Sen. Scott Rupp standing in the way of Martinez nomination
Rupp
Gov. Jay Nixon’s nominee to head the economic development department ran into rough waters in the Senate today, even after Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, said he’d support her.
Lager was holding up the nomination of Linda Martinez, a lawyer from the St. Louis firm Bryan Cave, because he said he wanted to make sure she didn’t have any conflicts of interest regarding clients who might be seeking state tax credits. This morning, Lager said he was satisfied that Martinez was “competent and capable.”
But Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, wasn’t ready to accept that pronouncement, mostly, because he said he was appalled that Martinez hadn’t sought his support.
Martinez is opposed by some conservatives because of her views on illegal immigration. Rupp sponsored the legislation last year that strengthened Missouri’s laws regarding illegal immigration. Rupp said that it made no sense to him that Martinez wouldn’t have come to see him to discuss her nomination.
He pointed out over and over again that his office was “17 steps” from Lager’s office. Lager said he had met with Martinez 5 times in recent days.
“Maybe if I were to draw a map of the 4th floor on how to get to my office,” it would help, Rupp said while holding up her nomination. Rupp said he hadn’t received any calls or notes of support for Martinez. “All I’m getting is hundreds of e-mails opposing her.”
At one point, Majority Floor Leader Kevin Engler tried to broker a meeting between Martinez and Rupp for later today, but Rupp wouldn’t bite.
“If she wants to call my office and make an appointment like any other constituent, I will meet with her, but not today,” Rupp said.
Engler then arranged a meeting at 9:45 tomorrow morning, and Rupp stopped his filibuster, but only after Martinez’ sponsor in the Senate, Sen. Robin Wright-Jones, D-St. Louis, temporarily withdrew her motion of nomination. In doing so, Wright-Jones suggested that Rupp, and others, might be opposing Martinez because she’s a woman.
Rupp took offense to that allegation. “That’s just a freshman senator not understanding the decorum of the Senate. To make that accusation is irresponsible.”
Both Engler and Sen. Charlie Shields, the Senate president pro tem, said they were surprised by Rupp’s filibuster. After taking his stand, Rupp told reporters that he wanted to make sure Martinez’ views on illegal immigration won’t “interfere with how she would conduct her duties” as director of economic development.
Rupp appeared to have enough support for his filibuster that Martinez might want to schedule a few more meetings with senators while she’s in the building.
He indicated to Wright-Jones that he thought a meeting with Martinez would satisfy his concerns.
And people wonder why stuff doesn’t get done in government. Rupp sounds like a child who couldn’t play well with others just because they didn’t use the magic word. Stand up on principle instead of crying about not having a meeting.
I’m not saying that he did it because she is a woman but to hold this up because she didn’t come kiss your backside for ten minutes is a complete waste of my tax money and the senate’s time. I think the state is starting to show that we are sick of the ridiculous nature of politics and for this Rep. to hold up an arguably capable person for the job because of “the decorum of the Senate” is ridiculous. Approve her during the session and approach her later with the fact that your feelings are hurt bc she didn’t come to you first. He should be ashamed of sounding like an elementary school child on the playground.
It sounds like Sen. Rupp has some grossly inflated feelings of self importance.
Wow, she’s a lawyer who tried to keep the yahoos in Valley Park from passing illegal ordinances, but that makes her pro-illegal immigrants.
What an arrogant know it all this Rupp is.
I think he should be referred to as Senator “Rump” from now on. What a cry baby.
When you have the President Pr-Tem and the Majority Leader, both of your party, quoted as surprised at your behavior sounds like Rump is the one who doesn’t understand the “decorum” of the Senate.
I hope they keep this lady out of the govt. She is an idiot. Rupp is too, but at least this time he is an idiot that has it right.
Since when is a St. Louis attorney a constituent of a state senator from Wentzville (unless she lives there)?
And why should she approach him for a meeting? If he thinks it is that important he can ask for as meeting himself.
His motive is obvious. He simply wants to make public to his constituents in Wentzville his opinion, as well as try to convince them how important he is. That is his right.
But, when we talk about Washington “not getting it”, Jefferson City is not far behind. We - all residents of Missouri - pay the salaries of all the senators, regardless of who their particular constituents are and this kind of childish posturing - on any legislator’s part - is too expensive to put up with much longer.
Whatever the “decorum” is, or the rules of the Senate are, they apparently cannot stop some legislators from making fools of themselves, but when this keeps on going, they all begin to lose whatever respect they have left in the community. When decorum means “we’ve always done it this way, and we like that because it enhances our individual power to obstruct” - it is time to enter a new millenium.
All that said - it is still his right to filibuster , and perhaps his duty under certain circumstances. It is the inanity of his explanation for doing so that would be breathtaking under normal (i.e., outside of a Missouri legislative body, state or local) circumstances.
Not sure where all the venom aimed at Rupp is coming from. The problem for Rupp is he is expected to let Missourians get stuck with an economic development chief who is a lawyer, not a business person, pro-illegal immigration not pro-worker, and is naive’ to the basic political process. Irresponsible is allowing this appointment. Rupp is the only one showing courage.
Impressed. How can you miss what’s going on here!? Tony, ask Rupp and the Senate leaders how many calls they have gotten from the partners at Bryan Cave. THAT is why Shields and Engler are “surprised.” Who would stand up to The Cave? They are probably paying bloggers to pound Rupp.
Rupp is playing to the Carpenter’s Union guys who were ticked about the illegal worker activity with the apartment projects in O’Fallon and the regular folks who are afraid of Spanish speaking people taking over lily white St. Charles County. He will pick up votes if he bashes the illegal aliens. It is as simple as that.
In terms of his stated reason of opposing Martinez — that she never visited him personally — I think he comes across as an whiny baby. She will end up getting confirmed and St. Charles County legislators will, once again, look like the Neanderthals that many of them are.