Press "Enter" to skip to content

Press release: KEHOE STATEMENT: Governor Finally Confirms that He is Anti-Jobs

KEHOE STATEMENT:  Governor Finally Confirms that He is Anti-Jobs

 

Jefferson City, MO – Senator Mike Kehoe released the following statement today:

 

“The governor flies around the state on a brand-new, tax-payer funded airplane so it is no wonder he does not know the status of Missouri’s roads and bridges.  His opposition to the transportation funding ballot measure demonstrates that he is clueless about the current state of Missouri’s transportation infrastructure.  It also confirms, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the governor is anti-jobs.  Missourians have long suspected this, based upon the governor’s actions and lack of leadership on a variety of important issues, but his statement today opposing the transportation funding ballot measure is concrete proof. By opposing this measure, the governor is turning his back on tens of thousands of good, high-paying jobs over the next ten years.  By opposing this measure, the governor is turning his back on manufacturers and small business across the state who know and understand that good and safe transportation infrastructure is critical to future economic development.   By opposing this measure, the governor is turning his back on all Missourians whose friends and families drive on our roads and want them to be as safe as possible.”

 

“Instead of going out of his way to promote economic development, the governor is working hard to prevent it.  Leadership is more than just showing up and cutting a ribbon.  Real leadership involves engaging in difficult conversations, forming consensus, and working toward a solution.  Whether it is transportation, revising the state’s criminal code, updating Missouri’s antiquated tax laws, or ensuring that children are not doomed to failing schools, the governor has consistently proven to be disengaged and aloof, weighing in only after the fact.  Nearly thirty years ago, a different governor, of a different party understood the great importance of transportation infrastructure and worked with a legislature of the opposite party to increase transportation funding.  Governor Ashcroft will go down in history as one of the state’s most conservative governors, yet he led on transportation issues.  Governor Nixon has lived off the tax-payer dime his entire adult life, and it has become increasingly clear to Missourians that he simply does not know how to lead.  Politics and leadership are not synonymous.”

 

“The governor’s opposition and political games do not change the fact that Missouri has the seventh largest transportation system in the nation while being forty-third in funding.  Our 32,000 miles of roads and 10,400 bridges are critical to Missourians and our local economies.  Missourians do not have the luxury of flying from place to place on the tax-payers’ tab.  Instead, we depend daily upon a transportation system that needs to be maintained and improved.  MoDOT, its planning partners, and stakeholders from across the state are finalizing a project list to present to Missourians so that they can decide in August how to invest in transportation infrastructure.”