Seniority Will Drive Some State Park Cuts

Some senior state parks employees will be able to avoid layoffs by taking more junior positions, according to a Department of Natural Resources spokesperson.

Employees learned Monday that more than 100 positions will be eliminated due to declining tax revenues.

But exactly which employees will lose their jobs won't be determined for another three weeks.

DNR spokesman Travis Ford said employees with seniority will have more options. "In some cases, they have the right to do that," Ford told The Notebook Monday.

"We know it's going to be more than 100. We don't know exactly what the number will be," Ford said.

Job reductions will be spread across the state, from the central office to regional offices, down to individual parks.

"The most important thing we had to do is to let these employees know today. It's not fun to announce but we needed to get them notified," Ford said.

Ford said senior employees will have three weeks to decide whether they'd like to stay on in a more junior position.

He said the the department would have more specifics on what jobs will be cut and where in early November.

Get more from the Associated Press HERE.

7 Dems Help Try To Save The Tour

Seven Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to Gov. Jay Nixon Tuesday asking him to continue funding the Tour of Missouri in 2010.

The race, which lures bicyclists from all over the country in world, is in the last year of its 3-year contract. Nixon's administration flirted with withholding funds from this year's race, due to the dire budget situation.

"With a complete realization of the continued recession that our state is facing, we believe that a 14-to-1 return on the state’s $1.5 million commitment to the Tour of Missouri is a wise investment, especially during these difficult economic times," wrote the Democratic lawmakers, including the Senate and House minority leaders.

"The last two years, the Tour of Missouri brought in nearly $60 million in tourism dollars throughout the state. In 2007 and 2008 combined, an estimated 802,000 people saw the race. Another 22 million watched the event on television and viewers in 150 countries viewed live streaming coverage of the event via the Internet. We will continue to work closely with you and our legislative colleagues in ensuring that we are making smart financial decisions for the families of Missouri. We believe that continuing to fund the Tour of Missouri is a wise investment for communities and tourism across our state," the letter continues.

Sen. Victor Callahan, Rep. Paul LeVota, Rep. Jason Grill, Rep. Tom McDonald, Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, Rep. Chris Carter, Rep. Michele Kratky were the seven who signed the letter.

Hotel Lodging: Nixon's Tourism Cut Will Cost Jobs

The Missouri Hotel Lodging Association estimates 2,500 hotel workers will lose their jobs due to Gov. Jay Nixon's administration's cuts to the tourism division.

The Department of Economic Development is cutting the division's budget by 35 percent.

"When Governor Nixon announced he was asking state agencies to trim their budgets last week, Missouri's travel industry had no idea that DED would take $7 million of its $11.3 cut from the Division of Tourism, ordering most other departmental agencies to trim only 10 percent or less. The proposal by DED is tantamount to placing a lesser value on tourism, an industry that has significantly propped up the state's economy during these lean times," Ramona Mormann, executive director of the Missouri Hotel Lodging Association, told The Notebook.

The Governor's office has said tourism had a $4.5 million dollar balance to use left over from last year. But the tourism director disputes that calculation.

"For every $1 invested by the state in marketing tourism, Missouri's economy sees a return of $48.13. A cut of this size will be felt by travel-related businesses in both metropolitan and rural parts of the state," said Mormann. "Missouri's hotel industry stands behind its projected job loss figures, noting that a cut of this magnitude will result in a five point drop in hotel occupancy and a $334 million decline in revenue for Missouri's travel industry. To single out tourism to shoulder the burden of cuts from a DED budget of over $73 million will cost Missouri jobs and visitor-generated tax revenues at a time when the state's economy can least afford it," she said.

Before You Head To The Lake This Weekend . . .

The Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee holds its second hearing looking into the Department of Natural Resources handling of E.Coli-gate at 9 a.m. Friday morning.

A conference call is happening NOW . . .

The call is open to the public . . .

DIAL IN @ 1-866-630-9352 OR 573-526-5904

The hearing is scheduled to update the committee and the public on the progress of the review the committee is conducting.

The Record Defends Nixon's Tourism Cuts

The conservative-leaning The Missouri Record is defending Gov. Jay Nixon's cuts to the tourism division and says his administration should have slashed even more.

"Gov. Nixon's problem here isn't that he cut too much. It's that he didn't cut enough. Why should my tax dollars go to pay for advertising to benefit wealthy entertainment venue owners in Springfield, Branson, or anywhere else in the state? Branson has a population of 6,050. Why should the other 5,904,545 Missourians subsidize their local economy?," writes Jay Barnes.

