DRISKILL AND EX-LAWMAKER PROFFER MAY BE IN LINE FOR CARNAHAN JOBS

Veteran state Rep. Joe Driskill and former longtime representative Marvin E. Proffer are among those being mentioned for high-level positions in the administration of governor-elect Mel Carnahan.

Driskill, of Poplar Bluff, recently won a sixth term in the House from the newly-drawn 156th District. He is being touted as the possible director of the Department of Economic Development.

Proffer, who spent 26 years in the Missouri House, including eight as chairman of the powerful budget committee, is apparently under consideration for commissioner of administration. A Cape Girardeau County native, Proffer now lives in Oakville and works as a lobbyist and fund-raiser for Southeast Missouri State University.

Proffer's name is also being mentioned as a possible director of the Department of Revenue.

So far the only appointment Carnahan has made in his administration that begins at noon Jan. 11 is chief of staff. That job went to Marc Farinella, who served as his campaign manager.

Carnahan has been working full speed since the Nov. 3 general election. He has set up a transition office with about two dozen staff members to coordinate the move to his administration. Carnahan, the state lieutenant governor, defeated Republican Attorney General William Webster to become the first Democrat elected chief executive since 1976.

Driskill acknowledged Tuesday that there were a lot of reports about his future in a Carnahan administration. But, he said: "I'm not doing anything to fuel the rumors. It is certainly the subject of rumors, and I've heard the rumors too. But I'm not out actively pursuing the job."

Driskill has close ties to the Carnahan family from having attended the University of Missouri with two of the governor-elect's sons. He worked in Carnahan's 1980 campaign for state treasurer and lived in the family home at Rolla. In 1981, Driskill worked on Carnahan's staff before leaving in 1982 to run for the Missouri House.

Proffer was out of town and could not be reached Tuesday; however, he has apparently talked with the governor-elect about a job in his administration. Proffer was active in Carnahan's campaign this year.

Both men were elected to the Missouri House together in 1962, and from 1981-85, when Proffer was budget chairman and Carnahan state treasurer, the two worked closely together on trying to improve cash management in state government.

The Office of Administration is one of the key positions in state government because it is the state's service and administrative control agency. The office combines and coordinates the central management functions of state government and is organized into eight divisions.

Speculation about Driskill heading the Department of Economic Development is based on more than his close ties to the next governor. Driskill is chairman of the House Commerce Committee that handles most legislation involving the department. During his tenure in the House he focused much of his work on improving economic conditions in rural areas.

"One of my great interests has been economic development," said Driskill.

In 1989 Driskill won passage of a rural economic development bill that brought about major changes in the way economic development is viewed in rural areas.

"My only regret about that is we have not been able to fund it properly and implement all the programs," said Driskill. "I'm hoping the next governor, regardless of where I am, will see the things that need to be accomplished in economic development. Mel Carnahan has certainly indicated in his economic plan that he will do that."

On Tuesday, during a tour of the St. Louis County Enterprise Center, Carnahan announced the appointment of Driskill and Tom Irwin, a top aide to St. Louis County Executive Buzz Westfall, as cochairmen of his advisory group on economic development and agriculture.

Carnahan has appointed eight transition advisory groups to make recommendations to him by Dec. 18 on where the state needs to move over the next four years.

Like Driskill, Irwin is also considered a close adviser to Carnahan and is reported to be under consideration for a top administration job.

Driskill said the committee will meet three times, with the first session scheduled Friday in Jefferson City.

In the meantime, Driskill is keeping up an aggressive pace in preparation for the legislative session that convenes Jan. 6. Redistricting left him with new territory in Bollinger County, where he has been working to contact new constituents.

The 37-year old Driskill has expressed some interest in running for higher office. He gave consideration last March to challenging U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson in the 8th Congressional District, but instead decided to seek reelection. Driskill said he is still interested in making a congressional bid.

In 1990 he unsuccessfully tried to get the Democratic nomination for a vacant state Senate seat in the 25th District.

"As far as I'm concerned, I have a number of options, and that (Congress) is one of those I will take a look at in two years," said Driskill.