GOP HOPES NEW SPEAKER WILL END STATUS QUO

Republican members of the Missouri House are calling on newly-elected Speaker Steve Gaw to embrace changes they think his predecessor stubbornly opposed.

"I think its fair to say that we need to give him an opportunity," said Rep. Patrick Naeger, R-Perryville. "Personally, I think its great to have this mess over with. I think Steve Gaw deserves a fair chance, and I think Steve Gaw has an opportunity to make monumental changes."

In an election split down party lines, Gaw, D-Moberly, was chosen to succeed Rep. Bob Griffin, D-Cameron, as House speaker, ending a week-long delay in choosing a new speaker.

During his 15-year tenure as speaker, Griffin developed a reputation for running the chamber with an iron fist. Many from both sides of the aisle have demanded changes in chamber rules to dilute the speaker's control over legislation.

Gaw defeated Minority Leader Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, 86-75. Richardson suggested Gaw heed calls for change if he expects to get along with Republicans. "If not, it will be a miserable term for him," Richardson said.

Earlier in the week, Richardson drew more votes than the previous Democratic candidate, though not enough to become speaker.

"What the vote earlier this week was about was, 'Do you want reform or the status quo?'" Richardson said. "Clearly the status quo lost," he said.

Most house members have never served under a speaker other than Griffin. With him gone, a different atmosphere is expected.

Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, blamed Griffin for the delay in resolving the speaker situation.

"I have never seen an election take two weeks because someone refused to leave a post until he could power broker someone to replace him," Kasten said.

Richardson, who nearly unseated Griffin last year, also had harsh words.

"I think the bell was rung last year that the Missouri legislature had to change and Bob Griffin arrogantly and tenaciously held on to power for a year," Richardson said.

The biggest thing on most legislators' minds, however, is finally getting down to business.

"Over 500 bills are filed and there are more to come," said Kasten. "It is a pretty full agenda and we hope to move on with it."