STATE REP. SAYS STATE MANUAL BIO IS WRONG

SIKESTON -- State Rep. Joe Heckemeyer doesn't have a master's degree in public administration from Southeast Missouri State University even though it says so in the state manual.

Heckemeyer said Thursday that it was all a mistake. But a state Republican Party official accused the Democratic legislator from Sikeston of lying about his education.

The 1995-1996 state manual, published by the Missouri secretary of state's office, lists biographies on every state legislator.

Heckemeyer's biography shows that he graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1988 and that he had an MPA from Southeast Missouri State University. No graduation year was listed for the Southeast degree.

The 1997-1998 manual states that Heckemeyer graduated from Southeast with an MPA degree in 1998.

But university officials said Heckemeyer doesn't have a degree from Southeast.

Heckemeyer said he was admitted to the master's degree program at Southeast in 1992.

He said he has completed all of his classes. "I completed the course work before my first election," said Heckemeyer, who was first elected to the 160th District state House seat in 1994.

Heckemeyer said he still must do an internship and write a paper before he can receive a master's degree.

He suggested his legislative work could count for an internship, Heckemeyer said.

But he said he hasn't had an opportunity to pursue the matter. Heckemeyer married this summer.

He said he also has been busy farming and campaigning for re-election.

Heckemeyer said he had submitted biographical information for the 1995-1996 state manual that included a statement that he was working toward a master's degree in public administration.

He said a mistake in editing on the part of the secretary of state's office led to the manual listing him as having a master's degree.

Heckemeyer said he had anticipated receiving a master's degree in 1998. The state manual, which came out in 1997, showed Heckemeyer earning an MPA in 1998.

Heckemeyer said he still intends to complete his degree work and receive an MPA.

Daryl Duwe, Missouri Republican Party spokesman, said he received a tip this summer that Heckemeyer's bio was inaccurate.

In a letter to the university registrar's office, Duwe inquired if Heckemeyer had a degree from Southeast.

The university replied that Heckemeyer didn't have any degree from Southeast.

Duwe said the whole situation brings into question Heckemeyer's personal integrity and honesty.

"It is not lying about his sex life, but it is lying on a bio," Duwe said.

But Heckemeyer said it was a mistake. "I never intentionally lied."

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce recently published a voter's guide that includes biographical information on candidates running in the November election.

The guide states that Heckemeyer is working toward a MPA degree.

Jim Grebing, communications director for Secretary of State Bekki Cook, was involved in editing the 1997-1998 manual.

He said lawmakers' bios often are edited to keep them to the same length and provide "a degree of consistency."

Grebing said the secretary of state's staff in 1995 may have incorrectly edited the information submitted by Heckemeyer about the MPA degree.

As to the current state manual, Grebing said it is obvious that Heckemeyer hadn't earned the degree at the time that the book was published in October 1997 since it states a graduation date of 1998.

Heckemeyer accused Republicans of attacking him at every turn.

"It bothers me that politics has become so petty and trashy," he said.

Heckemeyer said he made good grades in the master's degree classes that he has taken at Southeast.

Said Heckemeyer, "If I was flunking out, it would be terrible to talk about."