CAUCUSES PLANNED BY LAWMAKERS; LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS NOW WILL BE CHOSEN

JEFFERSON CITY - Democrats and Republicans in the Missouri House and Senate will be meeting to select officers for the 1993 session of the General Assembly over the next few days.

This morning House Democrats and Senate Republicans plan to caucus. Senate Democrats will also meet this week and House Republicans are planning a caucus Tuesday.

Peter Kinder, who was elected the new state senator from the 27th District Tuesday, will participate in his first official function as a new senator today at the Senate GOP caucus in Jefferson City.

At the caucus Sen. Franc Flotron of St. Louis County is expected to become the party's new floor leader. Republicans gained two seats in the Senate Tuesday and now have 13 of the 34 posts in the chamber.

At the House Democratic caucus, Rep. Larry Thomason of Kennett is hoping to capture the majority whip position. Thomason, who was elected to his third term Tuesday without opposition, is challenging Rep. Louis Ford of St. Louis, who has served one term in the post.

Thomason began notifying Democrats of his interest in the party post last spring.

The duties of the whip are to keep Democratic representatives informed about what is going on with various bills and to seek support for priority legislation among Democrats.

Thomason said he is attracted to the job because it offers a chance "to be part of the leadership team; being able to work with the leadership and have some input beyond just my vote on the floor."

Thomason said: "We've entered a new era of leadership in the state of Missouri with the election results Tuesday. I want to be part of the Democratic leadership to insure we can work with our new statewide elected officials to serve the people of this state."

Whip positions are not voted on by the full House. However, the positions of speaker, floor leader, and speaker pro tem will be chosen from the majority party when the House reorganizes in January.

Rep. Gene Copeland of New Madrid, who was unopposed for a 17th term, is expected to be re-elected without opposition to the post of Democratic caucus chairman.

When Republicans meet next week many leadership positions will be up for grabs. Rep. Mary Kasten of Cape Girardeau said she plans to seek a fourth term as secretary of the Republican caucus. Kasten said she is not aware of any opposition.