299 DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY… 207 DAYS UNTIL THE AUGUST PRIMARY

SPENCE RECORD — ‘Economics, yes, but of the home,’ Jake Wagman: “According to the university, Spence’s degree is not in economics. It is in home economics. The school says that Spence majored in family economics and management — also called consumer economics —which earned him a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Home Economics in 1981. … Spence said Monday that, while at Mizzou, his grades did not meet the threshold to enter the Business School, so he chose a different academic path that would allow him to graduate on time. … Spence has made jobs and the economy a key part of his bid to be the state’s top elected official. He acknowledged that the description of his degree on the campaign’s website may be misleading — ‘If you want me to change it, I will,’ Spence said Monday — but as of Tuesday afternoon, the biography section was unchanged. 

“Of course, a business degree is not required for success after graduation. Four years after leaving Mizzou, Spence used a small business loan to purchase Alpha Packaging, which grew exponentially under his watch. After 25 years at the helm, Spence sold the company, which produces more than a billion plastic containers a week, for a reported $260 million.” http://bit.ly/Aj71jS

— Republican challenger Bill Randles (Billy Ray Randles) reacted to the news by releasing his transcripts from Harvard Law, Baylor University, and SBU. Randles said, “I know this is an issue and I know the people of MIssouri have a right to know, I am releasing the transcripts for all my degrees. I hold firm to the principle that has become a cornerstone of my political philosophy: sunshine is the best disinfectant.”  TRANSCRIPTS: http://bit.ly/xnA4Kz

— Missouri Democratic Party’s Caitlin Legacki weighed in: “David Spence made a concerted effort to overstate his academic credentials and he got caught. Missourians deserve to know the truth—not only about David Spence’s academic credentials, but also how long he’s been lying. He should be embarrassed.”

SENATE CONTENDERS SPAR —  ‘Akin, Steelman meet in first debate of GOP Senate contenders,’ Jason Rosenbaum: “In the first formal debate featuring candidates for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate from Missouri, U.S. Rep. Todd Akin of Wildwood and former Treasurer Sarah Steelman of Rolla clashed over earmarks and a 2003 bill expanding prescription drug coverage. … For the most part, the candidates steered clear of criticizing each other and showcased similar views. … But the debate became more combative when KTRS radio host and moderator McGraw Milhaven asked Akin and Steelman why each would be the better candidate to face McCaskill in November.

“Steelman said that unlike Akin, she’s a political outsider better able to clean up Washington. Steelman also noted that she’s been an opponent of earmarks, while Akin, R-Wildwood, has been a supporter. … In response, Akin said, ‘To try to paint me as an insider is really a gross misrepresentation of fact.’ He said, for instance, that he voted against a 2003 bill to include prescription drug coverage in Medicare — despite a telephone call from President George W. Bush asking for Akin’s support — and a 2008 measure to assist banks reeling from the economic downturn. … Steelman also criticized Akin for initially voting for a House version of the prescription drug bill, adding that the congressman ‘voted for it before you voted against it.’ ‘It came down to one vote in the U.S. Congress and you allowed it to move on,’ Steelman said. … Akin said the prescription drug bill changed after going through the Senate, which prompted him to vote against the final version.” http://bit.ly/A8vSwP

NIXON DEFENDS PLAN — ‘Defiant of criticism, Nixon vows to expand business tax credits,’ PoliticMo: “On the eve of a two day visit with auto industry leaders in Detroit, Gov. Jay Nixon stopped in Springfield to continue his statewide tour outlining new components of his administration’s plan to increase the state’s economic output. … Nixon has called for expansion of tax credits for businesses that export products and hire new employees. Some Republican lawmakers are wary of expanding the tax credits.  They cite the high profile failure of the Mamtek artificial sweetener plant in Moberly, which had the support of Nixon’s administration early in its development, as the reason for their skepticism. Nixon said even after the Mamtek mess, he believes that giving the tax credits to businesses only after they create jobs is a ‘solid’ way to encourage job creation and protect taxpayer dollars. … 

“Nixon said if the legislature does not move to back his proposals (he said he remains optimistic they will “once the dust settles”), he will do things to move forward without them. That’s why, he said, he and his new director of the Department of Economic Development Jason Hall will be in Detroit this week to meet with major auto manufacturers. ‘That doesn’t require legislative action,’ Nixon said. ‘You bet we’re going to continue moving this state forward and selling the state of Missouri all around the world.’” http://bit.ly/xarG14

QUICK Q&A with the Gov at his stop in Springfield: 

— On criticism of tax credit expansion: “Most of our job creations tools pay after the job is created.  If the job is not created, we didn’t pay. … there are going to be projects which, if it doesn’t meet the job creation targets that we had, although that my disappoint us, the bottom line is it doesn’t cost the tax payers any money. if the job is not created, they don’t have to pay any money. Consequently, thats why we think that model which started before I was governor is a solid model, as far as economic development for the future, and I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to work with the legislature to expand this models where they’re appropriate. 

