Missouri government gets B-plus on national report card from Pew

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri's state government is among the nation's highest-performing according to a national report card produced by the Pew Center on the States.

Missouri finished with a B-plus, behind just three states that received A's. It was the highest score among the state's eight neighbors.

Missouri's highest score was the A it received for how it uses information. That grade was awarded based on the extent of data collected to help policy makers steer long-term planning. One of the criteria also considers the public's ability to see that information.

Gov. Matt Blunt in a written statement took credit. He says changes enacted by his administration have improved state government.

Missouri received a B during the last report in 2005.