SPEECH REACTION POSITIVE

JEFFERSON CITY - Legislators generally had kind remarks about Gov. Mel Carnahan's first State of the State address Wednesday. But some wondered how the governor could talk about tight revenues and also outline major new programs he wants implemented.

Rep. Joe Driskill, D-Poplar Bluff, praised Carnahan's 28-minute address to a joint legislative session. Driskill said, "He hit a homerun."

"I am absolutely enthused by the new direction the governor will take us - activism with a focus on the needs of the common people of this state," Driskill said.

Driskill said the new governor's speech showed he "has an understanding of what average citizens expect from the government of this state."

But Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, had a different perspective. While he said he was generally pleased with subjects outlined by Carnahan, especially remarks about cutting core budgets of departments and improving elementary and secondary education, it was unclear how programs would be paid for.

"It was interesting to me how he pointed out so many budget increases in programs, when he pointed out in the first of his speech about how limited revenue increases had been," said Schwab.

Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, said many of the proposals outlined by Carnahan were not new, but were good ideas. "There wasn't a great deal of new here, yet I certainly concur with a lot of the goals he has," said Kasten.

"What he said was very positive and I agree with; but, if he is going to accomplish them as a whole, I wonder where the money is going to come from," said Kasten.

Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, agreed with Kasten that many of the proposals had been offered before. He expressed concern about where funds would come from.

"I am happy to see him emphasize several things we have been talking about for years, such as education reforms, an emphasis on families, and welfare reforms," said Richardson. "My concern is that when you add up promised increases across every area of government that the budget just won't balance."

Richardson said he can't understand where Carnahan was able to find $63 million in core budget cuts, which, the governor said, would provide some of the funding.

"He had the pleasure of making a lot of promises but did not assume responsibility to say how he would fund them," said Richardson. "I don't disagree with anything he said, but I'm just wondering where the money is coming from. I'm anxious to study his budget to see how 2 plus 2 can equal 6."

Part of the confusion over funding stemmed from the fact that Carnahan did not directly call for a tax increase to fund education reforms in his speech. Most legislators, however, said they knew the increase was inferred and anticipated the governor following through with a tax plan as he had said during the campaign.

Driskill said he does not think Carnahan was ready to unveil the details of his tax plan Wednesday, but legislators know one is needed.

"I think he is building consensus for how the funding package needs to be constructed," said Driskill. "I think everyone in the legislature knows that the foundation formula revision he calls for won't work without more money."

Sen. Jerry Howard, D-Dexter, said he anticipated Carnahan would outline details of his tax plan, but the delay was part of the governor's effort to seek a mutual effort on a plan with legislators.

"He is holding out a branch to the General Assembly and challenged us saying, `Let's do this thing together; I want your cooperation.'"

After his speech, Carnahan said some of the education reforms he outlined in his message would have to come from an education tax hike.

Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, had high marks for Carnahan.

"It is refreshing to have a governor with a plan for Missouri's future," said Thomason. "I am pleased with his comments on education: that we can provide additional money for education, but the public that pays that money needs to get something in return - performance based education.

"I don't think it was a speech; it was an outline of a plan for Missouri's future. I'm really looking forward to having an activist governor working for the things he believes in."

Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn, D-Sikeston, said, "I think there was a lot more enthusiasm this year, knowing there is not going to be gridlock anymore."

Several area legislators expressed surprise that Carnahan did not outline his tax plan in detail while others said it was clear anyway.

"He didn't have to say it; it was inferred," said Thomason.

"I just assumed a tax increase was part of what he was talking about," said Schwab.

Kasten said, after Carnahan's comments during the campaign about a tax hike, that she was anticipating a detailed proposal.

Richardson said, "Most of us anticipated that not only would he lay out a tax increase but an immediate accelerated process for it to tie into fixing the foundation formula and providing other reforms."

"I anticipated he would at least mention it," said Rep. Marilyn Williams, D-Dudley.

Williams said the speech made it clear that education would be Carnahan's top priority. She said she was pleased that he was willing to take the lead in preparing a new foundation formula.

"On jobs, I liked his comments about small businesses and existing business and his idea to create more jobs through the existing businesses we have," said Williams.

"I think he presented a pretty broad spectrum of what he wanted to do this year."

Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, said he wanted to see more details about the governor's budget proposals.

"The governor has stated he has ambitious reform agendas for a jobs strategy and education," said Kinder. "We heard a broad outline in today's speech, and I await the details."

Concerning Carnahan's comments about working to settle desegregation cases in St. Louis and Kansas City that have cost the state $1.7 billion, Kinder said he wants more details about what the governor and attorney general will do.

"They have said they will settle it. It is crucial we know on what terms a settlement is proposed."

Ziegenhorn suggested that before voters would likely take a tax increase seriously, desegregation costs would have to be going down. "Desegreg ation sticks in all our crawls. How can we ask for a tax increase when everyone feels money is being wasted on this?" asked Ziegenhorn.

Kasten said she was especially pleased with Carnahan's frequent reference to families in his speech and support for the Caring Communities program that is similar to her Community Caring Council in Cape Girardeau.

"Overall, I did not hear anything new or different, and I did not disagree with his goals," said Kasten.