JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The celebrated former Missouri governor and Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond appeared on Sunday’s episode of This Week in Missouri Politics to speak on current issues in Missouri politics.
Topics touched upon by Bond include job growth, an unbalanced state budget, state infrastructure and his desire to raise the gas tax. Bond also shared his advice for the current governor, Eric Greitens, as well as his opinion on the newly-elected President Donald Trump.
When asked what he believed to be the top issues facing the state, Bond replied by saying, “Well obviously everybody wants jobs and we’re doing some things for the governor on his great jobs program.” Bond continued to talk about the state government whose budget is out of balance.
“It’s big but it’s not nearly as big as the budget deficit that I faced when I was back in office in 1981 but the governor and the legislature have to work together to get out of it,” Bond explained.
Regarding Greitens, Bond’s opinion remains positive, citing Greitens enthusiasm as a good attribute to have as governor.
“He’s got a lot of energy and he’s hit the ground running,” Bond said.
“The most important thing he can do is to continue to listen to the people that he’s serving but he also has to work with the legislature,” Bond said. “This is not a government where the governor lays out a budget and everybody adopts it. You’ve got to listen to the legislature and find out what their priorities are. If you help them with their priorities, they’ll help you with yours.”
Concerning state infrastructure, Bond wanted to implement a gas tax, as Missouri’s tax is the lowest in the nation, to help fund the varying degrees of road repairs needed throughout the state. The public has not responded well to any tax increases.
Bond’s thoughts on Donald Trump as president are similar to his views on Greitens, citing his energy and enthusiasm.
“He’s brought a lot of energy there and he’s gotten some good things done, just see the stock market going up.”
But Bond also expressed discontent with President Trump’s actions on social media.
“Have your ideas staffed out before you tweet them out …and do it so you don’t have to rely on your press secretary to try to unscramble the tweets that may not be practical,” Bond said.
In his final words during his interview, Bond was asked if he had any advice he wanted to give to first-year legislators.
“Go to work immediately…learn what the issues are, learn from your colleagues, learn to get to know the leadership and find out how you can participate in it,” Bond responded. “Start out as the person known for hard work.”
