MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

  Exit  

MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News

MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

  Exit  

MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News

Help  Close

Gov. Holden criticized for using state money to promote "Rainy Day Fund" use

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's governor is coming under criticism for using office funds to travel across the state to promote his use of the "Rainy Day Fund" within the state.

Holden travelled last week to St. Louis, St. Joseph and Kansas City and gave speeches about his recommendations about the budget reserve fund, known as the "Rainy day Fund".

Rep. Charlie Shields, R-St Joseph, says Holden's speeches as tool to put pressure on Missouri's legislators.

"I just simply think that is using a scare attack and, quite honestly, I don't think it is working", he said.

The governor has talked various advocacy groups, such as mentally ill groups warning that without legislative approval to use the emergency funds, programs they support would be cut.

"Strikes me as a form of budget blackmail", Shields said.

Shields affirms that the legislature won't cut important programs.

"The reality of it is that the legislature will probably fund those programs and if they take cuts, it would be broadbase cuts across the budget", he said.

Last week, Gov. Holden flew to St. Joseph and St. Louis in the same day. The governor's travel expense come from his own office budget.

According to Jerry Nachtigal, spokesperson for Holden, the trips are an appropriate use of the state funds. "The state jet is a fast and efficient financially use of the governor's time and his office budget".

But Nachtigal said that the use of the reserve fund wasn't the only issue Holden dealt with last week during the trips. "In both of cities, he was doing other things in addition to this...It was a combination of business on both those days", he said.

"He has to sell to the public and legislators his reasons for tapping the Rainy Day Fund to cover vital programs for the mentally ill and disabled and children", Nachtigal said.

The governor's spokesman said the governor's travels to justify his Rainy Day Fund proposals may not be over.

"He is always looking for opportunities now and probably until the session ends to explain the public, the taxpayers and the legislators why he believes the Rainy Day Fund should be used in this extraordinary budget times", he said.

"The governor obviously is trying to make speeches and trying to put pressure on the legislators by going in the people. The problem is that the people disagree with him", says Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Miller County and Republican Caucus chairman.

"The people understand what is going on here. They are not near as naive about the situation as the governor would think", he said.