Freshman senator builds reputation for being able to block legislation

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- In his first year in office, state Sen. Chris Koster has developed a reputation for defiantly standing up to what he views as the legislative excesses of fellow Republicans.

Koster, R-Harrisonville, impressed many Capitol observers with his powers of persuasion and prosecutorial skill at decimating an opponent's argument in April when he blocked a Republican-sponsored bill to ban therapeutic cloning, a technique many believe will lead to cures for degenerative diseases and serious injuries but that is opposed by others as destroying human life. Koster honed his talents in his former job as Cass County prosecuting attorney.

His latest act as stopper came Monday when he thwarted GOP legislation that sought to make virtually all insurance industry documents privileged from discovery in civil court proceedings by plaintiffs suing over alleged injury.

One of the more onerous provisions, according to opponents, required plaintiffs to produce documents proving illegal or unethical activity by insurers in order to demand documents proving such behavior.

"We are giving the insurance industry the extraordinary right not to tell the truth in our court system," Koster said.

In the face of Koster's defiance, Senate leaders gutted the objectionable provisions.

Novel approach

After years of trying to strengthen enforcement of Missouri's seat-belt law, state Sen. Jon Dolan, R-Lake St. Louis, hit on what he thought might make the idea more palatable to opponents of so-called "nanny state" legislation.

Dolan coupled the measure with legislation repealing the state's mandatory motorcycle helmet law. Many who oppose the seat-belt bill also favor elimination of the helmet law.

The seat-belt provision allowed police to stop motorists solely for not using seat belts.

When the bill came before the Senate last week, safety advocates labeled Dolan's strategy as "despicable and evil."

Ultimately, Dolan's novel approach failed as the House stripped the seat-belt provision, killing the overall bill.

Esicar's Bratfest

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder on Wednesday held his second annual Esicar's Bratfest in the Capitol last week. More than a hundred lawmakers, lobbyists and Senate employees feasted on the renowned bratwursts of Esicar's Old Hickory Smokehouse, which the Esicar family has operated in Cape Girardeau for generations.

Musical finale

The final hour of the legislative session on Friday was so uneventful that state Rep. Ray Salva, D-Sugar Creek, was allowed to burn what normally would have been precious floor time by entertaining his colleagues with a country song in the House chamber.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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