WASINGER

Top in fundraising and now

gaining eyebrow raising endorsements like Senate Pro Tem Richard, this is one campaign to watch.

SPEAKER PRO TEAM

The 2018 Annual Legislative Softball Champions brought it home vs. “The Missouri State Team.” Congrats on another win, Coach Haahr.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

SUNSHINE

Rep. Evans and Gregory’s sunshine law reform bill skated out of the House last week. The bill would strengthen the law and increase penalties for violating it. #transparency

SPRING MAGAZINE

It’s coming out this week! Look for it at the Capitol, Tolson’s, Cork, and J. Pfenny’s. #30Under30

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

STREAM ONLINE AT TWMP.TV

The Missouri Times

Hawley says Greitens may have committed a felony in using donor list

Attorney General hands evidence over to St. Louis Circuit Attorney and House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight Benjamin Peters

Attorney General Josh Hawley is pulling no punches when it comes to allegations of misconduct by Republican Gov. Eric Greitens. In a Tuesday morning press conference, Hawley announced that his office’s investigation into The Mission Continues, a charity founded by Greitens, has led to the uncovering of evidence that could be considered criminal in nature. “In the course of this investigation, we have uncovered evidence of wrongdoing that goes beyond Missouri’s charity laws,” Hawley said. “To be specific, within the past several days, we have obtained evidence of potential criminal violations of Missouri law. And the evidence indicates that these potential criminal acts were committed by Gov. Eric Greitens.” In plain English, Greitens’ use of the charity’s donor list broke the law. Use of the donor list was first reported in October 2016 by The Associated Press, who found that Greitens had raised nearly $2 million from donors who had also given significant amounts of money to the charity in the past. The investigation, which first began back in February, has since seen subpoenas issued to several staff members and has collected thousands of pages of documents and testimony. According to Hawley, who is currently running for U.S. Senate, the evidence collected “would likely support a finding of probable cause that Mr. Greitens obtained an electronic donor list created by The Mission Continues for that organization’s purposes.” He said that Greitens used that list for fundraising, and transmitted the list, which Hawley says could amount to the “unauthorized taking and use of electronic property”, which he said is also known as computer tampering. “Given the value of the list in question, it is a felony,” Hawley said. Under the law, tampering with computer data is prohibited, making it a crime if anyone discloses confidential information. The offense is a Class E felony, as the alleged act deals with more than $750.

He elaborated later that the evidence points only to wrongdoing by Greitens, not the charity. That evidence, Hawley said, is being turned over to the St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner’s office to decide whether to file charges, as the crime occurred in their jurisdiction. “My office, under Missouri law, does not possess jurisdiction to charge this crime,” Hawley said. “Instead, jurisdiction belongs to the local prosecutor where the acts were committed. "Yesterday, my office secured court permission to share all evidence we have collected with the circuit attorney's office in St. Louis." Hawley said that the deadline for the statute of limitations was approaching and that if charges were to be filed, it must be soon. He says his office will stand ready to assist them if they choose to file charges. A spokesperson for Gardner’s office confirmed they are reviewing the evidence, but cannot discuss any specifics at this time due to the ongoing investigation. Gardner’s office is already in the midst of a case seeking to prosecute Greitens on a felony charge of invading a woman’s privacy, and a hearing on a motion to dismiss that case is scheduled for Thursday. He said that his office had obtained permission from the courts to share the evidence with the House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight, which has also been investigating claims against the embattled Republican governor. Hawley says that his office will continue to collaborate with the House committee and that his office’s investigation into The Mission Continues will continue as well. When asked about criticism from those saying the Attorney General was being hard on Greitens due to his bid for U.S. Senate, Hawley replied: “I’m doing my job.” My job is to enforce the laws of Missouri and to protect the people of Missouri,” Hawley

continued. “And I’m going to go on going it no matter who criticizes me or who tries to intimidate me. This office will not be intimidated, and will not be deterred.” Meanwhile, Hawley’s announcement on Tuesday has led to renewed calls for Greitens’ resignation. “With each passing day, the evidence that Eric Greitens is unfit to serve as governor mounts,” House Minority Leader Gail McCann Beatty, D-Kansas City, said. “He should spare himself and the people of Missouri the ordeal of impeachment proceedings and resign without further delay. If Greitens continues to stubbornly cling to power, the House must immediately act to initiate his ultimate removal from office.” U.S. Sen Claire McCaskill also issued a statement Tuesday afternoon: "We're glad that Hawley has come out of hiding to acknowledge the existing evidence of criminal behavior of the Governor. However, the sad truth is that this shows gross incompetence on the part of the Attorney General. The evidence in this case has been publicly available since October 2016 -- what excuse could Josh Hawley possibly have for failing to pursue an investigation and allowing this evidence to languish for over a year? The only reason the statute of limitations is now a problem, in this case, is because Hawley was trying to protect his friend and large donor for as long as possible." A statement from Gov. Greitens, put out through Clout Public Affairs, says: "Fortunately for Josh, he’s better at press conferences than the law. Anyone who has set foot in a Missouri courtroom knows these allegations are ridiculous. Josh has turned the “evidence” he claims to have over to St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner – a liberal prosecutor funded by George Soros who allegedly suborned perjury, falsified documents, and withheld evidence. We will dispense with these false allegations.”

