Representative Jason Kander (D – 44) gets cut back by the Speaker:

For Immediate Release

Republican Speaker Blocks Freshman Representative’s Appointment to Powerful Committee

Democrat Jason Kander chooses to view extraordinary step as compliment

Jefferson City – In a late-night meeting between Republican and Democratic senior staff, Speaker Ron Richard’s office characterized Rep. Jason Kander (D-Kansas City), an attorney and Afghanistan veteran, as a “political problem” for the Republicans. Accordingly, the Speaker took the extraordinary step of blocking Kander’s appointment to the powerful professional licensing and registration committee.

A select few other Democratic appointments were blocked, but only Kander did not receive another appointment as a consolation prize. While a handful of senior members in leadership positions have fewer committee assignments, the over 150 rank-and-file members of the House all serve on a minimum of three committees. Kander, who was sworn in less than two weeks ago, is the only rank-and-file member of either party that the Speaker has limited to just two committees.

The professional registration committee oversees the regulation of a variety of professions ranging from insurance agents to physicians. Kander remains on the Homeland Security Committee and the high-profile Budget Committee.

“I think it says a tremendous amount about the strength of young Democrats when the Speaker of the House is going out of his way to play defense against one of our freshmen,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Paul LeVota (D-Independence). “Despite the Speaker’s best efforts, Representative Kander is going to be an extremely effective member of this body.”

“I came here to champion the economic agenda that gave Governor Nixon a twenty point victory, so this presents an obstacle,” said Kander, “but I’ve decided to take the advice of senior members and view this as a roundabout vote of confidence from the Republican leadership.”

But Kander is unlikely to have difficulty filling his day, as he has political duties to tend to outside the Capitol. After his election, Rep. LeVota appointed him to the House Democratic Campaign Committee and his peers in the freshman class elected him to the executive committee of the Freshman Democratic Caucus.

“Jason’s efforts this last election cycle have made his work ethic legendary,” said Rep. Mike Talboy, chair of the House Democratic Campaign Committee.  “It’s no surprise to me that the Speaker is worried about him.”

***

[emphasis added]

Well, let’s look at another freshman representative – Denny Hoskins (r- 121 – “noun, verb, CPA”):

Representative

Denny Hoskins

District 121

Republican

Committees:

   * Budget

   * Appropriations – Transportation and Economic Development

   * Higher Education

   * Veterans

Four committees, count ’em, four. Maybe because he doesn’t like counting the Speaker has figured he wouldn’t notice if they slipped him another one.

Or, maybe because he’s a legislation generating machine. Nope. This is it:

Missouri House of Representatives

2009

95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session

Legislation Sponsored by Rep. Denny Hoskins

COSPONSOR

HB303

Prohibits health insurers from discriminating against any willing provider in the geographic region of the health benefit plan

HB303 — (LR# 0462L.01I)

Introduced and Read First Time (H)

Hmmm. Let’s look at Jason Kander’s bill sponsorship:

Missouri House of Representatives

2009

95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session

Legislation Sponsored by Rep. Jason Kander

COSPONSOR

HB49

Allows voters to cast advance ballots

HB49 — (LR# 0275L.01I)

Read Second Time (H)

HB150

Changes the laws regarding unsecured loans of $500 or less, commonly known as payday loans, and allows the Attorney General to maintain an action to enforce compliance

HB150 — (LR# 0649L.01I)

Read Second Time (H)

HB168

Prohibits members of the General Assembly from contracting with or soliciting each other for the purposes of securing services for political campaigning, fundraising, or consulting

HB168 — (LR# 0638L.01I)

Read Second Time (H)

HB219

Changes the laws regarding the requirements of certain corporate filings

HB219 — (LR# 0888L.01I)

Read Second Time (H)

HB221

Prohibits elected officials from registering or acting as lobbyists within two years after leaving office

HB221 — (LR# 0481L.01I)

Read Second Time (H)

An active legislator interested in accountability. What a concept.

As for the contrast between the two freshman?: One of these things is not like the other…