And The Tour Will Go On

Gov. Jay Nixon said Tuesday he'll release the $1.5 million dollars in state funding to allow the 2009 Tour of Missouri to go on but wants more transparency and accountability in how taxpayer money is spent.

NIXON FULL STATEMENT:

"Missouri currently faces tremendous financial challenges, and the state must find ways to reduce spending. Even as my administration continues to tighten its belt, I believe that the 2009 Tour of Missouri should go forward. The race will go on this year, and Missourians deserve to know that state funds for the event are used transparently and accountably. They should know precisely how money for the Tour of Missouri is being spent, and that the event is being run in a way that minimizes the cost to taxpayers," Nixon said.

"To ensure transparency and accountability, I asked the Office of Administration to seek a full and fair explanation of all expenditures connected with the Tour of Missouri in 2007 and 2008, and of budgeted expenditures and contracts for 2009. A representative from the Office of Administration met today with representatives of the Department of Economic Development, the Division of Tourism and Tour of Missouri, Inc. Because of assurances from the Division of Tourism and the Tour of Missouri, Inc. that they are now willing to share records regarding spending on previous races and planned spending for this year’s race, the Office of Budget and Planning will immediately begin to provide state funds for the 2009 Tour of Missouri," Nixon concluded.

So -- does Lt. Gov. Kinder get any political credit for rallying the save --

--OR--

Is the 2010 race in more peril than ever before?