Richard sworn in as House speaker

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January 8, 2009

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Thu Jan 08, 2009, 12:00 AM CST

By Susan Redden

sredden@joplinglobe.com

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Ron Richard, of Joplin, took the helm of the Missouri House of Representatives on Wednesday after ceremonies in which he was officially elected speaker of the House.

Richard’s election was part of an opening session in which new and re-elected members took their oaths of office before nominating and installing the House leadership.

Speeches in support of Richard praised his energy, drive, work ethic and bipartisanship approach.

“He’s worked in every corner of the state and on both sides of the aisle,” said state Rep. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa.

He said Richard’s business background and his work leading the House Special Committee on Job Creation and Economic Development “makes him the person who can lead this body at this time.”

Dozens of Joplin-area officials and friends of the family watched as Richard repeated the oath of office before Judge Daniel Scott, of Joplin, of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District.

The crowd of well-wishers included Mayor Gary Shaw and several members of the Joplin City Council, a group Richard led as mayor from 1994 to 1997.

Councilman Bill Scearce said he has known Richard since 1968 and is not surprised that he has been elevated to the top spot in the Missouri House.

“He’s always been a leader, and the cream rises to the top,” Scearce said.

In outlining plans for the session, Richard, a Republican, acknowledged that the state faces challenging times and pledged to work across party lines to address them.

“Far too many families are struggling, and the state faces a $300 million budget shortfall,” he said. “The only way we can meet these challenges is to put aside our differences and work for the common good.”

He outlined a plan to provide relief to Missourians struggling with the current economic climate by enhancing job-creation efforts by expanding the Quality Jobs Program and developing innovative programs to attract new businesses.

Richard headed the committee that crafted the Quality Jobs Program, which offers state incentives to some businesses that offer wages that meet or exceed the county or state average and pay at least half of the employees’ health-insurance costs.

He also proposed simplifying the tax code to provide a modest tax cut; improving access and affordability of health care while increasing the accountability of insurance companies and health-care providers; and investing in alternative energy sources such as clean coal, wind farms, hydroelectric power and nuclear power to lessen the state’s dependence on foreign oil.

He said his goal is to deliver a balanced budget and a better quality of life for Missouri residents by making the sate the most attractive place to live, work and do business.

In a news conference after the session, Richard said he has had several talks with Democratic Gov.-elect Jay Nixon, and that he is ready to work with him and other members of the minority party.

“People are going to demand that we work together to get things done,” he said.

Wednesday also marked the opening session for the Missouri Senate.

The Legislature will be fully controlled by Republicans, who hold majorities of 23-11 in the Senate and 89-74 in the House.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Other representatives

Lawmakers repeating oaths of office Wednesday in the House included newly elected Rep. Tom Flanigan, Carthage; and re-elected Reps. Ed Emery, Lamar; Bryan Stevenson, Webb City; Marilyn Ruestman, Joplin; and Kevin Wilson, Neosho. All are Republicans.