Ignored savings: Department of Revenue director sets record straight

When I served in the Missouri Legislature in the '70s, the St. Louis and Kansas City revenue offices were the least efficient and biggest political patronage offices in the state. Rather than contractually run fee offices, the state paid the bill, which included high rents of space often provided by political donors and too often a dumping ground for workers who supported political candidates in their district.

The move to save the state money by fee-office appointment has dwelled on political connections while generally ignoring the savings.

Trish Vincent, the competent director of the Missouri Department of Revenue, tries to set the record straight by the following:

"Contracting fee offices saves taxpayers money

"In recent criticism of the Missouri Department of Revenue's contract license offices, facts have been overlooked:

"n Eleven state-run branch offices were funded with highway funds. When voters approved Amendment 3 in November 2004, that funding source was gone and those offices were changed to contract offices. The state now saves at least $7.2 million per year because branch offices that were not self-supporting were eliminated. Funding those offices from the general revenue budget would have required a $7.2 million cut to something else. What would it have been? Education? Public safety?

"n License office contract agents are held to a higher standard now than during previous administrations.

"n There are 183 contract offices and many have Saturday hours. The previous state-run branch offices were open from 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, with no Saturday hours.

"These are examples that have been underreported or not reported while leveling criticism at the department. A savings of $7.2 million and the department requiring contract agents to make customer service a priority are facts."

-- Trish Vincent, Jefferson City, Director, Missouri Department of Revenue

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U.S. Sen. Jim Talent last week announced that 716,709 Missouri seniors and people with a disability have prescription drug coverage thanks to the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. Since May 7, an additional 44,125 Missouri beneficiaries have enrolled in Medicare prescription drug program. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the new numbers June 14, 2005.

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Gov. Matt Blunt has reappointed Jeffrey "Jeff" N. Davis (R) to the Public Service Commission (PSC) for a new term ending April 15, 2012.

Davis, 33, of Jefferson City has served as chairman of the PSC since January 2005. Davis was appointed to the commission in April 2004. Prior to his appointment to the PSC, Davis served as chief of staff and general counsel to then Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder. Davis holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Southeast Missouri State University and a juris doctorate from Washington University.

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One of the most refreshing events to attend is the Jackson Chamber and Jackson Industrial Development Committees annual banquet.

More than 265 people turned out to applaud awards given to John M. Thompson, The Cash-book Journal, Penzel Construction, the banks located in Jackson and the recognition of current chamber officers and committee members. This topped off by the swearing in of the new chamber officers.

The sincerity and openness of president David Hitt and the award winners truly lets one realize the core strength of this rapid growing community.

And expect more growth when North Main Street tunnels under Interstate 55 to reach the university farm expansion. This new interchange will enhance the attractiveness of real estate on both sides with its convenient link to Procter & Gamble, Cape business and medical destinations, St. Louis, etc.

The strong interest in the University Farm site by many economic development companies will provide exciting prospects also for Cape's city limits and road expansions to the north.

The estimated 70,000 Cape County population, with over 250,000 population within a 40-mile radius, makes us one of the more attractive communities in the state in which to work and raise a family.

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Did you know?

1. St. Louis County is the largest county in the state of Missouri and also the largest of the 16 Missouri and Illinois counties that make up the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

2. According to the most recent U.S. Census estimates, St. Louis County's population of 1,004,666 is nearly a fifth of the population of the state of Missouri, more than one-third of the population of the 16-county bistate metropolitan region and the 38th largest county by population in the United States.

3. St. Louis County has over half of the bistate region's payroll and nearly half of the bistate region's businesses and jobs. St. Louis County also claims one-fourth of the state's payroll, one-fifth of Missouri's businesses and nearly a quarter of the state's total jobs.

4. St. Louis County accounts for nearly a quarter of the State of Missouri's sales-tax revenue and one-third of the state's household income-tax revenue.

5. St. Louis County's per capita personal income is 137 percent of the national average and, at $43,225, is about $10,000 higher than the metro area as a whole, over $11,500 higher than St. Charles County, and almost $14,000 higher than the state of Missouri as a whole.

6. St. Louis County's population is highly educated, according to the most recent 2004 Census updates, with 91 percent holding a high school diploma and 37 percent earning a bachelor's degree. This exceeds the regional MSA, state and national averages for educational attainment.

7. St. Louis County ranks fifth in jobs and ninth in payroll among all U.S. suburban counties.

-- St. Louis County Economic Council

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All packed up but staying close to home:

14 percent: Percentage of individuals who changed residences in 2004, down from 20 percent about 20 years ago.

1 in 2: Number of people who say they moved to live in a new or better house.

6 in 10: Number of people who moved but stayed in the county.

143 miles versus 252 miles: Median distance of moves for people ages 25 to 29 compared with moves for people ages 55 to 64.

1.5 million: Net domestic migration over the past five years to the 10 states with the lowest state and local tax burdens.

1.3 million: Net domestic out-migration over the past five years from the 10 states with the highest state and local tax burdens.

31,000: Net migration to the South, the only region that experienced positive net migration in 2004.

-- U.S. Census Bureau, Tax Foundation

Gary Rust is chairman of Rust Communications.