Lembke walks back support of Greitens, calls for resignation Alisha Shurr A former Republican state legislator took to Facebook over the weekend to apologize for his endorsement and early support of now-Gov. Eric Greitens. Jim Lembke also went on to say Greitens now brings “disgrace” to the office and should he fail to resign, the House should start impeachment proceedings as soon as possible. “This apology is a long time coming. I want to ask the forgiveness of all my FB friends that may have supported Eric Greitens because of my endorsement and early support,” Lembke wrote. Lembke, who served in the Missouri House and the Missouri Senate, came out in support of Greitens early in the gubernatorial race and served as a statewide co-chair on the campaigns’ leadership team. “Since his election to governor, I have seen example after example that question the man’s character,” Lembke continues in his post. “The governor has lied to his wife, he has lied to the people of Missouri. He campaigned on cleaning up Jefferson City, instead, he has fed the climate of secrecy and corruption. Not only is he under criminal indictment, he also is being investigated for the use of the confide app which may have violated the Missouri Sunshine law and the AG is investigating his campaign’s use of the Mission Continues donor list. This weeks release of the report by the Special House Investigating Committee is the last straw. The governor is an embarrassment to himself, his family and our state. I can forgive the man if he ask for my forgiveness, but I will not excuse his behavior. There must be a consequence for a leader who brings disgrace to their office. “I am calling for the governor to resign. If he fails to do the right thing, the House should move to impeach as soon as possible.”

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6 TAXES

Tax cuts on Tax Day Missouri House approves Haahr's massive revenue overhaul bill Alisha Shuur On Tax Day 2018, the Missouri House voted to slash individual and corporate tax rate in a massive bill that moves to overhaul the state revenue system. Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr’s bill — the only one he filed this session — was given final approval by the House in a 91-61 vote. The perfected bill came to the floor with a 72-page fiscal note attached. Under the bill, general revenue would bring in $30,729,357 less in FY 2019, $237,120,782 less in FY 2020, and $129,595,627 less in 2021. After full implementation in FY 2023, general revenue would then see an uptick of $23,020,264, according to the fiscal note. The analysis has the bill having a net positive effect on other state funds of $78,903,769 in FY 2019, $201,228,893 in FY 2020, $204,227,583 in FY 2021, and $204,224,049 in FY 2023. However, an amendment approved on the floor on Tuesday delays the implementation of the tax cuts to FY 2020. It is unclear how that will affect the fiscal analysis figures. The fact that the legislation has so many moving parts and that it is so complex had some questioning the accuracy of the fiscal note. “The fiscal note is wrong,” said Rep. Kip Kendrick, ranking minority member on the House Budget Committee. “It’s just how much is it wrong.” Some revenue-generating portions of the bill — such as the state entering the Streamline Sales and Use Agreement — are contingent on the U.S. Supreme Court uphold the Quill decision by the ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. Entering the streamline agreement is expected to bring in $21.2 million in total revenue to Missouri in FY 2021. $3.8 million in potential revenue through ending the sales tax exemption on textbooks is also dependant on the Supreme Court decision, the fiscal analysis notes. A bipartisan consensus was that entering the streamline sales tax agreement would be a boom for the state and something that Missouri should do whether or not this tax overhaul makes it across the finish line this

year. But liking that provision wasn’t enough to garner Democratic support. “We have had more than a decade to pass the streamline sales tax agreement and it has come from both sides of the aisle. People that authentically cared about that issue,” Rep. Tracy McCreery said. “I’m not fooled by the sudden interest in the streamline sales tax. I think it is being used in a smoke and mirrors kind of way to distract from the negatives of this bill.” Rep. Crystal Quade also took issue with the portion of the bill eliminating the Senior Property Tax Credit for those who rent. The fiscal analysis estimates this will increase state revenue by $53.9 million in FY 2020. “Low-income seniors, for me, as you probably know, is not a place I would like us to go,” said Quade. “There are a lot of provisions to this bill, some of the I like. This one for me is a pretty hard non-starter.” The circuit breaker credit for renters is philosophically inconsistent according to Haahr. “I think the way we appropriate this tax credit for renters is fundamentally against the point of the underlying tax credit,” said Haahr. “The whole point of the tax credit is to reimburse people for property taxes if you are renting you are not paying property taxes.” Another point of dispute was the source of funding for roads and bridges. Haahr’s bill moves to generate revenue for Missouri’s infrastructure through an increase in automobile fees. This puts all the burden of funding the highways on Missourians, instead of those who use them including out-of-staters, according to opponents of the provision. They argue a gas tax — like in the Senate version of tax overhaul — would proportionately put the funding to everyone who uses it. With increased fuel efficiency and increased popularity of electric vehicles, Haahr calls a gas tax a relic of a bygone era. An increase in fees is still an increase in taxes, McCreery points out calling it a “feel-

