Republicans may have forced former state Rep. Bill Ransdall off the state Tax Commission, but Gov. Jay Nixon is apparently committed to keeping him in state government.

Ransdall, D-Waynesville, quietly began a new job today in the state Department of Economic Development, working on "local economic development matters,'' according to Nixon spokesman Scott Holste.

Ransdall had been named by the governor to the Tax Commission last November, but was forced off last week when the GOP-controlled state Senate failed to confirm him within the 30-day deadline. He was among 84 would-be Nixon appointments at least temporarily killed by that deadline.

Ransdall had touched off the ire of some legislators because he was among the commissioners who voted in favor of re-evaluating state farmland for property tax purposes. Under that plan, now scuttled, 35 percent of the state's farmland would see its "productivity value" increased (presumably leading a tax hike) while the remaining 65 percent would see their value -- and taxes -- decline.

UPDATE: In his new job, Ransdall will earn $80,000 a year, compared to $105,000 on the State Tax Commission, the governor's office said.

Why was Ransdall hired? Said Holste: "The governor believes that the state’s economy can benefit greatly and more jobs can be created through increased cooperation with, and a focus on, local communities. The DED does this through a variety of programs, such as the community development block grant program, and these are the kinds of things Bill Ransdall will be working on."