MattBlunt.com - Governor Matt Blunt

From the Governor's Desk

IN THIS ISSUE

Talking Points: Get the facts, not the liberal spin!

From the Governor's Desk
Governor’s Law Enforcement Priority
Gov. Blunt’s Ethanol Bill Will Help U.S., Farmers, Motorists, Air Quality
Governor Wins Passage of His Pro-Life Bill To Boost State’s Pregnancy Support Centers

Governor’s Law Enforcement Priority

The Missouri Jessica’s Law will impose lifetime prison terms on criminals who commit sexual offenses against children, with a minimum of 30 years time served. Gov. Blunt believes the most basic responsibility of government is to protect law-abiding citizens from criminals, most of all children and others who cannot protect themselves.

In the News
What the Liberals Don't Want You to Read!

Missouri Lawmakers Can Do a Lot of Bragging
Kansas City Star - May 18, 2006

Taking a Blunt Approach: Missouri's Governor Balances the Budget without Raising Taxes
The Weekly Standard - May 22, 2006

Legislature Approves Ethanol Standard
Springfield Business Journal - May 12, 2006

From the Governor's Desk...
Winning New Fights for Missouri;
Gains for Education, Agriculture, Jobs

I am delighted by the ongoing success of my calls for legislation to improve the quality of life for Missouri children and families, spur economic expansion, and continue job growth.

In its recent meeting, the General Assembly responded constructively and united together behind the agenda I outlined in the State of the State Address. Republican leadership for Missouri has replaced gridlock with results by putting the people first.

The first step was taken in 2005 in my inaugural lawmaking session as Governor. We reined in out-of-control government spending and balanced the budget with no new job-killing taxes. We changed state welfare programs to channel aid to those truly in need and protect the state’s ability to help the needy in years to come.

The Quality Jobs Act, lawsuit reform, and worker’s compensation reform are helping to create good, family-supporting jobs. We increased funding for education and enacted a new and fairer school aid formula.

This year, I again made school children my number one budget priority. Through constructive partnership with our GOP-led General Assembly, Missouri again will have a budget that puts children and taxpayers first. This all has been accomplished with no new taxes and without the smoke, mirrors, or accounting tricks that we had become so accustomed to under Democrat control.

Public schools will see a second increase in support in the form of $173.4 million in new state funding. This brings total new dollars for our classrooms to one-third of a billion dollars in just two years.

To protect our children, lawmakers enacted legislation I proposed to establish a Missouri version of Florida’s “Jessica’s Law,” which provides that sexual predators receive mandatory life sentences for crimes against children, with a minimum of 30 years served.

A landmark accomplishment for this session is a standard for corn-based ethanol in motor fuel, a policy I proposed in the 2004 campaign and renewed in the State of the State Address. The new ethanol standard for gasoline sold in Missouri – 10% ethanol content – will help America reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, provide a powerful boost for rural Missouri and agriculture, and benefit the environment. If other states are a guide, price competition at the pump will intensify, which is a big plus for consumers.

When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled wrongly that local governments should be able to use eminent domain to seize property for private economic development by others, I commissioned a task force to recommend changes in Missouri that will protect property owners. This group made recommendations for legislative action to protect property owners, including farmers, from the use of eminent domain under the “Kelo” case. The Missouri General Assembly fashioned a workable compromise that will do much to safeguard the rights of property owners.

I have asked Missouri’s college loan agency to proceed with its work creating major new investment capital for higher education by the sale of some of its long-accumulated loan assets. The agency, which is supportive of this exciting concept, will be taking a larger role because the Senate and House did not reach final agreement on how to use the proceeds of the sale.

The Missouri Republican Party reflects Missouri in many ways, including support from people of all backgrounds who bring unique perspectives and ideas to shaping public policy. Working together, we posted major legislative successes for the second year in a row, again providing fiscally responsible government that puts children and taxpayers first.

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Governor’s Law Enforcement Priority - Jessica’s Law - Will Protect Children

Sexual offenders who prey on children will face severe mandatory sentences under the Governor’s top crime-fighting priority, “Jessica’s Law.”

The Missouri Jessica’s Law will impose lifetime prison terms on criminals who commit sexual offenses against children, with a minimum of 30 years time served. Gov. Blunt believes the most basic responsibility of government is to protect law-abiding citizens from criminals, most of all children and others who cannot protect themselves.

In addition, the law closes a possible loophole for predators who use the Internet by authorizing law enforcement to apprehend would-be offenders by posing as children in dangerous “chat rooms” and other risky Internet locations.

The new law also expands the information on the state’s sex offender registries and establishes a toll-free number operated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol to make information on offenders more accessible to the public.

“I have worked very hard to protect young victims with severe mandatory sentences to take the worst predators off the street and put them behind bars for as long as possible,” Gov. Blunt said. “I welcome the General Assembly’s action on the bill I proposed to deter and imprison those who would prey on defenseless children.”

The new law complements legislation signed by Blunt in 2005 to strengthen related provisions in Missouri, including the new requirement for lifetime electronic monitoring of child sex offenders with Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology. Missouri is among the first states to use lifetime electronic tracking.

