It won't take long after the beginning of the 2008 legislative session to determine if Lord Acton's old quote about absolute power has any validity.
Jason Rosenbaum at the Columbia Tribune Political Blog reports today that Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, will be the new chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, replacing Chuck Gross, who is resigning to take a county office:
"Gary’s leadership and experience make him the best person to serve as chairman to protect the taxpayers," Sen. President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons said. "It is an incredible responsibility to serve as the architect of a budget that exceeds $20 billion. His predecessor Chuck Gross set the standard for budget writing, and I believe Gary will succeed as well at crafting a budget that provides for the critical functions of government that taxpayers can afford."
Nodler became the focal point of attention this past legislative session for his handling of a comprehensive higher education package that included authorization for Gov. Matt Blunt's Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative. The $350 million involved using sold assets from the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority to build capital improvement projects.
This was the news release issued to announce Nodler's appointment:
JEFFERSON CITY – Senate President Pro Tem Michael R. Gibbons, R- Kirkwood, this week announced he has appointed Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, to serve as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which is largely responsible for crafting the state’s budget that is constitutionally due each year.
Senator Nodler was appointed to the appropriations committee during his first year in the Senate in 2002. He then became vice-chairman in 2004 under then-chairman Sen. Chuck Gross, who recently retired from the Senate.
"Gary's leadership and experience make him the best person to serve as chairman to protect the taxpayers," Sen. Gibbons said. "It is an incredible responsibility to serve as the architect of a budget that exceeds $20 billion. His predecessor Chuck Gross set the standard for budget writing, and I believe Gary will succeed as well at crafting a budget that provides for the critical functions of government that taxpayers can afford."
"I am very pleased with this new appointment," said Sen. Nodler. "Over the past five years, I have worked with great appropriations chairmen, Senators John T. Russell and Chuck Gross, who established high standards of leadership for this committee."
As appropriations chairman, Sen. Nodler will now oversee the budget-writing process, making sure the state's spending plan continues to be presented balanced and on time.
"Every year, the appropriations committee deals with billions of dollars of Missouri's money, making sure it is spent responsibly," Sen. Nodler said. "In fulfilling this public trust, rest assured that each and every day, I will approach the state’s budget with the understanding that these funds are ours; yours and mine, and with the assurance that they are invested in a way that meets the greatest needs we face today as well as securing the best future for our children and grandchildren."
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Considering Nodler's reputation for exacting vengeance on anyone who crosses him, his enemies had best be pinching pennies, because they are in for some cuts.
18 comments:
Way to go, Gary....keep up the good work. And don't worry about the slings and arrows that will come your way.
We're lucky to have your represent us.
After Jeff Flowers of the Independent Living Center campaigned openly against Nodler in the last election, Nodler supported increased funding for the Independent living centers. He has always supported the disabled even when those who make their living off of the disabled have attacked him. The reputation Randy describes does not exist among those who know Nodler or work with him; it only exists among mud-slingers like Turner. Nodler’s true noble character is recognized and appreciated by his colleagues, which is why he continues to succeed and gain influence.
by the way Randy , where is your report on lobbiest expenditures on Senators, you reported on the House some time back?
Different view is out of touch with reality. Different view is a democrat hack that doesn't like the fact that Nodler is a successful public servant that works for the people, so different view just rants and raves and calls names and comes off like an idiot. The people overwhelmingly elected Nodler so different view, since you are out of touch and out of step, why don't you go someplace else where your views would be more like the people in charge, maybe North Korea would suit you! It is so typical of a democrat like Different view to want the majority to do what he or she says rather than what they choose, democrats are just like that.
Different View is a Republican, so you are wrong AGAIN. However I am a republican with ethics and values for all the people, not just the rich.
I voted independent (only in the past election) because I don't like Nodler, I don't know him personally, but professionally I don't like him. His votings have been typically for big business and have only helped him, not the community. When I have heard him speak, it is only political crap that he spews. He ignores specific questions and toots his own horn repeatedly.
Besides, Gary does have plans for a move to another place, doesn't he? I think he is planning on Washington D.C.
We'll see.
Let's hope that someone in Washington will take advantage of his talents and skills and knowledge and put him to work in Washington. The country would be better off if he gets to work in a larger arena.
