One of the most important functions of the Missouri Senate is the checks and balances of the gubernatorial appointment process. The governor appoints members to over 200 boards and commissions, which then create rules and regulations Missouri’s citizens must follow. Since 2002, Missouri’s regulations have grown faster than the federal government – a trend we are working to reverse. The only check to these unelected appointments is the Missouri Senate’s responsibility to conduct hearings on the individuals, and research their qualifications and backgrounds for the position they are seeking to serve.
Under the previous governor, many of the more than 1,500 positions for gubernatorial appointments were left vacant or had members serving expired terms. This left citizens of Missouri vulnerable to those boards that have very important functions. For instance, the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Boards, which could not meet due to a lack of quorum, protect children from predators getting jobs in preschools, schools, foster care and other child related jobs. They also remove those names from the Child Registry when there has been evidence the person is not a child abuser, making sure only those who truly could hurt children are on the list. As a member of the Missouri Senate’s Gubernatorial Appointments Committee, I have been extremely impressed with the talented individuals nominated by the governor. That is not to say that every nominee is accepted, however – the senate rejected a few candidates for the Missouri Housing Development Commission this week. Most nominees are passionate about the work they do and the cause they serve. The committee has met with many doctors, child care specialists, law enforcement officials and others who are uniquely qualified for their positions. I have sponsored several appointees from the 26th District this year and I look forward to working with additional appointees during the remainder of the legislative session.
Despite the numerous individuals already approved by the Missouri Senate, there are still many vacancies on our state’s boards and commissions. However, there has been legislation filed by several lawmakers to reduce the number of boards and commissions, so the ones not meeting or are redundant can be erased from the books. The lieutenant governor actually led a taskforce on reducing the number of boards and commissions and you can find that information on the lieutenant governor’s website at https://ltgov.mo.gov/boards-commissions/boards-commissions-task-force/. If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, you can visit the Missouri Boards and Commissions’ website at https://boards.mo.gov/UserPages/BoardSearch.aspx to see what positions are available.
Thank you for reading this weekly column. Please contact my office at (573) 751-3678 if you have any questions.