Read the rest HERE.

WATCH WEDNESDAY'S KY3 NEWS REPORT HERE

Tourism Tussle: Officials & Nixon Administration Disagree Over Size of Cut

FUZZY MATH

What Tourism Sees As A $7 M Cut, Nixon Calls A $2.5 M Reduction

"That's pretty creative accounting in my book," says one official.

"$4.5 Million Dollars in unpaid bills? C'mon," responds Cardetti

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

Tourism officials say Gov. Nixon's administration's $7 million dollar cut to their budget is disproportionate and shows a lack of respect for an industry that's key to the state's economy.

Because of the ongoing recession, last week, Nixon announced how he'd slice an additional $60 million dollars from the budget.

Tourism was one of the largest culprits on his list.

The head of the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau says the cut means that people outside the state will see less ads promoting Springfield, Branson and other Missouri cities.

"Obviously, we're going to have considerably less advertising. That will equate to less visitors to the state," said Tracy Kimberlin of the Visitors Bureau.

Fewer tourists means less of their money for businesses and in turn, less sales taxes to prop up local communities.

The cut tourism received is much larger than cuts to other economic development programs.

Of the $11 million dollars the Department of Economic Development was forced to cut, $7 million came from tourism. That's 64% of the total department's decrease.

"While it may have to forgo cuts like everyone else, I don't think disproportionate cuts to the tourism budget are wise," said Senate Appropriations Chair Gary Nodler. "In times of economic difficulty, it appears to be an easy target," Nodler said.

"It's very disproportionate. It's gutting the Division of Tourism's ad budget and that will eventually come back to haunt the state," said Kimberlin.

But Nixon's office disputes tourism's numbers. Spokesman Jack Cardetti points to a $4.5 million dollar balance the division had leftover at the end of the fiscal year. Cardetti said that money could be carried over.

"Because of the state's tight fiscal situation, our budget office has asked them to spend that balance this year. The net result is that tourism will experience a $2.5 million dollar cut, which is in line with the belt-tightening that is happening throughout the state," Cardetti said.

"The cut doesn’t substantially affect the Division of Tourism more than others because they can use their $4.5 million fund balance to off-set the cut," Cardetti added.

"That's pretty creative accounting, in my book," replied Kimberlin.

He said that $4.5 million dollar balance was already spent last spring, and compared it to charging something on a credit card and not yet getting the bill.

"It's not like that money was just sitting there waiting for a use. It was already spent," Kimberlin said.

A spokeswoman for the Division of Tourism concurred. "We didn't end with that amount. That $4.5 million was already designated for purchases made. We just hadn't received the billing," said tourism spokeswoman Sarah Luebbert.

To which Cardetti replied, "$4.5 million dollars of bills not paid? C'mon." "They're going to have $2.5 million less, which is about 10 percent."

With hotel occupancy in Springfield down five percent this year to date, Kimberlin worries that a lack of support from the state will make things even worse.

"I think a lot of people tend not to give tourism its due respect from the standpoint of economic development," said Kimberlin.

Most of Tour of Missouri Funding Yet to Be Released

SLOW CASH FLOW HOBBLING RELEASE

Just a third of state tourism funds dedicated to the 2009 Tour of Missouri have been released, a month before the bike race is set to begin, KY3 News has learned.

The state's tourism director said his agency received notice that $500,000 had been released Tuesday. But apparently the state doesn't have the cash flow to immediately provide the remaining $1 million dollars Gov. Jay Nixon promised -- all at once.

"It's authorized to be released, but the state is having a tremendous cash flow problem. The money's just not there," said tourism director Bob Smith.

When asked when he expected to get the remainder of the funds, Smith replied, "I can't answer that, I don't know."

Nixon spokesman Jack Cardetti said the remaining funds "will be released in installments in the coming weeks."

After initially freezing the $1.5 million dollars for the race and facing pressure from cyclist enthusiasts around the country, Nixon decided to ok the money for the cross-state bicycle race in mid-July. On July 14th, Nixon said, "the Office of Budget and Planning will immediately begin to provide state funds for the 2009 Tour of Missouri."

Reached Tuesday afternoon, the event's manager said he was unaware that some of the funding still had not been released.

"I thought we had cleared that hurdle," said Chris Aronhalt of Medalist Sports who is helping coordinate the Tour. "We respect the Governor's office in doing what it has to do, but it is crucial. The timing of the release is crucial to successfully plan and execute the event," Aronhalt said.

