304 DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY… 213 DAYS UNTIL THE AUGUST PRIMARY

JOBS NUMBERS, per POLITICO: “The struggling U.S. economy beat expectations and added 200,000 jobs in December, and the unemployment rate also unexpectedly declined to 8.5 percent last month from 8.6 percent in November, the Labor Department announced Friday.” 

Early Dem. response: REP. RUSS CARNAHAN: “This month’s improved unemployment report – on top of last month’s gains – is good news, but we can’t let up now.  Not with overall unemployment still at 8.5 percent and jobless rates for some minority groups as high as 16 percent. As I said last month, Congress must stop wasting time on ideologically-driven bills that don’t create jobs, and take real action now.” 

Early R. response: RNC CHAIRMAN REINCE PRIEBUS: “Although seeing more Americans returning to work is good for our nation, joblessness in America remains painfully and unacceptably high. After three years of Barack Obama’s presidency, the American economy is not recovering quick enough. … [I]nstead of working with Republicans to get the economy moving, President Obama is engaged in a full-time re-election campaign, prioritizing his job over jobs for the unemployed. He has no long term vision to fix the economy and no comprehensive plan to get Americans working again. All he offers are occasional gimmicks that create nothing more than campaign photo-ops.” 

(Springfield led in November: “The November 2011 [unemployment] numbers for the Springfield metro area dropped to 6.7%. That is down from 7.3% in October and 8.5% a year ago.” http://bit.ly/xak66V)

BUDGET WOES — After criticism from just about every newspaper in the state, and several Democrats and Republicans, Gov. Jay Nixon told reporters yesterday that the controversial proposal his administration had considered to borrow funds from university reserves is, “off the table.” AP: “Nixon’s administration had floated an idea that would have taken $106 million from the reserves of five of Missouri’s largest universities to help fund the higher education operating budget for the 2013 fiscal year. The reserves would have been replenished over several years with money from Missouri’ student loan agency. Asked Thursday about the idea, Nixon responded: ‘That is off the table.’ … The governor’s office has always stressed that the potential to borrow from university reserves to finance the state’s budget was only an idea, not a firm plan or proposal. One thing that made the idea potentially attractive was the ability to redirect money from the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority to finance classroom education in the immediate future instead of using agency funds for longer-term campus construction projects, as state law now requires, Nixon said.” http://bit.ly/xqVWAQ

— ‘House GOP considers options for revenue,’ Rudi Keller: “House Speaker Steve Tilley, at the House Republicans’ opening-day news conference, emphatically rejected the idea of raising Missouri’s 17-cents-a-pack cigarette tax, the lowest in the nation. … But when he addressed taxing Internet sales, his tone softened. … It is difficult to know exactly how much revenue state and local governments would see from an Internet sales tax. Studies cited in a fiscal note for a similar idea last year estimated new state revenue at $108 million to $210 million. The bill would have put Missouri in a multistate compact called the “Streamlined Sales Tax,” which would implement administrative changes in tax collection designed to make it easier to collect tax for multiple jurisdictions. A bill executing the agreement, with other significant tax changes as well, has been introduced in the House by Rep. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville.” http://bit.ly/xYyEZi 

— ‘Missouri ends year with bleak budget news,’ St. Louis Beacon: “Missouri Budget Director Linda Luebbering says the state’s financial picture has taken a turn for the worse, making it possible that Gov. Jay Nixon may have to make mid-year trims to balance the current budget. ‘I’m more concerned about the next six months than the next 18 months,’ Luebbering said in an interview Thursday. The budget director explained that most financial experts say the nation’s economic picture will improve over the next year. The state’s revenue collections were down 2.1 percent compared to December 2010. Net general revenue collections for the month declined $14.3 million, from $667.1 million in December 2010 to $652.8 million last month.” http://bit.ly/wkzjrh   

