JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri lawmakers rejected a governor-appointed commissioner nomination Thursday, Feb. 6, thereby banning him from serving for life.

Missouri senators voted to ban attorney Tim Dollar from ever leading the Missouri Conservation Commission by a 16-14 vote. Dollar was appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon to head the state Conservation Commission in December of last year, but awaited confirmation by the Senate.

According to Republican lawmakers, the ban came in response to the governor's promise to nominate a commissioner from northeast portions of Missouri, which has not had a commissioner on the conservation commission in over 35 years. According to Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, Gov. Nixon did not uphold his end of the agreement.

"I don't have anything really personally against this person," said Sen. Munzlinger during a debate on the Senate floor. "It all falls squarely on the governor's shoulders because he didn't stand up to his agreement."

Although Nixon broke his promise to the representatives from Missouri's northeastern districts, many senators did not believe imposing a lifetime ban on Dollar was an ethically sound alternative.

"I don't believe that retribution for an innocent bystander is appropriate action for this body to take because they're unhappy that they had a promise broken to them," said Sen. Jason Holsman, D-Kansas City. "To take retribution on someone who had nothing to do with that is wrong."

One senator said she thought Dollar would be an excellent person to serve on the commission.