CONTINUED AT MISSOURITIMES.COM

Tax Day, take two: How state and federal cuts are affecting revenue Benjamin Peters JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – As tax reform measures are enacted and continue being debated in the Missouri State Legislature, Missouri citizens who procrastinated on filing their yearly taxes quickly received a break when the Internal Revenue Service issued a one-day extension due to outages for the federal website. Now, last-minute filers have until midnight on Wednesday, April 18, to file. Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt spoke about the positive impacts the new Tax Cut and Jobs Act is having on Missouri communities. He discussed how the law is helping to boost local economies by allowing families to keep more of what they earn, as well as the establishing the Opportunity Zones program to increase investments in economically distressed areas. But the effect of the new law, as well as the state of Missouri’s tax revenues, has been on the minds of many, particularly as the House and Senate work on tax reform legislation of their own. The effect of the new federal and state

tax cuts is expected to cut the income by about $109 million by the end of the current fiscal year, or by roughly $218 million for the entire 2018 calendar year. The $218 million estimate is made up of a combination of roughly $160 million from the 2014 state tax cuts, as well as the roughly $58 million from the federal tax cuts. According to Americans for Tax Reform, at least 34 Missouri businesses and corporations operating in the state have stated that part of their tax cut savings will go toward employee raises. As for the effect on state incomes, according to numbers released by the Missouri Office of Administration, the state’s general revenue income in March dropped by about 0.9 percent compared to one year ago, a side-effect of the state’s business tax cuts stemming from 2014. That being said, the income tax collections seem to growing, with an increase of more than 10 percent from one year ago. In terms of numbers for the overall fiscal year, revenue income is up 3.8 percent.

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CAMPAIGN

$50K CLUB NICOLE GALLOWAY DAVID WASINGER

AUDITOR $1,002,388.06 $745,656.60

ELIJAH HAAHR DEB LAVENDER HARDY BILLINGTON JONATHAN PATTERSON JON CARPENTER TRACY MCCREERY KATHY SWAN NOEL SHULL JOHN WIEMANN SEAN SMITH SHAMED DOGAN JACK BONDON DEAN PLOCHER SAM GLADNEY ROBERT ROSS

HOUSE $157,350.25 $106,271.49 $105,095.88 $103,117.86 $92,957.53 $85,080.62 $81,184.05 $79,923.43 $69,915.57 $66,971.47 $63,602.95 $61,452.23 $59,626.59 $59,245.09 $50,662.97

JILL SCHUPP TONY LUETKEMEYER ERIC BURLISON ROBERT ONDER LINCOLN HOUGH CINDY O’LAUGHLIN JUSTIN BROWN WILLIAM WHITE SANDY CRAWFORD JEANIE RIDDLE PAUL WIELAND MIKE BERNSKOETTER DAN HEGEMAN DIANE FRANKLIN JACOB HUMMEL TJ BERRY JOE ADAMS CRAIG REDMON RYAN DILLON

SENATE $649,993.28 $380,750.67 $351,527.55 $304,062.68 $268,455.08 $227,882.72 $203,565.19 $174,924.20 $167,100.70 $164,422.40 $160,762.44 $145,793.48 $128,769.37 $104,824.99 $98,044.72 $90,546.94 $84,091.88 $68,840.07 $58,139.50

VICTOR CALLAHAN SCOTT SIFTON JAY WASSON MIKE CUNNINGHAM DOUG LIBLA JOSEPH (JOE) KEAVENY RON RICHARD GARY ROMINE GINA WALSH WAYNE WALLINGFORD JASON HOLSMAN MIKE KEHOE

“STATEWIDE” $490,689.83 $253,851.47 $249,996.03 $206,506.17 $205,931.51 $168,929.65 $168,165.99 $134,807.37 $105,876.10 $104,419.86 $104,056.93 $74,135.13

ALL STATEWIDE OFFICIALS ERIC GREITENS $2,512,422.15 MIKE PARSON $44k ERIC SCHMITT $235k JAY ASHCROFT $117k JOSHUA HAWLEY $1,064,322.90

Richard endorses Wasinger for auditor Rachael Dunn

Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, the only Missourian to ever serve as Speaker of the House and Senate President Pro Tem, has announced his endorsement for Republican David Wasinger in the 2018 auditor's race. Richard, who is termed in 2018, has served the last 16 years in the General

Assembly. Wasinger, a St. Louis County attorney and accountant, is leading the Republican ticket in fundraising numbers, with $745,656.60 cash on hand. “I am proud to support David Wasinger’s campaign for auditor,” said Richard. “The people of Missouri are hungry for an auditor who will increase transpar-

ency, stop waste, and restore their trust in government. I know we can count on David to do just that in Jefferson City.” If successful, Wasinger would face Democratic incumbent state Auditor Nicole Galloway in the general election Galloway has $1,002,388.06 in the bank.

Mik Chester announces candidacy for state Representative of Andrew and Eastern Buchanan counties Retiring pastor and former petroleum geologist, Mik Chester, has announced his candidacy for Representative of House District 9, comprised of Andrew and Eastern Buchanan Counties. Chester seeks to replace Representative Delus Johnson, who is term-limited and cannot run again. “For decades, I have been working to build a thriving community,” said Chester, “I have had the great honor of serving people from all walks of life, from leading the congregation of my church, to being a St. Joseph Police Officer, to volunteering as a Boy Scout Leader and Scoutmaster, to assisting the elderly and disabled. I have dedicated my life to making a positive difference for those in need. We need a representative who knows what regular people are struggling through, and I am ready to take a lead to be a voice for the people.” Chester originally was a certified petroleum geologist and worked 12 years in the oil industry. He felt called to serve as a spiritual leader, became a pastor and helped to start and serve in the St. Joseph Police Dept. Chaplain Corps. He has been a pastor in the community for 22 years with The Keys Christian Fellowship and Bethel Foursquare Church. Chester and his wife of nearly 27 years, Lori, are the proud parents of 6 children, Shawnda, Christi, Josh, Trey, Grace and Tim, and are the even-prouder grandparents of 6 grandchildren. Having worked and raised his family in the community, Chester is now retiring from his position and wants to devote his time to

