Governor Matt Blunt is back home in Missouri after a trip to New York City and an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “The O’Reilly Factor.” Blunt was in New York to talk to executives at Federated Department Stores about their merger with Missouri-based May Department Stores. O’Reilly had invited Blunt to be on the show to talk about Missouri’s efforts to deal with the sexual abuse of minors. Upon his return, the Governor expressed optimism that Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns will go along with his request that 109 of the state’s 114 counties be declared drought stricken and deserving of federal assistance. The Governor says some of the aid could come in the form of grants while some comes as low interest loans, but it’s all needed. Blunt says USDA officials have been great to work with because they realize Missouri is going through its worst drought since 1988.
