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Blunt discusses transition plans at Springfield home

November 03, 2004
By: Adam Behsudi
State Capital Bureau

JEFFERSON CITY - Transition is the new focus for governor-elect Matt Blunt as his camp prepares to move into the governor's office.

At his home in Springfield on Wednesday, he discussed his transition plans.

"He was talking about turning from a campaign mindset into a governing mindset and some of the challenges and differences that are involved," said Blunt spokesman, John Hancock.

Blunt defeated Democratic gubernatorial candidate Claire McCaskill by nearly three points on Tuesday's election. The secretary of state office's unofficial results put Blunt about 80,000 votes ahead of McCaskill.

Hancock said a transition team and team leader will be announced very soon. He said as of Wednesday afternoon a decision has not been reached on who those individuals will be.

Other than announcing a transition team, Blunt's next priority as governor-elect is to meet with legislative leaders in the General Assembly.

He will also initiate the process of putting together his new government reorganization task force, which will fulfill Blunt's promise of restructuring state government.

Hancock said Blunt will be back in Jefferson City as early as today to start the transition process.

"We expect the governor to be very helpful in this transition process," said Hancock. "I think Gov. Holden has proven himself to be magnanamous, and we are very optimistic about a strong working relationship."

The Office of Administration has already designated office space for the newly elected statewide officials.

"The legislature every four years sets aside a sum of money to provide whatever those small expenses will be for a few transition people for each elected official," said Ann Hamlin, spokesperson for the Office of Administration.

The OA appropriation also pays the salaries of transition team members.