Jetton's outburst highlights change in House

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Among the many concerns about legislative term limits was that they would erode traditions of decorum and civility in the Missouri Legislature.

House Speaker Pro Tem Rod Jetton's heckling of Gov. Bob Holden during the annual State of the State address last week was the latest example supporting that premise.

With the House of Representatives cleared of veteran lawmakers by term limits, 90 rookie legislators took their places last year, an event that coincided with the Republican takeover of the 163-member chamber that solidified GOP control of the legislature.

During legislative hearings last year, there were several instances when newer representatives harangued witnesses unchecked by committee chairmen, who in the past wouldn't have tolerated such behavior.

A more serious breach occurred in June when Holden, a Democrat, addressed a joint assembly of lawmakers convened in a special session to redo key portions of the state budget the governor had vetoed.

Republican leaders took the unprecedented step of sandwiching Holden's remarks between speeches by Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau and House Speaker Catherine Hanaway of Warson Woods. That move was viewed by Capitol veterans as disrespect for the governor.

Protesters on both sides packed the House visitors galleries and worsened the situation by disrupting all three speeches.

Outbursts from the upper decks have happened before, most famously when AIDS activists heckled Gov. John Ashcroft's 1992 State of the State speech. But such behavior from a lawmaker hasn't occurred in memory.

To be sure, Holden's remarks dripped with antagonism and a Republican backlash had to be expected. That it would emanate from the House floor during the speech came as a shock.

Far from being embarrassed by Jetton's outburst, his Republican colleagues rose in boisterous support. Jetton's shout of "Release the money, governor" referred to the administration's withholding of a portion of this year's education appropriation. Holden says the money doesn't exist to be spent.

Jetton, the No. 2 ranking House member, saw no rudeness in his action.

"I don't think it's anything abnormal from what I've seen in the last few years," Jetton said.

House Minority Floor Leader Rick Johnson, D-High Ridge, said the Republican desire to replace Holden with Secretary of State Matt Blunt in November has turned disturbingly personal.

"Jetton's outburst in particular continues to demonstrate they have an unhealthy obsession with this governor," Johnson said.

Guns wild card

When hearing a challenge last week to the state's new conceal-carry law, the Missouri Supreme Court spent little time on the primary issue in the case -- whether the Missouri Constitution contains a blanket ban on concealed weapons.

That prompted speculation that the court had already decided the matter.

However, the judges seemed greatly interested in the secondary claim that the law is an unfunded mandate that violates the Hancock Amendment.

Those challenging the law maintain that although it allows local sheriffs to collect a $100 fee for processing permit applications, such revenue cannot be used to cover the costs of doing so because it is earmarked for other purposes.

The state contends that even if that position were correct, it couldn't be used to invalidate the law. It would only allow sheriffs, if they chose, to be excused from processing permits until the legislature provided adequate funding.

A St. Louis circuit judge blocked the law from taking effect as scheduled in October on the basis of the main claim while rejecting the Hancock issue. The high court typically issues opinions within two months.

Probst at ag department

Don Probst, a former lawmaker from Caruthersville, began duties this month as an assistant director of the Department of Agriculture.

Probst, 51, represented the Bootheel in the House from 1993 until 1997 when he became director of the Committee on Legislative Research, which provides lawmakers with assistance in drafting bills.

In his new role, Probst will work with lawmakers on issues important to the agency.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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