Donnelly Gets Health & Senior Services Post

4 TO GOFormer State Representative and Democratic candidate for Attorney General Margaret Donnelly is Governor-elect Jay Nixon's pick to direct the Department of Health & Senior Services.

"With her many years of experience as a social worker, an attorney and a state legislator, Margaret understands the key role the Department of Health and Senior Services plays in the lives of all Missourians," said Nixon in a statement.

In the position, Donnelly will oversee programs and divisions, including public and community health, senior and disability services, vital records and emergency preparedness.

ANTI-ABORTION GROUP ANNOUNCES OPPOSITION:

Donnelly will have conflicts of interest if state reverses course and funnels tax dollars to pro-abortion groups like Planned Parenthood," claims Ed Martin of Missourians United For Life.

"Governor-elect Jay Nixon today has picked as his health and senior services director a public official who has regularly received the endorsement and support of the abortion provider Planned Parenthood who has regularly sued the state to gain access to state tax dollars," said Martin in a statement e-mailed to The Notebook. "Nixon's own record of support for and by Planned Parenthood is well-documented but his appointment leaves Missourians wondering who will protect the state treasury when Planned Parenthood seeks money from it."

ALSO: STATE GOP RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT MARTINEZ ON IMMIGRATION
"When the federal government failed to enact a comprehensive immigration policy, a local municipality did something. Linda Martinez led the effort to overturn their effort to crack down on illegal immigrants arguing, "This is bad law and mean-spirited public policy," said G.O.P. spokeswoman Tina Hervey. "If Nixon’s choice to head DED views anti-illegal immigration laws as ‘mean-spirited’, what message is he sending to Missourians?”, added Hervey. "By selecting Martinez, it is clear that Nixon does not plan on continuing the strong policies enacted by Governor Blunt to curb illegal immigration activity in Missouri, and that’s a shame."

MEANWHILE, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE WEDNESDAY, SPEAKER RON RICHARD CALLED MARTINEZ "A GREAT START" TO BOLSTERING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

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4 NIXON CABINET APPOINTMENTS REMAIN: Director of Agriculture, Director of Insurance, Director of Natural Resources, Director of Public Safety

In an interview with KY3 News Wednesday in Jefferson City, Nixon said he would fill out his cabinet as early as this week or as late as next week.