Kansas City News Blog

It's a new era of bipartisanship, right? Of reaching across the proverbial aisle that divides Republicans and Democrats, across this nation that is no longer made up of red states and blue states but united states? Our new president has told us it's time to put away childish things and get to work.

Despite all modern technology, though, that message has yet to fully reach Missourians' elected representatives in Jefferson City. The bipartisanship cliches are in full ring there, but it looks like the childish games are still going on.


At least that's what I'm taking from this week's announcement from Senate Leader Charlie Shields, a Republican from St. Joseph. Since the General Assembly has just convened, it's been Shields' duty to assign members and chairs to the Senate's various committees. This, he wants us to believe, he has accomplished with great bipartisan spirit. According to his January 21 press release:

Shields said he worked with senators to review the roles of the committees and amend them to make sure they encompassed the issues that are important to improving the everyday lives of the people of Missouri.

"I believe we - Republicans and Democrats - must work together to address the emerging issues that affect our everyday lives," Shields said. "That is why I named a committee to be chaired by the Democrat leader." 

Out of 18 committees, that is, he has appointed a Democratic chair to one. That's OK -- that's his prerogative as the leader. We understand. Not like it's a childish thing ... to appoint just one Democrat. And who might that be? Take a look at the list:

1. Administration: Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph
2. Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources: Sen. Dan Clemens, R-Marshfield
3. Appropriations: Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin
4. Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment: Sen. Brad Lager, R-Maryville
5. Education: Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter
6. Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections: Sen. Delbert Scott, R-Lowry City
7. General Laws: Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mt. Vernon
8. Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight: Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield
9. Gubernatorial Appointments: Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph
10. Health, Mental Health, Seniors and Families: Sen. Norma Champion, R-Springfield
11. Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government: Sen. John Griesheimer, R-Washington
12. Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence: Sen. Matt Bartle, R-Lee's Summit
13. Progress and Development: Sen. Victor Callahan, D-Independence
14. Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics: Sen. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington
15. Small Business, Insurance and Industry: Sen. Scott T. Rupp, R-Wentzville
16. Transportation: Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton
17. Veterans' Affairs and Pensions: Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau
18. Ways and Means: Sen. Carl Vogel, R-Jefferson City

Yep, that one D belongs to Victor Callahan of Independence. The Senate's minority leader is otherwise known as the one of its more conservative Democrats.

Callahan doesn't return our calls, and I'm still waiting to hear back from Shields. But one Jeff City source wonders whether Shields would have even created a Democrat-controlled committee if one of the Senate's more liberal senators were minority leader instead of Callahan. As it is, Callahan's committee may be a place where liberal bills go to die.

But, hey, who are we to complain? After all, as Shields proclaims, "By working across party lines, the committees and, more importantly, the chairmen and chairwomen I have named, will be able to successfully advance quality legislation that will benefit the people of Missouri."