BLUNT SAYS THE TIME HAS COME FOR NON-LAWYER TO GOVERN MISSOURI

As voters begin to focus on differences between candidates running for governor this year, Secretary of State Roy Blunt believes one important difference is whether or not the candidate is a lawyer.

"I think campaigns are about differences and in the 1990s one of the differences we can have is a governor who is not a lawyer," said Blunt, who is seeking the Republican nomination. "We have not had one in 40 years.

"I am not a lawyer, and it is time we have someone leading this state who doesn't look at state problems with a lawyer's viewpoint. The key to the 90s is having a person in charge who has every possible inclination to set goals for the state and push everyone in government to overcome obstacles and meet those goals," said Blunt.

"If Missourians want another lawyer for governor, they ought to vote for someone besides me."

Two of the five major candidates for governor this year are lawyers. Attorney General William Webster, who is also seeking the GOP nomination is an attorney, as is Lt. Gov. Mel Carnahan, a Democratic candidate.

St. Louis Mayor Vince Schoemehl, a Democrat, and State Treasurer Wendell Bailey, a Republican, are the other two non lawyers in the race.

Blunt suggested the need to elect a non-lawyer as part of his latest position paper entitled: "Creating Jobs for Missourians." The paper was released Thursday.

He contends the trend toward increased litigation, rising costs for workers compensation insurance, and excessive rules and regulations that are driving up the costs for businesses, are due in part to the dominating influence of lawyers in government.

"Reforming the legal system, revamping the workers compensation system, and approaching the rulemaking process from a different perspective are all part of the package," declared Blunt.

"Lawyers are trained to identity all reasons why a program or business won't work, not how it can. I want to overhaul the state's legal system and put limits on out of control lawsuits that are causing one in every seven businesses to lay off employees because of legal problems."

A governor who is not a lawyer is more likely to lead the effort to revamp the legal system, Blunt said.

"We need a non-attorney governor who is ready to do battle with the lawyers in the state who are all too willing to sue at the drop of a hat," he added.

Blunt contends that there are too many attorneys and law firms hired as outside counsel to represent state government.

In discussing the problem with workers compensation, Blunt pointed out that over the last eight years the premiums paid by businesses have skyrocketed from $197 million to $700 million a year. In addition, settlements in the second injury fund have gone up from $3 million a year to over $30 million.

Increased litigation and too much involvement by attorneys has been a big factor in those increases, Blunt said.

The Republican candidate said too many jobs are being lost due to excessive involvement by the government.

"In my estimation, government has become too pre-occupied with creating additional regulation, additional laws, and thus creating a more complicated life for the people it is supposed to serve. For too long, government has been shaping public policy with a lawyer's perspective," observed Blunt.

"I think it is time we change our perspective, and look at policies from the point of view of the business owner and the individual."

Besides having a non-lawyer heading the state, Blunt said another key part of his program for jobs is to have the governor more personally involved in efforts to improve the state's economy, attract new jobs, and prevent excessive regulations.

As governor, Blunt said he would require state agencies to examine all proposed rules and determine their impact on working Missourians. Rules that impact jobs would have to be brought to his attention.

In addition, Blunt said he would issue an executive order that requires each state department creating rules that affect businesses to adopt an alternate compliance rule.

"This alternative compliance rule will allow a business person to appeal directly to the department director for waiver of an individual rule. If the business person can demonstrate that they can achieve the same results with an alternative method, the director will be required to grant that waiver," said Blunt.

As governor, Blunt said he would also provide new efforts by the state to assist existing businesses with problems they may have in complying with state rules and laws.

Another part of his jobs plan would be to identify jobs in various industries that might be phased out and target those workers for re-training before they become unemployed.

The plan also calls for targeting 5-8 key industries in the state that are likely to have a long term stability and benefits for Missouri workers for special assistance from the state. "We should focus on helping those businesses that will help our workers most," said Blunt.

He would also create a Council on State Competiveness, which would be charged with reviewing all state job programs and making recommendations to the governor on how to better restructure the state's efforts to keep and bring in new jobs.

Blunt's plan also calls for an expansion of tax credits for people who invest in companies providing jobs and offering tax credits to businesses that implement successful job training programs.

"Upgrading the work force that is already in the work place is something we can't overlook," said Blunt.

He is also calling for an increased emphasis on vocational schools to train Missourians that don't go to college, especially those who will be involved in manufacturing jobs.

Blunt is also calling for stronger partnerships between colleges and universities - which he referred to as the state's "brain trust" - and private industry to promote marketing and technology of Missouri businesses.