A spokesman for Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, who chairs the state Tourism Commission and heavily lobbied to keep state funding for the race, suggested the money is still being withheld.

"Based upon conversations with the Director of the Division of Tourism, it is our understanding that $1 million in funding for this year’s race is still being withheld. I believe this could present some serious challenges with the start of the race just one month away," said Kinder spokesman Gary McElyea.

Aronhalt said not having the money in hand can at times make it difficult to secure commitments with vendors. He did not say that the lack of funds prohibited agreements from being signed, but noted, "it doesn't make life easy." "Bills need to be paid, that's why cash is needed," Aronhalt said.

On top of the Tour funding, Smith said the Tourism division has yet to receive any of its first quarter funding for the 2010 fiscal year. He said the agency should have received around $5 million dollars shortly after July 1st, the start of the fiscal year.

"I'm sure (The Tour) would like to have it all now. I'd like to have it all now. But it's not there right now," Smith said. "We realize we're going to get the money eventually. We're just cautiously reviewing our invoices right now," he said.

The Tour of Missouri is scheduled to run Sept. 7-13 with circuit races in St. Louis and Kansas City. The nearest Ozarks stop is in Rolla.

Koster to Investigate Withholding of E.Coli Report

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster will review a complaint that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources withheld a report showing unsafe levels of E. coli in the Lake of the Ozarks.

The Missouri Clean Water Campaign, which is part of the Sierra Club, had urged Koster to investigate allegations that state officials refused to turn over public documents. The lake water was tested May 26 but the findings weren't released until June 26.

A DNR spokeswoman initially told The Kansas City Star the report wasn't released earlier because of concerns it could harm tourism and business around the lake.

The department has since said the report should have been released immediately.

Clean Water Campaign Chairman Ken Midkiff said Friday that not releasing the study violated state open records laws.

State Withheld Lake of the Ozarks Ecoli Report

DON'T DRINK THE WATER

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (AP) - A state agency acknowledges that it withheld a report for four weeks that showed the Lake of the Ozarks had E. coli above safe levels.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources said it withheld the report around Memorial Day because of concern that releasing it would hurt tourism and business around the lake.

Heavy rains in May washed the bacteria into the lake, which has since returned to safe levels. But for a month, the DNR refused to show the report to residents who were demanding to see it,

The Kansas City Star reported Thursday. DNR spokeswoman Susanne Medley said the agency wanted to make sure it didn't panic the public.

But some critics say the decision not to release the report immediately was a cover-up that put the economy above public health.

Kinder "Thrilled" Nixon Now a Tour Supporter

"IT IS NOT MY VICTORY . . . IT IS YOUR VICTORY"

ALSO: Says "Dust-Up" Will Supercharge This Year's Race

Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder said the "dust-up" over the possible cancellation of this year's Tour of Missouri will have a supercharge effect on the cycling race now less than three months away.

Kinder held a Tuesday afternoon conference call to thank the volunteers, supporters and media who helped rally to save the 2009 tour from a $1.5 million dollar cut that would have halted the race. Gov. Nixon announced Tuesday that he would release the state funds for the event, but called for more "transparency and accountability."

Kinder made sure to note that the race was "threatened by actions of the Nixon administration," but said he was thrilled to now be able to call the Governor a supporter of the Tour. "I am delighted by the news today that Governor Nixon . . . has released the funds," Kinder said, adding that he was "especially delighted" to welcome Nixon to the ranks of supporters.

Kinder also took note of video posted by The Notebook last week of then-candidate Nixon taking a shot at the race during a Chamber of Commerce meeting in Springfield last September.

Kinder said those comments showed Nixon "ridiculing and casting aspersions on the Tour of Missouri." He said today marks the first indication that Nixon is a supporter of the effort.

"It is not my victory. It is your victory," Kinder told supporters on the call.

Kinder did not directly address Nixon's remarks about greater accountability and transparency. He only said that an economic impact study would be included evaluating this year's race.
*UPDATE @5:23 PM: Kinder spokesman Gary McElyea notes that Kinder did address the transparency charge: "The organizers and planners of this race have always operated above the board, and been completely transparent with the state, cities and media…. That will continue," Kinder said.

Kinder also said the dust-up over the race would "supercharge" the event, possibly luring a half a million spectators to the state in September.

