Your $7.00 monthly contribution will go a long way to helping us expand the coverage and services you enjoy.
GET THE LATEST PUBDEF NEWS 24/7:
ABOUT PUB DEF
PUB
DEF is a non-partisan, independent political blog based in the
City of St. Louis, Missouri. Our goal is to cast a critical eye
on lawmakers, their policies, and those that have influence upon
them, and to educate our readers about legislation and the political
processes that affect our daily lives.
CONTACT US
Do you have
a press release, news tip or rumor to share?
State Senator Maida Coleman (D-St. Louis City) today voted against the reappointment of Peter Herschend of Branson to the State Board of Education. Coleman spoke against the nomination for more than 40 minutes in committee Wednesday and for nearly an hour on the Senate floor today before he was eventually confirmed by the Republican-controlled senate.
She released this statement afterwards:
“In the committee hearing yesterday, Mr. Herschend told me I should be embarrassed of my school district,” Sen. Coleman said.
“I think Mr. Herschend should be embarrassed that he has decided to play politics with the children of my district. He should be embarrassed that he callously disenfranchised the citizens of my district by turning control of the St. Louis School District over to the state.”
In March 2007, the St. Louis Public Schools lost their accreditation when the State Board of Education voted 5-1 to rescind the accreditation after concluding that the district had met only four of the state's 14 academic performance measures. Peter Herschend was serving as President of the State Board of Education when the decision to strip the school district of local control was made.
At the time the state board voted to classify the St. Louis Public Schools as unaccredited, several other school districts possessed 2006 Annual Performance Review ratings that were equal to or below the scores assigned to the St. Louis City School District.
“It makes me wonder why Mr. Herschend has taken no action to reclassify other low-performing school districts,” Sen. Coleman said. “There seems to be no apprehension by Mr. Herschend or the Board that they are disenfranchising the voters of a predominantly black city. We are still forced to pay taxes, so we have taxation without representation.”
Additionally, Sen. Coleman expressed reservations about any person serving such a lengthy term on a state board or commission. Peter Herschend has served on the State Board of Education for 16 years, and with his confirmation by the Senate today, will serve another eight years on the board.
“Is it a good idea to allow anyone to sit on what is arguably the most important board in state government for 24 years?” Sen. Coleman asked her colleagues on the Senate floor today.
“If someone were to serve the maximum amount of time in the General Assembly, they could only serve 16 years. If the citizens of Missouri think it’s a good idea to limit the terms of their elected representatives, surely the length of service of an unelected official should be limited as well, especially one who wields so much influence over our children’s education.”
Members of the Missouri Senate affirmed the reappointment of Herschend to the State Board of Education today on a voice vote.
In the middle of all this Super Tuesday excitement, the Missouri Senate confirmed the appointment of St. Louis Public Schools czar Rick Sullivan.
Governor Matt Blunt, who appointed the real estate developer to lead the largest school district in the state, had this to say:
"Education is my highest priority as Missouri’s governor and I appreciate the bipartisan support Rick Sullivan received today by the Senate.
"Rick is an honorable public servant whose strong leadership is making a difference for our students attending St. Louis Public Schools at a time when our children and parents need strong leaders who care deeply about the future of these students.
"Rick is already succeeding in this role and I am confident he will continue rising to the challenges facing the St. Louis Transitional School Board to ensure that students in the St. Louis Public Schools receive the world class education they deserve."
Gov. Matt Blunt has appointed Todd H. Epsten to the St. Louis City Board of Police Commissioners.
“Todd Epsten has made tremendous contributions to the St. Louis area and to the State of Missouri, and I am pleased he has agreed to serve the city and our state in this important position,” Gov. Blunt said.
Mr. Epsten, 47 of St. Louis, is the Chief Executive Officer of Major Brands, Inc., Missouri’s largest wine and spirits distributor. Epsten holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from American University in Washington, DC. He lives in St. Louis with his wife, Susan McCollum, and his sons, Michael and Brian. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending January 31, 2012. He replaces Jo Ann Freeman, whose term expired.
The St. Louis City Board of Police Commissioners is responsible for operation of the St. Louis Police Department. The commissioners set policy, determine promotions and work with the chief of police in providing public safety services to the citizens of St. Louis.
