Richard takes oath, assumes top position in House

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Rep Ron Richard, R-Joplin, is the new speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives.

Dozens of Joplin-area officials and friends of the family watched from the upper gallery of the Missouri Capitol as he assumed the top spot in the house. Judge Daniel Scott, of Joplin, of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, administered the oath of office.

In his opening remarks, Richard said he would work with the Democratic minority to do Missouri’s work.

“The issues we face this session, demand that kind of approach if we are to succeed in the common goal we share — the goal of making Missouri a better place to live and raise a family and do business.”

Richard said there is much work to be done.

He cited Missouri’s $300 million shortfall as the biggest challenge in the coming session. He pledged to work to create more good-paying jobs for Missouri as part of his Missouri Family Recovery Plan. The plan focuses on job creation, tax relief, affordable health care and an investment in alternative energy.

On the social front, Richard said he would work to reaffirm the state’s commitment to the unborn and to ensure Missouri’s rights to carry guns.

He is ready to work with Gov. Jay Nixon.

“We will make every effort to provide the people of this state with the kind of substantive relief that will make real differences in their lives.”

Richard said his goal is to make Missouri the most attractive place in the world to work and live. He said he would work to simplify the tax code and provide a modest tax cut to all Missourians.

Also sworn in today was Tom Flanigan, R-Carthage, representative for the 127th District. Flanigan faced no opposition and secured his position in the August primary.