Trouble In Paradise: Richard and Pratt Give Conflicting Reasons For Committee Switch

Yesterday afternoon, it was reported that Bryan Pratt was removed from the House Rules Committee by Speaker Ron Richard because Pratt would not commit to supporting the tax incentives bill in the ongoing special sessions. “It is frustrating that because I want to vote against giving Missouri taxpayer dollars to keep large corporations in business, I am no longer allowed to serve on that committee,” Pratt said in a press release.

But Richard said he was just replacing people who would not be present for last night's vote, and that "all the committee changes are temporary." In fact, Richard also named himself to the Rules panel in place of Majority Leader Steve Tilley, and Tom Self in place of Kenny Jones.