House's top Democrat joins GOP in criticizing Nixon's travel expense transparency
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House's top Democrat joins GOP in criticizing Nixon's travel expense transparency

Date: January 18, 2011
By: Theo Keith
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
With members of his own party criticizing Missouri's governor for passing travel expenses off on state agencies, KMOX asked Governor Nixon to respond.
RunTime:  0:39
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: 

Actuality:  GOVWALK.WAV
Run Time:  00:15
Description: I think when we allocated some of the resources to the Department of Economic Development so that Mr. Kerr could go with me to Dearborn last year to begin this process it was a darn good investment of tax dollars. Thank you very much. (Applause)

With that, the governor turned his back on reporters and walked away.

At question isn't who's traveling, it's that other state agencies foot the bill for Nixon's flights on state airplanes.

The House's top Republican and Democrat both say the process needs to be more transparent.

They've pledged to block the governor from continuing the practice.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: 
The top Democrat in Missouri's House says he isn't the only member of his party asking Governor Jay Nixon for some travel expense transparency.
RunTime:  0:37
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Democratic House leader Mike Talboy says other Democrats are also concerned that Nixon's travel spending should be more accountable.

The governor has continued to bill state agencies for his flights -- even as he ordered those agencies to cut their own travel spending.

Actuality:  TALBOY3.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "If we're going to be cutting travel in departments, we just need to make sure where all that travel is and you're not having cross-over inside some of those departments."

Talboy and Republican House Speaker Steve Tilley say the governor should travel the state.

But he should pay for it out of his own office's budget.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.