And the very best thing about it would be how bitter the taste of it would be to certain muckrakers and politcal juveniles.
Just another anonymous contributor
Well, as evidenced with the info. on CSPAN, there are a lot of crooks and big business lovers in Washington, so you are right,he will feel right at home.
His talents have been to ignore the people in his district and support the big businesses (as evidenced by his campaign funding). Another talent has been to take away the ability for an independent candidate to attempt to run for office against him. Oh, and there was the talented way that he handled the handicapped individuals in the movie theater where his talent for taking advantage of his office with free passes to the moview was shown.
Our local problems still remain with very little help from Nodler, how in the world do you think he can work on National problems? (Rhetorical question, no need to answer with your non-witty sarcasm)
As for his knowledge, still waiting to see evidence of that!
Different view isn't a Republican I will never understand why people attacking the Republicans say " I am a Republican" when it is obvious they are not!
Don't think for one moment that you can tell me how I vote. I am a conservative and I voted for the current administration.
I just did not vote for Nodler.
If your crazy enough to think that if someone doesn't vote for Nodler then they are definitely a Democrat...then Ozark Center has services to assist and they are always there to help.
Sorry Gary, definitely a republican, definitely NOT a supporter of you.
Different view is no conservative and no Republican...period.
Well, thank God we are no longer trying to make Nodler look good and instead have turned the blog into is she or isn't she a Republican. I would love to show you my voting record, but that is not possible. Instead, I will just laugh at your ability to be so wrong about 2 things, Nodler and my being Republican.
I did the research before voting and I felt comfortable with most of the Republicans running for office, but not Nodler.
Thanks for proving how silly the supporters of him can be!
Different view, it isn't your comments about Nodler that show your true color, it is the classic Democrat class warfare attack on "big business” the fact that you also attack a leading Republican elected official is confirmation. Nothing you have said is Republican. You are no Republican....period!
I still support the Republican party. I do not support Nodler and as an American that is my right. Next you will say that I am not an American.
By the way, since when is being one party or another better? Aren't we all just voting to try to make a difference in our country? You throw around the word "democrat" like one would call someone a "bastard".
I have voted for many years and in the primaries I have always voted Republican. It is not a slam to my party if I don't approve of Nodler, it is a slam against his choices in government.
I choose not to vote for Nodler because I believe he is a dirty politican and as a registered voter, I don't have to. You obviously are a supporter of him, we will never agree.
By the way, you don't seem to be able to offer any proof that he hasn't been attached to big businesses (just the facts), nor have you done anything to prove what a great guy he is politically. All you have ever done, in his name, is ridicule me. What a great supporter! Instead of attacking others, why not bring out the facts? Oh, because there aren't many to support your cause. It's the old debate unspoken law, if you can't prove your point, attack the other debater, in hopes of distracting from the fact that you can't prove your point.
Different view is no Republican. Republicans of course do believe that their party is better than the other, thats why they are in it. your continueing to attack "big business" in the classic democrat class warfare mode proves what you are, but when you say no one party is better than the other, there is no debate, you are no Republican! I don't care what you think about Nodler or anyone else, you are just someone that makes claims that are not true....you are no Republican!
I am. Disagree all you want, but I am.
Still no arguement about Nodler, thanks once again for proving my point.
You are not doing him any good, it is surprising that he "allows" you to continue this bickering.
As for me, I can go on indefinitely. I hope that the truth comes out about Nodler and he is left hanging the next election.
Thanks Randy for continuing to allow me to express my Republican views!
Here is a little test for Different View. You claim to be a Republican, if so just make these statements; "I support President Bush and urge everyone to vote for a Republican in the next Presidential election", second "I support Governor Blunt and urge everyone to vote for his re-election. Come on Different View....prove you are a Republican!
All right, guys, it's time to cut this off now. This is not a discussion, but back and forth name calling.
I would, for the record, like to point out that I tried to keep it a political discussion and that I only called the anonymous person "silly" and an "idiot". I was trying to keep the topic on Nodler and the other person is the one who couldn't stop attacking me. Randy, I am sorry that you feel it got out of hand. I don't need to blog anymore. I will just continue to verbalize the truth about Nodler.
Thanks
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