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Senator Maxwell gives up Caucus Chair in First Step of Transition

November 13, 2000
By: Rodger Oakes
State Capital Bureau

With the possibility of losing Senate control for the first time in over 50 years, Democratic leaders met today/Monday to discuss the changing face of the Missouri Senate.

Rodger Oakes has more from Jefferson City.

Story:Maxrs2
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Democratic Senators held their caucus and kept the status quo for party leadership. Immediately after, Senator Joe Maxwell resigned as caucus chair leaving the position for Senator Harold Caskey. But, Maxwell, who will be sworn in as Lieutenant Governor by January 8, has not given up his Senate seat yet.

Actuality:Max3
RunTime: 13s
OutCue: "...majority on January the third."
Contents: Maxwell says that a lot of people have printed that the Republicans have the majority, but that is not absolutely correct until he, and Senators Graves and Clay, make their decisions, it is uncertain which party is in the majority on January 3.

When Maxwell becomes Lieutenant Governor, he will keep his close ties to the Senate. The Lieutenant Governor is responsible for the tie-breaking vote in the Senate.

Democratic Senators discussed party leadership roles at Missouri's capitol today, and the possibility of losing control of the Senate.

Rodger Oakes has more from Jefferson City.

Story:Maxrs
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Senator Joe Maxwell gave up leadership of the Democrat's Senate caucus as he looks forward to his role as the next Lieutenant Governor. However, Maxwell did not officially resign from the Senate.

Actuality:Max2
RunTime: 11s
OutCue: "...would call the election."
Contents: Maxwell says he needs to talk to the governor before resigning. He does not want to resign today if it would make no difference as to when the governor would call an election.

Currently, the Senate is even with 17 Republican and 17 Democratic Senators elected for the next term. As Lieutenant Governor, Maxwell would cast the deciding vote in a split Senate.

From Jefferson City, I'm Rodger Oakes.