Joseph Patrick Teasdale (D)

Overview

At a Glance

• Ordered the Missouri Division of Insurance to halt sale of cancer insurance
• Regulated Blue Cross Blue Shield and ordered the company to lower rates
• Supported the Hancock Amendment
• Championed the Nursing Home Reform Act (1979)
• Established the Division of Aging within the Department of Social Services
• Removed sales tax on prescription drugs

Personal History

Joseph Patrick Teasdale was born on March 29, 1936, in Kansas City, the son of William B. and Adah Downey Teasdale. He attended St. Benedict's College (now known as Benedictine College) in Atchison, Kansas, from 1954 to 1955 and received a Bachelor of Science in literature in 1957 from Rockhurst College, Kansas City, now known as Rockhurst University.

He then followed family tradition and in 1960 received a law degree from St. Louis University School of Law. From 1958 to 1960, he was a member of the editorial staff of the St. Louis Law Journal. He was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1960. Teasdale also served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves from 1961 to 1967.

Prior to entering public service, Teasdale served as a law clerk for Western District U.S. Court Judge Albert Ridge, who later became judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit. For several years, Teasdale was the leading spokesman for Kansas City's drug program for youth offenders. In 1969, the Kansas City Junior Chamber of Commerce named Teasdale "Outstanding Man of the Year."

Teasdale married Theresa Ferkenhoff in 1973. They had three sons: William Daniel, John Patrick, and Kevin Joseph.

After his four-year term as governor, Teasdale returned to Kansas City to practice law until his retirement. He died on May 8, 2014, and was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Kansas City.

Political History

Teasdale first held public office in 1962 when he was appointed an assistant U.S. attorney in Kansas City by U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Teasdale served as chief of the organized crime section from 1962 until 1966.

In November 1966, Teasdale was elected the youngest prosecuting attorney in the history of Jackson County. In two years, Teasdale received credit for professionalizing the operations of that office. He was reelected to that post in 1968 for a four-year term.

Teasdale first ran for governor of Missouri in 1972. "Walkin' Joe" became his nickname when he took his campaign to the people by walking across the state to visit with Missourians. He lost the gubernatorial race that year but won in 1976.

While governor, Teasdale served on the National Governors Association committees on agriculture and human rights. Teasdale also was past chairman of the Midwestern Governors' Conference, the Ozarks Regional Commission, and the Missouri River Basin Governors' Conference.

Teasdale ran for a second gubernatorial term in 1980. He faced a difficult primary race, against Jim Spainhower, who was then state treasurer. Although Gov. Teasdale was successful in the primary, he ultimately lost the general election to the former governor, Christopher S. “Kit” Bond.

Gov. Teasdale challenged the insurance industry during his term as governor. First, he took on Blue Cross Blue Shield, a non-profit that was keeping more than $50 million in a reserve while raising insurance rates on customers. Teasdale directed the state Division of Insurance to begin regulating Blue Cross Blue Shield and ordered the firm to lower its rates.

Teasdale also instructed the division to halt sales of cancer insurance in Missouri—a move later revoked—and called cancer insurance “a rip-off.” After his gubernatorial term ended in 1981, Teasdale became involved in a series of legal battles over cancer insurance.

Historical Significance

In 1980, Teasdale endorsed the so-called Hancock Amendment, which restricted the state’s ability to raise taxes, unless authorized by a vote of the people. The amendment received little institutional support, aside from the governor, who was facing an uphill battle for another term. The Hancock Amendment passed with 55% of the vote. Many believe that the amendment has unnecessarily harmed the effectiveness of state government by limiting the amount of taxes the state can levy without approval.

Many of Teasdale's accomplishments supported older adults. He created the Division of Aging within the Department of Social Services. He championed passage of the Nursing Home Reform Act, which guaranteed certain rights to residents of nursing home facilities. For instance, nursing homes had to notify a resident before making room or roommate changes, permit a resident to keep personal possessions as space allows, and to let a resident have private visits with their spouse or share a room with their spouse if both spouses agree. Teasdale also removed the state sales tax on prescription drugs, a move that would assist seniors greatly.