But Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, vowed to stand as a pothole on the road to passage by using his filibuster power.

The break for the Ford bill came Monday, July 12, when Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, announced he had canned Purgason as chairman of the Senate Committee on Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight.

Farrah Fite, Senate majority caucus communications chairwoman, said Shields then appointed himself to chair the committee during the special session.

Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, said Shields made the right move.

“It showed strong leadership and I support him,” Pearce said.

But Pearce said getting through committee is one thing and getting a bill passed on the Senate floor is another.

“Nothing prevents a senator from filibustering something,” he said.

Purgason said he plans to do just that for as long as necessary.

“As a small businessman I’m used to working hard and putting in long hours,” he said.

Purgason already has his topic.

“I plan on talking about free market principles and the direction I believe the Republican Party needs to go, and how we can start creating job growth by promoting all businesses,” he said, as opposed to big businesses that can afford lobbyists.

Shields said he planned to reappoint Purgason as committee chairman after the special session.

Purgason rejected the offer.

“I’m not going to be a puppet, Purgason said. “That diminishes the job of every chairman in the Senate. ... I told him, if he removes me, don’t bother putting me back.”

Prior to losing his chairmanship, Purgason stood as an obstacle in the special session called by Gov. Jay Nixon to pass the Ford bill.

In addition to saying, “We suck at economic development,” Purgason had lectured fellow political leaders in a press release distributed by his U.S. Senate campaign committee.

“I have a suggestion for the federal government and our state government: Instead of doling out tax credits and making back-room deals with the businesses and unions who put thousands of dollars into your campaigns, why don’t we cut taxes across the board for all Missouri businesses? Spur our economy the right way, so everyone wins,” Purgason stated in the release.

Shields on July 12, in giving his reason for removing Purgason, said Missouri must be in a position to compete for jobs.

“Chuck is a good friend and senator,” Shields said in a release. “Unfortunately, his philosophies and decision to not vote on this bill hinder Missouri from competing for jobs in today’s world. Some may not like it, but we must pursue tax-incentive programs to compete with other states to keep and bring new jobs to Missouri. Until Washington, D.C., does something to create a level playing field, it is our job as our state’s leaders to keep Missouri competitive in economic development in the reality we face.”

The measure would allow Ford to keep half their withholdings tax for each job they create, if that pays above the average county wage and if Ford foots at least half the employee’s health care benefits. The program is capped at $15 million a year for 10 years. Reports cite the measure could save more than 3,000 jobs at the Ford manufacturing plant based in the Kansas City suburb of Claycomo.

An affirmative vote in committee, which meets at 11 a.m. Tuesday, would advance the bill to the Senate floor for final approval. Senators are expected to reconvene at noon the same day.