On a “classic edition” of the Politically Speaking podcast, St. Louis Public Radio reporters Jason Rosenbaum, Jo Mannies and Marshall Griffin take stock of one of the strangest ends to a Missouri General Assembly session in recent memory.
It started on Tuesday when Republicans in the Missouri Senate used the “previous question” motion to end a filibuster on “right to work” legislation. That prompted Senate Democrats to shut the legislature’s upper chamber down – except for a Medicaid-related bill on the last day of session.
The Senate slowdown would have been the top story, if not for the shock resignation of House Speaker John Diehl. The Town and Country Republican had to step down after the Kansas City Star reported on how he exchanged sexually suggestive text messages with a 19-year-old intern. House Majority Leader Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, took the speaker’s gavel on Friday.
On the show, the journalistic trio talked about:
- What Diehl’s resignation means for House Republicans – and what it says about the overall cultural climate in Jefferson City.
- Whether Richardson can provide calm to a GOP caucus reeling from Diehl’s resignation.
- Why the Senate melted down last week and whether it will have spillover into next year’s legislative session.
- How the end of this year’s session will impact the flow of legislation next year.
Follow Jason Rosenbaum on Twitter: @jrosenbaum
Follow Jo Mannies on Twitter: @jmannies
Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter: @MarshallGReports
Music: “Common People” by Pulp
