Governor Jay Nixon’s (D) office has responded to the filing of articles of impeachment against Nixon.
Representative Nick Marshall (R-Parkville) filed 2 articles against Nixon, accusing him of misleading Missourians and violating the state Constitution when he instructed the Missouri Department of Revenue to accept joint tax returns filed by same-sex couples legally married in other states.
In an e-mail, Press Secretary Scott Holste dismisses the filing, calling it a “publicity stunt.”
Holste writes, “The Governor will continue to focus on the issues that matter to Missouri families: quality schools for our kids, good jobs in our communities and health care for working Missourians.”
The Minority Leader in the House, Representative Jake Hummel (D-St. Louis) called the articles of impeachment “bogus.”
In a statement, Hummel says the filing is, “further proof, as if any was needed, that the crazy wing has taken over the House Republican Caucus. There are many serious issues facing Missouri that will require serious people to solve. These aren’t serious people.
“If House Republicans insist on embarassing themselves with sham election-year proceedings, then, by all means, they should have at it,” writes Hummel. “When Missouri voters see how far down the path of extremism House Republicans have gone, there will be a lot fewer of them serving in the House of Representatives come November.”
House Speaker Tim Jones (R-Eureka) was asked in a conference with Capitol reporters about the issues raised by Marshall and Representative Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove), who has said he plans to file multiple articles of impeachment against Nixon alleging he hasn’t acted quickly enough in calling special elections to fill vacant House seats, and for not having called one to fill a vacant seat in the Senate.
Jones tells reporters, “They’re very serious charges, however the governor has made some very serious actions.”
“Impeachment is also a very serious remedy,” Jones continued. “I think we’re going to look at past history in the House … we’re going to back and examine that process … and move forward cautiously from there.”
Related stories:
Two Articles of Impeachment filed against Governor Nixon (AUDIO/COPY OF THE ARTICLES)
Articles of Impeachment filed against Governor Nixon over action on same-sex tax filing
Openly-gay lawmaker discusses impeachment effort over same-sex tax filing (AUDIO)