Missouri lawmakers get to work

Legislators promised bipartisan solutions in the face of the current economic crisis.

By Juana Summers

Published Jan. 7, 2009

Bipartisan cooperation and setting the state government's priorities straight were two key themes of the opening day of the Missouri General Assembly.

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan opened session for the House of Representatives on Jan. 7 with these words: "History says we can make government work, even in these types of times."

Carnahan, who was re-elected as Secretary of State in November, called on members of the legislature to rise above the fray of partisan differences and to work together for the good of all Missourians.

Representatives elected Rep. Ron Richard, R-Joplin, as the House Speaker. He succeeds Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, who is leaving the House due to term limits.

Rep. Paul LeVota, D-Independence, the House minority leader, ran for the position but he removed himself from consideration.

LeVota spoke out on the nature of Missouri's bipartisan government before he removed himself from the nomination process.

LeVota said that while the make up of the state's government, with a Democrat as governor alongside a Republican lieutenant governor, might seem confusing, it is actually a clear indicator of what Missouri voters want.

"The people of Missouri are expecting us to work together to solve their problems regardless of political party," he said.

After his election, Richard proposed a new measure he called a “family recovery plan”, which would address job creation, tax relief, affordable healthcare and alternative energy as Missourians face a tough economic climate.

He said the proposal would "provide meaningful solutions to the problems faced by Missouri families."

State senators chose Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, as Senate president pro tem. He succeeds Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, who was ousted because of term limits.

Shields pledged a focus on education, healthcare and the economy, and held an optimistic outlook at the state's current economic crisis. In his remarks after his election to the position, he told fellow senators that the crisis offered legislators opportunities to do good things in government.

While the vision expressed by Missouri's legislative leaders might have been bipartisan, party divisions between the legislators was still apparent on certain issues.

When Richard said Missouri lawmakers should "reaffirm our commitment to protecting the lives of the unborn," the applause was one-sided. Richard's pledge to protect Missouri's gun rights received a similar response.

Rep. Bryan Pratt, R-Blue Springs, was able to trump the partisan applause during his comments after being elected as House speaker pro tem. He said Missouri would become one of the most aggressive states in terms of creating new jobs and maintaining current ones.

That applause reached across the aisle.

During this legislative session, Missouri's legislative leaders have pledged to tackle issues of increased access to health care, increased jobs and dealing with the precarious economic situation  — all while increasing government transparency and maintaining a spirit of bipartisanship.

"We're going to rise to the occasion to pass legislation that's in the best interest of Missourians," Richard said after the House adjourned.