ALSO, according to the Lt. Gov's office:
*The Tour of Missouri website crashed this afternoon, due to a record amount of hits.
*836 e-mails were sent to Gov. Nixon through the Tour of Missouri website (that doesn't include emails transmitted other ways.)
*"It's not fair for the Governor to make the statement that the Tour is now willing to provide documents. Tour of Missouri Inc. has always said they're happy to provide any budget documents, and in many cases have provided them to the media," said McElyea, responding to Nixon's statement.
*Kinder's office first found out about Nixon's decision through another reporter. McElyea said Nixon told Kinder Friday that their staffs would communicate about his decision. Kinder and Nixon did not speak Tuesday.

*Kinder's call did not include a question and answer session*

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?

Budget Cut Could Cancel Tour of Missouri

Missouri's big bike race could be in peril due to a recommended cut by Governor Jay Nixon's administration.

The 3rd Annual Tour of Missouri is in danger of being cancelled just three months before the start date. Now tourism advocates are gearing up to save it.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

PLUS: The Lieutenant Governor's office told KY3 News late Friday that Gov. Nixon has indicated he's taking the weekend to think it over and should have a decision early next week.

FLASHBACK: Candidate Nixon Ribs Tour

THE LOOK ON HIS FACE? PRICELESS.

Jay Nixon never showed much affection for the Tour of Missouri -- even as a candidate.

From The Notebook Video Library: Here's Nixon ribbing the tour at a Chamber of Commerce gathering on September 9, 2008 -- the same day the Tour was winding through Springfield.

In his closing remarks, the Governor-to-be thanks the packed house for attending his event:

"Thank you . . . 75 people on a beautiful day that could be out watching Belgians ride bicycles in your town . . . (laughter) . . . are here."

How A Bike Race Became A Political Football

DEVELOPING . . .

FOR KY3 NEWS @ 10

Tourism Signals Support for Tour of Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Missouri Tourism Commission has reaffirmed its support for the Tour of Missouri bicycle race in the face of a potential state budget cut.

Gov. Jay Nixon's administration has frozen $1.5 million of tourism funding intended for the race and is considering whether to eliminate the money to help balance the state budget.

Organizers say that would force the cancellation of the September bicycle race.

At a meeting Thursday, members of the state Tourism Commission questioned whether Nixon's administration has the legal authority to control how it spends its money. Commissioners voted to reaffirm their $1.5 million commitment to the race.

Nixon budget director Linda Luebbering said the potential Tour of Missouri cut remains under review.

Nixon Offers No Signal of Support for Tour of Missouri

As it's been widely reported Thursday, Gov. Jay Nixon is considering a $1.5 million cut to the Tour of Missouri that organizers say could force the cancellation of the September bicycle race.

The Department of Economic Development recommended the cut this week in response to Nixon's request for agencies to identify savings in the state budget. A decision on it will be made in several weeks, Nixon's spokesman Jack Cardetti told The Associated Press.

The News-Leader's Chad Livengood quotes the race organizer calling the "timing terrible."

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder took to the airwaves to urge people to call the Governor and tell him to preserve the race. @savethetour popped up as a TWITTER account.

During the Springfield signing, Livengood asked Nixon if he supported all the state funding that's gone towards the tour. Nixon was non-committal, dodging a inquiry about the future with a brush-off-the-shoulder response to issues decided in the past.

"It's just not something I spend a great deal of my time thinking about," the Governor responded.

*WATCH FULL RESPONSE ABOVE*

*THE TAKE BELOW:

But that seems like an odd answer for someone who carved out most of his initial campaign on a controversial decision (in the past) made by Gov. Matt Blunt (Medicaid cuts). Nixon's rationale for not rendering a public judgement on funding for the Tour is perplexing. He could've said he thought it was a bad decision to pour state money into event in place of other priorities. He could've said he supported the Tour concept but that in difficult economic times, sacrifices are necessary. But the first take of Nixon's answer seems to indicate he's got questions about using taxpayer money for the annual bike race. It seems that in the weeks ahead, Team Kinder's top priority will forcing Nixon's hand -- pushing him to pledge support and/or attempting to punish him politically if the ax falls.

Tourism Complains About A Broken Funding Promise for Branson

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

*Watch additional interview clips from Sen. Jack Goodman and State Tourism Commission member Kelly Swanson above*

More than a month after the Governor promised new dollars for tourism, some in the Branson area are asking Jay Nixon to show them the money.

