Changes to road panel pursued

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Five Southeast Missouri representatives are endorsing a bill that would give legislative leaders input in selecting the members of the State Highways and Transportation Commission.

State Rep. Lanie Black, R-Charleston, is lead sponsor of the measure, which would also establish regular, staggered turnover on the governing board of the Missouri Department of Transportation.

During testimony Wednesday before the House Transportation Committee, Black said the General Assembly needs a say in the process, especially with term limits soon forcing out experienced legislators. Some feel limits will tilt the balance of power to the executive branch.

"The bill would diminish the power of the executive branch and the governor's office a little bit, and I think that's a good idea," Black said.

List of nominees

Under the measure, the ranking Republicans and top Democrats from both legislative chamber would submit lists of three nominees to fill commission vacancies. The governor would be obligated to select from those nominees.

At present, the governor may select whomever he wishes, so long as the choice is of the same political party as the person being replaced. The nominee is subject to Senate confirmation.

The six-member commission consists of three members from each major political party. They serve six-year terms, which aren't staggered as to provide regular changes in members.

Three commissioners were replaced in a two-month span late last year. Two more will go off simultaneously in 2003 and another in 2005.

Black's bill would set terms so two commissioners would be replaced on July 1 of every even-numbered year, beginning in 2004.

Five of the six current commissioners would serve slightly extended terms in order to establish the regular rotation, while one's tenure would be cut short.

State Rep. Brad Roark, R-Springfield, suggested designating a certain number of seats for rural and urban members. Black said that would likely exacerbate rifts between the camps.

"I don't think we need to get into specifying seats for regions," Black said. "People serving on the highways commission should be concerned about the whole state."

Other sponsors of the bill include Republican state Reps. Peter Myers of Sikeston, Rod Jetton of Marble Hill and Pat Naeger of Perryville and Democrat Denny Merideth of Kennett.

The committee took no action on the bill, HB 1894.

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