Missouri's budget director seeks insurance receivership post

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State budget director Brian Long says he will likely accept a job as chief operating officer of the multimillion-dollar Transit Casualty Insurance Co. receivership effective Sept. 1.

"Nothing is finalized, but it's very likely in the near term," Long said Thursday. "My likely departure is not related to any events from the last session."

Long, 42, was the focus of a lot of attention over the last year as the state struggled to balance its books.

He worked long hours trying to help hammer out a balanced budget with lawmakers.

If Long accepts the position, his salary would go from more than $90,000 a year to about $196,000.

Long has been the state budget director since January 2001, when Gov. Bob Holden took office.

Before that, he worked as associate commissioner for fiscal and legislative affairs for the Missouri Department of Higher Education. He also served as assistant director of policy for Gov. Mel Carnahan from 1996 to 1999.

Insurance Department Director Scott Lakin is trying to wind down the receivership by reducing staff and moving operations from Los Angeles to Jefferson City.

Last month, Lakin named former Appellate Judge Albert Riederer as Transit's special deputy receiver.

Long will help Riederer with the day-to-day operations of liquidating the assets of Transit, a property and casualty company once headquartered in St. Louis.