Matt Blunt

Matt Blunt
54th Governor of Missouri
In office
January 10, 2005 – January 12, 2009
Lieutenant Peter Kinder
Preceded by Bob Holden
Succeeded by Jay Nixon
37th Missouri Secretary of State
In office
January 8, 2001 – January 10, 2005
Governor Bob Holden
Preceded by Bekki Cook
Succeeded by Robin Carnahan
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 139th District
In office
1999–2001
Preceded by Phillip Wannemacher
Succeeded by Brad Roark
Personal details
Born Matthew Roy Blunt
(1970-11-20) November 20, 1970
Greene County, Missouri, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Melanie A. Blunt
Relations Leroy Blunt (grandfather)
Roy Blunt (father)
Children 2[1]
Residence Springfield, Missouri, U.S.
Education Jefferson City High School
Alma mater United States Naval Academy
Profession Naval officer
Religion Southern Baptist
Awards Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4)
Military service
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch  United States Navy
Rank Lieutenant commander
Battles/wars Operation Support Democracy
Operation Enduring Freedom

Matthew Roy "Matt" Blunt (born November 20, 1970) served as the 54th Governor of Missouri from 2005 to 2009. Before his election as governor, Blunt served ten years in the United States Navy, was elected to serve in the Missouri General Assembly in 1998, and as Missouri's Secretary of State in 2000. He grew up in a political family and his father Roy Blunt served in a variety of political offices, including the U.S. Senate.

A Republican, Matt Blunt was elected governor on November 2, 2004, carrying 101 of Missouri's 114 counties. At age 33, he became the second-youngest person ever elected to that office after Kit Bond. Blunt did not seek a second term as governor, announcing his decision on January 22, 2008, in an address to Missourians,[2] which surprised many supporters and staff.[3]

After working as a consultant, Blunt was hired as the president of the American Automotive Policy Council in 2011, representing the auto lobby in Washington, D.C.[4]

Early life and education

Born in 1970 in Greene County, Missouri, Blunt is the son of politician Roy Blunt and his first wife Roseann Ray Blunt. The senior Blunt was first elected to office in 1984 as Secretary of State for Missouri. He was elected as US Representative in 1997 and as U.S. Senator (R-Missouri) in 2010. After graduating from Jefferson City High School in Jefferson City, Missouri, Matt Blunt was accepted into the United States Naval Academy, where he received a bachelor's degree in history in 1993.

Blunt and his wife Melanie were married in May 1997. The couple has two sons, William Branch Blunt, born on March 9, 2005, and Brooks Anderson Blunt, born on January 1, 2010.[1] Blunt is a member of the State Historical Society of Missouri, the American Legion, and the Missouri Farm Bureau.

As an officer in the United States Navy, Blunt served as an engineering officer aboard the USS Jack Williams and as the navigator and administrative officer on the destroyer USS Peterson.

His active duty service included participation in Operation Support Democracy, involving the United Nations blockade of Haiti, missions to interdict drug traffic off the South American coast, and on duties involved in the interdiction of Cuban migrants in 1994. During his Naval career, Blunt received numerous commendations, including four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals. He entered the Navy Reserve.

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Blunt was called back into active naval service, after he had been elected to the office of Secretary of State for Missouri. He completed a six-month tour of duty in Great Britain during Operation Enduring Freedom, during which time he continued to work full-time for the state as well.[5] He was a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve.

Early political career

In 1998, Blunt was elected as a Republican to the Missouri House of Representatives to represent the 139th legislative district for a two-year term. In 2000, he was elected Missouri Secretary of State; although only a first-term state representative, Blunt defeated the Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives, Steve Gaw. Blunt was the only Republican elected to statewide office in Missouri in 2000.

In the general election on November 7, 2000, Blunt defeated Democratic opponent Steve Gaw with 51.4% of the vote, to Gaw's 45.1%.[6] Blunt was 29 on election day, 30 at the time he assumed office, making him the youngest ever to win statewide office in Missouri. His father had been elected to the same office at age 34.[5]

As Secretary of State, Blunt promoted a state election reform bill in 2002, which won support of the Republican-controlled Senate and Democratic House. In 2004, Blunt required all electronic voting machines purchased by the state to produce a voter-verified paper ballot.[7]

Governor of Missouri

2004 election

Blunt faced only token opposition in the Republican primary, which he won with 534,393 votes (68.28%). In the general election, he faced Missouri State Auditor Claire McCaskill, who had defeated incumbent Governor Bob Holden in the Democratic primary.

