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JEFFERSON CITY — Current and future members of the Missouri Senate made their way to the State Capitol today (11-4) to meet in their respective caucuses to select leaders for the 96th General Assembly, which begins in early January.
The Senate Majority Caucus endorsed Sen. Rob Mayer (R-Dexter) to serve as president pro tem, which is currently held by outgoing Sen. Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph). The pro tem is responsible for appointing committee members, assigning legislation to committees, and ruling on points of order raised during debate in the Senate Chamber, among other powers. The full Senate will vote on this leadership position in January.
Other Senate Majority Caucus positions filled today include:
- Majority Floor Leader – Current majority caucus whip Sen. Tom Dempsey (R-St. Charles) was selected to fill this position, which will be vacated by Sen. Kevin Engler (R-Farmington). Among several duties, the majority floor leader sets the schedule of bills up for consideration by the full body, the time allotted for floor debate on legislation, and the meeting times and dates of the Missouri Senate.
- Assistant Majority Floor Leader – Sen. Jack Goodman (R-Mt. Vernon) will continue to fill this position. The assistant majority floor leader is responsible for taking over for the majority floor leader when he is unavailable to attend debate in the Senate Chamber.
- Majority Caucus Whip – Currently the Missouri State Representative for the 133rd District, Sen.-elect Mike Parson (R-Bolivar), is selected to serve as the majority caucus whip, which is also a position found in Congress. The whip traditionally ensures that the members of their caucus are in attendance when votes are taken.
Senator Bill Stouffer (R-Napton) was chosen to fill the role of majority caucus chairman and Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale) was selected to serve as the majority caucus secretary.
The Senate Minority Caucus also selected new leadership. Senator Victor Callahan (D-Independence) continues as minority floor leader.
Senator Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City) was tapped to fill the assistant minority floor leader position vacated by outgoing Sen. Rita Heard Days (D-St. Louis).
Senator Timothy Green (D-St. Louis) will serve as the minority caucus chair and Sen. Robin Wright-Jones (D-St. Louis) was selected to fill the minority caucus secretary position. The minority caucus does not have a whip position.
Currently, the majority and minority breakdown in the Missouri Senate is 23-11. After the 2010 general election, if results stand after any recounts and certification by the Missouri Secretary of State’s office, the ratio in the Missouri Senate will change to 26-8.
The First Regular Session of the 96th General Assembly begins Jan. 5, 2011.
For more information about the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov. To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or e-mail newsroom@senate.mo.gov.
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