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Gov. Blunt’s Ethanol Bill Will Help U.S., Farmers, Motorists, Air Quality

Governor Blunt’s new ethanol bill puts Missouri in the forefront of the nation’s development of renewable fuels, delivers a powerful boost to Missouri’s farming heartland, and offers help for motorists and environmental values.

The Governor campaigned on his ethanol plan in 2004 and then proposed it to the Missouri General Assembly and secured passage.

Ethanol is derived from corn. Its use as an additive to traditional gasoline from oil companies provides immense benefits:

Missouri’s family farmers will see stronger demand for corn production. The gains in farm income will translate directly into the greater prosperity for agriculture and communities in the Missouri heartland.
Because it is refined from corn, ethanol will help reduce the nation’s increasingly dangerous reliance on crude oil from unstable parts of the world, including the Middle East.
Ethanol burns more cleanly than gasoline, meaning that its use will reduce emissions and improve air quality.
Refining and processing jobs will mean the creation of more, good-paying job opportunities for Missouri workers.
Consumers may see declines in too-high fuel prices as ethanol-blended gasoline typically sells at a lower price than traditional fuel. In other states with ethanol use, consumers have seen better prices due to new competition.

The new standard is to be implemented in full by January 1, 2008. At that time, gasoline sold in Missouri will contain at least a 10 percent ethanol blend.

“Ethanol promises tremendous benefits for Missouri. It is good for our national security, the heartland economy, consumers, and the environment,” Governor Blunt said. “It makes sense in multiple ways, and I am pleased that Missouri is making a solid commitment to ethanol production and consumption.”

Gov. Blunt has championed renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, heading efforts to position Missouri as a national leader. Blunt believes that crop-based fuels are a winner for America and Missouri. He was the first Governor to budget for full funding of the Ethanol and Biodiesel Producer Incentive Funds, which encourage investment in and development of renewable fuel.

He has joined with other Governors to encourage the auto industry to increase production of “E-85” vehicles that can run on 85 percent ethanol.

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Governor Wins Passage of His Pro-Life Bill To Boost State’s Pregnancy Support Centers

As the first pro-life Governor since John Ashcroft, Matt Blunt is working urgently to protect the lives of unborn children. The father of a toddler, Gov. Blunt understands the importance of good pre-natal care and counseling for expectant mothers.

In the 2006 legislative session, Gov. Blunt proposed a plan to provide a tax credit for charitable donations to pregnancy support centers. These private centers offer support, counseling, and help to women who might otherwise chose abortion. The centers care for expectant mothers with pregnancy tests, clothing, counseling, parenting classes, and sometimes even financial assistance with housing costs or utilities.

The new incentive will help the centers expand services and increase the number of women they are able to serve. The Governor’s pro-life bill passed the House 129-26, with pro-abortion legislators in opposition, and passed the Senate with a vote of 32-0. Tax credits will not be available for donations to any organization that performs abortions or refers clients to abortionists.

“Pregnancy care centers help women by welcoming them to parenthood with information, discussion, and practical support. This can make all the difference. A decision in favor of life can lead to unimagined blessings, of course, for either the new mom or for a family seeking to adopt a child,” Gov. Blunt said.

“In talking with the dedicated Missourians who staff and support the centers, I have been greatly impressed with their amazing work of love and hope. Your elected leaders have acted in many ways to reduce the number of abortions. In this new action, we are helping provide love and faithful support for expectant mothers.”

In 2005, Blunt called a special lawmaking session on pro-life legislation, winning passage in the GOP-led General Assembly. This new law prohibits transporting a minor across a state line to an abortion “clinic” without the consent of a parent or guardian, clearly defines “next friend” as someone who does not stand to profit from an abortion, and requires abortion providers to have privileges at a hospital with obstetric or gynecological care within 30 miles.

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Talking Points: Get the facts, not the liberal spin!

Governor Blunt and the Republican Legislature have made historic accomplishments in Blunt’s first 17 months in office by exercising leadership and following conservative principles. They are continuing to move Missouri forward, away from a failed tax-and-spend record compiled by the other party's leadership.

But too much of the news media in Missouri is under liberal control. This means that all too often the facts slip through the cracks and never reach the people. Please, help us get the truth to your family, friends, and neighbors!

Responsible Government:

Governor Blunt and the Republican-led Legislature took an inherited five percent budget deficit of $1 billion, got control of spending, stabilized the crisis, and created a balanced budget with a small but real surplus – the first balanced budget in five years.
The new budget reflects Gov. Blunt’s priorities of putting education first, raising the efficiency of state agencies, and balancing the budget with no job-killing new taxes.
Governor Blunt respects property ownership as a basic American right. In response to the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that state and local government can let private interests seize homes and other private property for “economic development” under eminent domain, Blunt formed a tax force to examine eminent domain laws in Missouri. The legislature adopted recommendations from the task force and passed new legislation to protect the rights and freedom of property owners.
Blunt's budget targets millions of dollars in waste, fraud, and billing errors in welfare after years of lax oversight. Blunt-led changes by the Department of Social Services already have saved $138 million in taxpayer dollars. Now, public charity is being protected for those in genuine need.
Blunt established the Government Review Commission to find and recommend ways to increase efficiency and effectiveness in Missouri state government. After reviewing the panel's suggestions, the Governor already has directed several agencies to implement some of the recommendations.

