House speaker slams Nixon over discrimination order

The House’s top Republican ripped Gov. Jay Nixon today for issuing an executive order on sexual orientation in a non-discrimination policy.

The Democratic governor issued an executive order in July banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in the executive branch of state government.

The move attracted criticism from House Speaker Ron Richard, a Joplin Republican who is running unopposed for a Missouri Senate seat this year. In a statement sent to Missouri Lawyers Media, Richard said Nixon “clearly overstepped his authority again by substituting his own personal and political agenda for that of the Legislature’s.”

Among other things, the order says that the state of Missouri “shall work to ensure that there will be no vestiges of discrimination against persons on account of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.”

“The Governor also continues to disrespect the Constitution’s principle of Separation of Powers to advance his agenda,” Richard said. “The Legislature has established a statutory non-discrimination policy for the state and we believe if any change is made, it should be through debate by the General Assembly with the opportunity for public input.”

Nixon spokesman Scott Holste said in an e-mail that other governors – including Republican Govs. John Ashcroft and Matt Blunt – used executive orders to craft discrimination policies for the executive branch. “Apparently the Speaker has a difference of opinion with four governors,” Holste said in an e-mail.