LEGISLATORS OFFER MIXED RESPONSES TO GOVERNOR'S TALK

JEFFERSON CITY - Southeast Missouri legislators were divided along party lines in reaction to Gov. John Ashcroft's annual State of the State budget message to a joint session of the General Assembly Tuesday morning.

But most agreed that Ashcroft said little that he had not said before as he outlined needs for budget cuts and to tie any increased funding for education to specific reforms, and expressed frustration over federally-mandated programs devouring more of the state's revenue.

Ashcroft also called for restructuring services for children and families; stronger campaign-finance laws and an independent commission to oversee ethics laws; stronger enforcement of drug and drunken-driving laws; and passing measures for improving the environment.

"I appreciate what he said about the need for reforms in government," said Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau. "The only solution to the problem when there is no money is to look within to do more with less."

Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, said he liked Ashcroft's call to take specific actions toward reform and appreciated his call for moving toward zero-base budgeting.

"We as a government need to get our house in order and show we are responsive before going to the people and asking for more resources," said Schwab.

"His speech was about what I expected," said Sen. John Dennis, D-Benton. "I know we are short of money, and we have a problem with drugs and alcohol. This was no different than the other speeches we have heard from him."

Among those critical of Ashcroft's remarks were Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn, D-Sikeston, and Sen. Jerry Howard, D-Dexter.

"He said we're doing fine," said Ziegenhorn. "It sounds to me like everything is running the way he wants it to.

"It seems to me there are a lot more problems in this state than he is addressing, but the governor seems to be saying stay the course. That must be in the Republican bylaws."

Ziegenhorn said that in his speech Ashcroft talked about how well Missouri was doing in areas like education. But, he said: "From the letters I am getting, somebody is out of touch. Things are not as he portrays them."

Howard, who was part of Ashcroft's escort committee into the House chamber for the joint session, said the governor's theme that we will have to do more with less was no surprise.

But in streamlining state agencies, Howard said the focus should be on the central offices in Jefferson City, not on field offices around the state that work directly with people in need.

Howard said Ashcroft was "ambiguous" in his comments about the need for a tax increase and contradicted himself several times.

"I felt it was a carefully worded speech so he could jump back and forth and take no position until it is politically right," said Howard. "On one hand he is for a tax increase, but on the other hand he doesn't want one. He has tried to put himself in position to take either side of the education issue."

Rep. Ollie Amick, D-Scott City, said: "He certainly did not plow any new ground. It was the same song, seventh verse."

Amick said he appreciated the governor's call for better performance before new dollars go into education, but, "I think you need a combination of more dollars and performance."

Amick said Ashcroft's speech did not offer much hope for supporters of a tax increase. "It was `read my lips', only that phrase wasn't used."

Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, said it was hard to understand exactly what Ashcroft's position was on a tax increase.

"It is kind of hard to read his lips," said Thomason. "I know that I could not ask the people of my district to vote for more taxes without providing some assurance that the money will be spent wisely."

He said that any new money should be put toward programs, rather than hiring additional state employees.

Freshman Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, said he learned that Ashcroft had not completely closed the door on taxes for education, but that "there had to be a clearly indicated public mandate for taxes." Using performance-based criteria for evaluating educational programs will help insure performance, he said.

"Overall, I agree with his theme that it is unreasonable to ask people to dig deeper to fund government at a time when we are in a recession and people are being asked to cut back until government is willing to make cuts," said Richardson.

"He is saying we are not going to balance our budget by increasing revenues. Government will respond to this recession in the same way that families will: by cutting back."

Several lawmakers expressed concern about some of Ashcroft's specific reforms for education, particularly the suggestion that parents be given the choice of which school to send their children to.

They had mixed feelings over whether the school year should be extended from the present 179-day requirement to 200 days. Kasten said she supports spending more time in the classroom and alternative teaching certificates.

Both Dennis and Schwab said they had problems with extending the school year and agreed that trying to make the school more responsive to students, putting more emphasis on learning the basics at an early age, and encouraging parental support were approaches that should be taken to improve quality.

Thomason said he agreed with a lot of what the governor said. He said: "Oddly, I found myself agreeing with him on a lot of points, particularly on education. I did not disagree with any of his points on elementary and secondary education."

He said it will now be up to Ashcroft to translate what he said into action. "Having ideas and good thoughts are one thing; but putting the weight of the governor's office behind those ideas to get action is another thing," he said.

Kasten said she was pleased with what Ashcroft said about improving delivery of services to children and families.

Ziegenhorn and some others said they did not think Ashcroft was as well received this year as in past years. The governor was rarely interrupted with applause and received little response from the public gallery, which was filled with school superintendents and school board members who were in town for a meeting.