In our view: Southwest Missouri power

July 03, 2007 12:27 am

— Southwest Missouri is getting close to pulling off what is tantamount to a political trifecta.
Not only is Rep. Ron Richard, R-Joplin, poised for selection as Missouri’s next speaker of the House in September, but Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, who represents Newton, Jasper and Dade counties, has been chosen to chair the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The third element in this triumvirate is Gov. Matt Blunt of Springfield.
As appropriations chairman, Nodler will oversee the Senate’s preparation of a budget that Missourians can afford, will tackle the state’s policy goals for education, mental health, corrections and other areas of state responsibility, and also try to meet the constitutional prohibition of deficit spending.
Nodler’s chairmanship also should help give impetus for the state’s higher education system, which came under the budgetary paring knife during lean times in the late 1990s. The senator has been a champion for higher education. He also has been active in pushing for tax breaks for seniors and for education reforms.
The elevation of Richard to what is arguably the most powerful position in the state outside the chief executive’s office could provide this corner of Missouri with a strong voice in the political arena. As House speaker, for instance, he would appoint committee chairs and assign legislation to various committees.
Since arriving in Jefferson City, Richard has been a strong, positive force in pushing for economic development around the state and that, we believe, will remain a priority for him. He also has demonstrated an ability to get along with colleagues from both sides of the aisle on key legislation.
With all three holding such powerful positions in the legislative and executive branches of state government, Southwest Missouri could find its influence on what transpires in the halls of politics of Jefferson City dramatically increasing over the next few years.