EDUCATION SIREN — ‘Ed secretary: KC schools trouble a “huge concern,”’ AP: “U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Thursday that the number of students dropping out of the Kansas City School District is ‘a huge concern,’ but there was no immediate announcement about whether he would support Mayor Sly James’ takeover proposal. Duncan and James met earlier this week in Washington to discuss the plan to allow mayoral control of the recently unaccredited district… Although Duncan hasn’t specifically endorsed James’ takeover proposal, which would require legislative approval, he has said previously that mayors should take control of big-city school districts where academic performance is suffering. … Duncan is the former chief executive officer of the Chicago Public Schools. In Chicago, as in several other large cities, the mayor has full control over the school system and picks its leader. … 

“James’ takeover plan, which would put transfers on hold, is among a raft of proposals the legislature is expected to consider this session to address struggling schools. One proposal would make it easier for districts to annex portions of unaccredited districts. Another proposal calls for suburban Kansas City districts to contract to operate unaccredited schools. That would address the transfer issue because students in the Kansas City district would become part of accredited school systems.” http://apne.ws/x6XcWh

GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, and welcome to this edition of PoliticMo Rundown. Send your tips, comments, and scoops to eli@politicmo.com. 

SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL will continue her ‘Hometown Energy Tour’ today, with a stop at Delta Asphalt Company in Cape Girardeau. The company has been recognized for its environmentally friendly business practices, McCaskill’s office says. 

GOV. JAY NIXON will be in the St. Joseph region today to announce $3.3 million in funding for levee repairs, following flooding last year. 

STATE VISITS — Missouri Republicans scored two big Republican names to come to the Show Me State in February to rally supporters. 

— ‘La. Gov. Jindal to keynote MOGOP event,’ PoliticMo: “Missouri Republicans announced Thursday that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal will speak at their annual Lincoln Days dinner in February. … Last year, Jindal, who had for some time had been rumored to be considering a presidential bid himself, endorsed Texas Governor Rick Perry’s campaign. Jindal will address MOGOP’s Feb. 17 dinner in Kansas City.” http://bit.ly/xeyT7g

— ‘Huckabee to rally Wagner supporters,’ PoliticMo: “Making good on his endorsement late last year, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will visit St. Louis next month to rally for Ann Wagner’s congressional campaign. … Huckabee, a favorite among conservatives and particularly in social conservative circles, provides important support for Wagner, as her primary opponent, St. Louis attorney Ed Martin, has tried to portray her as weak on social issues throughout the campaign. The event will take place Feb. 2 in St. Louis.” http://bit.ly/x8E6j8

DEBATING DEBATES — ‘Senate hopefuls to debate Tuesday,’ News-Leader: “The first debate among Missouri Republican contenders for the U.S. Senate is set for next week, at 9 a.m. Tuesday, and carried live on St. Louis radio station KTRS (550-AM) and KTRS.com. But only two of the three candidates will be there—former Missouri State Treasurer Sarah Steelman and St. Louis County Congressman Todd Akin. St. Louis businessman John Brunner declined an invitation to participate. All three are competing to unseat Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. … The event will held at the Missouri Athletic Club, moderated by Jo Mannies of the St. Louis Beacon and McGraw Milhaven of KTRS Radio.” http://sgfnow.co/yjrRxE

— So, you ask, what’s going on with the Brunner campaign and their debate scheduling? Spokesman John Hancock emails, “We have made progress with them.  We have been in touch with Sam Steelman and Mr. Hanson who used to be with Akin.’ 

2012 LEGISLATING — ‘Missouri lawmakers unlikely to tackle “Right to Work”’ Jason Hancock: “It garnered three hours of impassioned debate last year, but never came up for a vote. Now, as lawmakers begin their work in 2012, its looking like making Missouri a right-to-work state won’t get a lot of attention. ‘It’s not in that list of top priorities that we have,” said Senate Majority Leader Tom Dempsey. … Dempsey has long been a critic of the legislation, which would outlaw employment contracts that make union dues or fees a condition of employment. His opposition carries a lot of weight since he decides which bills are brought up for debate. Other Republican Senators are also on record opposing the measure, along with all eight Senate Democrats, who have previously threatened a filibuster.” http://bit.ly/xa4dSW

— That is why these ballot measures are being looked into — proponents see their only way to get it passed is with a direct appeal to voters. Fun fact: It’s been on the ballot before — 34 years ago — and it failed.

