Post-Dispatch: Richard ready to get to work

Reporter Virginia Young of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch profiles incoming Speaker of the House Ron Richard, R-Joplin, in an article posted earlier today on the newspaper's website:

The new speaker promises swift action on his priorities, which include spurring jobs, lowering the cost of health care and making Missouri more energy-independent.

He hopes to televise some House debates or provide streaming video on the Internet. Letting the public see officials in action is "good for government," Richard said.

By contrast, Jetton had converted an old vault in the Capitol into a private, hideaway office. Richard said he will "put it back as a storage room" and use his spacious, third-floor office for meetings.

But he doesn't expect to sit still long.

"I'm going to be out, trying to make a deal."