State Senator Rita Days, a Democrat from north St. Louis County, and State Rep. Timothy Jones, a Republican from Eureka (”The home of Six Flags,” he reminded us.), have been elected to chair and vice-chair, respectively, the St. Louis Regional Delegation (formerly, the St. Louis Regional Caucus) in the state legislature.The mission of the bicameral, bi-partisan group is to promote and collectively push legislation to advance the St. Louis region.

Keep up with St. Louis politics at www.pubdef.net

A group of local elected officials gathered in front of City Hall today to call attention to a bill in the Missouri legislature which seeks to give the City of St. Louis control over its police department—control which was taken away over 100 years ago during the time of the Civil War.

Those in attendance included: State Senator Maida Coleman, State Reps Talibdin El-Amin, Rodney Hubbard, and Jeanette Mott Oxford, Aldermen Terry Kennedy, Jeffrey Boyd, and Frank Williamson.

The bill is SB 785.

Earlier Story:

Local Control of Police Debated in Senate Hearing

The second Regular Session of Missouri’s 94th General Assembly will convene at noon today. State representatives and senators have made their way across the state back to the Capitol in Jefferson City for this election year session of the state legislature.

Will Missouri soon follow the State of New Jersey, which officially apologized for slavery Monday?

State Rep. T.D. El-Amin has sponsored a resolution calling for the State of Missouri to apologize for its role in enslaving blacks.

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MOPNS.com has published the contents of an email it says was written by Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton, a Republican, about the news that his former chief of staff, Chris Benjamin, will be running for the state senate — as a Democrat.

From the email:

This is shocking news because I feel Chris is a pro-life & pro-gun Republican, not a Democrat. Even if Chris was frustrated at times with the party I find it so difficult to believe he would choose to join the ranks of extreme liberals whose policies we have fought, and beaten with Chris’s help. However, as time has passed the rumors have stepped up and unfortunately; our understanding is that Chris is going to run as a Democrat.

I can’t explain my disappointment, shock, and confusion over this news and have even talked to Chris personally to try and convince him not to run, but haven’t been successful. I am sure we all have friends who are Democrats and maybe Chris will be one of those friends.

Robin Harris will officially announce his candidacy for the State House District 86 seat tomorrow night. The campaign kickoff and fundraiser will be held tomorrow at 7:00 pm at 1813 Loehr Estate Drive in Ballwin.

Harris, a retired Naval officer and current Northwest Airlines Captain has not run for public office before.

To RSVP or for more information, call (636) 519-7173

Another State House candidate, Deb Lavender of Kirkwood just launched her website, www.lavenderforstaterep.com.

The Associated Press is reporting that Missouri House Republicans have chosen Ron Richard to take over the chamber’s top position in 2009 — assuming he wins re-election to the House, Republicans hold onto power, and new lawmakers abide by the wishes of their predecessors.

From the AP:

Those numerous assumptions highlight the novelty of the House Republicans’ decision to elect a speaker-designee.

Richard will serve in training for the next 16 months under House Speaker Rod Jetton, then still would have to officially be elected by the full House in January 2009.

Richard, of Joplin, defeated suburban St. Louis Representative Allen Icet in a secret vote by House Republicans.

The GOP currently holds a 90-70 majority over House Democrats, with three vacancies.

UPDATE: The other new leaders are:

Senate Assistant Floor Leader - Sen. Jack Goodman
Senate Caucus Leader - Sen. Luann Ridgeway
House Floor Leader - Rep. Steven Tilley
House Pro Tem - Rep. Brian Pratt

UPDATE 2: A statement from Gov. Matt Blunt:

“I congratulate Sen. Jack Goodman, Sen. Luann Ridgeway, Rep. Bryan Pratt and Rep. Steven Tilley on their new leadership positions in their respective chambers. I also congratulate Rep. Ron Richards and wish him well in his leadership role.

“I look forward to working with the new leaders in both chambers in the coming year to continue to build on our commitment to increasing funding for education, enforcing the laws against illegal immigration, protecting Missouri children from Internet predators and building on a strong economic climate that has helped Missourians create nearly 85,000 new jobs since January 2005. I believe that every Missourian deserves the opportunity to have a good job, raise a family, and to pursue their dreams.

“Again I look forward to working with the House and Senate leadership on both sides of the aisle to put the Missourians’ best interests ahead of partisan politics and to put Missouri’s families first.”

SEE MORE VIDEOS AT WWW.PUBDEF.TV

Audio files from the Missouri House Communications Department:

Report from Dick Aldrich, House Public Information Specialist

State Rep Jamilah Nasheed on the need for more planning

Bill sponsor Ron Richard on solving an inner city crisis

BREAKING NEWS

The Missouri Legislature has passed Governor Blunt’s Economic Development Package, including the Distressed Area Land Assemblage Tax Credit. By a vote of 125 to 19, the House today passed the Senate version of House Bill 1.

Among those voting in favor of the bill were St. Louis State Representatives T.D. El-Amin, Rodney Hubbard, Rachel Storch, Tom Villa and Robin Wright-Jones.

Those voting against included Mike Daus, Jamilah Nasheed and Jeanette Mott Oxford.