Fowler retires after appointment fails to gain confirmation

Former state representative Dennis Fowler, R-District 151, is officially retired.

Fowler was appointed by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon to the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole in December but his appointment was never confirmed by the Missouri Senate. The last day for the Senate committee to approve the appointment and send it on to the full membership was Feb. 6. That day passed with no action by the Senate committee.

"They never even called me to go before the committee," Fowler said.

Fowler's appointment drew criticism from some key senators on the committee because they viewed it as payback for his vote not to override the governor's veto of House Bill 253. The bill would have cut state income taxes for some individuals and business.

Sen. Brad Lager said after the appointment that he believed the appointment was "a political payoff for Rep. Fowler voting against the veto override."

"I don't want to say that he's getting bought off, but that's sure what it looks like," said Lager, a Republican from Savannah. "I just don't think there's a place for that, and I intend on stopping it."

Fowler served for less than a year as a representative. He was one of 15 House Republicans who broke ranks and voted in September to sustain Nixon's veto of the income tax cut legislation.

Fowler began serving on the state parole board Dec. 18, and served in the capacity until Feb. 6, the final day his appointment could have been confirmed.

Fowler is a Navy veteran who spent 38 years working in law enforcement before becoming a lawmaker in January 2013.

He said after reviewing his options, he chose to just retire. Fowler is 65 years old.

Fowler is no fan of the political environment in Jefferson City, Mo. He said he knew early on that he didn't fit well with the politicians there.

"I had decided by September that I would not run again for representative," he said.

Fowler objected to the heavy-handed way certain key legislators used their influence in trying to get the tax cut passed.

"It was strong-armed tactics," Fowler said.

Fowler said he was listening to his constituency when he voted against the income-tax cut, particularly educators who were opposed to the tax cut fearing it would reduce education funding.

Fowler believes the tax cut will pass in this session. He said legislative leaders are already lining up the necessary votes.

"Any Republican legislator not voting for the tax cut will find they have an opponent in the upcoming election," Fowler said, noting the election this year will prevent legislators from breaking ranks.

While Nixon took more time than many would have liked in setting elections to replace legislators who have left office, he did set the election for August. Fowler said that if Republicans hold those positions, it will give House Republicans the supermajority they need to override a governor's veto.

Fowler said he intends to spend more time at his home south of Advance, Mo., and enjoy his retirement.

"I'm done with politics," he said.