Area lawmakers picked for leadership posts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Southeast Missourians stand to be a force in the General Assembly next year with three area lawmakers slated for leadership posts.

After nominating current Minority Floor Leader Catherine Hanaway of Warson Woods as the first woman speaker of the House in Missouri history on Tuesday, newly elected House Republicans turned to state Reps. Rod Jetton and Jason Crowell to round out the top of the caucus hierarchy.

Jetton of Marble Hill was picked as speaker pro tem, the No. 2 House post, and Crowell of Cape Girardeau as majority floor leader. Both won their first House terms two years ago.

In the Senate, President Pro Tem Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau said he will ask his party's caucus to nominate him for a second term as leader when they convene today.

"I am cautiously optimistic about that," Kinder said. "I don't know of any other candidates."

Jetton said the legislative clout Southeast Missouri will yield will benefit the region.

"Southeast Missouri is going to have its voice heard in Jefferson City," Jetton said.

"We've always said in Southeast Missouri that we don't want more than our fair share, we want our fair share. We haven't gotten it in recent years."

Controlling the flow

As majority floor leader, a position of considerable power, Crowell will be responsible for controlling the flow of legislation on the floor.

"I'm thrilled that my caucus has seen fit to allow me to help guide us through taking a majority and guiding legislation through the House," Crowell said.

The official elections for Senate president pro tem, House speaker and speaker pro tem won't take place until the General Assembly convenes in January. Since Republicans will control both chambers their nominees are virtually assured election. As a caucus post, Crowell's selection as majority leader is finalized.

Tuesday's elections secured the GOP a 20-14 majority in the Senate and a 90-73 House advantage.

Republicans had held a tenuous 18-16 Senate majority since 2001, when they ended a half-century of Democratic dominance. This year Democrats held a 87-76 advantage in the lower chamber, which now goes to the GOP for the first time since 1954.

Control requires 18 Senate seats and 82 House seats. Republicans have not held both chambers simultaneously since 1948.

Voters' message

Hanaway said voters were sending a message by handing the GOP control, as well as defeating major tax proposals on the November and August ballots.

"What they said was state government has not lived up to its promises," Hanaway said.

Hanaway said the top Republican priority is to find a fix for the state's continuing budget problems. She pledged to work with Democratic Gov. Bob Holden to achieve that.

Kinder likewise said the budget will be dominant issue next year and that cooperation among all involved will be needed.

"I will work hand-in-hand with Catherine Hanaway, House Majority Floor Leader Jason Crowell and the budget chairmen to hold the line on spending and get down to the tough work of overall government reform," Kinder said.

Holden's office issued a short statement saying the governor would work with any lawmaker regardless of party.

Other new House GOP Caucus leaders include:

Mark Wright of Springfield, assistant majority floor leader.

Chuck Purgason of West Plains, majority whip.

Dr. Charles Portwood of Ballwin, caucus chairman.

Annie Reinhart of Liberty, caucus secretary.

House and Senate Democrats will meet to pick the leaders to their caucuses today.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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