Pike plans agenda for state House

Saturday, September 1, 2012
Pike

There are a lot of land mines a freshman state representative can trip over, but Rep.-elect Randy Pike is counting on the advice of veteran Missouri legislators to avoid them.

With Rep. Tim Jones, R-Eureka, having been elected speaker of the House by the Republican Majority Caucus, Pike said he will seek Jones' assignments to the Agricultural Policy, Economic Development and Education committees.

Outgoing Rep. Barney Fisher, R-Horton, has advised Pike to avoid the maximum of five committees, although he must list that many in his "green sheet" application, because Fisher tried that many in his first term eight years ago and found it too difficult.

Pike, who lives at Adrian and is finishing his third four-year term as Bates County's northern commissioner, said Thursday that he is "still trying to get my legs under me" in preparation to take office for the 126th District when the 97th General Assembly convenes Jan. 9 in Jefferson City.

"The vice chairman of ag policy, Bill Reibolt (R-Neosho), has asked me to be on his committee," said Pike. "Barney was also on ag business in his first term and I'm still toying with a couple of them like the Military Committee.

"Working with the budget will be a big issue because we have to have a balanced budget. Missouri has got to live within its means, so we have to be cautious with our spending. Barney says that in the first year or two, take it slow and easy and get involved with your committees. I'll lie low for a little bit to get my feet wet and get acclimated."

Based on his experience with the Missouri Association of Counties, Pike also expects to work in emergency management.

Fisher said Friday that he has recommended to Pike a few seasoned representatives "who are straight shooters and have no particular agenda" to be his mentors.

"There will be times when Randy has to go against the House leadership, when they have a subject they're incompatible on," Fisher said. "The leadership puts arm twisting pressure on you and you have to resist it.

"Remind yourself that you don't represent St. Louis, Kansas City or some political agenda, you represent the people of Vernon and Bates counties who sent you to Jeff City."

Fisher said there are many examples of representatives who lost important committee assignments because they disagreed with the speaker and majority leader.

"Sometimes freshmen get five committees, but you can have two meeting at the same time and have to split time between them," he said. "That makes for a hectic day."

Fisher will attend the House's Sept. 12 veto session and try to reverse Gov. Nixon's veto of a bill that would have corrected a sales tax issue that gives Kansas and Illinois car dealerships an unfair advantage over Missouri dealers. "They're killing our dealerships on the borders," he said.

Looking for office space in Nevada and Butler, Pike said he will regularly visit those and other "listening posts" like Bronaugh and Schell City. "Being available for one-on-one conversations, electronic communications and printed updates will be other ways I inform citizens about legislative issues and listen to their concerns," he said.

"They have concerns they want to pursue and I want to be accessible," Pike said. "I appreciate everybody's support in Vernon County. Vernon has been good to me and very supportive."

He may be reached at (660) 679-8626 and randywpike@aol.com.

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