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Issue: 882 Date: 7/19/2007
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Blunt Vetoes Giant Bill Packed with Excess Spending
Governor Says Good Wages, Health Care Are Quality Jobs 'Musts'
First Lady Named Honorary Chair of Missouri Citizens for the Arts
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JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Matt Blunt today vetoed tax-credit legislation that came to his desk loaded down with excessive spending, including incentives for businesses that fail to pay average or above-average wages and fail to provide employees with health coverage.
In vetoing House Bill 327, the Governor said he is prepared to summon a special legislative session if legislative leaders are willing to pass a more restrained bill that will achieve the good objectives of this legislation such as expanding the successful Quality Jobs program - while setting aside special projects and excessive spending items.
The vetoed bill would have spent an estimated $200 million in excess of Quality Jobs reauthorization, and there were unknown expenses associated with the legislation that could cost Missourians even more. The legislation drew Blunt's veto after growing large and expensive with a laundry list of projects that included creation of an "eminent domain train," tax breaks for "phantom flights" to Europe and a provision that would harm many existing Missouri employers by putting them at a competitive disadvantage.
"There are important initiatives in the bill," Blunt said. "The Quality Jobs Act we created in 2005 has helped Missourians create more than 94,000 new jobs since 2005. Ultimately, however, it became loaded with excessive spending that simply does not benefit the average Missouri taxpayer. There is no difference between spending taxpayer dollars by appropriations and spending them by tax credits. Each should meet the same test of fiscal responsibility."
"I am committed to signing a fiscally responsible expansion of Quality Jobs, Enhanced Enterprise Zones and the New Market Tax Credits. The savings from a sounder bill will benefit the state for decades to come," Blunt added.
"We have established a new economic climate that allows innovative Missourians to more easily create new jobs and quality jobs in high numbers, attracts new businesses, and strengthens established employers," Blunt said. "The new direction in our economy relies on the enterprising spirit of the people and the Missouri work ethic. New state policies are supporting and empowering this growth by balancing a budget that was $1 billion in the red when I became governor, by establishing clear incentives for high-quality, family-supporting jobs with health care coverage, and by protecting our small business owners and large employers from the long-ignored threats of frivolous lawsuits and other regulatory burdens."
Since taking office Blunt has made it priority to restore balance to the state's budget. Overcoming an inherited $1 billion deficit he was able to balance the state's budget, make important investments in Missouri's future and secure $200 million for priorities like education and health care in future fiscal years.
The governor signed budgets that include more than $675 million in education aid to benefit Missouri students of all ages including more than half a billion dollars for K-12 education. His Lewis & Clark Discovery Initiative generates an additional $335 million to strengthen Missouri's colleges and universities. Blunt secured these significant increases without a single penny of job killing new taxes.
The governor has helped create a jobs climate that has enabled Missouri employers to create more than 94,000 new jobs since January 2005.
First Lady Named Honorary Chair of Missouri Citizens for the Arts
JEFFERSON CITY - First Lady Melanie Blunt today accepted her new role as 2007-2008 Honorary Chair of the Missouri Citizens for the Arts. As honorary chair she will act as ambassador for the non-profit arts advocacy organization.
"The arts have an important and immeasurable impact on our culture and families," Mrs. Blunt said. "I believe the arts, in all media, enrich our lives and our perspective. I am honored to represent the Missouri Citizens for the Arts and pleased to join their efforts dedicated to public support of preserving and strengthening the state's arts industry."
Mrs. Blunt was chosen as the honorary chair for the arts because of her love and support for the arts. Gov. and Mrs. Blunt's support for public funding of the arts in Missouri has led to a $7.2 million increase in public funding for the arts over the past two years.
Founded in 1980, Missouri Citizens for the Arts is the statewide organization that promotes Missouri's art industry to the public and private sectors. The non-partisan, grassroots organization supports the arts by addressing public issues affecting the whole industry. Missouri Citizens for the Arts seeks to secure a stable and growing base of public financial support for the arts and to ensure access to the arts for all Missourians.
For information about the Missouri Citizens for the Arts visit http://www.missouricitizensforthearts.org/. |
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