CARNAHAN'S GRAB

Gov. Mel Carnahan made a visit to Sikeston last week to grab the spotlight for that city's Weed & Seed program, which is working hard to stem the tide of drugs and violence that have left their scars in recent years. But some Sikeston residents might have been just a little more than surprised to see the governor in town surrounded by the media. After all, Weed & Seed started a year ago mainly through the efforts of local groups and a major push by the U.S. attorney's office in St. Louis.

But last week the governor was pleased to announce an $18,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Social Services to pay a Weed & Seed director's salary for a year. Is this an election year, or what?

Carnahan's entire administration has been able to capture glowing headlines all over the state as he goes around spreading the goodies made possible by taxpayers. Interestingly, the fact that Missouri's taxes are growing at a gallop never seems to attract much attention. Nor does the fact that the governor is letting taxpayers foot the bill for what amounts to vote-buying in unprecedented proportions.

When it comes to tough questions about his leadership for the past three-plus years, however, Carnahan brushes neatly avoids straightforward answers. Examples:

-- Asked why the General Assembly didn't cut taxes as he so prominently requested during his State of the State message, Carnahan blamed "a divided legislature." He failed to mention both houses are firmly controlled by his own Democrats. And he even put some of the burden on the minority Republicans. Does Carnahan really think Republicans are against tax cuts? The fact is the governor failed to exhibit any leadership whatsoever on this issue until the final hours of the session. It was too little too late.

-- Carnahan was asked about the Department of Revenue's decision to charge penalties to cities and counties who must refund use-tax revenue that was ruled to be unconstitutional. Most entities in Southeast Missouri set aside the revenue as it came in because of the pending legal challenge. They are prepared to pay back the money, but now the state wants onerous interest as well. The governor's response: There are lawsuits to test if the money has to be refunded -- it isn't over yet. No, it isn't over, but the whole matter could be settled rather quickly if Carnahan would pull the reins on a revenue department that has gone amok.

-- And the governor was asked about the proposed settlement of the Kansas City school desegregation case which, if approved, would cost Missourians a third of a billion dollars over the next three years. Carnahan said he thought the plan was so good that attorneys for Kansas City students would go along. "If they don't," he said, "that's why there are courts." What a characteristically off-the-wall response. In the first place, attorneys for the students are adamantly opposed to the proposed settlement. Then there is the issue of what happens to the district when state funding ceases. Does the tax-and-spend governor have a plan to throw Outstanding Schools Act funds at Kansas City? Or does the proposed settlement simply quiet the whole issue until after the November election, regardless of whether or not the plan is accepted?

Somehow, the governor continues to slide along a campaign trail well greased by burdensome taxes that have been imposed since he took office. It is unlikely taxpayers will follow him down the slippery slope in November.