Looks like the long-simmering political feud behind the Tour of Missouri is coming to a head once again. The General Assembly recently approved $1 million for the 2010 Tour, down from $1.5 million in 2009, but the MO Tourism Commission says they will spend that money of things other than the Tour.
Division of Tourism: 573-751-4133, FAX 573-751-5160, tourism@ded.mo.gov
Governor’s Office: 573-751-3222 or online contact form.
Division of Tourism on Facebook or tweet @MoTravelMama
Governor Nixon on Facebok or tweet @GovJayNixon
Economic stakes
The Tour produces a $30 million economic impact for the state’s investment of $1 million dollars, a return on investment of 30-1. That $30 million directly benefits Missouri cities and towns with revenue they can spend on hiring police officers and firefighters, paving roads, etc. Can you name another government investment with anything close to a 30-1 ROI? In the midst of a Great Recession, can the state really afford throw away $30 million??
Background:
Tour officials have been trying for months to get a meeting with the Governor and/or his staff, but Nixon has refused all opportunities to talk about the Tour. They need to know ASAP if the state will fund their share of the Tour, otherwise they have no choice but to cancel.
Political Fight:
The Tour is caught up in a political fight between Democratic Governor Jay Nixon and former Tour Chair Pete Kinder, who is the Republican Lt. Governor and Nixon’s likely opponent in 2012. A few months ago Kinder stepped down from his role in the Tour and let it become an independent, non-partisan entity. Unfortunately Governor Nixon continues to use Kinder’s most successful program as political tool.
