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Holden side-steps questions about his involvement in gag order issued to state employees

March 3, 2003
By: Elizabeth Gill
State Capital Bureau

Governor Holden still has not addressed House Speaker Catherine Hanaway's demand that he directly instruct state employees to cooperate with legislators on budget cuts. Elizabeth Gill has the story in Jefferson City:

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Holden did not specifically address the gag order that threatens state employees with termination if they cooperate with legislators on budget cuts.

Holden would only say in general that he does not encourage state employees to stay quiet when legislators pose questions about his budget plan:

Actuality:
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OutCue:
Contents: "I've not encouraged any employee to stay mum. What I have said is that I laid out the budget plan for my administration and they are to answer all the questions if people question those priorities."

Hanaway has said she may use her subpoena powers to get more information on the gag order and budget information.

From the state capital, I'm Elizabeth Gill, KMOX news.

Date: March 3, 2003

By: Elizabeth Gill

State Capital Bureau

Senate president pro-tem Peter Kinder says if stonewalling at the Department of Natural Resources continues, subpoenas will be inevitable. Elizabeth Gill reports:

Kinder says it's time for the governor and DNR director Steve Mahfood to take responsibility for a gag order sent to state employees last week.

The memo threatens employees with termination if they cooperate with legislators on budget cuts.

Kinder says he believes the threat may have been made to employees in other departments as well:

Actuality:
RunTime: :12
OutCue:
Contents: "We have reason to believe that this DNR policy memo is not limited to DNR, that some kind of directive may have gone out, from some high command, maybe in the governor's office."

Kinder says if Mahfood knew about the memo it's a firing offense.

He says state employees have a constitutional right to speak freely to legislators.

From the state capital, I'm Elizabeth Gill, KMOX news.