James Montee is trying to check into the driver’s license business.

The owner of the prominent St. Joseph law firm has placed bids not only to run the license fee office in St. Joseph, but also one in Lee’s Summit.

Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon called for an end of the political patronage system just days after he took his oath in January and implemented a cycle of proposal requests for all 183 fee offices.

“While some of the offices have been run by local chambers of commerce and other civic groups, the vast majority were given away to political supporters of past governors,” Mr. Nixon said in a statement on Tuesday. “The six bid proposals that are going out this week are just one more indication of the reform that is taking place in Missouri government.”

Bidding for the St. Joseph office started Feb. 3 and now is closed. Four entities submitted proposals, but the state hasn’t yet awarded the project.

The pack includes Mr. Montee under St. Joseph License, a limited-liability corporation he started on Feb. 21. Applus Technologies, Faith First Enterprises and Sheila Graham placed bids, too.

Mr. Montee also is competing with three others for the Lee’s Summit office.

The attorney’s political connections abound in the Democratic party. His ex-wife, Susan Montee, serves as Missouri’s Democratic state auditor. He allows Buchanan County Democrats to use his law firm, at 520 Francis St., as the site of their Democratic headquarters.

He also has a history of contributing to Democrats. In federal elections alone, he’s contributed nearly $17,000 to campaigns for President Barack Obama, U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and former U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan.

The St. Joseph office handled about 133,427 transactions from July 2007 to July 2008, which generated roughly $437,797 in processing fees for driver’s licenses, renewals and vehicle registration.

The state of Missouri put the Cameron driver’s license office up for bid, along with those in five other cities this week — part of the most recent round of requests for proposals. Bidders for offices in Cameron, Boonville, Chaffee, Marshall, Monett and St. Clair have five weeks to submit their responses to the Missouri Office of Administration.

The Cameron office handled roughly 23,802 transactions from July 2007 to July 2008, which resulted in an estimated $78,882 in processing fees, according to the release.

SCHAAF TO DELIVER SESSION ROUNDUP

A state representative from St. Joseph will break down the 2009 legislative session for the area GOP on Thursday.

Rep. Dr. Rob Schaaf is scheduled to address the Northwest Missouri Republican Club at 7 p.m. at the Old Hoof & Horn Steakhouse, at 429 Illinois Ave. A social hour starts at 6 p.m. at the South Side restaurant, with dinner at 6:30 p.m.

CAMPAIGN PICNIC SET FOR SAVANNAH

A candidate in the 28th House District race already is on the campaign trail.

Friends of Mik Chester will sponsor an “All American Picnic” at 4 p.m. May 31 at Messick Park in Savannah. Hot dogs and apple pie will be served.

Mr. Chester, president of the Northwest Missouri Republican Club, is running to fill a seat Dr. Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, will vacate at the end of 2010 because of term limits. The district covers parts of Andrew and Buchanan counties. No other candidates have formally announced their intentions to challenge Mr. Chester.

Alyson E. Raletz covers the state legislature for the News-Press. She can be reached at (816) 271-8572 while lawmakers are out of session.