The first of two debates between Blunt and McCaskill was held on 18 October where McCaskill compared her experience to Blunt's inexperience; while Blunt said that McCaskill would not support the Marriage protection amendment to the State Constitution.[8] In the two debates Blunt described himself as bringing change to Missouri and was assisted by President George W. Bush during the campaign. McCaskill kept her distance from Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry due to Bush's lead in Missouri.[9]

In the end Blunt narrowly defeated McCaskill with surveys showing his conservative stance on social issues and the strong showing of President Bush in Missouri helped him to victory.[10] Blunt obtained strong leads in the rural parts of the state which was sufficient to overcome McCaskill's leads in St. Louis and Jackson County. Blunt defeated McCaskill by 1,382,419 votes (50.83%) to 1,301,442 (47.85%) and thus became Missouri's second-youngest Governor.[11]

Tenure

Governor Matt Blunt visits Louisiana

When Blunt took office on January 10, 2005, it was the first time in Missouri since 1921 that a Republican held the Governor's office with Republican majorities in both houses of the State Legislature. Blunt and his allies in the Missouri General Assembly moved quickly to enact legislation that they said would create a positive business climate in the state and result in job growth.[12]

With legislative support, Blunt claimed in 2009 that he had enacted almost all of his policy proposals.[13] Among the legislation passed were tort reform measures that overhauled the state's legal system,[14] and changes in the state's workers compensation laws.

Blunt's first year in office was difficult, and he was criticized by both the right and the left. In February 2006, a poll conducted by SurveyUSA showed him with a 33% job approval rating, the fifth lowest of any governor in the nation.[15] His approval among Republicans polled was 62%, but his rating among Democrats was only 12%.[16] This was one of the greatest partisan divides of any governor.

In September 2009, the state insurance agency issued a report showing medical malpractice claims in Missouri at a 30-year low in 2008, believed to result from Blunt's restriction of injury settlements under tort reform in 2005.[17] "...Missouri's medical malpractice insurers made a profit for the fifth straight year in 2008. It also shows an increase in the number of medical providers getting insurance through nonprofit coalitions."[17]

Fiscal policy

Blunt believed he had to reduce spending to deal with what he described as a state financial crisis.[18] He trimmed state spending in order to keep the budget balanced without raising taxes. Particularly controversial were provisions reducing coverage of programs created by state legislation to provide a social net, especially to families.[19]

Two years later, with an election almost a year away, Governor Blunt implemented the MO HealthNet Initiative, Senate Bill SB577.[20] This was intended to offer residents more choices and rewards for healthy behavior. Some citizens were deemed qualified again for Medicaid coverage.[21]

In July 2007, Blunt signed an executive order launching the Missouri Accountability Portal (MAP),[22] which provides Missourians with free, immediate, online information about how the state spends taxpayer money.[23] MAP was one of the nation's first comprehensive and searchable databases of financial records based on real-time data. Blunt's initiative has become a model for other states and nations seeking to improve government transparency. British Conservative Party leader, David Cameron, called Blunt's MAP "a powerful tool to control public spending."[24]

Blunt signed several job creation initiatives including tax cuts, tort reform, and workers' compensation reform. Blunt also created the Quality Jobs program,[25] an initiative has been expanded by his successor, Governor Jay Nixon.[26] Under Blunt, Missouri saw a 70,000 net increase in jobs over 4 years.[27][28]

Legislative initiatives

Blunt provided annual increases in state funding for K-12 education, signed legislation authorizing $335 million for college construction, expanded college scholarships, and enacted a new school funding method.[29] Blunt proposed selling Missouri's student loan agency, known as MOHELA, and using the proceeds to pay for endowments and new construction for the state's public universities.[30] In the area of elementary and secondary education, Blunt has proposed that school districts be required to spend at least 65% of their budgets on student instruction. After the proposal was criticized, Blunt suggested that the 65% threshold should be a goal, rather than a mandate.[31]