“Does every business deal work out, as everybody hoped it would? No. This is America. Does everything … come out perfect? No. I’m not going to stand still. The people who want to spend their time and stand still and have a critique of what have been problems in the past instead of joining together and coming forward where we have to lead this economy, I don’t really have a lot of time for them. They can do all that they want and talk about how some thing last year or two years ago didn’t go just perfect, but our job is to create jobs for the future.” 

— How to get past potential legislative roadblocks? Push executive action?   “I think that some folks said that sort of stuff when we moved and passed the original manufacturing bill. The bill didn’t get done in regular session. We had to call a special session of the the legislature where the focus of the entire state was on that issue and how to pay for it and we got that done. I get up every day trying to create jobs. I get up every day trying to think of where we’re trying to go. …  I am actually optimistic that once the dust settles when the first few weeks of the session get over and people get down to the pieces of work. I don’t spend my self defining merely on what legislating passes or not.

“We’re going back to detroit to sit down with the leaders of GM and some of the other folks to be sure we are doing everything possible to get that supply up … That doesn’t require legislative action. That is executive action. You bet w’ere going to continue moving this state forward and selling the state of Missouri all around the world.”

GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING (sorry for our lateness) and welcome to this edition of PoliticMo Rundown. Send your tips, comments, and scops to eli@politicmo.com. 

CAPITOL INTRIGUE — ‘Duplantier returns to AP to help cover Capitol,’ AP: “Wes Duplantier, a journalist who has worked at several mid-Missouri news outlets including The Associated Press, will return to his role as a state government reporter with the cooperative during the 2012 legislative session. … Duplantier, 21, an English major at the University of Missouri, originally joined the AP in Jefferson City to help cover the 2011 Legislature. During the session, Duplantier covered jobless benefits, redistricting, budget and other issues. Originally from Palo Alto, Calif., Duplantier has previously reported news and feature stories for The Jefferson City News Tribune, Missouri Life magazine, The Mexico Ledger and The Sedalia Democrat.” http://apne.ws/A7VQXw

FREE AIR — ‘Missouri officials get free air time with state-sponsored ads,’ Virginia Young: “Attorney General Chris Koster is battling Medicaid thieves. Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel is a proud dad saving for his children’s college education. Those positive images came through in recent television spots. But the two Democratic officeholders’ campaigns didn’t have to pay for them. Koster and Zweifel starred in state-sponsored public service announcements and ads. Television stations aired them for free or at reduced rates covered by government contracts. Spokesmen for the officials said the ads promoted important causes and cost taxpayers little in one case and nothing in the other. Previous officeholders, from both political parties, have run similar spots. … 

“Zweifel’s ad is a homey spot featuring his family … The ad showcases the Missouri Saving for Tuition, or MOST, program, which Zweifel’s office supervises. The spot ran statewide from December 12 through Dec. 31, to remind parents they could get a tax deduction if they contributed before year’s end. Zweifel’s predecessor, Republican Sarah Steelman, made similar TV pitches. The MOST board approves the marketing plan. No state tax money is spent. UPromise Investments, the company that manages the college savings program, foots the bill under the terms of its contract. For last month’s spot, airtime cost $232,909 and production cost $116,046. The treasurer’s spokesman, Jon Galloway, said the ads have increased awareness of the popular savings plan; the number of accounts now exceeds 130,700, reflecting an 8 percent jump since 2009. … Over the last three years, Zweifel’s MOST ads have cost a total of $673,575 in airtime and $205,517 in production costs. That’s less than the ads cost under Steelman from 2006 through 2008 ($874,974 for airtime and $256,414 for production.)

“While Zweifel spent less than Steelman, Koster gets the prize for low-budget production. His office said his ad, a simple talking-head approach, cost $774. It was filmed at the studio of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The 30-second PSA urges Missourians with tips on Medicaid fraud to call his office’s hotline. It is airing primarily in Republican-heavy southwest Missouri but also pops up in St. Louis and around the state when broadcasters have unbooked time. The attorney general’s office paid the Missouri Broadcasters Association $10,000 but is guaranteed four times that much air time, said Nanci Gonder, spokeswoman for Koster. She said only $2,500 came from state general revenue; the rest was federal money.” http://bit.ly/wcqw3m

POTUS 2012 — Former Sen. Jim Talent continues to be a surrogate for Mitt Romney’s campaign. In an interview with Foreign Policy Magazine, Talent called the Obama White House “unstable” following the departure of Chief of Staff Billy Daley. “‘This unexpected move of Bill Daley out points to a lack of stability,’ said former Senator Jim Talent in a Tuesday interview. Talent, who is one of Romney’s closest advisors on national security, also harshly criticized Obama’s decision to revamp U.S. military strategy, which he announced at the Pentagon on Jan. 5. The new strategy review, released only weeks ahead of Obama’s fiscal 2013 budget request, calls for a ‘smaller and leaner’ military and backs off from previous strategy documents that mandated the U.S. military maintain the capability to fight two major wars at the same time. ‘I think it’s going to encourage provocative actions around the world,’ said Talent. ‘It’s a signal that America’s not going to continue exercising a leadership role, it’s very dangerous. And you know that one of the amazing things about it is that it’s explicitly a budget-driven decision, in other words there’s no pretense that this is a change based on strategic analysis.’

