House Democrats re-nominated Steve Gaw for House Speaker and re-elected Gracia Backer as majority leader. Earlier in the day, House Republicans re-elected Mark Richardson as their leader.
Meanwhile, Republicans like House Minority Floor Leader Mark Richardson seem to be focused on keeping the tax cut's demise central to state political debate.
Immediately following a press conference, held by Democratic leaders of both chambers and the governor, House Floor Minority Leader, Mark Richardson held a formal press conference in which he blamed Democrats for killing the idea of a tax cut.
"It appears to me to be unfortunate timing, considering we are at the culminating point of the session when literally dozens of pieces of legislation are on the verge of passing or failing," said Republican House Leader Mark Richardson of Poplar Bluff.
"Republicans want the full three-cent food tax cut, and Democrats used their majority status to makes sure you, the taxpayer, only got two-cents," House Republican Leader Mark Richardson said in a prepared statement issued shortly after the House vote.
Crump named four Republicans, including House GOP leader Mark Richardson, who he says promised support. But GOP representatives say they never made any commitments to Crump. Candyce Clifft, KMOX News, Jefferson City.
Still, House GOP Leader Mark Richardson, R-Cape Girardeau, called the Democrats' attempt to keep the debate off the floor "Griffinesque," referring to former Speaker of the House Bob Griffin's reputation for making behind the scenes deals with lawmakers to pass legislation.
Members of the House have given preliminary approval to a joint resolution giving citizens the power to create a Department of Aging in the upcoming fall election. The measure passed despite House Republican leader, Mark Richardson arguing that a new department would only create more beauracracy. Democratic bill sponsor, Henry Rizzo accuses Richardson of trying to kill the measure.
The bill has been passed with a new amendment presented by Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff. It specifies the meetings would have to be "for the purpose of recommendory policy or policy revisions to the governing body of said institution."
Republican Leader Mark Richardson took the lead over Democrat Sam Leake, but Richardson didn't get the majority needed to put him in the House Speakers' seat.
"I am confident that there is complete solidarity to the Republicans and more than enough reform-minded Democrats that we can get Griffin to step down," said House Republican Leader Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff. "We have the power and right to remove him for any reason at any time we want."
Last year, he was almost ousted from his post by Minority Floor Leader Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, when Democrat dissidents crossed over to the Republicans.
Republican floor leader Mark Richardson says Carnahan is simply mimicking the things Republicans have been saying for years, and trying to take credit for it. Richardson said he couldn't think of any specific objections to Carnahan's proposals. On the other hand Democrat Senate president pro tem Jim Matthewson says he has some serious concerns about a permanent sales tax cut:
"The governor is starting to sound more and more like a Republican," said House Republican Leader Mark Richardson of Poplar Bluff. "Many of the things on his agenda are Republican things. It sounded very much like a speech I would give myself. We'll have to wait and see if it's a lot of rhetoric."
The Republican nominee for speaker, Minority Floor Leader Mark Richardson of Poplar Bluff, actually garnered the largest number of votes in Monday's election - getting 76 votes to 71 for the Democratic candidate, Sam Leake, D-Laddonia. But Griffin had ruled that 82 votes were needed to win the election.
Instead, Griffin adjourned the 88th General Assembly less than 20 minutes after it convened - a move protested by the House Republican leader, Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff.
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