Blunt signed bills to expand Missouri's right-to-carry firearms law, and protected vital wildlife habitat and hunting lands from overdevelopment.[32][33] At the NRA's annual meeting, held in St. Louis in 2007, Blunt signed legislation prohibiting the seizure of firearms during declared states of emergency.[34]

Blunt opposed abortion except in cases of rape, incest, and to save the life of the mother.[35] He supported measures to prevent the ban on research regarding somatic cell nuclear transfer.[36][37] There were efforts to pass such a ban in the Missouri General Assembly during the 2005 session. Disagreements among Republicans over the stem cell issue held up efforts to pass restrictions on abortion, such as a 24-hour waiting period, and a restriction on helping minors cross state lines to avoid Missouri's parental consent requirement. In September 2005, Blunt called a special session of the General Assembly specifically to address abortion. The General Assembly passed the above-noted restrictions, and Blunt signed them into law.[38] He signed legislation providing income tax credits for contributions to qualified crisis pregnancy centers, removing taxpayer funding for abortion providers, banning Planned Parenthood from Missouri classrooms, requiring medical standards for abortion clinics, and funding for the alternatives to abortion program.[39][40][41][42][43] Blunt supported measures that would allow pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception, in contrast to Illinois, which enacted legislation requiring pharmacies as public businesses to fill such prescriptions.[44]

In 2005, Blunt signed legislation to limit sales of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine products, the key ingredients needed to make methamphetamine.[45] In the 2006 legislative session, Blunt's stated priorities included enacting a version of "Jessica's Law," requiring a minimum 25-year sentence for child sex offenders, as one of his legislative priorities.[46] In 2008, Blunt signed legislation requiring ignition interlocks for drunk drivers who commit two or more drunk driving offenses.[47][48] He signed legislation to lower the legal intoxication limit for boaters from .10 to .08 percent.[49]

Blunt ended localities' reliance on requiring many victims of sexual assault or rape to pay for their own forensic examinations; he secured $2.8 million in the state budget to pay for the rape kits.[50] Blunt secured funding which led to the creation of the new Springfield Crime Lab.[51][52]

Blunt signed immigration reform, prohibiting sanctuary cities in Missouri; requiring verification of legal employment status for public employees through E-verify; allowing cancellation of state contracts for contractors that hire illegal immigrants; requiring public agencies to verify the legal status of applicants before providing welfare benefits; criminalizing the transportation of illegal immigrants for exploitative purposes; and enacting provisions to punish employers who willfully hire illegal immigrants.[53]

In 2006, Blunt signed legislation requiring gasoline sold in Missouri to contain 10% ethanol.[54] Blunt has supported the development of biomass, biofuels, wind power and solar energy as alternative energy sources.[55] Air quality continues to be a problem for the state, which has a high rate of air pollution due to burning of coal.[56]

In his 2008 State of the State address, Blunt proposed a "Show-Me Green Sales Tax Holiday" to create a one-week state sales tax exemption on Energy Star-certified new appliances. Missouri became the fourth state in the nation to enact such a tax break.[57] Also in 2008, Blunt and Arkansas Democratic Governor Mike Beebe signed an historic bi-state water quality agreement to protect watersheds and aquifers that cross state lines.[58]

Executive actions

Blunt issued Executive Orders[59] and programs to encourage university cooperation, tax relief, research funds and seed capital for "life science" start-up firms, and an innovative program to reward insurance companies and other large institutional investors for investing in funds that hold biotech stocks.[60]

Blunt has promoted Missouri as a potential hotspot for bioscience. He was criticized for limiting science funding for research related to stem cells; this was considered to discourage the science community at large from working in the state.[61][62] In 2005 Governor Blunt created the Missouri Life Sciences Trust Fund, to accept transfers of monies from the Tobacco Settlement fund and apply them to biotech efforts. In January 2006 Gov. Blunt created the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative (LCDI), designed to spread biotechnology across the State. The LCDI is funded by the Missouri higher-education learning assistance fund (MOHELA).

