Gov. Blunt's Compassionate Side

You may know Governor Blunt for his drastic cuts to Medicaid.

But the staff at the Boys and Girls Town in Springfield know him for consistently boosting funds to help abused and neglected children get a second shot at a better life.

If you're a critic of this Governor, it's easy to take aim at him for his cuts to healthcare and other social programs. But he clearly has a special place in his heart for kids who haven't had the best of luck in life.

One Boys and Girls Town staffer calls them, "kids that are tough to love."

Keeping a campaign pledge, for the third time in three years, this Governor is proposing to increase reimbursement rates to residential treatment facilities by $5 per child per day.

In 2005, Blunt pushed for a $5 per child per day increase and got it. In 2006, he got a $10 per child per day boost. It's likely he'll get this one as well.

It will cost the state $1.2 million dollars, and generate an additional $1.6 million in federal funds.

Watch my KY3 News @ 10 report on the plan by clicking HERE.

These funds will also go to staffing and resource needs at the Regional Girls Shelter in Springfield and the Good Samaritan Ranch.

The last Governor that pushed for such an increase was Gov. John Ashcroft, according to Boys and Girls Town President Vince Hillyer.

"We usually expect this kind of compassion for these kids from a Democratic Governor," said one Boys and Girls Town staffer. "It's usually more of a Democratic issue, but we're really happy this Governor has committed to us. He really has shown he cares about these kids."