DRISKILL NAMED STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOSS

JEFFERSON CITY - After months of speculation, state Rep. Joe Driskill was named Thursday by Gov. Mel Carnahan to head the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

At an afternoon press conference in his Capitol office, Carnahan praised Driskill as one of the state's foremost authorities on job creation and economic development.

"Joe has an outstanding reputation as an economic development leader in the General Assembly," the governor said. "His strength is in the area of job creation, and that's what we were looking for in a director."

The Poplar Bluff Democrat, serving his sixth term in the Missouri House, said he looked forward to outlining a strategy for job creation so he could move the department in a new direction.

"It won't happen overnight, but over the next four years we will change our focus considerably in the department," said Driskill, 37. "We need to try and retain more of the jobs we have and will be doing what we can to stimulate the growth of new jobs by companies already located in this state.

"We will do a lot less smokestack chasing than the last administration."

During previous administrations, there has been increased reliance on tax incentives and enterprise zones to attract industry, according to the new director. Driskill plans to examine that whole philosophy carefully.

"We will take a close look at those incentives. Where they are working we will keep them, but where they are not, we will be pretty stingy with them," said Driskill. "I have been a supporter of these incentives in the past, but we need to re-examine them."

It will likely be mid-April before Driskill goes before the Missouri Senate for confirmation. In the meantime, he plans to wrap up his legislative work and spend time thanking his constituents.

Thursday's announcement came as no surprise to those familiar with state government. Driskill has long been regarded as Carnahan's choice to head the department.

"I feel kind of relieved because I can talk about it now," said Driskill. "The governor asked me a long time ago to work for his administration and it was just a matter of where my talents would work and where they would fit it."

This is the second time Driskill has worked in a Carnahan administration. In 1981, after working in Carnahan's campaign for state treasurer, Driskill joined his staff until resigning to run for representative in the spring of 1982.

Although he is eager to move into his new job, Driskill plans to spend the next two or three weeks closing his legislative office.

"I have cartons and cartons of correspondence, files, bill research folders, and other things stored from over the years that I would like to go over before I move it," said Driskill.

"I also need to provide correspondence to everyone in my district and do everything I can to say a personal thank you to the people who elected me six times. I consider that to be a very high priority."

Driskill has been a close adviser to Carnahan, both during and after his campaign for governor, especially on economic development issues. He played a key role in helping draft Carnahan's JOBS 2000 plan that contained most of the governor's campaign initiatives on economic development.

During November and December, Driskill served as co-chairman of the governor-elect's task force on economic development, which helped draft the JOBS 2000 legislative package that Driskill introduced last month.

The package has already passed the House, and on Tuesday at 9 a.m., Driskill will present it to the Senate Pensions and General Laws Committee. Driskill would like nothing better than to see the measure passed by the General Assembly and on the governor's desk before his legislative career ends next month.

"I would kind of like to do that," said Driskill, "no doubt about that. There are a number of very good ideas in the bill and certainly the things the governor has wanted to do and things I want to do to re-focus our efforts. The bill has some very good programs in it."

He added, "I have no particular pride of authorship, but I'm not sure there is anybody around who knows about all the parts like I do. It might as well be me pushing the bill."

When Driskill moves across the street from his fourth floor Capitol office to the Truman Building, he will take charge of a department with very diverse responsibilities and 1,000 employees.

Divisions under the Department of Economic Development include areas like tourism, the Public Service Commission, all professional registration boards, transportation, unclaimed property, supervision of financial institutions, all economic development programs and job development and training.

For the most part, the jobs under his department are not under the state merit system but are patronage jobs. Driskill plans to evaluate personnel on the basis of performance.

"I want to make sure I examine each one of the offices and divisions completely; we will have the highest quality people we can in those positions," said Driskill. "Each position will be evaluated on the basis of who can do the job best."

Supervising 1,000 employees is a new experience for Driskill. However, after serving 11 years on the appropriations committee for natural and economic resources, he has knowledge of the overall department.

"I have helped write the appropriations bill for this department 11 times, so I know it in fairly intimate detail," said Driskill. "I think I have a pretty good idea where the skeletons are, if any, and where the good parts are."

As director, Driskill said he will continue the tradition of using the post to travel the state and encourage business executives to locate in Missouri or expand their operations.

"To the extent possible, I will be very visible and be an ambassador for the department, and where necessary, will be an ambassador for the state to businesses wanting to make Missouri their home," said Driskill.

Driskill will replace David Harrison, a holdover from the Ashcroft administration, who has been director since Carl Koupal resigned to take a job in Kansas in 1991.

A native of Doniphan, Driskill's 156th District includes Wayne County and parts of Ripley, Butler and Bollinger counties. Once he resigns his seat, a special election will be called.