Missouri House Speaker-to-be Tilley selects three Democrats for committee chairs

JEFFERSON CITY -- The historic 2011 session of the state legislature got a little more historic Thursday when presumptive Speaker of the House Steven Tilley, R-Perryville, announced that three of the 42 House committees will be chaired by minority party Democrats.

Republicans will make up 106 members of the 163-member House of Representatives when it convenes in January, an all-time high. But Thursday's cross-party committee chair announcement is also believed to represent the greatest-ever level of minority leadership participation.

"I've always believed that the person is more important than the party," Tilley said. "I think it's important to choose people who are best qualified for the position, regardless of the party."

At a State Capitol news conference, Tilley announced Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, as chair of the House Urban Issues Committee, a post traditionally held by an urban Democrat even during times of Republican control; veteran State Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, as Appropriations Committee for Public Safety and Corrections chair; and Rep. Linda Black, D-Bonne Terre, as Corrections Committee chair.

Nasheed, a frequent critic of the Nixon administration, voted with Republicans on a number of issues during her previous two years as a representative. Kelly, a self-professed "budget geek" is a former House Budget Committee chairman who worked closely with outgoing Budget Committee Chairman Allen Icet, R-Wildwood.

Black's district houses several state prisons, including large facilities near Bonne Terre and Potosi. Her district also borders Farmington, home to a third state prison. She has kept a low profile legislatively heretofore.

"She's from a neighboring district of mine, she's in the center of corrections," Tilley said. "She's a natural choice for it."

Black said she doesn't fear political repercussions from her acceptance of the speaker's invitation to leadership.

"Most voters in my district just want me to do the job of the people, not of the party," Black said. "My overall goal for as long as I am involved in politics will always be of a public servant and not a political official."

As far as other members of the Democratic party, House Democratic leader Rep. Mike Talboy, D-Kansas City, said he is looking at the development as a positive for now.

"I think that they will do a good job," Talboy said. "I see it as a way to have skilled people that are in spots regardless of party."

Asked if the three will face repercussions within the party structure, Talboy said he and the rest of the members of his caucus would take a wait-and-see attitude.

"As far as somebody questioning whether or not these folks are still Democrats, I don't think that's even up for debate," Talboy said. "We will keep an open mind on this and move forward and see what the session brings with the idea that having people in those positions could be beneficial."

Tilley said he's cognizant of the fact that he's taking a political risk, but the move is reflective of the way he wants the House of Representatives to run.

"To be honest, did some people inside my caucus want these positions? Yes, they did," Tilley said. "But I'm going to do what's best on behalf of the state."

The House of Representatives will operate with 42 committees this coming session. Last session, that number was more than 50, including several special speaker-appointed committees. Tilley pledged to work within the existing committee structure without the need for special committees to handle certain legislation.

But even with fewer committees, Republicans would have had trouble finding seasoned representatives to chair all the committees. Of the 106 House Republicans, more than half are new since last year. That leaves 47 with at least one session of experience, but the top level of House leadership, including the speaker and caucus leadership, which reduced experienced Republicans available to chair committees by about seven.

One Republican representative, John Diehl of St. Louis, will do double duty, chairing two powerful committees, rules and redistricting. Another freshman house member, former State Sen. John Cauthorn, R-Mexico, will chair the appropriations committee on agriculture.