EMERSON AWAITS CERTIFICATION

Jo Ann Emerson's congressional staff members know they have jobs. But at this point they can't count on getting paid.

The staff can't be paid until Emerson's special election victory is officially certified by Missouri's secretary of state.,

Lloyd Smith, Emerson's chief of staff, said everything from the monthly salaries to reimbursements for travel expenses are on hold until the election results are certified.

Smith said the 8th District special election was the only one in the nation on Nov. 5. So the delay in certification won't affect Emerson's seniority over other new House members who take office in January.

Jim Grebing, a spokesman for the secretary of state's office, said all 26 county clerks in the 8th District had to mail in the official results of the voting.

Secretary State Bekki Cook personally must certify the results. Grebing said Cook will be out of town for the rest of the week. He said he expects Cook to certify the special election results Monday.