Blunt Questions How to Define Earmarks

"Is it an earmark once the Congress of the United States has authorized this as a national priority?"

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After the Springfield News Leader's Chad Livengood and the Terry Ganey of the Columbia Tribune both penned pieces about the earmark process and what defines it, I began recalling a conversation I had with Congressman Roy Blunt on March 20th of this year about the same topic.

As Livengood pointed out in his story, the specific definition of "earmark" seems to vary depending on who you speak to. In my interview, Blunt suggested that many of the so-called earmarks he sponsors shouldn't be labeled as such. He repeatedly raised questions about how to define an earmark, and said he has "always been for going through the entire process."

To provide context, this portion of the interview, which I never got around to publishing, dealt with earmark transparency. But looking back, I think it gives a glimpse into the mind of how the GOP U.S. Senate candidate views the specific spending projects he's brought back to the district for years.

*WATCH FULL EXCHANGE ABOVE*

"Lot of my so-called designated spending was first authorized," said Blunt. "And John McCain or nobody else believes that that's truly a so-called earmark.

Blunt seemed to question if a project should be labeled "an earmark" if it has been designated as a national priority. "If it an earmark once the Congress of the United States has authorized this as a national priority? John McCain says that's not an earmark," Blunt said, seemingly answering his own question. "If it's a tax provision that only affects 20 companies in the whole country, is that an earmark?"

Towards the end, Blunt seemed to lay out his own standards: "It should have a committee vote, it should have a floor vote. It should have a conference committee vote."

But when asked if he ever slipped something into a bill without these votes, Blunt replied, "I don't know that I've never had anything put in at the last minute, but I've always been for going through the entire process."

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PLUS:

The Notebook contacted two former state appropriators for their definition of earmarks on the state level, and whether the process is at all comparable to a federal earmark.

Former Rep. Ken Legan served as the ranking Republican appropriator in the State House from 1981 to 2002; State Sen. Wayne Goode was a Democratic Budget Chair in the Senate from 1984 to 2000. Here is a summary of their thoughts, extracted from our conversations:

Rep. Legan: "Some members have pet projects. It's not like an earmark, they make a case for it. Some mistakenly call them earmarks, but it's not the same. To my knowledge, I have never saw any money go into the budget under the table that I didn't know about. If you go line by line through the state budget, you 'll know exactly what's in there. On the federal level, they get things in there that the committee doesn't always see, the way I understand it. It's altogether different. I couldn't slip something in without nobody knowing about it. Now, you can take an amendment to the budget chair, and if the chair says no, you are out of luck. If he says yes, it goes through the full committee and then to the full House. But to me, they are different processes."

Sen. Goode: "It's somewhat the same, but the appropriations process itself is not as loose and unstructured as it is on the federal level. As a member of the House or Senate, you could offer an amendment to the operating budget bills to fund a pet program, but it's not likely to go anywhere without support. In a capital improvement bill, could you stick something in and it not be known? No, not really. If you can get a majority of votes, it's in the bill. You can kind of look at that as an earmark, but it's a limited process. On the federal level, various Senators get the chairman to put (an earmark) in the bill, but an entire bill can be voted on without that particular item. The way it works in Missouri, is that you always need a majority vote somewhere -- either in committee or on the floor. It doesn't really work like it does in Congress. The process is tighter, more structured on the state level. I think at some point there should be an up or down vote on each level, either the committee level or on the floor. There's a big difference between doing it in a public way and sticking it in because you want it."

Blunt Doesn't Buy Goode's Estimate

TOLD YOU SO

The Govenor's Office says it doesn't necessarily agree with $340 Million Dollar budget shortfall projected by Gov-elect Jay Nixon's top budget adviser.

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BUT A spokesperson also says Goode's findings show Governor Blunt was right to protect the surplus.

"Senator Goode's analysis means that those who wanted to spend the surplus were wrong and Governor Blunt was right to preserve it for future situations like this," said Blunt spokesperson Jessica Robinson.

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The Associated Press reports: Blunt's budget office confirmed the figures released Tuesday by Nixon's transition team.

BUT, Robinson's phone call to The Notebook seems to contradict that.

"We don't necessarily agree with the shortfall number," Robinson said. "The shortfall number does not account for a number of factors that would diminish its size."

Robinson says those factors are:

• The Nixon number assumes funding all supplemental requirements. Robinson says that's not likely.
• The Nixon number assumes the federal government stimulus will be a significant cost to states. Robinson says Blunt believes the federal package will have a positive impact.
• The Nixon number doesn't account for "lapsed funds," or money not spent. Robinson says that number is around $150 million dollars right now. "We had $290 million lapsed dollars last year," she added.

