JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The week of October 30 – November 3, 2017 was relatively quiet for Missouri Governor Eric Greitens. His week was dominated by his correspondence with U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt, his report on shrinking the state government, and his sympathies for the New York terrorist attack.
On Monday, he went on St. Louis-based ABC 30, and talked to Jamie Allman, host of the Allman Report, who had very high praises for the Missouri Governor. Allman was ecstatic about Greitens and his support for police officers and his response to the Stockley protests in St. Louis. The conversation was flattering for the governor and talked about his Amazon bid, Greitens’ tough on crime measures, and his desire to hire veterans.
On Tuesday, he released the report on how to shrink the state government. In April, he created a task force to streamline the government. Among his recommendations were to remove 450 gubneratorial appointments, combine some panels while cutting others, and lower fees if possible. The report found that 5 percent of boards and commissions do not even have a quorum enough to meet.
“Government is too big, too slow, and works too poorly,” Greitens said. “With these recommendations, the task force took an important first step to shrink the size of government and make it work better for people.”
Later that day, he also appointed Bishop Mark Tolbert and Don Wagner to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners. Tolbert is a pastor and president of Victorious Life Church and was previously the president of the Coalition of Concerned Clergy. Wagner is a partner at Wagner Investments, LP. and previously served on the Kansas City Police Foundation.
On Wednesday, October 31, he posted on Facebook a picture of his family dressed for Halloween.
He also posted his sympathies to the city of New York after an attack that killed 8 and injured several more. He praised the support of New York Police.
Prayers and thoughts with NYC tonight. Cowardly, despicable act of terrorism. Proud to see the brave response of the NYPD. #NYCStrong
— Eric Greitens (@EricGreitens) November 1, 2017
On Wednesday, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill sent a letter to Greitens asking him to issue a response to allegations of mistreatment inside of a St. Louis veterans home. They were concerned that the elderly veterans were under the conditions they said they have endured. Brian Hunt, Director of the Missouri Veterans Commission, believed the complaints were a racially motivated coup to replace some of African-American staff members. Blunt and McCaskill asked Greitens to use his authority as Governor to reprimand the parties responsible.
On Thursday, the Missouri Governor responded with a commitment to the welfare of veterans saying,“as a veteran myself, I won’t tolerate a single one being mistreated. Every veteran – and every veterans’ family – should have confidence in their care. I won’t rest until they do.” He added criticism to the Missouri Senators, adding “I appreciate your recent interest in the St. Louis Veterans Home,” Greitens started. “Frankly, it’s good to see some signs of life out of Congress. A lot of us back home have been wondering what you’ve been up to.”
Michael Layer is a reporter for the Missouri Times and the Missouri Times Magazine. He joined the Missouri Times in August 2017 after graduating from Goucher College the previous May. To contact Michael, email michael@themissouritimes.com or follow him on Twitter @_MichaelLayer
