Outgoing lawmakers get panel posts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Bob Holden has nominated two outgoing lawmakers to the state Labor and Industrial Relations Commission. Rep. John Hickey, D-Bridgeton, and Sen. David Klarich, R-Clayton, were nominated to serve six-year terms on the commission.

To accept the appointments, Klarich and Hickey must resign their elective offices, because the Missouri Constitution prohibits legislators from holding another public office.

Hickey already has resigned, said House Clerk Ted Wedel. Klarich said he will accept the nomination but has not formally resigned his Senate seat.

Both lawmakers are prohibited from seeking re-election this year because of voter-approved term limits. The nominations of Hickey and Klarich are subject to approval by the state Senate.

The commission hears appeals from administrative decisions in cases involving workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, prevailing wage disputes and victims of crime compensation.

The three-member panel has one member representing business, one representing labor interests and one -- an attorney -- representing the public's interest.