making Missouri a better place to live for his fellow citizens. Chester spoke more on his qualifications, “I am as determined as ever to serve my neighbor

and to make our community and our state a better place to live and prosper. I may be a political outsider, but I am no stranger to accepting leadership roles and positions of responsibility. While a state representative job may be classified as part-time, I guarantee that I will devote myself fully to this responsibility. I have the time, energy, and passion to prioritize the

needs of others before my own ambitions.” In addition to his role as pastor and father, Chester also served on the board of Community Housing Management, helping to provide decent housing for low-income and disabled seniors. He has also served on the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Committee, started the After School Program for Enrichment and Nourishment (ASPEN) to feed in-need elementary students and help them with school work, is a member of the East Side Lions Club, and is a member and Past President of the Northwest Missouri Republican Club. Chester’s legislative priorities include defending family values, supporting law enforcement, shrinking government bureaucracy and defending life and the 2nd amendment. He said, “I will protect and defend the God-given rights of both the born and the unborn guaranteed in our Constitution, and work to ensure that future generations get to enjoy the blessings God has poured out on our country. Rather than having government try to run our lives, I believe each of us should be empowered to enjoy our rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” In his spare time, Chester enjoys outdoor activities, including camping, fishing, bicycling, off-road Jeeping, and especially rooting for the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs. Chester has retained Axiom Strategies to consult on his campaign.

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2018 Annual Softball Tournament

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10 GREITENS INVESTIGATIONS

Greitens Greitens' attorney ask for AG recusal in veterans charity investigation, files request for Hawley calls request 'frivolous' restraining order against Hawley Alisha Shurr

Benjamin Peters Missouri Attorney General stole the headlines on Tuesday with his press conference announcement saying that his office possessed evidence of “criminal wrongdoing” by Gov. Eric Greitens. But in what some are calling a seemingly bizarre turn of events, court filings now show that the embattled governor has filed a request for a restraining order against the attorney general. The date of the filing, however, shows that it was filed the day before Hawley’s announcement. According to the filing document, Greitens’ lawyers argue that “Hawley clearly has a personal interest in the resignation, impeachment, and prosecution of Gov. Greitens.” As evidence of impartiality by Hawley, the request references statements made by Hawley on Fox News, as well as Hawley’s statement following the release of the House special investigative committee’s report. They ask for a temporary restraining order preventing Hawley from investigating Greitens, the Governor’s Office, or any entities which he has been associated. They also ask that a special prosecutor is appointed for any such investigation. An interesting note is that in the criminal case in St. Louis right now, there is a motion to disqualify Dowd Bennett, the firm representing Greitens, as the law firm represented the state in the Confide investigation. Read the filing and updates online at missouritimes.com.

Gov. Eric Greitens’ defense attorney is urging Missouri’s Attorney General to recuse his office from the investigation into The Mission Continues. Attorney General Josh Hawley called the request "frivolous." According to a letter written Monday that they obtained, attorney Edward L. Dowd Jr. claims that Josh Hawley’s investigation is "clearly compromised" because he has "predetermined the guilt of his own investigative target." "The request for the Attorney General's recusal from his investigation of The Mission Continues is frivolous," the Attorney General's Office said. "The Attorney General called for the Governor's resignation because the House Investigative Committee concluded there was credible evidence that the Governor committed egregious sexual misconduct. The Attorney General's investigation into The Mission Continues does not address those allegations. The fact that the Governor has been credibly accused of engaging in sexual misconduct does not give him or any entity with which he has associated immunity from investigation under the Missouri Merchandizing Practices Act (MMPA)," Hawley was among numerous elected officials urging the governor to step down following a House investigative report graphically detailing Greitens extramarital affair. Testimony in the report allegedly slapping, grabbing, shoving, and other sexually aggressive acts. “The House Investigative Committee’s Report contains shocking, substantial, and corroborated evidence of wrongdoing by Governor Greitens," Hawley said last week. "The conduct the Report details is certainly impeachable, in my judgment, and the House is well within its rights to proceed on that front. But the people of Missouri should not be put through that ordeal. Governor Greitens should resign immediately,” Hawley said following the release of the report. The Attorney General’s Office is currently investigating campaign ties between Greitens and The Mission Continues, a veterans charity founded by Greitens. In March, 14 subpoenas were issued relating to the investigation. The investigation is centered around the use of charities donor list and the use of an email address for campaign-related business. The Mission Continues has denied any involvement.

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GREITENS INVESTIGATIONS

What the Greitens scandal could mean for Trump and the Republican Party Benjamin Peters

Judge denies motion to dismiss in Greitens’ felony invasion of privacy case Ben Striker and Brian Robbins

St. Louis Circuit Judge Rex Burlison on Thursday denied a motion to dismiss the felony invasion of privacy case against Gov. Eric Greitens. Although he struck down the defense’s request for dismissal, Burlison did grant the defense permission to re-depose William Tisaby, a former FBI agent hired by St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s office to help with the investigation, as well as K.S., the woman at the center of the case, and her ex-husband, known only as P.S. Burlison said the deposition is limited to the notes and video evidence that had just been recently turned over by the prosecutors. Scott Rosenblum, one of Greitens’ defense attorneys, requested that dates and times for the depositions be set immediately Thursday. The prosecution requested that the depositions have a limit, citing that K.S. had already been put through eight hours of questioning. Burlison said he would not rule on when or how long the depositions would take place, but added that if both parties could not agree on a date, he would set one. Furthermore, Burlison ordered that the defense must cover the costs of all three depositions. Burlison also said he could bring further sanctions and reevaluate the motion to dismiss if it is proven the prosecution withholds evidence again. “If further conduct is brought to light, the court will look again at defendant’s sanctions of dismissal,” Burlison said during the hearing.