For the second time, State Senator Jeff Smith has decided not to support Gov. Matt Blunt's appointment to the state board of education.
“As I noted when his appointment was first announced, Derio Gambaro has been a dedicated public servant for a decade, from his tenure in the state House to his work on the Election Board. He continued this work as a diligent and thorough member of the State Board of Education.
“However, given the specificity with which I outlined my opposition to the governor's earlier appointee from the 4th District, I was disappointed that the administration chose the same path. These appointees have vocally supported school vouchers and the consideration of religious theories of human origin in public school settings. While I continue to support public school choice, I fear that the aforementioned positions may breach the separation of church and state, and I cannot sponsor nominees who advocate them.
“I thank Mr. Gambaro for his service in the interim, and hope to have the opportunity to work with the governor's office to help find a suitable replacement.”
Gambaro, a former state representative, was one of Smith's opponents when he was elected in 2005 in a five-person race. Smith also opposed Blunt's previous appointment to the Board of Education,Donayle Whitmore-Smith
Because Gambaro lives in Smith's district, according to senate custom, Smith's support is needed for Gambaro's appointment to be confirmed by the senate.
Gambaro has served on the Board of Education since June 2007. His nomination was briefly withdrawn in August to avoid a senate vote.
State Senator Harry Kennedy (D-St. Louis) has been named to the Joint Committee on MO HealthNet.
From the press release:
Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons (R-Kirkwood) recently appointed Sen. Kennedy to this bipartisan, bicameral committee to oversee the new state healthcare program adopted by the General Assembly last year.
The Joint Committee on MO HealthNet will study the resources needed to continue improvements to the MO HealthNet program, which replaces the state Medicaid system. The committee was established in Senate Bill 577, approved by the General Assembly in 2007, as part of a wide-ranging effort to improve the delivery of healthcare services to the citizens of Missouri.
“There are a lot of good things included in SB 577 to meet the healthcare needs of Missourians who struggle to maintain healthy lives,” Sen. Kennedy said. “I want to make sure the state continues to provide the resources necessary to improve and expand MO HealthNet so that all citizens can receive quality healthcare. There are still too many Missourians who must choose between putting food on the table or getting the healthcare they need.”
“MO HealthNet is a start in addressing some of the problems in our healthcare system, but we can’t rest on our laurels and say we’ve fixed those problems by passing SB 577,” said Kennedy.
“We’ll have to continue to make changes to the system to ensure that all Missourians have access to quality healthcare services. I’m glad I’ll be in a position to recommend some of those needed improvements as a member of the Joint Committee on MO HealthNet.”
The Appellate Judicial Commission has submitted to Gov. Matt Blunt its panel of nominees to fill a vacancy on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District. The vacancy exists due to the Sept. 11, 2007, retirement of Judge Phillip R. Garrison, who had served on the Southern District since 1992.
There were 20 applicants for the vacancy. Of these, there was 1 women and 19 men; they were all non-minorities; and there were 9 who work in the private sector and 11 who work in the public sector. The applicants' median age was 51.
In alphabetical order, the panel consists of M. Susan Appelquist; the Honorable Don Burrell, Jr.; and W. Edward Reeves.
Appelquist is a sole practitioner with the Appelquist Law Offices in Mt. Vernon, Mo., and Springfield, Mo. She was born July 28, 1954, in Springfield. She received a bachelor of science degree in education, magna cum laude, with a major in English, in 1976, and her law degree in 1979, both from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Burrell is the presiding judge on the 31st Judicial Circuit. He was born Dec. 4, 1960, in Springfield, Mo. He received his bachelor of science in finance, magna cum laude, in 1982, from Missouri State University, formerly known as Southwest Missouri State University. He received his law degree in 1991, from the University of Missouri in Kansas City. Burrell lives in Strafford.
Reeves is a partner in the Caruthersville, Mo., law firm of Ward & Reeves. He was born August 1, 1960, in St. Louis. He received a bachelor of arts degree, summa cum laude, in 1983, and his law degree, cum laude, in 1986, both from the University of Missouri-Columbia. During law school he was inducted into the Order of the Coif. He lives in Caruthersville.