“When announcing the new defense strategy, Obama said, ‘The tide of war is receding’ — but the Romney team doesn’t see it that way at all. ‘That sends the wrong message, it encourages other countries to believe that they can provoke and challenge us, and it will end up costing us more money,’ said Talent. ‘It’s so much an explicit confession of bankruptcy in terms of defense policy, I almost don’t know how to respond to it.’ In fact, Talent said that Obama’s strategic review is more damaging than the military cuts made by President Bill Clinton’s administration following the end of the Cold War.” http://bit.ly/y3u1xG

2012 LEGISLATING — ‘Senate mulls limits on employee lawsuits,’ PoliticMo: “As part of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce’s legislative wish list, changes to Missouri’s Worker’s Compensation system are receiving new focus from the General Assembly. The Senate Small Business, Insurance, and Industry heard testimony Tuesday regarding legislation that would limit an employee’s ability to sue other employees for some work related accidents. … The Chamber of Commerce, which advocated for the changes as part of its legislative proposal late last year, said [Sen. Tom] Dempsey’s resolution will ‘provide clarity’ for employers.” http://bit.ly/zfTIby

— ‘Lamping calls for hiking cigarette tax, reducing state income tax,’ St. Louis Beacon: “State Sen. John Lamping, R-Ladue, has followed through with his plan to file a bill that eliminates state income taxes on the first $2,000 in individual income and replaces the money by hiking the state’s cigarette tax — now among the nation’s lowest. Lamping says the bill is revenue neutral. Under his proposal, SB 638, no Missourian would pay taxes on the first $2,000 of earned income. Now, state income tax is levied on all income, no matter how small. That cut would cost the state $128 million a year. … To replace the $128 million, Lamping proposes to increase Missouri’s cigarette tax to 43 cents a pack, from the current 17 cents.  Such a hike would still put Missouri’s cigarette tax among the nation’s lowest — and far below the national average of $1.46 a pack.” 

SNEAK PEAK — We spoke with Speaker Steven Tilley yesterday in his office at the Capitol. He said he oppose any tax increase — including a tax increase on cigarettes — on principle. 

COST OF AUSTERITY — ‘USDA closing ten Missouri offices,’ MissouriNet: “Ten  United States agriculture department offices are being shut down in Missouri as a budget-reallocation move.  They’re among 259 USDA offices closing nationwide.  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says employees won’t lose their jobs although their offices are closing. Farm Services Agency offices are closing in Jefferson, Dallas, and Morgan Counties.  Food and Nutrition Services offices are closing in St. Louis County and in Jackson County.  The USDA is closing the Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Stoddard County.  Rural Development offices are being closed in Hillsboro, Jefferson City, Carthage, and in Jackson, in southeast Missouri.” http://bit.ly/zB4W8c

SPORTZZZ — ‘As SEC move looms, Missouri merchants look to boost game day experience in Columbia,’ AP in Columbia: “Ole Miss has The Grove. Florida and Georgia host the world’s largest outdoor cocktail party each fall in neutral-site Jacksonville. Missouri? Let’s just say the Midwest school preparing to bolt the Big 12 Conference for the Southeastern Conference later this year has some catching up to do when it comes to football tailgating traditions. … 

“As rabid fans from Alabama, Georgia and other soon-to-be rival schools continue to flood local hotels with fall Saturday reservations, some local business and civic leaders want to enliven the Mizzou game-day experience by creating a ‘Tiger Town’ fan zone in downtown Columbia. The details are still being worked out, but preliminary plans call for public street closures in an area directly north of the Missouri campus and south of Broadway, a main city thoroughfare. Picture beer gardens, outdoor concerts, autograph stations featuring past Missouri athletes, live radio broadcasts, a family-friendly play area and a ‘Tiger Trail’ pathway lined with fans as the team walks toward Faurot Field. … Early estimates suggest that Missouri can expect an average of 7,500 visiting fans at home conference games, or between three and four times the size of the typical number of visitors that accompanied Big 12 Conference rivals, Means said. The football Tigers are scheduled to host Georgia, Vanderbilt, Alabama and Kentucky this fall.” http://wapo.st/AuVOvz