RULES FIGHT COULD ENTER NEW PHASE

JEFFERSON CITY -- One month into the 1995 session of the Missouri House of Representatives, members are still at an impasse over rules for the 88th General Assembly.

Republican and Democratic leaders have been discussing new rules since before the session began. For the time being, the House is operating under temporary rules, which are the rules used in the last session.

House Republican Leader Mark Richardson of Poplar Bluff said his party wants new rules because the old rules give too much power to the majority party, particularly House Speaker Bob Griffin.

"The old rules are stacked completely against the minority party," Richardson said, adding that Democratic leaders are afraid to have an open discussion of House rules because many Democrats favor the changes proposed by Republicans.

But House Majority Whip Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, said some Republican leaders in the rules negotiations have refused to compromise and want all or nothing. He said Democrats have proposed a number of changes that address some Republican concerns.

"The ball is in their court," he said. "We are waiting for them to say they want to meet with us again. It is hard to come to a consensus when they won't sit down with us."

Richardson said there is daily dialogue on the rules but still a long way to go.

Both parties have caucuses regularly to discuss the rules issue.

Thomason said one problem with considering rules is that nearly half the members are either new or serving their second term and don't have a background in how the rules apply.

Thomason said the Democrats want to avoid a floor fight and hope to reach a consensus with Republicans and take those consensus rules to the floor.

But Richardson said the battle over rules will eventually hit the floor. Rep. Tony Ribaudo, D-St. Louis, who was one of five Democrats that sided with Republicans in a failed attempt to elect Richardson speaker, had introduced legislation containing last year's rules as a starting point.

A hearing on that bill must be held by Tuesday, and Richardson said he expects something will be passed out to put the issue on the floor.

"Rules are something that ought to be discussed openly," Richardson said. "There should be hearings on it and we should pass out something a majority of the committee wants. "It ought to be amendable, substitutable and debatable by the full House."

A major stumbling block, Richardson said, is a move by Democrats to change a rule that allows any five members to stand and request a roll-call vote. He said Democrats want a new rule requiring three Democrats and two Republicans to stand before there would be a roll call.

That still keeps too much power in the speaker, Richardson said.

He predicted Democrats would use the rule to block votes on Republican amendments and further diminish GOP influence.

"We will never give on that point," he said, adding: "If that obstacle were to go away, there is a good chance the other rules will fall into place."

Republicans also want the power to appoint their own members to conference committees, where differences between House and Senate versions of bills are worked out.

Thomason said Democratic members have been provided a summary of proposed rules changes so they can study them over the weekend. At a caucus Monday, members will be asked to endorse them so the process can keep moving.