TheChat: Rex Sinquefield rattles his saber

Good morning.

▪ “The General Assembly should do everything it can to get rid of the earnings taxes in St. Louis or Kansas City before someone brings a federal suit and these taxes are just taken away overnight without a replacement vehicle.” — St. Louis businessman and financier Rex Sinquefield, who finances conservative causes in Missouri.

Sinquefield has added a new threat to the e-tax debate, and that’s the idea of a federal lawsuit. He said income taxes doom states, and presumably cities, to slow growth. Kansas City just renewed its earning tax with 77 percent support.

▪ “It’s been beneficial to him not to have other Republican opponents constantly attacking him.” — Democratic pollster Geoff Garin on one reason why Donald Trump is surging in the polls.

Another reason? A greater share of Republicans are backing Trump even as House Speaker Paul Ryan and other leading GOPers hang back.

▪ “The world has watched in awe, as the city has risen anew, brick by brick and board by board, better than before.” — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon on Sunday applauding Joplin for its monumental rebuilding five years after that deadly tornado.

Added Nixon, “It is the work of steady hands and steadfast hearts – never idle, ever hopeful – through seasons of grief and seasons of joy.”

▪ “The Senate majority is firmly up for grabs.” — Nathan Gonzales, editor and publisher of the Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report, on which party will control the U.S. Senate come 2017.

Some key numbers for you: Republicans hold a 54-46 majority. They are defending 24 seats this year compared to 10 for Democrats.

▪ “Private sector job estimates showed a decline since last April.” — Emilie Doerksen, a labor economist with the Kansas Department of Labor, on the state’s latest job numbers.

More dismal news on this front: Kansas lost 3,700 jobs in April.