Southern’s Board may add member

Sitting opposite the Senate Education Committee he normally chairs, Sen. Gary Nodler (R-Joplin) presented legislation to increase the number of voting members of Missouri Southern’s Board of Governors from seven to eight, in addition to one non-voting student member.

Nodler said when the name of Southern was changed two years ago, there was an intention to increase the size of the Board.

“Historically, the Board of Governors have an equal number of representatives from both political parties,” Nodler said.

Committee member Sen. Chuck Graham (D-Columbia) questioned what the procedure was in the event of a tie among board members.

“That has not been a problem in the history of the institution. It is anticipated that this will encourage the development of consensus on the board,” Nodler said.

The Education Committee accepted SB 36 as a Consent Bill. In the Senate, a Consent Bill can only be amended in the committee.

Special election called for April

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt called for special elections to fill vacancies in both the 38th House District and 16th Senate District. The special elections will be held on April 5.

Republican Sen. Sarah Steelman was elected state treasurer on Nov. 2, 2004, and her resignation from the Senate on Jan. 10, created an open Senate seat in the 16th Senate District. Steelman’s Senate seat was not up for re-election until 2006.

The Dec. 8 death of Democratic Rep. Dan Bishop leaves an open House seat in the 38th House District. On Nov. 2, 2004, Bishop won re-election as state representative for the 38th District.

Candidates must be selected and filed with the secretary of state’s office no later than 5 p.m., Feb. 24.

Former Gov. Bob Holden previously called for a special election also to be held on April 5 to fill the 22nd District Senate seat of Steve Stoll, who resigned on Jan. 6 to become the city manager of Festus.

Special election called for April

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt announced the annual State of the State address will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Traditionally, the State of the State address has been held in the morning between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. A later time was chosen to given Missourians the opportunity to hear the speech.

Blunt will discuss his legislative goals for the year and the budget for Fiscal Year 2006 he will submit to the Missouri General Assembly.

Blunt nominates economic director

On Wednesday, Gov. Matt Blunt named his choice for Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Greg Steinhoff.

A choice supported by The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Steinhoff is a self-made businessman from Columbia. He is expected to bring a new dynamic to the department responsible for bolstering Missouri’s economy, said the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry President and CEO, Daniel P. Mehan.

Steinhoff’s nomination now goes before the Missouri Senate for approval.