There are more than 200 state boards and commissions in Missouri. These groups oversee and regulate everything from how elections are conducted to which schools receive accreditation. Others approve necessary utility rate increases, or decide what standards a professional, such as an electrician or nurse, has to meet to practice in Missouri. Without them, our state simply couldn’t function. Their importance can’t be understated.

For this reason, one of the governor’s greatest responsibilities is appointing members to vacant seats on state commissions. And while the governor has made a more concerted effort in recent weeks to make appointments, he has left countless boards short of the necessary members to conduct their work. There are an estimated 1,000 vacancies right now.

This week we passed Senate Joint Resolution 30 and Senate Bill 507. These measures work hand-in-hand with the joint resolution providing the foundation for filling the vacancies and the bill providing the framework. The joint resolution would have to be approved by the voters.

The measures would set a 90-day time limit on appointing new members to board vacancies. If a new member has not been nominated by then, the lieutenant governor would be allowed to make an appointment to the vacancy. However, the bill would prohibit the lieutenant governor from voting on the Senate’s approval of the appointee, maintaining an important check and balance between the legislature and the executive branch.

No democracy can function without the participation of the public. It’s vital that citizens play an active role in the decisions we make as a state, and that’s often done through work on our state’s boards and commissions. Vacant seats rob citizens of that important right. This measure would encourage the executive branch to make more timely appointments.

We are also focusing on improving our telecommunications infrastructure this session. This week, we passed Senate Bills 649, 650, 651, 652, and 653, which reduces regulations on telecommunications companies. As you may recall, we passed two bills last year that did the same thing. Those bills were challenged in the Cole County Circuit Court which ruled that they violated the single-subject rule from an earlier court ruling. The five bills contain all of the same provisions to solve the problem brought out in the ruling.

The bills set a statewide process for telecommunications companies to make badly needed infrastructure repairs and improvements. Easing the regulatory burden on these companies will expedite the deployment of broadband internet as well as other services to all areas of the state. This is important because many of you still have to use dial-up internet services. 

Due to the winter weather this week, not as many citizens were able to stop by the Capitol. I was able to meet with Robert Walsh, president of the Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists. I also spoke with “Tiger” John Cleek, Jr., a Jefferson City business owner and close personal friend advocating on behalf of the Midwest Easter Seals. In addition, Herb Fallert and Charles Hurst of the Citizens Electric Corporation came by my office.

Sen. Romine’s Sponsored Legislation for 2014

Contact Me