REPUBLICANS EYE GREATER INFLUENCE IN SESSION

JEFFERSON CITY -- After the 1994 elections moved them to within six seats of controlling the Missouri House, Republicans knew things would be different.

But they probably didn't realize how much different things could be until last week, when they nearly replaced longtime Democratic Speaker Bob Griffin with Minority Leader Mark Richardson.

The showdown, which Griffin won by a single vote, proved that a nearly united Republican Party, with its largest numbers in four decades, could become a potent force capable of almost anything.

Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, said he was disappointed with the way the speaker's race came out, but, "It definitely shows a difference in how we will operate."

He said business as usual, with a dictatorial speaker, is a thing of the past.

Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, also anticipates Republicans will be given greater influence in deciding what bills are considered. In recent sessions, Republicans have had little say in what is taken up and were mainly limited to amending bills in committee and on the floor.

"I think what happened shows the weakness of Bob Griffin," said Kasten, who predicted there would be more Democrats siding with Republicans this week to push for fairer House rules.

Rep. James Graham, R-Fredericktown, agreed that Griffin's support is sliding among his party. He attributes that to having too much power concentrated in the hands of one member for so long.

"Having a speaker in office for 14 years is not good government or good policy," said Graham. "Out of 163 people in this body, surely there are other people who can serve as speaker."

Richardson, though conciliatory after last week's vote, said Republicans would not back down on rules changes that will lead to fairness. He hoped the narrow victory would convince Griffin that major changes are needed in the way the House operates.

Griffin gave at least some indication that he understood this is a different type of House.

"Republicans will have more input because of their numbers, and that is good," said Griffin.

Rep. Marilyn Williams, D-Dudley, said last week's action in the House was "an eye-opening experience."

"I would hope that it would instigate some bipartisan spirit that we can work together," said Williams.

Williams, whose district adjoins Richardson's, said she looks forward to working with him as minority leader and Richardson has worked well with Democrats.

Williams said the speaker fight "will always be a threatening thunder cloud hanging over our heads." But she was optimistic lawmakers would put their feelings behind them and move forward in a positive manner.

Rep. Don Prost, D-Caruthersville, said he believes compromise will be even more important in this session.

"I think it is going to be a push-and-shove type of legislative session," Prost said. "It will be a tough year to get something passed without a lot of compromise."

He said Democratic leaders will have to work hard to restore confidence from some members. "There are some of our people who are as far from the Republican agenda as they can be, but yet they are siding with Republicans because they are mad at the Democratic leadership," said Prost.

Whether the coalition of unhappy Democrats and united Republicans will increase or decrease for this week's rules fight remains to be seen.

But most lawmakers probably feel much like Williams, who said she wants to get beyond a rules debate, get her committee assignments and go to work.