Panel begins working on state revamp

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The special commission spearheading the first major reorganization of Missouri government since 1974 began its work Tuesday with an overview of the state's existing operational structure.

Gov. Matt Blunt told the Government Review Commission, which he appointed, that no idea is off limits as it considers ways to streamline government and make it operate more efficiently.

"There are few sacred cows in your discussions," Blunt said. "We need to look at every aspect of state government."

The 20-member panel will split into six task forces to study different areas of state government. Those subcommittees will hold a series of public hearings in the capital starting next month. The full commission will also conduct regional hearings over the summer at Cape Girardeau, Kansas City, Kirksville, St. Joseph, St. Louis and Springfield.

The panel has one year to present recommendations to Blunt. Some of the changes Blunt chooses to pursue likely could be implemented through executive order while others would require legislative action or voter-approved constitutional amendments.

Commission co-chairman Stephen Bradford of Cape Girardeau worked as a staffer on the last reorganization effort, which was done in an era when government deliberations weren't as transparent as they are today. Bradford said it is vital to receive input from those who stand to be affected by the commission's proposals.

"This process is much more open to the public than it was in 1974," Bradford said.

More than 100 different agencies reported directly to the governor before the last overhaul. Today, state government consists of 16 departments, most of which are run by directors appointed by the governor. Under those departments are dozens of divisions, commissions and other agencies.

In outlining the existing structure, Ken McClure, Blunt's chief of staff, said that because of competing constituencies trying to protect their turf during the last reorganization and subsequent changes made by the legislature and Missouri voters, the various subagencies enjoy varying degrees of autonomy from the department under which they operate.

While department directors have complete control over certain agencies, others are part of a particular department for organizational purposes only and otherwise operate independently. Among the things the commission will consider is whether those structural arrangements still serve legitimate purposes.

The commission includes Gary Rust of Cape Girardeau, who is chairman of Rust Communications, which owns the Southeast Missourian.

The task forces and their members:

* Conservation, natural resources and agriculture: Charles Kruse of Dexter, Joyce Wood of Bonne Terre and Paul Steele of Chillicothe.

* Office of Administration, revenue and insurance: Ray Wagner of Clayton, Cynthia Brinkley of St. Louis and Rust.

* Social services, mental health and health and senior services: Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau, Ron Dittemore of St. Joseph and Sharon Rohrbach of St. Louis.

* Economic development, transportation and labor and industrial relations: Rob O'Brian of Joplin, Jerry Hunter and John Fox Arnold of St. Louis.

* Elementary, secondary and higher education: Charles McLain of Columbia, CiCi Rojas of Kansas City and Kathleen Osborn of St. Louis.

* Public safety and corrections: Cathy Dean of Kansas City, Dalton Wright of Lebanon and Dick Moore of Jefferson City.

The commission's other co-chairman is Warren Erdman of Kansas City.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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