JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Ethics Commission is now in a position to begin hearing cases once again.
The MEC had been rendered ineffective in mid-March when three of its members’ terms expired.
But with a voice vote of the Missouri Senate on Thursday, the commission now meets the bare minimum number of members required for a quorum.
The Senate gave their approval of an appointment by Gov. Eric Greitens, adding former state Rep. Wayne Henke, D-Troy, to the six-member panel.
That leaves two vacancies on the commission. Greitens also appointed Bill Birkes from Joplin last week, but Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard said he will wait for the final appointee before submitting Birkes’ nomination to the floor.
Richard noted that by doing so, it allows the commission to remain balanced with two Democrats and two Republicans. He said that having an even number of both parties represented was needed in times like these.
And with the addition of Henke, the MEC can once again conduct official business, which could include dealing with complaints filed against Gov. Greitens.
Greitens is currently the subject of a complaint filed by former Missouri Democratic Party chairman Roy Temple, who accused Greitens of lying in a campaign finance report.
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.
