NIXON: LEGISLATURE PASSES TOO MANY LAWS

After five years in the Missouri Senate, Jay Nixon believes the General Assembly is passing too many laws and state government is involved in areas it does not belong.

"I think we need to get government back to doing a few things well instead of a lot of things not very well," Nixon said Tuesday during a visit to Cape Girardeau to lay groundwork for an attorney general's race next year.

He said state government originally had three purposes: to provide transportation, education, and health care for those who can't afford it. Nixon said it has far exceeded those areas, some out of necessity but in most instances for no good reason.

As examples of too much government, Nixon referred to a bill given serious consideration this year that would have prohibited youths under 18 from driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. and one that would prohibit children from riding in the back of pick-up trucks.

Although Nixon said those issues both had noble goals, they are not areas the legislature needs to be involved in.

"Government is exceeding its mandate in a number of areas," said Nixon. "I'm just sick of it."

The tendency to pass too many laws has not only put government where it does not belong, but it has also promoted inefficiency and expanded the bureaucracy, he said.

The Hillsboro Democrat said he has decided the best way to tackle the problems is by becoming attorney general. He said he plans to announce next month as a Democratic candidate for attorney general.

"The attorney general's office is the best place today in government to fight bureaucracy and inefficiency," said Nixon. "I'm concerned about that."

Nixon will formally declare his candidacy on Sept. 23, and begin a 387-mile canoe trip along the Missouri River from Kansas City to St. Louis. Nixon explained he enjoys canoeing and camping, and believes this will also illustrate his focus on the need to get back to the basics in state government.

"I hope to highlight Missouri issues on this trip, and it should be fun," said Nixon.

He said there is a lot of history along the river and that will provide a good background for kicking off his campaign.

Along the way he said he will stop in towns to hold press conferences and visit with people.

Besides his goal of battling the bureaucracy, Nixon has two other reasons for seeking the attorney general's office, one professional and one personal. "I enjoy being a lawyer; it is what I am trained in and I respect the profession," said Nixon. "I like the idea of being the state's attorney."

But with two pre-school children, Nixon said he wants to have his family with him in Jefferson City, something the attorney general's job would allow. "I have a personal motivation of being with my family; it is important to me," he said.

As attorney general, Nixon said he would take an aggressive role in trying to work out an end to the federal court-ordered desegregation in St. Louis and Kansas City. He said that changes in the federal judiciary and the make-up of the Supreme Court likely will open up opportunities to bring the payments to a close.

"I want to work to see our involvement wind down and come to a conclusion as soon as possible," said Nixon.

The senator said he voted for Proposition B, a $385 million tax increase for education, in the Senate this year and is hoping voters will approve it Nov. 5. While on the campaign trail Nixon said he is "trying to be an information source for the people."

Nixon said this is a tough time for tax packages in the state, but he believes continued leadership from Gov. John Ashcroft and a strong informational campaign might make the difference.

"The governor signing on makes this thing passable," said Nixon. "With his support it is not a partisan issue; it is not a political issue."

Many have criticized Proposition B because it does not include a new foundation formula for distributing funds to school districts. But Nixon said it is impossible to have a formula unless there is money in place to fund it properly and include a "hold-harmless" provision that prevents some school districts from receiving less money.

Nixon said he also fears that unless Proposition B passes the courts will step in as they have in Kentucky and Texas and mandate the state to fund a fairer formula.

If the issue fails, especially by a wide margin, Nixon said he believes lawmakers will see the vote as a feeling of citizens that they do not want to spend more for education.

Nixon said he will be closely watching a new state ethics law to see that it does not discourage citizens from holding posts on school boards, fire district boards, advisory commissions and similar bodies. Although he voted for the measure in the Senate, and one that passed in 1990, Nixon said he is concerned about holding citizens at local levels to the same ethics-reporting requirements as people in higher offices and paid positions.

Nixon said the commission in the ethics bill is a strength because it gives the public the idea that there is independent oversight of ethics guidelines.

If he wins the Democratic nomination, Nixon will be trying to become the first Democrat in 24 years to be attorney general.

"I feel very good about my race and the opportunity to return the attorney general's office to the Democrats," said Nixon. "Everything indicates it is a race I can and will win."

In the primary and general election campaigns, Nixon said he expects to spend $1 million. Under the present campaign finance laws, Nixon said he and other statewide candidates will have to spend 75-80 percent of their campaign time in fund raising.

Nixon said he supports a combination of campaign contribution and spending limits so that candidates can spend more time talking issues with voters and less time asking for money.