Reform commission discusses changing state merit system

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Democratic co-chairman of the Government Review Commission on Friday suggested changes in Missouri's merit system might be needed to allow the state to lay off employees without regard to seniority during times when the state needs to reduce its work force.

Under the merit system, an employee whose job is targeted for elimination often has the right to bump a co-worker with less seniority. Review commissioner Stephen Bradford of Cape Girardeau said that sometimes leads to situations in which senior employees end up in jobs they aren't qualified to hold. Bradford said directors of state agencies need the flexibility to ensure jobs are filled by the right people.

"I don't have a problem with the seniority system, but putting unqualified people in a position because of seniority doesn't make any sense," Bradford said.

Bradford said he isn't proposing eliminating the merit system, which established a professional bureaucracy in Missouri government and replaced the old political patronage system under which virtually all state jobs were awarded to supporters of the governor. However, Bradford believes the governor or the legislature should have the authority to temporarily make modifications during times of fiscal emergency.

Idea made 'suspect'

Ken Jacob, the state president of the American Federation of State and Municipal Employees, said Bradford's suggestion could lead to a chipping away of the merit system's protections.

"I never heard this was a problem before, which makes the notion all the more suspect to me," said Jacob, who served 22 years in the legislature.

Department of Natural Resources director Doyle Childers, whose agency would lose 41 jobs for the coming fiscal year under the proposed state budget approved Thursday by the House of Representatives, said the merit system can prove an impediment in making staffing decisions.

"There is probably nothing that detracts more from efficiency in government than that system," Childers said.

Alma McKinney, director of the Missouri Office of Administration's Division of Personnel, said individual division directors already have some discretion to prohibit bumping.

"Every agency, when they are going through layoffs, sends in a layoff plan," McKinney said. "Part of that plan includes whether to allow bumping."

The House budget plan calls for a net reduction of 888 jobs out of a state government work force of more than 60,000 employees.

Republican Gov. Matt Blunt established the Government Review Commission earlier this year to spearhead the first major reorganization of state government in three decades. Gary Rust, the chairman of Rust Communications, which owns the Southeast Missourian, is a member.

The commission on Friday concluded its third day of informational testimony from state officials with presentations by the departments of conservation, natural resources, agriculture, economic development, labor and industrial relations and transportation.

The first of a series of hearings in Jefferson City to gather public input will be held next week. The commission will also hold five such hearings around the state over the summer, including one in Cape Girardeau. The commission has until March 2006 to recommend changes to the governor.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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