Mott Oxford wont return to children and families committee

Intro: Since she wasn't given a concrete reason why, a House Democrat comes up with her own, more controversial explanation as to why she wasn't reappointed to the children and families committee.

Lauren Mickler (MIKE-ler) has more from Jefferson City.

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House Representative Democrat Jeanette Oxford wasn't selected to return to the children and families committee this session, and says she wants to know why.

Oxford says she thinks it had to do with her being gay but Committee Chair Republican Cynthia Davis says the decision had nothing to do with her sexual orientation.

Actuality: DAVIS5.WAV

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Description: everybody in this building knows that there's no guarantee that because you were on a committee in a previous term that doesn't mean you're going to be on that committee in a future term. It just doesn't work that way.

House Speaker Ron Richard makes all House committee appointments, his spokesperson said it went just like any other selection process, and only so many members can be chosen.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Lauren Mickler.

Intro: A House Democrat who has served on the children and families committee for four years says she can't find a valid reason as to why she wasn't picked.

Lauren Mickler (MIKE-ler) has more from Jefferson City.

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House Democrat Jeanette Oxford, an openly gay representative, was denied a fifth year on the children and families committee.

Oxford claims members on the committee referred to her as "highly offensive."

Committee Chair Cynthia Davis says it had nothing to do with Oxford's personal life, there just aren't enough spots to go around.

Actuality: DAVIS2.WAV

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Description: There are a lot of representatives in this building who would serve the committee well, but there can only be 12 members.

House Minority Leader Paul LeVota appointed Oxford as the ranking democrat on the committee but since she was not appointed by the House Speaker, she does not have voting privileges.

From the State Capitol, I'm Lauren Mickler.

Intro: One openly gay representative in the Missouri House says she thinks she could be a victim of discrimination.

Lauren Mickler (MIKE-ler) has more from Jefferson City.

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Democratic House Representative Jeanette Oxford was denied membership to the children and families committee, and still hasn't received an answer as to why.

Oxford suspects it could be because of the fact that she's gay, but Committee Chair Cynthia Davis and spokesperson for House Speaker Republican Ron Richard say it has nothing to do with Oxford's sexual orientation.

Oxford hopes whatever the issue is, it can be resolved.

Actuality: MOTTOX6.WAV

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Description: So, hopefully where people have prejudice against people for their sexual orientation.. If they would name it to themselves and work on it, then they can move past it to take responsibility for their actions in the future.

Nothing has been confirmed except that Oxford will not be a member on the children and families committee.

From the State Capitol, I'm Lauren Mickler.

Intro: One openly gay representative in the Missouri House says she thinks she could be a victim of discrimination.

Lauren Mickler (MIKE-ler) has more from Jefferson City.

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OutCue: SOC

Democratic House Representative Jeanette Oxford was denied membership to the children and families committee.

Oxford hasn't received an answer as to why, and says she may never get one.

Actuality: MOTTOX7.WAV

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Description: "If the speaker does not want me on a committee, I'm not on a committee. The speaker doesn't have a reason because the speaker has the right. But it would be good for good government if the speaker not only had the right, he had a reason.

Oxford says since she hasn't been given a reason for the decision, she suspects it is because she's gay.

Committee Chair Cynthia Davis and a spokesperson for House Speaker Republican Ron Richard both say it has nothing to do with Oxford's sexual orientation.

From the State Capitol, I'm Lauren Mickler.