MURPHY SAYS NO TO PERKS

Jackson County Executive Marsha Murphy, hoping to win the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, is traveling the state this week saying if she is elected she will reject perks and gifts provided by special interest groups to members of Congress.

Murphy said during a press conference Tuesday at Municipal Golf Course that her main opponent, U.S. Rep. Alan Wheat of Kansas City, "has been captured by special interests."

She said the site of the press conference was chosen because "This is where real people go to play golf, and they pay for it. All too often lobbyists and special interest groups pay for things like golf trips for members of Congress."

Murphy said accepting perks from interest groups is one reason people are losing faith in public officials.

"I am challenging anyone in the race, whether it is the law or not, to agree not to take freebies, if elected," said Murphy. Accepting freebies, Murphy said, only increases public skepticism of elected officials.

Based on disclosure reports filed by Wheat, Murphy said that during 14 years in Congress he has made at least 19 trips that have been paid for by lobbyists or interest groups.

"As county executive, I take nothing of value from people who do business with the county. For members of Congress to take gifts and perks from special interests at the time they are voting on issues that affect them is suspicious on the part of members of Congress," said Murphy.

She also said that during the House banking scandal two years ago Wheat wrote 86 bad checks.

Murphy, who bills herself as "a reformer," said in talking with voters around the state they are concerned about the conduct of public officials.

Said Murphy: "It is a huge concern. From public opinion polls there is a clear lack of respect for elected officials. Once a person is in office, there is a feeling they are into power, privilege and perks."

If elected, Murphy said she would show concern for constituents and do what voters elected her to do.

Murphy hopes voters will focus on records of Senate candidates.

During her four years as Jackson County executive, Murphy said she has developed a reputation for being fiscally responsible and has operated county government without a tax increase.

"I think people should be contrasting records and experience of the candidates," Murphy said, adding that a recent Roll Call study of members of Congress found Wheat to be the 13th most liberal member.

"I am not a career politician. I first ran in 1990 to change government in the Kansas City area," said Murphy, who previously was a teacher and lawyer. "I'm a reformer ... I shake things up, and I want to take that approach to Washington."

All of her comments Tuesday directed at opposition were focused on Wheat, one of several Democratic candidates considered credible. Also campaigning actively are state Rep. Steve Carroll of Hannibal and St. Louis attorney Gerald Ortbals.

Murphy said she is not trying to ignore other candidates, but, "I think Alan and I are the two frontrunners in this race and I need to talk about the differences in our records. He has a record that does not make him good to represent Missouri and he is not in line with most Missourians."

"I am a reformer who is fiscally responsible. I have a background of being tightfisted in local government," Murphy said. "I hope voters will avoid being sold a bill of goods by 30-second ads and instead look at the contrast in records."

The winner of the Aug. 2 Democratic primary will face Republican John Ashcroft, who ended eight years as governor in 1993. Incumbent Republican John Danforth is not seeking re-election.