Blunt has 60 days to select one member of the panel to fill the vacancy. If the governor should fail to do so, the Missouri Constitution directs the commission to make the appointment.
After the resignation of Ed Martin, Governor Matt Blunt today announced that he has selected Patricia "Trish" Vincent to serve as his new Chief of Staff.
The press release:
“Trish is a competent administrator and a dedicated public servant,” Blunt said. “She has tremendous experience and she knows how to lead and manage people. In her new role as Chief of Staff, Trish will be charged with managing my office, staff and cabinet and helping me move Missouri forward. Specifically, I am directing Trish to continue moving us forward on my priorities for education, job creation, implementing my plan to cover Missouri’s uninsured, fighting illegal immigration to make up for Washington’s failure to act and making state government even more efficient and accountable to taxpayers.”
Vincent, 53 of Jefferson City, currently serves in Gov. Blunt’s Cabinet as the Director of the Department of Revenue where she has served since the beginning of the governor’s administration. As director, Vincent answered the governor’s call to make state government do more with less, to produce savings for taxpayers, all while improving customer service for Missourians.
As director, Vincent managed and oversaw the department’s budget and employees. Vincent also worked closely with the General Assembly in representation of the department’s budget and to advocate for legislative changes.
Under her leadership the Department of Revenue collected over $30 million in unpaid taxes to the state with the department’s new tax compliance data warehouse. Vincent helped improve customer service by extending regular business hours at the agency for Missouri customers. The new Internet site she worked to implement, www.whoisnotpaying.mo.gov, is holding accountable businesses that are behind in sales and withholding taxes. And Missourians are saving over $1 million annually in postage and printing for driver’s license renewals and motor vehicle registrations.
Prior to her service in the governor’s Cabinet, Vincent served as Deputy Secretary of State for business services when the governor served as Secretary of State. As deputy secretary of state Vincent managed the Business Services Department, which includes three Divisions: Corporations, Uniform Commercial Code and Commissions, and Branch Offices for Corporations located in St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield.
In the Secretary of State’s office, she implemented several new technological improvements, including allowing Missouri’s entrepreneurs and employers to conduct business with the office online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Vincent also served as the In-State Director and District Office Director for former United States Senator John Ashcroft.
“It has been an honor serving in Governor Blunt’s Cabinet and I am excited about taking on this new challenge as his Chief of Staff,” Vincent said. “Governor Blunt has turned the state’s economy around with pro-growth, pro-jobs initiatives that have helped turn the $1.1 billion deficit he inherited into two surpluses in a row. He has kept his promise to increase funding for education every year he has served as governor. He rescued the state’s health care system for the poor. And he cut taxes for Missourians. Governor Blunt has the right vision for our state and I am looking forward to this opportunity to serve and help him make Missouri an even better place to live, work and raise a family.”
Vincent commended the work of outgoing Chief of Staff Ed Martin who helped the governor achieve his priorities for education, health care and tax cuts during the last legislative session, helped enact an important job-creation bill and transportation infrastructure legislation during the special session and helped implement the governor’s directives to fight illegal immigration in Missouri. Martin will assist Vincent during the transition.
Vincent will begin her new duties immediately. Trish and her husband Larry live in Jefferson City and have two daughters.
Governor Matt Blunt today re-appointed Republican Peter Herschend to the Missouri Board of Education. The Branson native is co-founder of Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation, owner of Silver Dollar City theme park, and already serves previously served as president of the Board of Education.
On Wednesday Gov. Matt Blunt approved the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission’s nomination of Omar Davis to serve as the new director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
Davis, of Jefferson City, is the director of Legal Services Division and general counsel for the Department of Revenue. Davis previously served as Deputy General Counsel in the governor's office and Securities Enforcement Council for Blunt when he was Secretary of State.
Davis, 32, holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Kansas State University and a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri School of Law.
Davis’ appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
Yesterday Blunt also nominated Rod Chapel, the current director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations whom Davis will replace, to a six-year term on the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission.
Prior to his role as the head of the DLIR, Chapel worked as the Legal Services Division Director and general counsel for the Department of Revenue.
Chapel, 37, previously served as an associate in the Sly James Law Firm. Mr. Chapel holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Oklahoma State University, a juris doctorate from Tulane Law School and a master of laws in taxation from Washington University School of Law.