The sanctions arose when defense attorney Jim Martin accused Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner last week of not providing the defense with a two hour videotaped interview with the Missouri governor’s former mistress in January. Greitens’ lawyers said they were told the interview, conducted by Tisaby, was lost because the video recorder “malfunctioned.” Martin said the supposedly broken video tape of the alleged victim’s deposition “magically appeared” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, just one hour after the Missouri Special Investigative Committee on Oversight released a scathing report on the governor. In addition to the video tape being presented to the defense, Martin argued that Tisaby lied under oath when he said he did not take notes during the interview with the former mistress of Greitens in a March 19 deposition at Carnahan Courthouse. The defense showed a picture of the investigator in court, sitting next to Gardner, taking notes. The defense team alleged Gardner did not disclose that information to them, accused Tisaby of perjury and asked for sanctions against Gardner. Greitens is accused of allegedly taking a picture of a bound and partially nude woman with whom he was having an affair with at the time and threatened to blackmail her if she made the affair public. Last week, a report was released by the House Special Investigate Committee on Oversight, detailed the alleged conduct by Greitens with a woman who testified under oath that Greitens subjected her to non-consensual sexual activity and violence.

The report detailed the victim’s testimony that Greitens slapped her and called her a whore during one particular encounter. The report also detailed instances of slapping, shoving, and grabbing. On more than one occasion the woman was reduced to tears. The committee was on a fact-finding mission regarding Greitens’ affair with his St. Louis-based hairdresser and a tape made available to KMOV regarding an incident where he allegedly takes a picture of her without her consent and uses it to ensure her silence. He has denied the blackmail, has not confirmed or denied a picture, and called the investigation a “witch hunt” into a consensual relationship. Just an hour before the report was released Greitens pushback against the findings calling them “lies.” The report, which focuses on the unnamed woman’s recounting of events, pulls into question just how consensual the relationship was and other claims that have been made in recent weeks. Greitens declined to testify and did not respond to any of the committee’s request for documents and sworn answers to written interrogatories. The House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight was formed by Speaker Todd Richardson on February 27, 2018, following the grand jury indictment of Greitens on a felony invasion-of-privacy charge in St. Louis.

Prior to the November 2016 elections, the similarities between two Republican candidates - now-President Donald Trump and Gov. Eric Greitens - could be easily drawn, using similar tactics and promises of cleaning up politics. Both men claimed a Republican victory, with Greitens following Trump’s surge to claim the executive office. For both men, it was their first-ever elected office. The political journey of the two men seems to mirror each other, and in the latest stream of events, both Trump and Greitens are in the middle of a difficult battle after sex scandals have plagued them both. Both men face investigations stemming from the campaign trail: for Trump, it's allegations of Russian tampering, while authorities are now looking into Greitens' campaign and the obtaining and use of a donor list from the charity he founded, The Mission Continues. Now, they both are using similar tactics and words, proclaiming themselves to be victims of a “witch hunt.” Last week, President Trump tweeted “TOTAL WITCH HUNT” after FBI agents raided the offices and homes of his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. Meanwhile, in Missouri, Greitens preempted the release of a report by a special House committee, which outlined testimony of a woman’s claims that the Republican governor had sexually assaulted her. In his response, Greitens called it a “witch hunt” nearly half a dozen times, saying it was “exactly like what’s happening with the witch hunts in Washington, D.C.” For Missouri’s legislature, the concern now is whether this will prove too much of a distraction to get anything done. Impeachment proceedings are not out of the question, but House Speaker Todd Richardson has stated that the time needed for the committee to finish their investigation will be given and that it could take the rest of the legislative session. For Missouri Republicans, the scandal and ongoing woes could cause more significant issues for the party, particularly if it bleeds over on the ballot. The issue is that such a place places Republicans in a spot where they must choose to stand by the Governor or call for impeachment. It creates a divisiveness in the party, and

CONTINUED AT MISSOURITIMES.COM

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12 EVENTS

Annual child abuse advocacy event moves to Millbottom

Drew Juden speaks at Crime Victims' Rights Week ceremony (ALISHA SHURR/MISSOURI TIMES).

St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Missouri Foundation for Health, Kit Bond Strategies, Children’s Mercy Hospital - Kansas City sponsoring luncheon to wrap Child Abuse Prevention Month Alisha Shurr Missouri KidsFirst will be celebrating those who advocate for children and raise awareness of child abuse and neglect at the Standing With Children Awards Luncheon at the end of April. “We started giving out the awards because we thought it was important to recognize the important work that child advocates do,” said Joy Oesterly, Executive Director of Missouri KidsFirst. “April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, the event will help cap off the month and take a moment to recognize amazing people who have done amazing work.” On April 30, 2018, KidsFirst will present lifetime achievement awards to Barbara Brown-Johnson, former Executive Director of The Child Advocacy Center, and Dwight K. Scroggins, Jr., Prosecuting Attorney Buchanan County. Though the fifth year of the awards, it will be the first time they are presented during a luncheon. “[Brown-Johnson] started out as a preschool teacher when she was younger and then for the last 19 years of her career she was the director of the CAC in Springfield. She has been an incredible advocate for many, many years,” said Oesterly. “[Scroggins] has been instrumental in establishing crime victims rights in Missouri. He was the first prosecutor to have a victim advocate and was instrumental in creating the Child Advocacy Center in St. Louis — the first ACA in the state. He has been involved in the work to prevent child abuse and to protect children his entire career.” “It’ll be a nice opportunity for folks to get together, have a good lunch, recognizing those amazing people, and help us raise a little money in the process,” said Oesterly. St. Louis Children's Hospital is the Platinum Sponsor of the luncheon with Missouri Foundation for Health, Kit Bond Strategies, and Children’s Mercy Hospital - Kansas City as Gold Sponsors. The Standing With Children Awards Luncheon will be at the Millbottom Event Center. Visit Missouri KidsFirst online to purchase tickets to the event or to become a sponsor. Missouri KidsFirst primarily leads and supports communities in abuse prevention, provides training to multi-disciplinary team members engaged in child protection, and advocates public policies that address and prevent child abuse.

