MoDOT proposes plan to cuts jobs, shuts down offices to save money

See Related Stories

Intro:	Missouri's House Transportation Chairman says MoDot's proposed cost-cutting plan is necessary to help Missouri's economy.
RunTime:	0:40
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The Missouri Transportation Department proposed a plan to cut one of every five positions and close more than 100 facilities throughout Missouri.

Southwest Missouri Republican Charlie Denison is the Chair of the House Transportation Committee.

He says the cuts are necessary to improve the state's roads and bridges.

Actuality:	DENISON.WAV
Run Time:	00:09
Description: "Putting things in a picture of trying to improve the financial situation of the state it was a must and they saw that and they made the right move."

MoDOT says these cuts and closings will save more than half a billion over five years.

The Missouri Transportation and Highway commission will decide on the plan June 8.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Emily Kissee.

Intro:	MoDOT proposes cost-cutting plan will result in layoffs for some of its workers.
RunTime:	0:36
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The Missouri Transportation Department proposed a plan to cut 19% of its workforce and close 135 facilities throughout Missouri.

MoDOT Commission Chairwoman Grace Nichols says the plan is necessary for the department's survival but will leave some without work.

Actuality:	NICHOLS.WAV
Run Time:	00:08
Description: "We will be pumping money into the economy but we will also be causing economic hardships for those people who will no longer be with us."

Nichols says the plan will save MoDOT half a billion dollars over the next five years.

The Missouri Transportation and Highway commission will vote on the plan June 8.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Emily Kissee.

Intro:	MoDot's District Engineer says the proposed plan to cut over 1000 positions would put taxpayers dollars to better use.
RunTime:	0:32
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The proposed plan would cut 19% of the department's staff and close over 100 facilities.

Becky Baltz is the District Engineer in Joplin.

Her office is one that would be closed if the plan went through.

Actuality:	BECKY.WAV
Run Time:	00:05
Description: "You know, it's not what we would like to do but it's what we have to do with the funding crisis."

Baltz's says MoDOT doesn't need as many workers since its construction budget is being cut in half from $1.2 billion to $600 million.

The Missouri Transportation and Highway commission will decide on the plan June 8.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Emily Kissee.