STATE MANAGEMENT RANKING DISPUTED

Gov. Mel Carnahan telephoned reporters Wednesday to tout a study that gave Missouri state government high marks for financial management.

But Republican lawmakers in Southeast Missouri later said the state won't make the grade unless it seriously cuts taxes.

Missouri is one of only four states to receive Governing Magazine's highest grade for state management. The others are Utah, Virginia and Washington.

The Government Performance Project was a collaborative effort between Syracuse University and Governing Magazine. The study looked at all 50 state governments and 15 federal agencies on the effectiveness of their financial management systems central to the delivery of public services.

Carnahan hasn't tired of talking about the state's good grade since holding a press conference Monday in Jefferson City. On Wednesday, he spoke to reporters from several newspapers around the state in a telephone conference call.

Republicans in the Legislature have said the study didn't take into account taxation.

Carnahan said GOP lawmakers should have welcomed the state's good grades. "I think they should be more constructive when there is something thoroughly positive about the state," he said. "They just can't see any good news," the governor said of Republicans.

Carnahan said his administration has worked hard to improve government efficiency and hold down costs. "We have had a drive to contain the size and growth of state government," he said.

Local Republican lawmakers said state government has grown dramatically during Carnahan's administration.

State Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, said the state's budget has grown from $8 billion to $16 billion in seven years. Schwab suggested good management would require the state to significantly cut taxes.

"When we have growth in the state budget, I would think to be classified a good state we would be returning that money to the taxpayer," he said.

Schwab said the state constitution's requirement of a balanced budget and the Hancock Amendment's limits on growth in state spending are the two biggest factors working in favor of good government in Missouri.

Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, said Missouri has had some sound fiscal policies. But she said the Democratic Party can't take credit for all of the accomplishments.

Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, said the good ratings are the result of years of excellent management by the two previous Republican governors.

"It is a little bit self serving for him to take credit for that rating," said Richardson. "It is not based in any way upon the tax increases or the massive growth in government that Gov. Carnahan has been responsible for."

Richardson said Missouri now ranks 16th highest in the nation in terms of per-capita tax burden.

State Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, said he doubted Missouri would get such high marks for management if the state were to allow collective bargaining for public employees as the governor wants.

"If the governor is serious about containing the cost and growth of government he will drop his drive to unionize state government," Kinder said.

He also said Carnahan should join Republican lawmakers and push for an across-the-board tax cut.