Victims, survivors, advocates honored at ceremony Alisha Shurr Those who have been victimized by crime have “courage, strength, and endurance,” and the Missouri Capitol took time to honor crime victims, survivors, and efforts the of victim advocates on Friday. In observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which is April 8 through April 14, a ceremony was held to recognize the importance of reaching out to all victims to ensure they have access to resources and support. The theme was “Expand the Circle, Reach All Victims.” “We have, as a society, progressed so far because of outspoken victims who are brave and resilient and have fought for rights and

victim-centered agencies, including the Crime Victims’ Compensation Program, the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Program, the Sexual Assault Services Program Grant Program, the State Services to Victims Fund, the Violence Against Women STOP Formula Grant Program, and the Missouri Victim Automated Notification System. “Our mission at DPS is to help all Missourians,” said DPS Director Drew Juden. “Part of the mission is making sure all victims know they have a place to turn in DPS. “We should never victimize the victims.” MOVANS allows Missouri crime victims to receive automated emails or phone calls any

seling, funeral expenses, and lost wages. In the last five years, it has awarded more than $24 million to more than 8,500 Missourians who were affected by violent crime. “I am encouraged when I see all these organizations and individual that are giving up their time for such an important thing as making sure that people who have been victimized — they are not victims but have been victimized — are treated appropriately,” said Jay Ashcroft, Missouri Secretary of State. Amy Fite, president of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorney’s, talked through what victims go through in the criminal justice system. She said they are subject to having “their credibility and their integrity attacked” to being “called liars, mentally unstable, troubled.” They go through this, for the belief that “justice can be served and in the end, our communities will be safer.” “Courage, strength, endurance those are words that can be used to describe many victims but these words are particularly fitting for victims that have gone through the criminal justice program,” Fite said.

“We should never victimize the victims.” those rights have been expanded, enhanced, strengthened over years,” said Mike O’Connell, director of communications for the Missouri Department of Public Safety. “And this is to celebrate how far we have come and also to talk about how we can continue moving forward.” The Department of Public Safety administers grant funding for programs and projects to

time an offender is scheduled to be released from prison or jail, or have a parole or court hearing. In the last five years, MOVANS has delivered almost 5 million automated phone calls, emails and letters about court dates and offender custody status. The CVC program helps pay violent crime victims’ out-of-pocket expenses, such as coun-

The Missouri Times

13 IMPEACHMENT

General Assembly leadership calls for resignation, Senate wishes to begin impeachment Greitens says he will not resign, court will prove his innocence Alisha Shurr The leadership of both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly has called for the embattled-governor to take responsibility for his actions and to step down from his position. The Senate President Pro Tem took it one step further calling for impeachment proceedings to begin. Following the news that the state’s Attorney General has evidence to support another felony charge against Gov. Eric Greitens in

consideration of the findings in the House committee’s report and today’s news that the Attorney General has evidence to support another felony charge, we believe the governor needs to take responsibility for his actions,” said House Speaker Todd Richardson, House Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr, and House Majority Floor Leader Rob Vescovo in a joint statement. “Leaders at all levels of government are entrusted with an incredible responsibility to the Missourians we represent. When leaders lose the ability to effectively lead our state, the right thing to do is step aside. In our view, the time has come for the governor to resign.” Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard took that a step further and called for impeachment proceedings to begin. “For the last several months, I have been in constant contact with the speaker of the

“Because of the severity of the allegations, it is my wish that we immediately start impeachment proceedings.” combination with the House report released less than a week ago, Republican leadership is making the resignation call for the first time. “At the outset of this process, we said the governor needed to be forthright and accountable for his actions. After thoughtful

Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri attorney general. We have reached a critical turning point in the allegations made against the governor. The decisions made going forward will have a significant effect on the state of Missouri. After speaking with the attorney general today, I believe the governor has no other respectable option than to resign from office,” said Richard. “We are past the point of concerning and alarming. Since his time in office, the governor has caused tension, conflict and hostility. The weight of his actions are being felt throughout the state. Now, these alleged illegal actions are further harmful to the people of Missouri and do not represent Missouri values. It’s time for the governor to find the courage in his heart and do what is in the best interests of the people he serves and step aside. “This is not a sentiment held lightly. Serving the people of Missouri is an extraordinary honor, one I believe requires each elected official to rise to the occasion. Sometimes that occasion is knowing when it’s time to step aside. “Because of the severity of the allegations,

it is my wish that we immediately start impeachment proceedings.” Following the release of the two statements Tuesday night, Greitens took to Twitter reaffirming his conviction that he will not resign. "I will not be resigning the Governor's office. In three weeks, this matter will go to a court of law — where it belongs and where facts will prove my innocence. Until then, I will do what the people of Missouri sent me here to do: to serve them and work hard on their behalf." Early on Tuesday, Attorney General Josh Hawley announced evidence of criminal wrongdoing at a press conference, saying he had handed to evidence to the St. Louis Circuit Attorney and the House Investigative committee. This is a separate matter than what the governor is on trial for and will not be part of current court proceedings. This came less than one week after the committee released a very graphic report detail the extramarital affair between Greitens and his then-hairdresser.

