Jefferson City attorney Michael Shmid, whom Gov. Matt Blunt appointed to a Democratic seat on the Missouri Ethics Commission, has asked that his appointment be withdrawn after the state Democratic Party questioned his party affiliation. The law requires the six-member commission to have equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans.
Shmid is an associate in the Schreimann, Rackers, Franka and Blunt law firm. Andy Blunt, the Republican governor’s brother, is a partner in the firm. The governor neglected to mention Schmid’s connection to the Blunt family when he announced the appointment on April 9.
Showing posts with label appointments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label appointments. Show all posts
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
BLUNT NAMES EMPLOYEE OF BROTHER TO ETHICS PANEL
Gov. Matt Blunt on April 9 appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission an associate attorney of the law firm in which Andy Blunt, the governor’s brother, is a partner. If confirmed by the Senate, Michael Schmid, a lawyer with the Jefferson City firm of Schreimann, Rackers, Franka and Blunt, will hold a Democratic slot on the commission. The news release from the governor’s office announcing Schmid’s appointment neglected to mention the Blunt family connection.
Democrats and Republicans are required by law to hold equal numbers of seats on the six-member commission. Under the law, congressional district committees of the political party for which there is a vacancy nominate candidates for the commission. Democratic Party spokesman Jack Cardetti told The Associated Press said Schmid wasn’t nominated by the party. However, the two Democrats who were nominated withdrew due to professional conflicts. As a result, Blunt was free under the law to appoint a nominee of his own choosing.
Cardetti questioned Schimd’s Democratic credentials. Schmid donated $250 to Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon’s gubernatorial campaign on April 1 and told the AP he made the donation, in part, to establish Democratic credentials in advance of his anticipated appointment.
Democrats and Republicans are required by law to hold equal numbers of seats on the six-member commission. Under the law, congressional district committees of the political party for which there is a vacancy nominate candidates for the commission. Democratic Party spokesman Jack Cardetti told The Associated Press said Schmid wasn’t nominated by the party. However, the two Democrats who were nominated withdrew due to professional conflicts. As a result, Blunt was free under the law to appoint a nominee of his own choosing.
Cardetti questioned Schimd’s Democratic credentials. Schmid donated $250 to Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon’s gubernatorial campaign on April 1 and told the AP he made the donation, in part, to establish Democratic credentials in advance of his anticipated appointment.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
GOVERNOR NAMES TWO TO COURT OF APPEALS
Without the controversy that accompanied his recent appointment to the Supreme Court, Gov. Matt Blunt on Oct. 10 announced his choices for two of the five current vacancies on the Missouri Court of Appeals. Blunt picked Clay County Circuit Judge James Welsh for a spot on the court’s Kansas City-based Western District and selected former St. Louis County Councilman Kurt Odenwald for an opening on the Eastern District bench in St. Louis.
The governor must make appointments to the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals from lists of finalists submitted by the Appellate Judicial Commission. In filling a Supreme Court vacancy recently, Blunt demanded that the three finalists fill out detailed 111-question surveys, which he then made public.
Critics of the governor’s handling of the appointment process said the surveys, which required extensive requests for documentations, were designed to harass and embarrass the finalists. The Court of Appeals candidates were not subjected to the same treatment.
Two vacancies remain on the Western District, with another spot currently open on the Southern District in Springfield. The judicial commission has yet to announce finalists for those posts.
The governor must make appointments to the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals from lists of finalists submitted by the Appellate Judicial Commission. In filling a Supreme Court vacancy recently, Blunt demanded that the three finalists fill out detailed 111-question surveys, which he then made public.
Critics of the governor’s handling of the appointment process said the surveys, which required extensive requests for documentations, were designed to harass and embarrass the finalists. The Court of Appeals candidates were not subjected to the same treatment.
Two vacancies remain on the Western District, with another spot currently open on the Southern District in Springfield. The judicial commission has yet to announce finalists for those posts.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
GOVERNOR NAMES TWO TO COURT OF APPEALS
Without the controversy that accompanied his recent appointment to the Supreme Court, Gov. Matt Blunt on Oct. 10 announced his choices for two of the five current vacancies on the Missouri Court of Appeals. Blunt picked Clay County Circuit Judge James Welsh for a spot on the court’s Kansas City-based Western District and selected former St. Louis County Councilman Kurt Odenwald for an opening on the Eastern District bench in St. Louis.
The governor must make appointments to the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals from lists of finalists submitted by the Appellate Judicial Commission. In filling a Supreme Court vacancy recently, Blunt demanded that the three finalists fill out detailed 111-question surveys, which he then made public.
Critics of the governor’s handling of the appointment process said the surveys, which required extensive requests for documentations, were designed to harass and embarrass the finalists. The Court of Appeals candidates were not subjected to the same treatment.
Two vacancies remain on the Western District, with another spot currently open on the Southern District in Springfield. The judicial commission has yet to announce finalists for those posts.
The governor must make appointments to the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals from lists of finalists submitted by the Appellate Judicial Commission. In filling a Supreme Court vacancy recently, Blunt demanded that the three finalists fill out detailed 111-question surveys, which he then made public.
Critics of the governor’s handling of the appointment process said the surveys, which required extensive requests for documentations, were designed to harass and embarrass the finalists. The Court of Appeals candidates were not subjected to the same treatment.
Two vacancies remain on the Western District, with another spot currently open on the Southern District in Springfield. The judicial commission has yet to announce finalists for those posts.
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