Candidate for House speaker making his case to area lawmakers

The campaign for Missouri House speaker took on a new twist Friday as one of the leading Republican candidates brought his case for the job to the media.

State Rep. Allen Icet, R-Wildwood, visited the Southeast Missourian to discuss his effort to convince fellow Republican lawmakers to nominate him for the post. Icet is contending with state Rep. Ron Richard, R-Joplin, for the post now held by Rod Jetton of Marble Hill. He was also planning some one-on-one conversations with the lawmakers from this area who will make the selection.

The GOP, firmly in control of the Missouri House, will nominate a member for the speaker's chair when lawmakers return to Jefferson City in September for the annual veto session. In the past, nominations took place after the November general election in even numbered years. Winning the majority party's nomination is usually enough to become speaker.

By choosing a nominee early, there will be more time to make a smooth transition, Icet said. "In a lot of ways, two months for a transition is no time at all," he said.

The speaker of the House is generally viewed as the second most powerful post in state government behind only the governor. The speaker has the power of life or death over appropriations.

For the past two years, Icet has held another powerful post as House Budget Committee chairman. That job, he said, has given him a breadth of knowledge of all aspects of state government.

"I want to set long-term goals, a long-term strategy," Icet said. "I would like to get input from the caucus about where do we see the state in 10 years. We always tend to be in a reaction mode."

The Republican-led legislature has enacted strong measures in recent years to deal with civil lawsuits, education funding, Medicaid and workers' compensation, Icet said. He wants to continue that record.

One area that has stymied lawmakers is the state tax code. A major economic development bill loaded with tax breaks was vetoed by Gov. Matt Blunt as too large and lawmakers passed a tax cut for senior citizens that will be phased in over the next five years.

But no comprehensive effort has been undertaken to overhaul all taxes, Icet said. But he also said he's not sure what he'd like to see happen with taxes. "I don't have specific goals on taxes," he said.

He said he likes the idea of a flat tax for the state or perhaps a move to eliminate the state income tax over a number of years.

Jetton has not made any endorsement in the race for the job he will hold until January 2009. The early election doesn't mean he's ready to quit, Jetton said in recent interview. "I am here to stay. I had a great session and I am still looking forward to advancing some policy initiatives next year."

Both Icet and Richard are "very competent, qualified guys," Jetton said.

Icet, 50, is married with four children. He holds an engineering degree from Texas A&M University and a MBA from Washington University. He's worked for Monsanto and currently is a consultant for ConocoPhilips Oil Co.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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