[Education and Welfare] Nixon asks for GOP help on blind benefit

[Denny Huff]

Nixon asks for GOP help on blind benefit
By
Rudi Keller
Friday, March 23, 2012
JEFFERSON CITY - In a rare move, Gov. Jay Nixon sought Republican support
this week
to reverse a $28 million cut that ends a medical program for blind
Missourians by
bringing rank-and-file members to his office.
Since Nixon took office, Republican legislative leaders have often
criticized him
for being unwilling to work directly with lawmakers. Democrats have
privately made
similar complaints that the governor does not assist them in forging a
common strategy
against GOP initiatives.
Money from the cut to the medical program was shifted to state colleges and
universities
as part of a plan to maintain level funding for the schools.
Nixon met Wednesday with Rep. Jeff Grisamore, R-Lee's Summit, and Rep.
Dwight Scharnhorst,
R-Valley Park. In an interview, Grisamore said Nixon reiterated his
"commendable
concern" about the cuts and talked with them about how to reverse the
decision.
"The governor made a passionate case for his concerns in this area,"
Grisamore said.
Scharnhorst could not be reached for comment.
Grisamore, a member of the House Budget Committee and chairman of the
Special Standing
Committee on Disability Services, said he opposed the cuts during committee
work.
Once the committee had voted, Grisamore said he felt he had to stand with
Chairman
Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City, because he had been able to reverse other
decisions that
would have cut services to the disabled.
"We had many more victories than defeats," he said.
The closest vote came on the bill that eliminates medical coverage for 2,858
blind
Missourians. Seven Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the measure,
which passed
on a 90-61 vote. All four Democrats who represent Boone County - Reps. Mary
Still,
Chris Kelly, Stephen Webber and Paul Quinn - voted against the bill. Rep.
John Cauthorn,
R-Mexico, voted in favor of the bill.
The bill contains $6 million for a "transitional benefit" to help some who
will lose
coverage.
Spokesman Scott Holste said Nixon met with Grisamore and Scharnhorst, "among
others."
"I can also tell you that he is greatly disappointed that these two longtime
supporters
of Missourians with disabilities then voted to eliminate, for all intents
and purposes,
this vital program that has been in place to help needy blind people for
more than
40 years," Holste said.
Grisamore said he suggested Nixon ask college and university presidents to
help save
the program. A letter to the Senate giving up some of the money might work,
he said
he told the governor.
But yesterday, University of Missouri President Tim Wolfe told the MU
Faculty Council
he is not planning to get into the politics of the budget. "We're not
getting involved
in where the source of funding is," he said. "If anyone asks, that's for
legislators
to decide, not for us to decide."
Wolfe did warn, though, that Nixon's proposal to cut higher education by 7.8
percent
is still a possibility. With tuition increases, that cut would amount to a
$47 million
shortfall. In the worst-case scenario, Wolfe said, 245 jobs are on the
chopping block.
Holste said today Nixon would seek to restore the funding by promoting the
merits
of the program.
"This issue is not about cutting a deal," Holste said. "It is about doing
the right
thing."
Tribune reporter Janese Silvey contributed to this story.
Reach Rudi Keller at 573-815-1709 or e-mail
rkeller at columbiatribune.com

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