"To make a promise and then back out of that promise, is not very good. That's not doing a lot for the Governor as far as good will towards tourism," said Swanson, who owns the Port of Kimberling. "We're behind the 8-ball, and there's nothing we can do. We can't catch up," she said.

NIXON SPOKESMAN RESPONDS:

"The entire $1 million is being released, with the remainder to go out over the next several weeks. Since the money could not be spent all at once, there was not a need to release it all at once. Again, it's clear that the Governor is fulfilling his promise to release this money for Missouri tourism this fiscal year," said spokesman Scott Holste. "Neither the Governor nor the news release reference a majority of money going for Branson-specific promotion. The point of restoring the million dollars was to boost tourism statewide, with the Governor's expectation that attracting visitors to Branson and to the All-Star festivities in St.Louis would be the primary focus. We will continue to work with Tourism Commission toward these goals," Holste added.

ALSO In The Vid Above: Swanson said it's her understanding that Nixon requested that a portion of the funding go to the All-Star game as a condition for restoring the entire $1 million.

Define "Right Now"

TOURISM TUSSLE
Six weeks ago, Governor Nixon promised to restore $1 million dollars in funding that would significantly benefit Branson tourism almost immediately.

It hasn't happened.

The Nixon administration contends it never promised a majority of the funds would benefit Branson -- and says it doesn't need to release the funds all at once.

Tonight on KY3 News @ 10 -- why some in Taney County tourism feel hung out to dry.

*Watch a preview above*

Tourism Official Says Nixon Cost Branson Ad Blitz

The Springfield News-Leader reports that Governor Jay Nixon's incremental release of tourism dollars prevented Branson from purchasing ads just before the beginning of the summer season.
***
On Tuesday, The Notebook reported on Sen. Jack Goodman's frustration that only about $250,000 of the $1 million dollars promised by the Governor had been released.

A spokesman for the Democratic governor said Tuesday that the money was being released in increments because the Division of Tourism didn't need it all at once.

But Chad Livengood reports that interim director of tourism Bob Smith said that's not true because he couldn't purchase the ads without the money on hand.

"That's a real misnomer," Smith said. "We told them I've got to have the money by April 15," he told the commission.

Goodman to Nixon: Show Branson The Money

PROMISES, PROMISES

State Senator Jack Goodman says Governor Jay Nixon has not kept his promise to restore tourism funding.
***

More than a month ago, Governor Nixon visited Branson to announce that $1 million dollars that had been cut from tourism would be restored, so the city could promote itself with ads in other states. But Goodman said that to date, Nixon has only restored about a quarter of that money. And he said a majority of it is going to promote this summer's Major League All-Star Game in St. Louis.

***
***UPDATE @ 11:03 PM***
But a spokesman for the Governor said the point was always to boost tourism statewide. "The point of restoring the million dollars was to boost tourism statewide, with the Governor's expectation that attracting visitors to Branson and to the All-Star festivities in St. Louis would be the primary focus," said Nixon spokesman Scott Holste.

"The next increment of $250,000 will be released on May 1 with the balance to go out before the end of the fiscal year," Holste explained. "The fiscal year is far from over, so it is not accurate to say the Governor is not doing what he said he would do, which is to restore the million dollars."

***
Goodman is now pushing new accountability measures so the public can track these funding promises online, in the future.

"Many people in Branson anticipated that the funding Nixon promised to restore would be restored right after his announcement," Goodman said. "By making the daily department budgets—and any cuts made to them—public and searchable on the Missouri Accountability Portal, the people of Branson could easily track when and how much money was restored, rather than waiting in the dark for something that may never come," he added.

Here's the KY3 News story from Nixon's announcement in Branson.

The Missouri Senate advanced a bill that includes an amendment to the Missouri Accountability Portal. Goodman's amendment requires the Governor to submit a daily report documenting all amounts withheld from the state's operating budget for the fiscal year. It also requires the report to be posted on the portal website and be searchable by amounts withheld from each fund, and by the total amount withheld from the operating budget.

Camden County to Decide on Lodging Tax

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. -- For the second time in ten months, voters in Camden County will decide Tuesday whether to tax hotel guests more to help promote the Lake of the Ozarks.

A ballot measure asks voters to raise the lodging tax from 3 to 5 percent. It's a tax that will impact tourists but be decided by residents.

Camden County's lodging tax is well below Missouri's other top tourism spots. Kansas City is at 7.5%, St. Louis is at 7.2%, Springfield is at 5.2% and Branson is at 5%.

Read the entire KY3 News @ 10 story HERE.