Republicans Reject Democrat Claims on Fee Office Proposal

A group of Republican legislators rejects Democratic suggestions as to the reasons for cancelling a scheduled series of news conferences on a proposal to change how driver’s license fee offices are awarded and run. Those lawmakers had planned news conferences earlier this week in Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield. The events were abruptly cancelled after one of the group presented the proposal to Governor Matt Blunt. Representative Mark Wright of Springfield dismisses claims by Democrats that the Republicans caved to the wishes of their leader. Democrats have been relentless in their criticism of Blunt for privatizing all fee offices. Democrats say Blunt is simply rewarding political friends. The main ingredient of the Republican lawmakers’ proposal would be the end of the political patronage system and the awarding of fee offices to non-profit community-based groups. Wright hopes to unveil details of the proposal after the group meets with the Governor.