Not Goode

STATE FACES $340 M SHORTFALL

NIXON CONSIDERING WITHHOLDINGS

Plans To Announce Spending Controls in Coming Days

Gov.-elect Jay Nixon's Budget Review Guru Wayne Goode says the national and worldwide recession has "drastically curtailed revenues in Missouri."

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"This is a downturn like none that we've ever seen in the past," said Goode in a statewide conference call with reporters Tuesday morning. The $340 million dollar shortfall is a number based on a projection for June 2009, the end of this fiscal year.

The A.P. Lede: "The budget adviser for Gov.-elect Jay Nixon says Missouri is heading for a $340 million shortfall. And that means midyear spending cuts are likely."

Goode says State Revenues in November totaled $7.6 billion, a $623 million dollar drop from May estimates. "It's changed significantly," says Goode of the state's revenue picture, blaming it almost entirely on the economic downturn.

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Goode adds that the shortfall could "change up or down," and says there's a high level of uncertainty and unpredictability in this volatile economy.

Says Nixon is working on "efficiencies in the existing budget," and will be announcing his initial steps to control spending within the next few days. Dipping into the state's "Rainy Day Fund" for cash-flow purposes is on the table, according to Goode.

Doubts layoffs, saying, "Finding efficiencies isn't the same thing as laying off people."

Won't address the plight of campaign promises like reinstating the Medicaid cuts or boosting funds for higher education

GOV.-ELECT NIXON STATEMENT:

"The economic challenges we face are historic, and in order to solve them, we will need a historic bi-partisan effort. Because when a crisis hits, whether it be a national security crisis or an economic crisis, we must put politics aside and come together for the good of our Missouri families. We must all share in the sacrifice, and we must all be part of the solution. That’s why I will be asking Democratic and Republican lawmakers to join with me in taking bold steps to make government more efficient, more effective and more responsive to Missouri families.

"The people of Missouri want to take our state in a new direction, and that’s exactly what we’ll do. Working together, we will create new jobs, make health care more accessible and help middle-class families make ends meet. But in doing so, we’ll live within our means and create a government that is more efficient and responsive. That’s how we’ll bring about the change our state needs.

"Earlier today, I joined other Governors and Governors-elect to discuss our economic challenges with President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden. The President-elect clearly understands the pain that families are feeling, and he has indicated that his administration will work aggressively to pass the type of economic stimulus package that will help us move Missouri forward," said Gov.-elect Nixon.

LOCAL G.O.PS WITHHOLD REACTION:

Republican Rep. Shane Schoeller, Willard (139th): "I'd like to see more data before I comment too quickly. I think we've all been anticipating a budget shortfall."

Republican Rep. Bob Dixon, Springfield (140th): "I'll be interested to see the specifics of it. We've all been waiting to see the consensus revenue estimate."

How Goode A Picture?

SEEING GREEN -- OR RED?
Gov-elect Jay Nixon's Deputy Transition Director for Budget Review will announce his findings from his review of the state budget Tuesday at 11 a.m. during a media conference call.

Former Senator Wayne Good will unveil the findings and take questions from reporters.

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ALSO: At 10 a.m. in Jefferson City, House Democrats will discuss legislation to approve "accountability and integrity" in state government. Proposals are expected to include a restoration of campaign finance limits, limits on lobbying, a non-partisan redistricting plan and reform of the license fee office system.

A Goode Budget Review

Governor-Elect Jay Nixon appoints former State Senator Wayne Goode to review the state budget during the transition

Goode will analyze the state's budget condition, advise Nixon on fiscal and appropriation matters and help prepare Nixon's first budget package. "We’re facing challenging financial times, and there’s no one more qualified to help prepare our first budget than Sen. Wayne Goode,"
Governor-elect Nixon said in a statement Tuesday. "Just as Missouri families have to tighten their belts, our state government must do the same and find ways to provide more efficient service for the taxpayers. That’s exactly what we’ll be doing throughout this transition process."
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SEN. GOODE'S STATEMENT:
"As the nation continues to face an economic crisis, it’s clear that Missouri is also in the midst of challenging economic times. Beginning immediately, we’ll conduct a detailed review of Missouri’s budget to find areas where we can eliminate waste while improving service for the taxpayers. Under Governor-elect Nixon’s leadership, we’ll determine exactly where the state’s finances stand and plot the best course to move Missouri forward.
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Goode was first elected to Missouri's House in 1962. Legislation he's championed includes the 1994 campaign finance reform bill, the public education funding formula and establishing the University of Missouri-St. Louis.