Alleged misuse of state offices

In August 2007, a reporter for the Springfield News-Leader filed to gain access to emails by Ed Martin, Blunt's Chief of Staff, under the state's Sunshine Law. He was investigating whether Martin had used his office to try to influence anti-abortion groups in relation to opposition to state Attorney General Jay Nixon, a Democrat. Nixon was expected to run against Blunt in the 2008 gubernatorial election. Martin responded on September 4 that he had no such emails, but the reporter later said someone gave him a copy of one, showing that Martin's claim was false.[63]

At the same time, "Blunt spokesman Rich Chrismer insisted to reporters that 'there is no statute or case that requires the state to retain individual’s e-mails as a public record.' Blunt himself told reporters that his staffers would not be required to save e-mails for three years," although this was "widely understood to be state law" (known as the Sunshine Law).[63] It was later revealed that Scott Eckersley, a deputy chief counsel, provided copies of language in the state employees' handbook to general counsel Henry Herschel on September 10 about this state requirement to save such materials. Eckersley was soon locked out of his office by order of Martin.[63]

On September 28, 2007, the governor's office fired Eckersley, a political appointee. It distributed packets of emails and documents to four major newspapers in Missouri to support its claims that the attorney had made inappropriate use of a state computer.[64][65] Eckersley said he was terminated for other reasons, related to trying to ensure employees complied with the state's email retention policy under its Sunshine Law. In the first known "whistleblower" case against the Missouri state government, Eckersley filed suit for wrongful termination and defamation of character against Blunt and his senior appointees.[65]

Due to concerns expressed to his office in November 2007 that there were actions underway to overwrite email tapes and the Governor's Office was not complying with the Sunshine Law, AG Jay Nixon appointed special investigators on November 15 to study what was taking place.[66] Nixon's team had to go to court in the spring of 2008 to get a ruling on whether the governor's office was required to comply with their requests for information, at the expense of the state. Through various legal maneuverings, the court ruled in favor of the investigation, appointing two Special Attorneys General to lead it. The governor never was deposed. Eventually the completion of the investigation was extended to February 2009 because of the volume of materials that needed to be reviewed.[67] The Kansas City Star, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Associated Press filed petitions in August 2008 as intervening plaintiffs to gain preliminary and injunctive relief, declaratory judgment that the emails were public records under the state Sunshine Law, and access to the emails under discussion.[68]

Martin resigned in November 2007 as chief of staff, without explanation. Blunt's General Counsel Henry Herschel left soon after. On January 22, 2008, Blunt surprised voters, "staffers and supporters" by announcing he would not run for another term,[63] although he reportedly already had millions of dollars in a war chest for his upcoming campaign.[3] More than a year later and after Blunt had left office, "An investigation by state officials later found that the governor’s office failed to properly disclose Mr. Martin’s emails."[69] This investigation, which cost the state $2 million, found that Martin had illegally destroyed some emails, in violation of the state's open government or Sunshine Law. It also found he had used his office to influence outside groups against opponents of Blunt.[70]

After a year-long legal effort, in November 2008, the Kansas City Star and St. Louis Post Dispatch reported having gained access to 60,000 pages of Blunt administration emails. Their analysis showed that Ed Martin, former chief of staff to Blunt, had used his state office to try to influence outside political groups, among other internal problems. In addition to trying to encourage opposition to AG Jay Nixon, Martin worked with political groups to oppose the appointment of Patricia Breckenridge to an open seat on the Missouri Supreme Court. (Blunt has supported her and she later gained the seat.)[63]

On May 22, 2009, the Missouri Attorney General's office announced that Eckersley's lawsuit against Blunt and others had been settled for $500,000.[71][72][73]

Other activities

As Governor, Blunt was a member of the National Governors Association, Southern Governors' Association, and the Republican Governors Association.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Missouri National Guard, Governor Blunt visited Missouri National guard troops serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Kuwait, and on the Mexican border.[74][75][76]

