Democrats bickering over committee assignment process
JEFFERSON CITY — Rep. Ray Salva, D-Sugar Creek, said that some fellow legislators have misinterpreted his remarks in today’s paper, where he alleged that House committee appointments are based on members’ campaign donations to party committees rather than on their qualifications.
Salva said his criticism was not directed at House Speaker Ron Richard, R-Joplin. Salva called Richard “a fair individual.”
Salva’s target was a fellow Jackson County Democrat, Minority Leader Paul LeVota of Independence.
Under House rules, the minority leader makes recommendations on committee assignments for minority members. In most cases, the speaker must either accept those suggestions or leave the spot vacant.
Salva used to be the ranking minority member on the House Administration and Accounts Committee, which divvies up Capitol office space, parkings spots and the like. LeVota replaced Salva with another Democrat, Joe Fallert of Ste Genevieve.
LeVota said today that he did not recommend Salva because “he’s not supportive of the (Democratic) caucus. To be quite blunt, accounts deals with personnel issues. I didn’t feel comfortable having him as ranking member.”
Salva contended that others have lost spots on powerful committees such as the Budget Committee because they did not pony up enough money for the House Democratic Campaign Committee.
“It seems that this pay-for play and the favoritism, how much money you donate and you can raise, is the norm now,” Salva said. He said he “could only surmise” that a rumored FBI corruption probe might include a look at the committee appointment practice.
LeVota responded that while he encouraged members last year to each chip in $1,000 to elect Democrats, “there’s no retribution or reward” and the donations did not affect committee assignments. He called Salva’s remarks “sour grapes.”
Not judging until proven guilty, but it seems Salva should know it it’s going on and he’s been removed; someone must have said something to him about donations? and when the person making the appointments tells everyone to contribute, are they suppose to think it wont be related to assignments? is that credible? someone do a correlation between contribution amounts and assignments, please.
Ray also had a DWI in 2007. So I can kind of see why someone like that is not the ideal ranking member for Administration and Accounts. Also, who really thinks a guy who is feuding with his party’s floor leader is going to get the office space/parking spots committee?
If promoting people based on how well they are liked is a crime, then you’re going to need to build another state prison in Southeast Missouri to hold all the politicians.
LeVota responded that while he encouraged members last year to each chip in $1,000 to elect Democrats, “there’s no retribution or reward” and the donations did not affect committee assignments…..
You forget to mention: Make checks payable:
To the LeVota Campaign Committee.
Salva is a complete sleaze. He tried to get a gambling boat in his hometown of Sugar Creek where his brother is mayor and hoped to reap personal profit. When he didn’t get the gambling boat, he started a peronal vendetta against other casino companies using his public office. This after he took countless freebies from those same casino companies during his regular visits, including free booze and food. This drunken fool is term limited, thank heaven. It is in his character to try to stir up problems for his political enemies using public office and public resources.
Well, how soon we forget about Roddy Boy Jetton and the HRCC! Pay for play was the NORMAL state of affairs under Roddy, Baby Blunt and John Hancock. In the caucus meetings it was never stated that you had to pay to play, but everyone in the meetings understood that is the way it works. (Before you ask, yes I was in those same meetings!) How do you think someone like Roddy Boy got to be Majority Leader in the Mo. House? His donations!
Now you are simply seeing what has ALWAYS been the policy in Jefferson City. Before I served, I was told that it was even WORSE under Bob Griffin. How do you think the deal was worked out between those running for State Treasurer and Secretary of State in 2004? If you wanted to get you picture taken with Roddy Boy, you were EXPECTED to pony up.
It does not matter which party, it is the same process for both. When the caucus choses such positions as Majority Floor Leader and so on, money is the key. Votes are based upon the money you can raise, not on how articulate you are or your educational background. As they say, been there and done that! Caucus meetings are closed for a reason. Now can you guess why?
For the record: Stan Salva, the mayor of Sugar Creek, is Ray Salva’s cousin. Aside from that, McGoo is right about Salva.
Steaks and booze aren’t the only things Ray Salva gets from lobbyists. Just ask the City of Sugar Creek’s lobbyist.
WOW. I came acros this thread and must add my two cents. I used to live in Jackson County and was involved in Democratic politics there. Ray Salva made it clear that he didn’t do anything in the g.a. that wasn’t in his personal best interest. He shook us down for donations just to get an audience to discuss much needed legislation. I agree with prior voices here that Ray Salva is a sleazeball and that he is the one the FBI should be investigating. I hope he spends some time behind bars.