Matt Blunt Pays Missouri's Debts

Looks like Governor Matt Blunt has begun to pay down some of the debt that Missouri incurred under previous administrations:

Gov. Matt Blunt sent a plan to the U.S. Department of Labor to repay part of the state's debt, which is currently at $288 million. The state was forced to borrow funds from the federal government to cover unemployment compensation claims after the state fund became insolvent in 2003.

"While the reforms in legislation (House Bill 1268) passed in the 2004 legislative session have gone a long way to stop the spiral into debt, which would have reached $600 million this year had the 2004 legislation not been passed, employers are not completely out of the woods yet," said Daniel P. Mehan, Missouri Chamber president and CEO. "We're all -- our association, employers and the administration -- walking a tightrope right now, trying to balance obligations to the federal government with as minimal fiscal impact on Missouri employees as possible. This is no easy task -- it is a large and complex problem and those involved are exploring all options to responsibly restore the fund to solvency."

Undoubtedly, a more creative governor would have found a way to avoid paying this debt, perhaps a state equity line of credit or some such. But Matt Blunt understands what obligations mean and will minimize the impact of his predecessors' poor foresight on future business growth and employment.

Perhaps Matt Blunt is in the wrong business. But we at DMB2008 continue to believe his lack of understanding of how politics works, at least how elected officials and aspiring elected officials thinks politics should work, makes Matt Blunt a better leader.

We should elect him president before he understands politics more and principled leadership less.