Because he had been called for active duty while serving as Secretary of State, Blunt's office responded to questions about what would happen if the governor were called to service. In accordance with Pentagon regulations and the Missouri Constitution, if Blunt was called for military duty while Governor, he would have been required to either transfer his gubernatorial powers to Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, or resign from the Naval Reserve.[77]

Favorability

His approval ratings gradually rose during his term in office. A February–March 2008, poll by the Republican polling firm American Viewpoint showed Blunt with an approval rating of 57%.[78] On January 22, 2008, Blunt surprised the GOP when he announced he would not run for re-election.[79] Polls showed that he was running behind the presumptive Democratic nominee, Attorney General Jay Nixon.[80]

Career after governorship

Prior to his appointment as president of the American Automotive Policy Council in 2011, Blunt served as a member of the board of Copart, an auto salvage company in Fairfield, California; an advisor for Solamere Capital, a suburban Boston private equity firm started by Tagg Romney; a consultant for Cassidy & Associates, a Washington, D.C. lobbying firm,[81] and a partner with The Ashcroft Group, the Washington, D.C. and St. Louis-based consulting firm founded by former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft. Blunt has continued to advocate for greater transparency in government spending,[82] state and national lawsuit reform[83] and improving public education.[84]

Blunt has been critical of cuts to education funding, arguing that they will erode Missouri's future. He wrote, "States will either be welfare states that protect welfare programs, or they will be education states that prepare for the future."[85] He has also questioned the proposal to cut state scholarship funding for private colleges, writing in an op-ed, "I have been surprised to see those private schools and their students become a scapegoat as the state cuts education funding and scholarships."[86]

President of the American Automotive Policy Council

In February 2011, Matt Blunt was selected as president of the American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC).[87] The AAPC is a policy association created by General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. The council, is a bipartisan 501(c)6 based in Washington, D.C. and its mission is to promote the unique and significant economic contribution of the U.S.-based auto companies to the American economy. Blunt’s leadership at one of the United States' top automobile and component-producing states is a major reason he was chosen to lead the policy initiatives of General Motors, Ford, Chrysler.[88]

