Gov. Jay Nixon’s director of the Department of Economic Development resigned today.
Linda Martinez, who had worked as an attorney at Bryan Cave in St. Louis before entering state government, turned in her resignation to Nixon’s office today, according to a press release from the Democratic governor’s office.
In a statement, Nixon said he had accepted Martinez’s decision to step down.
“I appreciate the work Linda has done over the first eight months of this administration,” Nixon said in a statement. “Her efforts to create jobs and to give the department increased economic development tools, including the successful passage of a bi-partisan jobs bill, will continue to pay dividends to the people of Missouri. I wish her success in her return to private practice, where she will continue to be an asset to this state.”
News of Martinez’s possible resignation was reported yesterday by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She had proven to be one of Nixon’s more controversial nominees, as several senators threatened to block her appointment due to her record on immigration.
Katie Steele Danner will serve as interim director of the state’s economic development agency while Nixon’s office searches for a permanent director.
House Speaker Ron Richard, R-Joplin, released the following statement on Linda Martinez’s resignation as the director of the Department of Economic Development:
“Now more than ever, economic development is crucial to Missouri. Job creation has been the focus of my legislative career and will continue to be my top priority. I will maintain my close working relationship with the Governor and now his new appointee as we look for innovative ways to expand businesses and bring more jobs to the state of Missouri.”
Richard was a strong backer of Gov. Jay Nixon’s bid for an economic development package. While the bill easily passed in the House, it got gummed up in the Missouri Senate.
Categories: Business.
