Blunt softens anti-Democrat statement

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Following an election year, the partisan rhetoric spouted by elected officials typically recedes, at least for a while, especially when one side scores major victories, as Missouri Republicans did in 2004.

Gov. Matt Blunt's comments last weekend to the party faithful at the GOP's annual Lincoln Days in Springfield, however, had Democrats in an uproar over what they took as a slight to the state's largest cities and other areas that supported Democrats.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Blunt said that to find Democrats "you have to go to places where nobody wants to live anymore."

When asked about the comment later in the week, Blunt was unapologetic but did seek to soften his position.

"Clearly the point that was being made -- with Republicans in a partisan setting at a partisan event -- was that we are winning in places that have growing populations," Blunt said.

Missouri's four most populous voting jurisdictions -- St. Louis city, Kansas City and St. Louis and Jackson counties -- went to State Auditor Claire McCaskill, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate. Blunt garnered just over half of the ballots cast in the race across the state.

Blunt said he didn't intend to show any disrespect to Democratic voters.

"I believe every part of the state is a great place to live and work and raise a family," Blunt said. "We need to work together to improve our state. I don't attack or demean any part of the state."

The Missouri Democratic Party has demanded an apology.

Porn tax

The Senate this week plans to begin debating in earnest a bill aimed at severely curtailing the operations of sexually oriented businesses in Missouri, if not running them out of the state altogether.

Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Matt Bartle, R-Lee's Summit, would impose a $5 head tax on every patron entering establishments such as adult book stores and strip clubs. It would also hit business owners with a 20 percent gross receipts tax.

The bill contains numerous restrictions on activities that can occur in sexually oriented businesses. For example, nudity would be prohibited at strip clubs and dancers would be barred from touching customers or accepting tips. Violations could result in misdemeanor charges.

During brief Senate debate on Thursday, state Sen. Victor Callahan, D-Independence, said that although he supports the intent of the legislation, he is concerned the state would be subject to a long court battle that it might eventually lose.

"I don't mind going to court, but I want to win," Callahan said.

Although virulently opposed to higher tax, Blunt said he would be willing to make an exception in this instance and sign the bill into law should it clear the legislature.

"Those are not the sorts of industries and jobs that we want in our state," Blunt said. "I would be supportive of the measure."

Parks vote

A proposal to ask Missouri voters to reauthorize a one-tenth-cent sales tax for state parks and soil and water conservation cleared the Senate on 24-8 vote on Thursday.

If issue would go on the ballot in November 2006 or at a special election called by the governor. The existing tax, which is earmarked for the Department of Natural Resources, will expire in 2008 unless renewed by voters.

The House of Representatives must approve the measure for it to go to voters.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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