"I Think It Was Big of The Governor"

David Steelman acknowledged he was surprised that Governor Jay Nixon tapped him to sit on the board that governs the state retirement system and said he would never turn down an opportunity to serve because of past politics.

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"Oh yeah, I was surprised," Steelman said in an interview with The Notebook about his appointment to the MOSERS (Missouri State Employees Retirement System) board. "I think it's an important issue and position, and I have a very strong view, that there's a time for politics and a time for governing."

When asked about what politicos should make of old rivals like Nixon and Steelman teaming up, the former Republican nominee for Attorney General laughed it off. "That was twenty years ago," Steelman said of his highly contentious contest with Nixon in 1992. "Sure, it got a little personal. But I think it was very big of the Governor to do this. I figure Governor Nixon might get some heat from the Democrats on this too. But that's what this country's got to get past. You have elections, you have the fight, and then they are done. You govern. And I don't think anybody should turn down an opportunity to serve because of politics," Steelman said.

Steelman said he will head to Jefferson City in May for a fact-finding meeting about MOSERS with Travis Morrison, a West Plains businessman also appointed to the board by Nixon. Asked about how long he'll serve on the board, Steelman replied, "I wouldn't expect to be there long. The goal is to resolve these compensation and transparency issues." Steelman outlined one question he wants answered early on: "I don't understand why MOSERS isn't part of the Missouri transparency portal. There may be a good reason for it, but I don't understand why -- and I'm gonna ask about it."

Steelman heads back to work in the public arena just when speculation is swirling about if/when his wife will leap into the 2010 U.S. Senate race.

When asked about whether this appointment by a Democratic Governor would just fuel questions about The Steelman family's commitment to the Republican Party and conservative issues, Steelman replied: "One, I don't think that people who really know us will feel that way . . . Two, those people are going to find a reason to complain no matter what."

Nixon Taps David Steelman To Help Reform MOSERS

BURYING THE HATCHET
Governor Jay Nixon taps former GOP rival David Steelman to help reform the state government's retirement system.

The announcement comes just days after The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the Missouri State Employees Retirement System’s investment staff received $300,000 (MOSERS) and operations staff received $160,000 in bonuses for 2008. The assets decreased by $1.8 billion dollars over that same period.

Steelman, the husband of former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, currently practices law in Rolla. Steelman and Nixon ran against each other for Attorney General in 1992 in a remarkably memorable and nasty contest. Nixon defeated Steelman 50% to 46%.

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In Jefferson City, Nixon appointed Steelman and businessman Travis Morrison to join the 11-member MOSERS board immediately. Nixon said both men are known for their "independence and sound judgement."

NIXON'S STATEMENT:

"The fact that MOSERS employees were awarded bonuses for a year in which the state employee retirement fund lost nearly a quarter of its value is a sure sign that drastic reforms are needed. Today I’m appointing two trustees to the MOSERS board who are committed to seeing that the compensation system is given a full review and that the practice of awarding large bonuses in difficult economic times is given the harsh scrutiny it deserves. I have the utmost confidence that Mr. Steelman and Mr. Morrison will work quickly and diligently to bring common sense reforms to the way MOSERS does business. We’ve got to make changes to that system now," said Gov. Nixon.

Appointments to the MOSERS Board are not subject to Senate confirmation.

DEVELOPING . . .