Protecting Families:

To protect children from sexual predators, Blunt signed legislation to require offenders to wear lifetime electronic monitoring devices. Missouri is one of only five states in the U.S. with this strong, pro-child policy. Additionally, the Missouri General Assembly passed Blunt’s proposed legislation creating a version of Jessica’s Law, which mandates life sentences with a minimum of 30 years served for those who commit crimes against children.
Governor Blunt believes the government must respect the religious and moral convictions of all people, certainly including health care providers. In January, a St. Louis area Target store dismissed a pharmacist, the mother of three and an experienced employee, who could not in good conscience dispense products that she personally found morally objectionable as abortion-related. This case reinforces Blunt's support for "conscience protection" for pharmacists, just as physicians and hospitals cannot be forced to perform abortions against their will.
Governor Blunt is standing up for some of the state's most vulnerable Missourians - senior citizens - by recommending a $600,000 increase in funding for Meals on Wheels and $400,000 for the Missouri Rx program. These vital programs allow seniors to maintain their independence and remain in their homes and communities.
In 2005, meth incidents were down 44% as meth makers faced a severe crackdown. New legislation makes it much tougher for illicit drug makers to secure over-the-counter cold medicines that contain key ingredients for meth.
Governor Blunt summoned a special legislative session in September to protect unborn children from abortion. He won passage of a law to prohibit transporting minors to other states for abortions without parental consent and to require abortion "clinics" to have local hospital access.
Blunt's new legislation combats the dangers of drunken driving and underage drinking, with stronger penalties for those who violate this law.
Obesity carries a high price, in terms of both poor health and financial burden. Governor Blunt launched Healthy Missourians, an initiative that responds to the state's obesity epidemic and encourages healthier lifestyles among Missourians of all ages.

Excellent Education:

Last year, classrooms received $158 million in new funding under the Governor's new budget. This year, they will get even more, with $173 million added, for a total of $331 million additional resources for schools - without any job-killing tax increases for hard-working families and ending the liberal practices of raising taxes and cutting schools to support big welfare spending.
The Missouri General Assembly heeded Blunt’s call for and an added $17.1 million for Missouri's colleges and universities, the first funding increase for higher education in five years! Despite last year's tight budget, the Governor was able to hold funding at its current spending level in 2005.
Blunt’s innovative, new Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative promises $450 million for higher education to be used for such things as student scholarships and capital improvements on campuses across the state. These significant improvements would help make Missouri a leader in research and education in the fields of science and technology, attracting employers to the state and improving both education and Missouri's job climate.
The Blunt-signed school funding law, fully funded by the Governor's budget, will distribute resources more fairly with the focus on the needs of students and classrooms. The old way was to reward higher local taxes with more state aid! Missouri school districts have begun dropping out of a lawsuit against taxpayers as they begin to see the effects of the new formula.
Missouri needs a higher standard of efficiency in delivering taxpayer dollars to our classrooms. The Legislature will begin considering ways to raise this standard and call on districts to deliver at least 65% of the budget to classrooms, where learning occurs. Missouri teachers receive among the lowest compensation in the nation. It is time for real change, especially with some districts spending almost one-half their resources outside the classroom. By putting more into classrooms, we will be doing more to retain our many able teachers and recruit the best new teachers.

Missouri's Quality Workforce:

The Quality Jobs Act provides new incentives for employers to create family-supporting jobs with good pay levels and quality health coverage for employees.
More than 47,700 new jobs have been created since Blunt took office in January 2005. Unemployment is down in 2006 to its lowest levels since summer of 2001, at 4.5% in March, adjusted seasonally.
Attracted by incentives under Governor Blunt's Quality Jobs Act, Chrysler has decided to invest up to $1 billion in its two manufacturing plants in eastern Missouri, protecting the jobs of 5,500 Missourians.
Blunt is working hard to recruit new employers to Missouri from around the country and around the world by focusing his message on our state's talented and committed work force.
New laws are combating frivolous and abusive medical malpractice lawsuits, which were driving family physicians and other caregivers out of practice in Missouri, especially in smaller communities and rural areas.
The Governor has challenged state workers to provide better services for Missourians while using less of taxpayers' resources to increase efficiency. The number of state workers is less than 60,000 for the first time since 1999, and Blunt is rewarding the successful efforts of state employees to improve efficiency with an across-the-board 4% salary increase, the first real raise state workers have seen in years.
The new workers' compensation bills protect and strengthen this vital program to help workers injured on the job while fighting abuse of the system.

In addition to sharing the facts with people you know, we encourage you to write letters to your local newspaper and call talk radio shows. Don't let the liberals and their partners in the media keep the facts out of sight!

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