Chapel will replace Terry Jarrett. His nomination is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending September 12, 2013.
In the following two-page letter from Governor Matt Blunt to the Missouri Senate, the names of 10 different appointees were pulled from consideration. According to sources, only two (SLPS CEO Rick Sullivan and State Board of Education appointee Derio Gambaro) were pulled because of controversy. The others, including Harris-Stowe University regent Wayman Smith, were pulled because they were unable to make the Senate hearing or some other minor reason.
Click image to enlarge
Blunt will likely re-appoint most, if not all, of the people on this list following the end of this special session of the Missouri Legislature. The Senate would then take up these appointments again during their regular session next year.
However, it is still not known whether Sullivan or Gambaro's senators (Jeff Smith and Joan Bray, respectively) will be willing to support their appointments next session either.
Governor Matt Blunt’s office officially withdrew his nomination of Rick Sullivan as CEO of St. Louis Public Schools yesterday after Sullivan’s State Senator, Joan Bray, refused to sponsor his appointment.
Blunt also withdrew the name of his latest appointment to the Missouri Board of Education, former State Representative Derio Gambaro, after State Senator Jeff Smith also refused to support his appointment at this time.
Both Sullivan and Gambarro were recess appointments. After the governor’s withdrawal this week, he will likely reappoint them after the conclusion of this week’s special legislative session. The senate would then take up their nominations again next year.
In other St. Louis Public Schools news... Superintendent Diana Bourisaw was in Jefferson City yesterday meeting with lawmakers and touting the good things going on in the district. Earlier Story:
Governor Matt Blunt will soon choose from among three members of the Missouri Court of Appeals for his first appointment to the Missouri Supreme Court.
The Appellate Judicial Commission selected the finalists from among 30 applicants to replace Ronnie White, who recently resigned from the court to go into private practice.
The finalists are Judge Nannette Baker of the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District and Western District Judges Patricia Breckenridge and Ronald Holliger. Baker and Holliger were both appointed to their current posts by Democratic governors while Breckenridge is a Republican appointee.
White was the first and only black member of the state high court. Baker is the lone African-American among the finalists. Blunt has 60 days to make his selection. If he fails to do so, the commission will make the appointment.
UPDATE: Blunt's office today requested information on all the applicants. Here's the press release...
Gov. Matt Blunt’s office today requested any transcripts, notes and information gathered by the Appellate Judicial Commission as they narrowed a field of 30 applicants to a three member panel. The request is part of the exhaustive process in motion to learn more about and evaluate the legal work of the three names submitted to the governor as candidates for the Missouri Supreme Court.
“As you might imagine, details from these interviews will be very helpful to our office as we begin our own exhaustive interview process,” wrote Henry Herschel, General Counsel for the governor in a letter. “I am sure you will agree that any interview transcripts, audio recordings, notes, format, length and any additional information from these interviews will be helpful to us as the governor prepares to make this important decision.”
The office has requested:
Any transcripts and/or audio recordings and notes from every interview with every applicant
Information on meeting and interview times, locations and length
Details of notice provided regarding all commission meetings and interviews
Insight into the questions presented to the applicants including whether they were standardized and what questions were included or given priority
The governor’s office acknowledged receipt of the applications submitted by the three candidates, but noted it did not include this information. Once the governor’s office receives the documents, they will compile this information with all available records, research and communications to aide the governor in making his final decision.
In Missouri, the governor does not appoint a judge to the Supreme Court from citizens at large. Instead an Appellate Judicial Commission, made up of the presiding chief justice, three lawyers chosen by the Missouri Bar and three people appointed by governors, selects a panel of three candidates. Gov. Blunt has appointed only one of the three commissioners, and the others were appointed by former Gov. Bob Holden. The governor has 60 days to evaluate the three nominated candidates to the Supreme Court.
At an event yesterday in O'Fallon Park in north St. Louis, Gov. Matt Blunt announced the appointment of Don R. Johnson to the Conservation Commission. Johnson is the first African American to hold the position.
State Senators Maida Coleman (D-St. Louis City) and Michael Gibbons (R-Kirkwood) were also at the event. Video shot by intern Gabe Bullard
The Governor is looking for Missourians to serve on state boards and commissions.
