Molendorp accuses Nixon aide of trying to buy vote
Posted By J.T. on May 7, 2009
State Rep. Chris Molendorp (R- Belton) says Nixon’s deputy chief of staff Dustin Allison offered to assist in a “future career change” if he would vote for the Budget Bill that would fund health care expansion on Wednesday.
Molendorp and Anne Zerr (R- St. Charles) claim they were contacted by Allison an hour and 15 minutes before the vote, saying Gov. Nixon (D) would look “favorably” on them if they “shared his vision” on this Bill.
Near anarchy seemed to break out on the House floor, prompting a threat from House Speaker Ron Richard (R -Joplin) to clear the chamber unless lawmakers toned down the rhetoric. “None of them were ever offered jobs,” said Jack Cardetti, a Nixon spokesman. “It’s a weak attempt to distract from the issue at hand, which is the fact that we need to move forward on health care to turn our economy around.”
House Minority Leader Paul LeVota (D- Independence) wasn’t exactly happy with the turn of events. “The ridiculousness of the House Republican position is exceeded only by its cruelty.” He goes on to say “when the governor of a state showed leadership and they’re offended that he would ask someone for a vote it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
“I’m a health insurance agent and a former member of a local hospital board,” said Molendorp. “I’m probably one of those people on the fence when I walked in the building today. I’ve thought about this vote and agonized over this vote for days. But when faced with that kind of proposition I have no choice but to vote no. It was clearly over the line. How are they going to pressure me like that? I’m not for sale”.
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