In 2002, the Missouri Clean Water Commission was expanded from 6 members to 7 members. Unchanged at that time was an earlier law, that no more than 3 members of any political party sit on that Commission.

Recently the Sierra Club noticed that the Missouri Water Commission has 4 Republicans and 3 Democrats, and brought this to the attention of the press. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt pooh-poohed the problem, saying it is only “common sense” that one major party must be allowed to have 4 members on the Commission, notwithstanding the clear language of the law. The Sierra Club, in response, pointed out that the Governor is free to appoint an independent, or a member of some party other than the Democratic and Republican Parties.

Missouri does not have registration by party, so it is sometimes somewhat unclear how to characterize any individual’s party affiliation. Thanks to Eric Dondero for this story.