LEGISLATORS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER LOTTERY

Although revelations that Lottery Director Michael H. Morris routinely taped telephone calls in his office for five years has drawn the most debate among lawmakers, several Southeast Missouri legislators say they are concerned about charges Morris tried to profit from selling lottery marketing ideas to other states.

"I am most concerned about his consulting work in other states," said Rep. Joe Driskill, D-Doniphan. "Taping phone calls is legal in Missouri as long as one party understands it is being taped. His job is to promote Missouri's state lottery and make as much money for the people of Missouri as possible; and do that in a respectable way, rather than to help other lotteries compete with Missouri."

Driskill said he does not want to suggest there are improprieties, but noted that the lottery is always closely scrutinized. "I don't understand why Mike would be involved in something like this when it has been made clear in the past that a lot of people in the legislature are looking closely at the lottery.

"One would assume an action like this would have to be considered controversial at the very least. I guess I don't understand his rationale."

Sen. Jerry Howard, D-Dexter, a member of the joint legislative committee on gaming and wagering, said he believes the panel will likely investigate the allegations against Morris.

"This guy Morris has always been right on the edge," declared Howard. "He has been a controversial director, to say the least."

"Helping other states does concern me because if he comes up with an idea while working for the state, that idea belongs to the state of Missouri," observed the senator. "Taping phone calls does not concern me as much, but I am concerned that someone heading a state agency thinks he has to tape phone calls to protect himself."

Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn, D-Sikeston, said the latest revelations make the lottery appear crooked to people who oppose the lottery as gambling.

"He's either paranoid or doesn't have a very good memory," suggested Ziegenhorn. "I don't know why he feels like he needs to tape his phone calls. What's he afraid of?"

Morris has defended his actions and contends he has done nothing improper.

The Lottery Commission, which is appointed by the governor and hires the director, plans to meet with Morris next week to discuss the allegations. "I would just like to clear the air of these issues so we can go on with the business of selling lottery tickets," Morris told The Associated Press Wednesday.

"I would like to discuss both of these issues and make sure we all understand all of the circumstances," he said.

Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, said he believes the commission should investigate the matter.

"I certainly would like to see the commission check into it," said Schwab. "The lottery, as with all state agencies, needs to have public trust. I think it would be good to have it all explained and aired at the commission meeting."

Marsha Limbaugh of Cape Girardeau, who was a member of the lottery commission for almost two years before leaving the position last March, said she was generally pleased with Morris' performance during her tenure.

"During the time I was on board, I was favorably impressed with Michael. His decisions were always well thought out," said Limbaugh. "I don't know anything about the recent developments, and can't really comment on them."

During her tenure, Limbaugh said, the commissioners seemed to be supportive of the director.

"The lottery has not been the favorite of several legislators and has always come under fire and has been heavily scrutinized in every step it made. (Morris) had to deal with a lot of publicity, often negative," said Limbaugh.

"There was always a lot of support from commissioners for the lottery personnel and they always seemed to be able to handle these negative developments when they came up, quickly and properly. I'm just sorry to see there is more controversy there now."

Limbaugh said some of the criticisms levied in the past at Morris was unfounded and often kept the director in the position of having to defend himself and the agency.

Driskill said that as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has examined the workings of the lottery in previous years, "I'm very surprised this sort of issue should come up. I felt in previous years the legislature had made it clear to Mr. Morris and the Lottery Commission that people of the state expected the lottery to always be above board and beyond reproach to the point there is not even the appearance of impropriety."

Driskill pointed out that some of Morris' past actions with the lottery had attracted close scrutiny.

Asked whether he felt Morris should resign, Driskill said, "That's not for me to say. I would hope the Lottery Commission takes a good look at the long-term health of the lottery and makes their decisions on that basis."

Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, said he believes it should be left up to the commission to resolve. "The issue of whether or not he records his phone calls is relatively unimportant," said Thomason. "He has not broken any laws; it is just a question that some people have voiced an objection to that. I can't believe this is a major issue facing the state."

As for the issue of helping other lotteries, Thomason said, "I think that is something that has to be settled between the lottery commission and him. But my personal opinion is that it is a poor practice.

"It is up to them (the commission) to solve the problem, not the legislature."