MDC needs same accountability

To the editor:

I am writing in response to Alan Morris' March 16 letter.

If the Missouri Department of Conservation is doing its job, it should not be concerned about the accountability that my legislation would provide. The Senate joint resolution only puts to a vote, up or down, whether people would like to have the opportunity to vote on the one-eighth-cent conservation sales tax every 10 years.

In regard to using the money for non-conservation issues, politicians and people are already able to do that. The proposed legislation would in no way create new circumstances in which this might occur.

I consider myself a friend of both conservation and wildlife in Missouri, and I would not support legislation that would hurt either of these. Accountability is expected of our elected officials and other government entities, and the Department of Conservation should be held to the same standard.

State Sen. JOHN CAUTHORN

District 18

Mexico, Mo.