STATE FAIR: CAN IT STAY OUT OF THE RED?

The Missouri State Fair in Sedalia is one of those time-honored institutions that most folks take for granted -- until a problem arises. Now the fair has a financial problem. It is likely that the fair's expenses will outstrip income from operations and legislative appropriations to the tune of nearly $1 million in another year.

One of the members of the commission that oversees the State Fair has suggested a supplemental appropriation from the General Assembly that would "wipe us a clean slate." Because of the fair's importance to so many Missourians, legislators might be inclined to do just that. But what about the fair commission's ability to stay out of the red in the future?

It would be a shame if the fair became such a financial burden that it had to close up entirely. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from the daily newspaper that is run by the University of Missouri's School of Journalism. That taxpayer-funded newspaper ran up a deficit of $1.5 million. The university's curator's agreed to forgive the debt a few weeks ago -- but only after taking more control of what was once a proudly independent newspaper.