This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Jan. 9, 2013 - At noon today, the gavel will strike and the Missouri General Assembly will begin its roughly five months of legislative activity. The new session brings in some new faces – and some familiar names – back to the two chambers.
Here’s a by-the-numbers look at how each legislative body stacks up for the next two years:
Number of Republicans in the Missouri House: 109
Number of Democrats in the Missouri House: 52
Number of House vacancies: 2. The St. Louis-based 76th District is vacant because of St. Louis Alderman Chris Carter’s departure from the Missouri General Assembly. And the Lawrence County-based 157th District seat is vacant after former Rep. Don Ruzicka, R-Mt. Vernon, was appointed to the state Board of Probation and Parole.
Number of Republicans in the Missouri Senate: 24
Number of Democrats in the Missouri Senate: 10
Number of Republican women in the Missouri House: 19
Number of Democratic women in the Missouri House: 19
Number of Democratic women in the Missouri Senate: 5, Sens. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University, Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, and Kiki Curls, D-Kansas City.
Number of Republican women in the Missouri Senate: 0.
Number of African-American state representatives, all Democrats: 14
Number of African-American senators, all Democrats: 3, Chappelle-Nadal, Nasheed and Curls.
Number of attorneys in the Missouri House: 22
Number of attorneys in the Missouri Senate: Five. They are Sens. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, Scott Sifton, D-Affton, Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, and Joe Keaveny, D-St. Louis.
Legislative pay for a senator or representative not in leadership: $35,915
Legislative pay for the House speaker and Senate president pro tem: $38,415
Other legislative benefits include: A per diem to recoup expenses, mileage reimbursements, a state pension and access to state health insurance
Per diem for legislators: $104 a day.
Number of legislators returning after losing their seats in the 2010 election cycle: Four, Reps. Charlie Norr, D-Springfield; Michael Frame, D-Eureka; Jeff Roorda, D-Barnhart; and Vicki Englund, D-St. Louis County.
Number of legislators returning to the House after more than two years away: Two, Reps. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington; and Nate Walker, R-Kirksville. Engler served from 2003 to 2004 before being elected to the Missouri Senate, while Walker served from 1981 to 1985.
Number of new senators coming directly from the House: Six, Sifton; Nasheed; Jason Holsman, D-Kansas City; Ryan Silvey, R-Clay County; Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau; and David Sater, R-Cassville.
Number of new senators returning to the legislature after more than two years away: Four, Sens. Paul LeVota, D-Independence; Walsh; Ed Emery, R-Lamar; and Mike Cunningham, R-Marshfield.
Number of Missouri senators without previous House experience: Eight, Sens. Gary Romine, R-Farmington; Justus; Keaveny; Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City; John Lamping, R-Ladue; Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff; Schaefer and Schmitt.
Number of Missouri senators who have served as chiefs of staff for a senator: Two, Romine and Cunningham.
Populations of state House districts: State House districts range from 35,303 people (the 4th District) to 38,170 people (the 63rd District).
Populations of state Senate districts: State Senate districts range from 168,435 people (the 7th District) to 183,401 people (the 32nd District).
