This week was a high point of the year. HJR 49 was defeated in the House. Details below. Attorney General Jay Nixon came to Historic Northeast on Friday for a press conference with me about my payday loan reform bill. And. I received an award from the Associate and Probate Judge Association for service in the Legislature.

Attorney General Jay Nixon in Historic Northeast for second time in a month

Attorney General Nixon lends support to payday loan reform

Friday Jay Nixon was back in Historic Northeast again for another visit. This time it was to hold a press conference on the corner of Independence Avenue and Elmwood to speak out against payday loans and call for the legislature to pass House Bill 1462 which is my bill to reform the payday loan business in Missouri. We were joined by several ministers including Alvin Brooks and members of the City Council and County Legislature. Melba Curls, Sharon Sanders Brooks, and Jan Marcasson were there for the City Council while Theresa Garza represented the Jackson County Legislature.

This is Attorney General Jay Nixon's second visit recently to Northeast. Just a few weeks ago our neighbors Will and Carol Royster hosted a party for Nixon's run for Governor in the upcoming elections.

Attack on Missouri Non-partisan Court plan fails in House

Judge Selection plan survives attack

One of the most important issues of the year came to a head this week. On Monday the House gave first round approval to House Joint Resolution 49 by a wide margin 80-63.

The resolution would change the method by which appellate judges and circuit judges in the urban areas are chosen. The "Missouri Plan" is a national model for judge selection. This resolution would have given more power to the politicians and removed the judges who now chair the commission from the process. It has been hotly debated for month both in the House and in meetings around the state.

In order to pass the House it needed 82 votes on final passage. Since it got 80 on the first vote it looked to many that it would pass. But Wednesday night Republican leaders began doubting their support and it slipped away. On Thursday morning 68 Republicans and one Democrat (Juanita Walton D-St Louis) voted YES against 83 NO votes!

This was a stunning defeat for the Republicans in the House. This attack on "activist judges" was to have been part of their campaign this fall in the elections.

Judge Association gives Legislative Service Award to Rep Burnett

Award for outstanding contributions to the administration of justice

I was given an award for "outstanding contributions to the administration of justice" by the Association of Probate and Associate Circuit Judges. This award is give annually to State Representatives that are chosen by the organization. I was honored to receive the award this year.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. State Rep John Burnett