When committee assignments came out in the 2009 session of the Missouri House, one name was missing from the assigments for the committee on Children and Families. Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford - a Democrat from St. Louis and a life long advocate for the poor, for children, for workers, rights - was no longer a member of the committee after having served on it for the last four years. According to House Speaker Ron Richard, he gave the seat to a Democrat from St. Louis county because "he asked for it." However, there seems to be some question as to the real reason. According to Democrat staffers present for the announcement, Chief of Staff Jeff Brooks said Oxford was removed because members of the Republican caucus found her “highly offensive.” Brooks reportedly did not elaborate on what that meant. For more on the story:
Advocate.com
GayPolitics.com
Kansas City Star
