TheChat: Gov. Jay Nixon wants to fill one more state Supreme Court seat
Good morning.
▪ “Ready to appoint.” — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon explaining that he’s ready to fill a vacant position on the state Supreme Court if he’s given a chance to do so.
Timing is key here as Nixon is preparing to leave office in early January. Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Breckenridge would have to soon start the process to replace Judge Richard Teitelman who died recently. In Missouri, a seven-member commission, which includes Breckenridge, screens candidates and forwards three names to the governor who makes the pick. (link via johncombest.com).
▪ “We’re trying to open up the process and give the governor more choices.” — Missouri state Sen. Dan Hegeman, a Cosby Republican, on a bill he’s sponsoring that would give a governor more options to fill vacant state Supreme Court seats.
Hegeman wants to alter the state’s much-copied non-partisan court plan. Under the current procedure, a governor receives a slate of three judicial candidates to pick from for a vacancy on the court. Hegeman wants to remove that cap so that any governor has more choices.
▪ “The mayor and city manager want what amounts to an $800,000,000 blank check. Sorry, that dog don’t hunt.” — Dan Coffey of Citizens for Responsible Government coming out in opposition of Kansas City Mayor Sly James’ call for an $800 million bond package to upgrade city infrastructure.
Coffey and his group have become a steady opponent to James’ initiatives. The vote, expected in April, will test the mayor’s political skills as never before.
▪ “Facts will be revealed, which will set PP (Planned Parenthood) back on its heels.” — a news release from Missouri state Rep. Mike Moon, an Ash Grove Republican, in which he announced a series of coordinated news conferences Monday around the state.
Moon, an anti-abortion activist, promises damning information about Planned Parenthood, but didn’t reveal what it was. One of the news conferences will be at 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Planned Parenthood clinic in KC. “Whistleblowers will release new information on Monday which will require swift and critical action by authorities,” the news release said.