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THINGS THAT THINGS THAT HAPPENED HAPPEN LAST WEEK THIS WEEK Greitens kicks of “Leadership Library” for state workers

REALTORS celebrate 50th Anniversary of FHA Unemployment drops .1% Greitens makes two appointments to the MEC from nominations

House investigative committee meets

24 Next Gen GOP PAC Kickoff Event – Capitol City Cork – 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 24 Reception in Honor of Josh Hawley – 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 25 Missouri Electric Cooperatives Fish Fry – 3rd Floor Rotunda – Noon to 1:30 p.m.

25 Administrative Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp to Professionals Day

resign after allegations of an inappropriate relationship 25 Reception in Honor of

Staffer Carter Ballmann arrested

Brenda Shields – Jefferson City Country Club – 5:30 p.m. – 7:00

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The Missouri Times

Lobbyist Moves Courtesy of the Gate Way Group

Report puts UM System economic impact at $5.4 billion annually Alisha Shurr A newly released report puts the economic impact the University of Missouri System has on the Show-Me State at $5.4 billion annually with more than 61,000 jobs — directly and indirectly — supported. The study also found that more than $244 million in state and local revenue taxes are collected because of the university. “Given that our annual appropriations from the state are approximately $400 million each year, this means that taxpayers are receiving a return on their investment of 13.5 to 1, an impressive number,” said Mark McIntosh, UM System vice president of Research and Economic Development. “A vast number of our graduates are staying in Missouri and putting their education to the test in our workforce while our faculty across the four campuses are conducting research that addresses grand challenges facing our state and nation. This significant combination of workforce development and innovative discoveries in our labs is impacting thousands of Missourians every day.” The study, conducted by Tripp Umbach with data provided by UM Systems, determined that between the four campuses, MU Extension, and MU Health Care there is a direct economic impact in Missouri of $2.1 billion and an indirect impact of $3.3 billion, totally $5.4 billion in total. The University of Missouri-Columbia generated more than $3.9 billion — $1.6 billion directly and $2.3 billion indirectly — in economic impact while directly supporting 28,687 full-time and part-time jobs. The University of Missouri-Kansas City

generated more than $523 million — $200 million directly and $323 million billion indirectly — in economic impact while directly supporting 3,841 full-time and part-time jobs. Missouri University of Science and Technology generated more than $404 million — $162 million directly and $242 million billion indirectly — in economic impact while directly supporting 3,419 full-time and parttime jobs. The University of Missouri-St. Louis generated more than $363 million — $155 million directly and $208 million billion indirectly — in economic impact while directly supporting 2,872 full-time and part-time jobs. Paul Umbach, President and CEO of Tripp Umbach, calls the figures very accurate. When comparing the analysis to other colleges in other states, Umbach classified the return per student as better than average and the return per tax-payer dollar as in the middle. “We are dedicated to the welfare and success of the citizens of Missouri,” UM President Mun Choi said. “Our original mission was to educate the future leaders of the state and provide new knowledge that would open new opportunities and significantly alter the economic prosperity of the state for the better. This study proves that the University of Missouri System, its four campuses, MU Extension, and MU Health Care continue to be a powerful driving force for the future of the state.” The nearly 1,000 baccalaureate degrees and 5,800 advanced degrees (i.e., masters, doctoral, professional) awarded in 206-2017 equates to $1.9 billion in future value over

the next 40 years, according to the study. Pew Research Center found that the median yearly income gap between high school and college graduates is around $17,500. “Beyond dollars, we also have an impact as we work and interact with Missourians across the state every day,” said Marshall Stewart, vice chancellor for Extension and Engagement at the University of Missouri-Columbia. “I have spent time with people from every county in the state, and our extension faculty and staff who live and work throughout the state are committed to sharing knowledge with their neighbors. These everyday interactions are further proof that we are committed to the success of everyone, everywhere, in every county.” Tripp Umbach staff used several sources of data for the study, including capital expenditures, operational expenditures, number of employees and students, conferences hosted, payroll and benefits, and taxes paid to local and state governments. The study did not review the economic impact of MU’s athletics department. A previous study completed by a team of MBA faculty and students found that MU athletics contributed approximately $294 million to the local and state economies. “The University of Missouri System is an extremely important economic driver in the state of Missouri,” said Umbach. “Looking at the system’s impact on Missouri’s local and regional economies, it is clear that the investment in higher education is a necessity for the economic and social vitality of Missouri and its people.”

