© 2024 University of Missouri - KBIA
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

History Shows Board Picks Can Help Missouri Governors Push Policy Change

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens is facing criticism for his role in a leadership shake-up at the state's education agency, but he's not the first governor to use appointments to enact change.

At issue are Greitens' recent appointments to the State Board of Education, who in turn voted to fire former Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven.

A little more than a decade ago, former Republican Gov. Matt Blunt also turned to a state commission as he sought to get money for higher education initiatives. A recent Blunt appointee provided the pivotal vote needed to fire the agency's critical director and approve Blunt's plan.

But frustrated lawmakers didn't confirm Blunt's appointee, and angry lawmakers now say they'll block Greitens' appointees.

Greitens says he often angers lawmakers and isn't concerned.

The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.