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05.05.2008 4:20 pm

UPDATED: Avery gets mediation job

The long dormant State Board of Mediation is about to be revived, with Rep. Jim Avery at the helm.

Gov. Matt Blunt announced Friday that he had appointed Avery, 36 of Crestwood, to the board that oversees elections by public employees on whether to join unions.

Blunt had done away with the board in 2005, transferring its duties to the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission, but that move was reversed by the Missouri Supreme Court in 2007.

Avery has served in the House since 2002. A member of the Missouri National Guard, he spent 2004 in Iraq, locating roadside bombs.

He considered running for the Senate but decided to leave the Legislature instead. He could have run for one more term in the House.

“I just really wanted to be home,” Avery said Monday.

If the Senate confirms his appointment, as expected, he said he will live in the St. Louis area and work out of the Wainwright Building downtown.

Avery said he expects the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee to hold a hearing on his nomination Wednesday.

He said he was unsure whether he would leave the House immediately after being confirmed or wait until the session ends May 16.

UPDATE: Finally got this: The state has $61,856 allotted for Avery’s salary.

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5 comments

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Virginia,
Any news on who will hold the employer/employee slots?

— Richard
6:08 pm May 5th, 2008

another job payoff to another republican legislator. What will Avery be making at this job?
Certainly more than the $32K for being a state rep.

And I bet Avery is saying he had NO idea that this position would become avaiable before he took his name off the ballot for the Aug election.

I’m sick and tired of these Republican’s who do nothing but pat each other on the back and find jobs for every friend that they have

— Jack
8:30 pm May 5th, 2008

As an Iraqi War veteran, he seem more deserving than most political appointees. I just think its sad that Blunt chose to resurrect a position that’s been deemed unnecessary surplus for 3 years in order to give it to Avery. Fiscal conservatism has no place in patronage decisions.

— Penelope
7:07 am May 6th, 2008

This position was not brought back to pay off a Republican. The Governor eliminated this position and the Supreme Court mandated it be brought back. I am sure Jim Avery will run this board very well. He has a track record of doing the right thing even if its not what his party wants.

— robb
8:11 am May 6th, 2008

Oh PLEASSSEEEE….Jim Avery is a hack who has taken more lobbyist gifts than any other legislator in Jeff City…he held up the party by hinting that we would run against Eric Schmitt and then said he might not run if he could get a real job. Mike Gibbons caved like a house of cards, convinced the Gov to give Avery a free high paying job. You gott love a party that rewards those who kick them in the butt.

— West End Guy
5:36 pm May 6th, 2008