This year state lawmakers are off on several tangents better left unexplored. Since Republicans remain in charge of the Missouri General Assembly they deserve most, but not all, of the blame:

● They want to expand their misbegotten policy of mandating ethanol use to include biodiesel for large trucks. Ethanol does not significantly reduce consumption of fossil fuel - growing evidence shows it does not help at all - and the very idea of a government mandate at the fuel pump is wholly improper. The legislature would do its best work by rescinding the ethanol mandate for gasoline. Instead, it proposes another of the same type for diesel fuel.

● They want sales tax exemptions: no state sales taxes on purchases of $600 or less during the June 27-29 weekend and a "green" tax holiday for one week in November on energy-efficient products from washers and dryers to light bulbs costing as much as $1,500. These foolish ideas are on top of the existing back-to-school tax holiday in early August.

Where does this idiocy end? I think we ought to have a sales tax holiday on newspapers. How about the purchase of any recyclable item, or is that category included in Gov. Matt Blunt’s green conception? Or how about on bicycles, good for your health and a coveted alternative to motor vehicle transportation? You get the idea.

● They want to mess with the Missouri Plan for selecting judges to the Missouri Supreme Court, appellate courts and the largest circuit courts. The current plan establishes a nonpartisan commission that sends three finalists for nomination by the governor. A movement inspired by out-of-state conservative groups, including the Federalist Society, would allow the governor to appoint all members of the selection commission, which then would send five nominations to the governor for each vacant position. If the governor does not like any of the nominees, he can require the commission to send another list. This enlargement of gubernatorial control is bad enough, but earlier they wanted to emulate the thoroughly partisan federal system in which the governor simply makes the appointments for confirmation by the Senate.

The Missouri Plan is widely heralded and copied in some 30 other states. It has served the state well. While they still have a majority, conservatives in the state legislature are trying to pass a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment to gut it. Except for an additional disclosure provision in the new plan, it’s a bad idea.

The current plan can and should become more transparent and otherwise left alone. This can be done with a simple amendment to the state Sunshine Law.

The person who won’t read has no advantage over the person who can’t.

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