Changes on: 04/18/2018 Deleted Jon Bloomfield MULTISTATE ASSOCIATES Added FOR CIOX HEALTH LLC ADAPT PHARMA INC Changes on: 04/11/2018 Sonette Magnus Hannah Beers Added ASSOCIATED Added UPPER MISSISGENERAL CONTRACTORS SIPPI ILLINOIS MISSOURI OF MISSOURI RIVER ASSOCIATION Ryan Mckenna Hannah Beers Added Added ST LOUIS COMMUNITY BURNS AND MCDONNELL COLLEGE Hannah Beers Changes on: 04/17/2018 Added Caroline Hoover LEO OLAUGHLIN INC Added Hannah Beers FRED DREILING LLC Added Scott Swain BEYOND ORGANICS LLC Added MISSOURI Hannah Beers AMUSEMENT MACHINE Added SAFE AND OPERATORS LLC STRONG MISSOURI Changes on: 04/16/2018 Hannah Beers Alexander J Munyard Added DDC PUBLIC Deleted AFFAIRS GREATER KANSAS CITY Hannah Beers AFLCIO Added MISSOURI Changes on: 04/13/2018 VALUES PROJECT David W Sweeney Hannah Beers Added ASSOCIATED Added AMERICANS GENERAL CONTRACTORS FOR FARMERS AND FAMIOF MISSOURI LIES Changes on: 04/12/2018 Hannah Beers Hannah Beers Added Added AMERICAN FEDERATION AXIOM STRATEGIES FOR CHILDREN Hannah Beers Hannah Beers Added Added CHEYENNE MALLINCKRODT PHARINTERNATIONAL LLC MACEUTICALS Hannah Beers Brian Bernskoetter Added LATHROP AND Added CIOX HEALTH GAGE LLP LLC CO MULTISTATES Hannah Beers ASSOCIATES INC Added CLOUT PUBLIC Jeffery N Brooks AFFAIRS LLC Added Artur Davis QUEST DIAGNOSTICS Added INSTITUTE William A Gamble FOR JUSTICE Added Charlie Palladino QUEST DIAGNOSTICS Added THE GOOD Kathryn Gamble FOOD INSTITUTE INC Added Jewell D H Patek QUEST DIAGNOSTICS Deleted Cynthia Gamble CITY OF GREENWOOD Added Jewell D H Patek QUEST DIAGNOSTICS Deleted COS ACTION David Michael Jackson Changes on: 04/10/2018 Added Guy William Black DESOTO RURAL FIRE Added BRYAN CAVE PROTECTION DISTRICT LEIGHTON PAISNER LLP David Michael Jackson Lewis R Mills Added Added BRYAN CAVE QUEST DIAGNOSTICS LEIGHTON PAISNER LLP Randy J Scherr Kristy Nelson Added Added CIOX HEALTH LLC CO EPIC STRATEGIES MULTISTATE ASSOCIATES Frank H Plescia INC Added BRYAN CAVE Jorgen Schlemeier LEIGHTON PAISNER LLP Added Brian Smith QUEST DIAGNOSTICS Added MISSOURI Sarah Topp RURAL CRISIS CENTER Added QUEST DIAGDiana Vuylsteke NOSTICS Added BRYAN CAVE Hannah Beers LEIGHTON PAISNER LLP Deleted Guy William Black MALLINKRODT PHARMEDeleted BRYAN CAVE CEUTICALS LLP Hannah Beers Joanna Grossman Deleted HEAVY VEHIDeleted THE GOOD CLE ELECTRONIC LICENSE FOOD INSTITUTE INC PLATE INC HELP INC Lewis R Mills Hannah Beers Deleted BRYAN CAVE Deleted MISSOURI LLP PETROLEUM MARKETERS Chris Mitchell AND CONVENIENCE Deleted ACT INC AND STORE ASSOC MPCA ITS AFFILIATE ACT ASPIRE Hannah Beers Frank H Plescia Deleted XCALIBER Deleted BRYAN CAVE INTERNATIONAL LTD LLC LLP Hannah Beers Diana Vuylsteke Deleted THE LACLEDE Deleted BRYAN CAVE GROUP LLP Hannah Beers Changes on: 04/09/2018 Deleted Richard M Aubuchon DAVID HUMPHREYS Added Hannah Beers COLLEGE OF AMERICAN Deleted PATHOLOGISTS AXIOM STRETEGIES Richard M Aubuchon Lee Robinson Camp Added Deleted ARCHCITY MISSOURI SOCIETY OF DEFENDERS INC PATHOLOGISTS Hart Gabriel Nelson Rodney Boyd Deleted ST LOUIS Added COMMUNITY REGIONAL CHAMBER GAMING ASSOCIATION Randy J Scherr Rodney Boyd

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

Most Americans still dream of owning their own home. Homeownership strengthens communities, provides stability for families and helps build financial strength. But saving enough money for a down payment and closing costs is too hard for many Missourians—especially for young people and those looking to buy their first home. Low paying jobs, the cost of living and high student loan payments are tough obstacles to overcome. Many people don’t know where to start. That’s why we need the Missouri FirstTime Homebuyer Initiative—a new idea to help prospective homebuyers save for their first home.

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

We should be doing more to help first-time homebuyers— not with government handouts but by providing incentives to encourage people to save more of their own money towards the cost of a home. That’s why we need to ask our legislators to approve the Missouri First-Time Homebuyer Initiative.

• The maximum amount that can be deposited over the life of the account is $25,000; the maximum total amount in the account is limited to $50,000. • Parents or grandparents can contribute to this account as well. • An amount equal to 50% of the annual contribution may be deducted from the contributor’s taxable gross income and any gain within the account would not be subject to state income taxes. • Money from the savings account would have to be used toward the purchase or construction of a first home.

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

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