Dec 22 – Weekly Capitol Update

HIGH COURT TAKES CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING CASES

The Missouri Supreme Court on Jan. 12 will hear arguments in a pair of lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of a the state’s new congressional redistricting plan, which the Republican-controlled General Assembly enacted earlier this year over a gubernatorial veto. The main claim in both lawsuits is that the redistricting plan violates the Missouri Constitution’s requirement that congressional districts be compact.

Cole County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Green dismissed the cases on Dec. 15. On appeal, the plaintiffs are asking the Supreme Court to either declare the new districts unconstitutional outright or remand the cases to the circuit court for a trial on lawsuits’ claims.

Missouri is losing a congressional seat, dropping from nine to eight, based on the results of the 2010 U.S. Census. The Supreme Court is expediting the cases since candidate filing for the 2012 elections, which are scheduled to be the first under the congressional districts, opens on Feb. 28.

OA COMMISSIONER KELVIN SIMMONS STEPPING DOWN

Commissioner of Administration Kelvin Simmons is resigning as of Feb. 1. Simmons has led the Office of Administration, which oversees the general management of state government, since Gov. Jay Nixon took office in 2009.

Simmons served in a variety of state government posts prior to becoming OA commissioner, including serving on the Missouri Public Service Commission from 2001-2003 and as director of the state Department of Economic Development under Gov. Bob Holden. In his resignation letter, Simmons said that he is stepping down to pursue “an opportunity outside of state government.”

Bob Nelson, Nixon’s deputy chief of staff, will serve as acting OA commissioner until the governor names a permanent replacement. Nelson was deputy commissioner and general counsel at OA from 2009 to 2010.

MISSOURI’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DIPS TO 8.5 PERCENT

Missouri’s unemployment rate dipped to 8.2 percent in November, dropping from 8.5 percent in October, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate in November 2011 was down significantly from the state’s 9.6 percent unemployment rate in November 2010.

Category: Weekly Capitol Update