GOVERNOR REVIEWING STATUS OF FEE OFFICES

A spokesman for Gov. Mel Carnahan said this week that the governor has not yet made a decision about the status of license fee offices in Cape Girardeau County, which are presently operated by the Cape Girardeau and Jackson Chambers of Commerce.

"The license fee offices across the state are being reviewed, but very few changes have been made so far," said Deputy Chief of Staff Roy Temple.

The board of directors of both chambers have asked Carnahan to allow them to continue to operate the offices. They stress that money earned by the offices goes back into the community to promote economic development.

In January, Carnahan said he would not make any decisions on license fee offices until after a director of the Department of Revenue was appointed and confirmed. However, the governor's choice for the revenue department has had confirmation problems in the Senate, slowing the fee office process.

A few offices have had new agents appointed, but most are still operating with appointees from the previous administration.

Traditionally, most fee offices have gone to individuals who have been strong supporters of the governor. The fee offices provide some of the best political patronage opportunities for governors.

In his second term, Gov. Christopher Bond appointed some chambers of commerce as agents for fee offices, including the Cape and Jackson Chambers in 1981. Gov. John Ashcroft continued the practice during his eight years, but there is some uncertainty whether Carnahan will do so.

Members of Carnahan's staff have suggested that the governor is uncertain about the merit of having organizations appointed as fee agents, rather than individuals. Staff members have said the governor and new revenue director may make a policy decision that fee offices should not be given to any organizations.

About 20 chambers operate fee offices around the state. One concern raised by thos chambers is that Carnahan was irritated at the Missouri Chamber of Commerce board for endorsing Republican Bill Webster in the general election last year.

In past years, the state chamber had been neutral.

John Grimm, an active member of the Cape Girardeau Chamber and one of Carnahan's area advisers, said he is not aware of any timetable for filling the offices.

"I think it is still very much up on the air," said Grimm. "I think the governor's office is examining the situation and trying to reach the best decision for everybody.

"Some members of the chamber board of directors have contacted me and expressed their interest in keeping the fee office, and I have conveyed that desire to the governor and his staff," said Grimm.

Steve Popp, president of the Jackson Chamber, sent a letter to members last week asking "for your support in informing the governor of the importance of the chamber retaining the Jackson License Bureau Office."

Without the funding, Popp said many projects and programs done by the chamber might have to be cut or eliminated.

In the past, county central committees of the same party as the governor have made recommendations concerning the fee offices. Temple said some committees have been aggressive in making recommendations, but added, they are not being asked to do so.

"If they want to make a recommendation, they are free to do so; we welcome them to do that," said Temple. "But ultimately, it is the governor's decision."

Rick Althaus, president of the Cape County Democratic Central Committee, said some of the county committee members had discussed having a meeting but were waiting on some direction from Carnahan's office.

"We have not heard anything from the Carnahan folks about how they are going to proceed," said Althaus. He received a letter in early January, advising him that no procedure would be established until after a revenue director was named.