Toalson Reisch Disappointed in Light Punishment for St. Louis Legislator

The Missouri House of Representatives voted 140-3 to censure Democratic Representative Wiley Price of St. Louis. This marked the first time in the state’s history a legislator has been censured. Representative Cheri Toalson Reisch said the vote came after a yearlong investigation by the Missouri House Ehtics Commission into a sexual relationship that Price had with an intern.

Toalson Reisch feels censureship wasn’t a significant enough of a punishment for Price.

In all, 91 Representatives voted to have Price completely expelled from the House. However, a total of 109 votes was required to have Price expelled. Toalson Reisch says she was disappointed in that voting outcome.

The effort to expel Price was led by Representative Jered Taylor of Republic. The only previous time the Missouri House expelled a member was John Sampson of Callaway County in 1865.