"I encourage Missourians to explore our state's boards and commissions and apply for an appointment that allows them to use their God-given talents to help enhance the services we deliver to Missourians each and every day," Gov. Matt Blunt said in a statement today.
The governor has appointment authority to more than 200 boards and commissions. Some boards require specialized skill sets, sponsorship by their state senator and advice and consent of the Missouri Senate.
Gov. Matt Blunt today announced the appointment of Angeletta McCormick Franks to serve as director of the Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity.
Franks previously served as a commissioner on the St. Louis City Election Board and as an aide to former U.S. Senator Jim Talent as a community liaison.
Franks will also serve as a special assistant to chief of staff Ed Martin and will be part of the governor’s senior staff.
The Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity works to promote diversity within the state government and improve the opportunities for women and minorities to access state employment opportunities and state contracts. The office serves as a resource to further improve business and economic opportunities for Missouri’s women-owned and minority-owned businesses.
Following the retirement of executive director Kim Norman, Edmund Hennessey has been named the new head of Weed & Seed St. Louis.
According to the Department of Justice's website, the Weed & Seed initiative involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding out" violent criminals and drug abusers and public agencies and community-based private organizations collaborate to "seed" much-needed human services, including prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood restoration programs.
The City of St. Louis today has two active Weed & Seed neighborhoods: Hamilton Heights and the West End.
Governor Matt Blunt has reappointed Wayman F. Smith (D), 66 of St. Louis City, to the Board of Regents of Harris-Stowe State University.
Smith is a former St. Louis alderman and an attorney with Smith Partnership. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Monmouth University and a juris doctorate from Howard University. His reappointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on July 28, 2012.
Blunt also announced the appointment of:
Dr. John B. Heskett, 59 of St. Louis, to the Mental Health Transformation Working Group.His appointment is for a term ending at the pleasure of the governor.
Darrell B. Roegner, 67 of Lake St. Louis, to the MissouriState Penitentiary Redevelopment Commission.Roegneris regional president of Premier Bank. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on March 3, 2008.
And Jimmy Dale Morris, 72 of Springfield, to the MissouriAdvisory Council on Historic Preservation. Morris is owner of Morris Oil Company, Inc. His appointment is for a term ending on Nov. 15, 2007.
ST. LOUIS — President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed today announced Richard K. Gaines as his selection to the three-member team charged with leading the Transitional School District of the City of St. Louis.
Gaines is a well-known local businessman and former president of the St. Louis Board of Education.
“I am pleased to be able to appoint someone to this board with as much knowledge and experience as Richard,” said President Reed.
“His years of experience with public education in this city will serve this body well. His understanding of the budgetary process will also help the Transitional Board move the district back onto solid financial ground.
“Richard graduated from Vashon High School, his children graduated from St. Louis Public Schools, and the citizens of this city elected him to serve on the school board. I am confident that Richard will represent the people and parents of our city and will do what is best for the children of St. Louis.”
Gaines is a lifelong resident of St. Louis and a graduate of Vashon High School (1965). He is married to Anne-Marie Clarke and has two daughters, both graduates of St. Louis Public Schools.
He was first elected to the School Board in 1983 and served as President from 1987-88.
Richard Gaines is President and CEO of Richard K. Gaines, Inc. and Vice-President of Daniel and Henry Company.
Mayor Francis Slay has selected Melanie Adams, former executive director of Teach for America, as his pick on the transitional board.
"This is going to be a challenging assignment for Melanie," wrote the mayor on his blog. "It took decades for the St. Louis Public Schools to fall into their current state. It will take some time to fix them.
"But, it is my hope that the new transitional school board can bring people together from all over the City to make sure the fundamental right to a quality education is fulfilled for all children in St. Louis."
Adams currently works at the Missouri History Museum under Robert Archibald, the museum's president and a former member of the school board.
Coincidentally, the St. Louis Board of Education voted last month to withdraw from its contract with Teach for America. [Correction: Contrary to early reports, the board did not cancel the Teach for America contract. They only called for a review.]
Aldermanic President Lewis Reed will be announcing the final selection to the three-person transitional board on Thursday.
