Proposed changes to highway commission aim to end patronage

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- To state Rep. Lanie Black, seats on the powerful Missouri State Highways and Transportation Commission are almost patronage positions.

Although the six-member panel is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, the governor appoints all its members. Seats reserved for the opposite party tend to go to those who lean toward the party of the governor, said Black, R-Charleston.

Under a bill Black is sponsoring, legislative leaders of both parties would have a say in who the governor picks.

"What I'm trying to do is get patronage out of it and wind up with commissioners who are not too worried about who the governor is and which party controls the Governor's Mansion and just worry about roads," Black said.

At present, the governor can appoint whomever he wants to the commission, though his picks are subject to Senate confirmation.

Although commissioners aren't paid, as the independent governing board of the Missouri Department of Transportation, commission seats are among the plums of gubernatorial appointments.

Black's bill would require the governor to fill a vacancy from a list of three nominees chosen by legislative leaders. The ranking Democrats in each chamber would provide names for Democratic openings with the top two Republican leaders doing likewise for their party's seats.

It would also stagger commissioners' six-year terms so two members -- one from each party -- would go off the panel every two years. Turnover currently occurs on an irregular basis.

The House Transportation and Motor Vehicles Committee heard the measure Wednesday.

Though MoDOT took no position during the hearing, Pat Goff, the department's chief operating officer, said aspects of the bill could prove beneficial.

"We believe adjustments to the process of selecting and appointing commissioners will enhance the credibility of the system and, therefore, we support the concept of the legislation," Goff said.

In particular, he said regular turnover would ensure that experienced members are always on the panel. The last time vacancies were filled in late 2001, half of the commission was replaced within a two-month period.

The bill is HB 334.

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