MAMTEK FALLOUT — BusinessWeek took a look at Missouri’s Mamtek mess, calling the deal a “nightmare” for Moberly: ‘A Missouri Town’s Sweet Dreams Turn Sour’: “[Mamtek exec Bruce] Cole had lots of grand plans. But reality caught up with him. To the growing frustration of Moberly officials and residents, he kept pushing back the completion date of the facility. In August 2011 it came time for Mamtek to make its first payment on the principal of the bond, a sum of $3.2 million. Cole’s company didn’t have the money. It never did, as it turned out. … Although Cole would not comment, interviews with former Mamtek executives, consultants, and city officials, as well as a review of the bond offering, legal filings, and other records made public, tell the story of Mamtek’s collapse. It’s a tale of economic desperation, the lure of Chinese wealth, and, most of all, people’s need to believe. …

“Officials in Missouri, quick to welcome Mamtek, are now loath to take responsibility for its demise. Moberly trusted the expertise of Mamtek’s own counsel as well as the appraisal firm and the bond underwriters, Morgan Keegan (which settled a fraud case this past summer related to subprime mortgage securities and is now up for sale). Morgan Keegan said its due diligence focused on the city’s finances and that it relied on Moberly and the state’s Economic Development Dept. to verify Mamtek’s financial condition. Economic Development was wary of placing too many demands on companies interested in doing business in the state. That sends the message that they are ‘obviously not welcome in Missouri,’ said David Kerr, the now-retired director of the department, during hearings held by the Missouri House of Representatives in November.” http://buswk.co/xe1nsL

SPENCE CAMPAIGNS — ‘Gubernatorial candidate visits the Heartland,’ KTVO: “Republican Candidate Dave Spence did a meet-and-greet Thursday afternoon at Sweet Espressions Coffee House in Kirksville. … [Spence said,] ‘We don’t necessarily need new taxes, we need more tax payers. We have enough people on the wagon, but not enough people pulling the wagon. That’s really the easiest solution and that’s called just two words: hard work. We’ve got to create opportunities for businesses to expand and give people confidence that the state has their back, and they’re making sensible decisions so businesses can expand.’” http://bit.ly/wRdLGP

THIS WEEK IN JEFF SMITH — ‘Convicted ex-state senator Jeff Smith let off probation early,’ Jake Wagman: “Since leaving federal prison, former Missouri State Sen. Jeff Smith has carved out a new life in New York, teaching politics and offering commentary on the election season. And now, more than two years after the charges that torpedoed his own career in office, Smith is officially free from the federal government’s tether. A U.S. District Court judge in St. Louis this week ordered an early end to Smith’s post-prison probation. … On Wednesday… [judge] Carol E. Jackson… ended Smith’s probation about 10 months early. … Smith, now a professor at the New School in Manhattan, has not been shy about discussing his time in prison — in fact, his writing on his incarceration has drawn attention because of its frankness. His legacy has also not been forgotten in Jefferson City, where his term ended abruptly after he plead guilty to federal conspiracy charges.” http://bit.ly/y1bWCP

SPORTZZZZZ —  ‘Missouri hits the road to face Kansas State,’ KTVO: “The Missouri basketball team will continue Big 12 play as it will square off against  Kansas State in its second true road game of the season at Bramlage Coliseum Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Mizzou and K-State have met 233 times in history and the series is separated by just one game with Mizzou owning a slight edge at 117-116. The Tigers have won three of the last five meetings but have not won at K-State since Feb. 28, 2004, when Jason Conley led Mizzou with 20 points in a 79-69 win.” http://bit.ly/zR5f5M