Kasten sworn in today in Jefferson City

Three new lawmakers sworn into Mo. House

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Three new House members officially have become lawmakers.

House Speaker Rod Jetton on Tuesday swore in Republicans Mary Kasten, of Cape Girardeau, and Mark Parkinson, of St. Charles, and Democrat Michele Kratky, of St. Louis.

The three were elected earlier this month during special elections. Those elections were called after lawmakers resigned because of new job opportunities or a criminal conviction.

Kasten served in the Legislature from 1983 to 2001. Parkinson was a former aide to U.S. Sen. Kit Bond. And Kratky is a former lobbyist for the St. Louis Association of Realtors. She replaces her husband who resigned to work for that group.