Response to governor's address is mixed

Among his budget recommendations, Blunt proposed $167 million in new funding for public schools and $17.1 million for colleges and universities, a 2 percent increase. He also called on lawmakers to place his Our Students First initiative on the November ballot, which would allow voters the chance to choose how much of their money is spent in classrooms.

Despite the push for more higher education funding, the Missouri Budget Project contests that the state still will be well below its funding levels from 2001.

“Missouri's colleges and universities are increasingly affordable for middle income families,” said Amy Blouin, executive director, in a news release. “Yet higher education is critical to ensuring Missouri's economic development.”

Blunt called for $2.9 million for residential treatment programs, $700,000 to build new community health centers and another $1 million for youth smoking prevention and cessation efforts. Also as part of his push to better care for Missouri's youth, he asked legislators to implement a law that would put first-time child sex offenders in jail for 25 years and subject to a lifetime of electric monitoring.

Blunt pledged to continue addressing the issue of eminent domain and to improve laws that govern the state's ability to take land from private owners.

Members of the National Federation of Independent Business expressed their approval of Blunt's plans and showed gratitude for his attention to the small-business legislative agenda.

“NFIB is grateful the governor recognizes double-digit increases in health insurance are just not acceptable in the long run if small-business owners are going to continue to provide health insurance,” NFIB/Missouri State Director Brad Jones said in news release.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry applauded Blunt's role in boosting Missouri's economy and issued its approval of the proposed changes, particularly his stance on education funding.

“That's optimistic news for educators and employers who depend upon our education system to provide a qualified work force,” said Daniel P. Mehan, chamber president and CEO, in a news release. “The economy is on the move again.”

Democrat Sen. Maida Coleman had little praise for Blunt's address in her statement, issued Wednesday. She said health insurance for Missourians is still in a poor state, as is funding for education and employment, regardless of Blunt's 2007 proposals.

“Missourians are tired of hearing about trickle-down economics and corporate welfare and the creation of yet another task force of Matt Blunt's campaign contributors to figure out what is wrong,” she said. “We know what is wrong. The governor's policies don't work.”

While the Missouri Libertarian Party agrees with Blunt that the state has experienced economic progress, it does not credit the success to the governor.

“His program is full of new and expanded programs that may make people feel good, but do little to improve the quality of life for Missouri's citizens in general,” the party said in an issued statement.

The party specifically found fault with Blunt's plans for reforming education, calling his initiatives “gimmick education programs” and a “burden on Missouri taxpayers.”

“Simply doling out spending on a broken public school system is not the answer,” the party said. “We need to end the government monopoly on education.”

Blunt continues his tour of Missouri today to highlight his budget recommendations and points of his address. He is scheduled to stop in St. Joseph, Kirksville, Hannibal and Columbia.

Click here to read Gov. Blunt's State of the State Address.

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