House committee handling Nixon impeachment resolutions

One resolution calling for the impeachment of Gov. Jay Nixon has already been heard by a House of Representatives committee and additional measures are expected to reach the committee this week. 

Missouri’s House Judiciary Committee heard the first resolution April 23, and is scheduled to hear two more Wednesday, according to the weekly Capitol Report issued by Missouri Press Association.

Rep. Nick Marshall, R-Parkville, filed a resolution calling for Nixon’s impeachment citing the issues of taxes and gay marriage. The resolution states since Missouri does not recognize same-sex marriage and Nixon allowed same-sex couples to file joint tax returns, he willfully and knowingly ignored his job duties, according to the report.

“It’s clear, Missouri’s constitution says we shall not recognize marriage between other than a man and a woman and the governor has done the exact opposite,” Marshall said in MPA's statehouse news report.

Rep. Kevin Elmer, R-Nixa, asked why those calling for impeachment could not wait to see what the courts will do about Nixon’s November executive order. Marshall said the courts typically avoid getting involved in politics, according to the report.

Rep. Mike Colona, D-St. Louis, one of four Democrats on the committee, said the courts should sort out the issue. The committee has 12 members including Elmer and Rep. Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, from the Springfield area.

Rep. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, and Rep. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, sponsored the resolutions the committee didn’t have time to hear on April 23, according to The Missouri Times.

Committee chairman Rep. Stanley Cox, R-Sedalia, will decide whether the committee would vote on the resolutions to be put in front of the General Assembly. Cox said he would discuss the matter with committee members before making a decision on whether to vote, according to the report.