Missouri Senate again delays Martinez nomination

Intro: Missouri senators dubbed Thursday "Groundhog Day" because it marked yet another day they postponed a vote on the same gubernatorial nominee. Brian Jarvis in Jefferson City has more.

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Some Missouri Senators say they won't confirm the governor's pick for Director of Economic Development until they have more information.

Nominee Linda Martinez is a lawyer in St. Louis.

St. Charles County Senator Scott Rupp says Martinez has done legal work on behalf of businesses that once hired illegal immigrants.

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Description: We had tax credits that were funded by the taxpayers of Missouri. They were being given to developers, to people who were then hiring illegal immigrants and taking good, high-quality union jobs away from my constituents.

Rupp is asking Martinez to sign a letter promising to protect Missouri jobs for legal residents.

The Senate plans to continue the debate next week.

From Jefferson City, I'm Brian Jarvis.

Intro: Missouri senators are defending the governor's choice for Director of Economic Development. Brian Jarvis in Jefferson City has more.

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Nominee Linda Martinez is a lawyer in St. Louis.

St. Charles County Senator Scott Rupp says that she has done legal work supporting businesses that hire illegal immigrants.

But Independence Senator Victor Callahan says Martinez in fact shares the same attitude toward local businesses as Senator Rupp.

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Description: The case she was involved in had defended landlords and small businesses in much the same way the senator from the second defended those interests in his bill, which was a good piece of legislation.

Callahan also said senators who have issues with Martinez should have been raised them sooner.

From Jefferson City, I'm Brian Jarvis.