Press "Enter" to skip to content

Gov. Nixon announces appointments to elected official compensation review commission

Missouri Citizens’ Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials is charged with conducting at least four public hearings and issuing a salary compensation report to the Secretary of State

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Hours after the Missouri picked Eric Greitens as the next governor of the Show Me State, the sitting governor announced ten new appointments to the Missouri Citizens’ Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials.

Governor Jay Nixon appointed the following ten people to the commission on Wednesday:
• Jeffrey L. Benbrook (R), Nevada
• Jennifer A. Feldhaus (D), Chesterfield
• James L. Hodge (D), Springfield
• Jeffrey W. Lawrence (R), Moberly
• Rebekah S. Lucas (R), Fulton
• Brian J. Nichols (D), O’Fallon
• James E. Smith (R), Clinton
• Richard F. Stratman (R), Washington
• Helen R. Washburn (D), Columbia
• Andrew J. Zellers (D), Kansas City

The Missouri Citizens’ Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials is charged with the responsibility of setting pay for statewide elected officials, legislators and judges. They are also constitutionally required to conduct at least four public hearings every two years, and issue a salary compensation report to the Secretary of State.

The commission is made up of 21 people, all of whom are selected to fit a certain role. Each person is selected to meet a certain requirement of qualification to serve on the commission, either based on where they live, their age, salary or occupation.

The governor is limited in his choices when it comes to the issue of political party, as the rules state that no more than six members appointed by the governor may be from the same party. The rules also state that Senate consent is required.

The commission, prior to Gov. Nixon’s appointments, had 12 vacancies.

Commission members are appointed for four year terms, but no re-appointments are allowed.