Images in the House from yesterday’s opening of the legislative session in Jefferson City:

Representative Ashley Bland Manlove (D).

Representative Martha Stevens (D).

Representative Greg Razer (D).

Representative Crystal Quayle (D), House Democratic Minority Leader.

Representative Ingrid Burnett (D).

Representative Mike Moon (r).

Representative Rob Vescovo (r), House Republican Majority Leader.

Representative Tommy Pierson, Jr., Democratic Minority Caucus Chair.

Previously:

The opening of the legislative session – in the House – January 9, 2019

Today at noon at the capitol in Jefferson City the Missouri General Assembly started the 2018 legislative session. Speaker Todd Richardson (r) addressed the House, at different points extolling the virtues of so-called “Right to Work” and praising a republican House member’s persistance in promoting anti-choice legislation. For the most part members in the Democratic minority sat on their hands during the address.

Speaker Todd Richardson (r), presiding over the opening of the session in the House.

Rep. Martha Stevens (D).

Speaker Todd Richardson (r).

Rep. Bruce Franks, Jr. (D).

Speaker Todd Richardson (r) listening to a question from the media at the majority press conference in the House Lounge after the day’s adjournment.

At one point someone in the media at the minority press conference took issue with Minority Floor Leader Gail McCann Beatty’s (D) characterization of the Speaker’s address as partisan. Seriously.

Minority Floor Leader Gail McCann Beatty (D) at the minority press conference in the House Lounge.

Assistant Minority Floor Leader Gina Mitten (D) at the minority press conference in the House Lounge.

Rep. Tracy McCreery (D).

It is apparent that the legislative agendas of the majority and minority parties in the House don’t have much in common. Throw the republican controlled Senate and Governor Eric Greitens (r) into the mix and the prospects for progress look dim.

Previously:

HB 1347: Well, isn’t that special? (December 1, 2017)

HJR 55: You just know Pastafarians are going to want a piece of the action… (December 2, 2017)

HB 1382: worship (December 2, 2017)

HB 1434: the point is moot (December 4, 2017)

HB 1474: once again, this time with feeling (December 6, 2017)

HB 1528: micromanagement (December 8, 2017)

HB 1586: thou shalt not kettle (December 11, 2017)

HB 1563: not a right wingnut gun bill (December 12, 2017)

SB 767: another regressive tax on people who don’t understand math (December 13, 2017)

HJR 62: be careful what you wish for (December 24, 2017)

HB 1771: one can only dream (December 28, 2017)

HB 1805: Do open public town halls count? (December 30, 2017)

The republican majority in the Missouri House outlined their legislative agenda and their displeasure with Secretary of State Jason Kander (D) in their press conference in the House Lounge after the opening day’s adjournment.

Speaker Todd Richardson (r) – Jefferson City – January 4, 2017.

At the majority caucus press conference:

House Majority Leader Mike Cierpiot (r) – Jefferson City – January 4, 2017.

Previously:

Secretary of State Jason Kander (D): at the opening of the legislative session (January 4, 2017)

Minority Floor Leader Gail McCann Beatty (D): at the opening of the legislative session (January 5, 2017)

House Democratic Caucus press conference – January 4, 2017 (January 7, 2017)

One important part of the opening of the legislative session is that the members of the House elect a Speaker. The majority party (republicans) easily prevailed. The minority Democrats took the opportunity to nominate their leader for the position.

Minority Floor Leader Gail McCann Beatty (D) – in the House – Jefferson City – January 4, 2017

The minority leader’s remarks:

Minority Floor Leader Gail McCann Beatty (D): I am honored to be considered for Speaker of the House.

It is time that we let go of those issues which divide our state and address issues that our constituents have identified as priorities: true ethics reform, quality education, and job creation. Our responsibility is to our constituents and not special interests.

Racial tensions are at an all-time high fueled by an unprecedented federal election that seemed to not just ignore these issues but seem to legitimize it. Ferguson was just the tip of the iceberg and we cannot continue to ignore its existence. Ignoring the issue will not make it go away. The unrest in Ferguson was more than 2 years ago, and this legislature has done nothing to understand why it occurred and little to address the underlying issues to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. The failure to address the issue has allowed racism to trickle down into our schools, affecting our children. Our state boast an unemployment rate of 4.7% but the reality is that the unemployment rate for minorities is more than double that and for minorities age 16-24 it can be as high as 45%.

Sexual Harassment was dismissed as locker room talk. Recent articles have highlighted how serious the issue of sexual harassment is in our state. Millions of taxpayer dollars are being used to sweep these incidents under the rug rather than address the root problem. This is another issue we cannot continue to ignore. As a legislature it should be our priority to eliminate this behavior in our state.

We tout Christian values yet we continue to allow these injustices. It is time for us to say “not in our state.”
We can address many of these issues by focusing on quality public education and funding early childhood education. We have seen some improvement by all of our school districts but we still have a long way to go. Providing an educated workforce is essential to reducing unemployment and bringing jobs to our state.

When we focus on the priority of our constituents, we can find bi-partisan solutions. Democrats stand willing to work on solutions that address the priorities of our state. It is in the best interest of our state that we are committed to work together. For that reason, I withdraw my nomination for Speaker of the House. I am committed to finding bi-partisan solutions to address the problems of our state and working with the Gentleman from Butler to restore public trust in our state government.

[remarks as prepared]

Previously:

Secretary of State Jason Kander (D): at the opening of the legislative session (January 4, 2017)