References

  1. 1 2 Associated Press (January 4, 2010). "Former Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt and his wife welcome second son". kansascity.com. Kansas City Star. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  2. ↑ Governor Matt Blunt's Address to Missouri, "YouTube", January 22, 2008.
  3. 1 2 Associated Press, "Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt Abruptly Decides Not to Seek 2nd Term", FOX News, 23 January 2008, accessed 12 September 2014
  4. ↑ "Blunt to head auto body lobby", Detroit News
  5. 1 2 "Missouri Governor's Race: Matt Blunt". Online NewsHour. Public Broadcasting Service. September 24, 2004. Archived from the original on August 25, 2005. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Statewide Races". sos.missouri.gov. Office of Secretary of State, Missouri. December 4, 2000. Retrieved October 9, 2008.
  7. ↑ Blunt Announces Security Requirement for Electronic Voting Machines in Missouri, sos.mo.gov, February 26, 2004.
  8. ↑ "Blunt, McCaskill Debate In KC". KMBC-TV. 2004-10-18. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  9. ↑ Slevin, Peter (2004-10-24). "Age May Be Trump Card in Governor's Race". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  10. ↑ "Missouri". The New York Times. 2004-11-04. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  11. ↑ "Blunt wins Missouri governor's race". USA Today. 2004-11-03. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  12. ↑ Powers, Marc (January 2, 2005). "GOP positioned to press agenda in 2005 session". Southeast Missourian. Retrieved June 8, 2009. Out of the gate, the legislature is expected to move quickly on a pro-business agenda.
  13. ↑ Lieb, David A. (January 10, 2009). "ANALYSIS: Blunt cites budget cuts as greatest success". columbiamissourian.com. Columbia Missourian. Aided by a Republican-led legislature, Blunt enacted almost all of his policy proposals
  14. ↑ Bliss, Mark (March 29, 2005). "Gov. Matt Blunt touts tort reform legislation at ceremony in Cape". Southeast Missourian. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
  15. ↑ "Approval Ratings of Governors", SurvveyUSA, 14 February 2006, accessed 15 September 2014
  16. ↑ "Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #8272", SurveyUSA, 14 February 2006, accessed 15 September 2014
  17. 1 2 "Missouri medical malpractice claims reach record low in 2008". semissourian.com. Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. September 9, 2009.
  18. ↑ Rosenbaum, Jason (September 9, 2007). "Master of the House". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  19. ↑ Miller, Callie Clark (February 4, 2006). "Fees for First Steps therapy start in April". semissourian.com. Southeast Missourian. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  20. ↑ Crouse, Adriane (July 2, 2007). "Enacts the 'Missouri Health Improvement Act of 2007'". senate.mo.gov. Missouri Senate. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  21. ↑ Shriver, Melissa (August 30, 2007). "MO Health Net". khqa.com. KHQA-TV. Archived from the original on January 19, 2008. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Missouri Accountability Portal".
  23. ↑ "Missouri Spending Transparency". Center for Fiscal Accountability. Americans for Tax Reform.
  24. ↑ Cameron, David (April 26, 2009). "The Age of Austerity". conservatives.com.
  25. ↑ "Governor Signs Quality Jobs Act". missourinet.com. July 5, 2005.
  26. ↑ Coleman, Emily (March 12, 2009). "Nixon Pushes Quality Jobs Act for Small Businesses". columbiamissourian.com. Columbia Missourian.
  27. ↑ "Missouri Department of Economic Development". Missouri Department of Economic Development.
  28. ↑ Kelderman, Eric (April 21, 2004). "Can Missouri Governor Holden Hang On?". stateline.org.
  29. ↑ DAVID A. LIEB/The Associated Press. "ANALYSIS: Blunt cites budget cuts as greatest success". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  30. ↑ Bliss, Mark (January 26, 2006). "Blunt proposes selling student loan authority". semissourian.com. Southeast Missourian. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  31. ↑ Lieb, David A. (February 2, 2006). "Blunt backs target instead of mandate for spending in classroom". semissourian.com. Southeast Missourian. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  32. ↑ "Missouri: Governor Blunt to Sign Important Pro-Gun Bill!". Nra-Ila. June 25, 2008. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  33. ↑ "Missouri Governor Signs Castle Doctrine, Hunting Preservation Bills Into Law". Nra-Ila. July 6, 2007. Archived from the original on October 7, 2007. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  34. ↑ "Missouri Governor Matt Blunt Signs Emergency Powers Protection Into Law At NRA Annual Meeting". Nra-Ila. April 13, 2007. Archived from the original on April 24, 2007. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  35. ↑ Ontheissues.org - Matt Blunt
  36. ↑ Lieb, David A. (October 12, 2005). "Mo. group advocates stem-cell amendment". semissourian.com. Southeast Missourian. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  37. ↑ "Missouri Gov. Supports Stem Cell Research Ballot Measure But Will Not Campaign For It, Spokesperson Says". medicalnewstoday.com. MediLexicon International. July 19, 2006. Archived from the original on August 28, 2006. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  38. ↑ The Associated Press (September 16, 2005). "State News: Gov. Blunt signs abortion bill; lawsuits filed as session ends (09/16/05)". seMissourian.com. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  39. ↑ Ertelt, Steven (July 11, 2006). "Missouri Governor Signs Bill Giving Tax Rebates for Pregnancy Center Donations". lifenew.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2010.
  40. ↑ "KY3 Political Notebook: Blunt Signs More Restrictions on Abortion Providers". Ky3.blogspot.com. July 6, 2007. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  41. ↑ Catanese, David (March 19, 2007). "KY3 Political Notebook: Blunt Cuts Funding to Planned Parenthood". Ky3.blogspot.com. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  42. ↑ "Missouri Bans Planned Parenthood from Classrooms". citizenlink.org. July 9, 2007. Archived from the original on April 15, 2008.
  43. ↑ "Governor Signs Alternatives to Abortion Bill". missourinet.com. July 6, 2007.
  44. ↑ Blank, Chris (January 14, 2006). "Mo. faces tough emergency contraception issue". semissourian.com. Southeast Missourian. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  45. ↑ Strait, Jeff (May 11, 2007). "Missouri Meth Drops in '06". primebuzz.kcstar.com. Kansas City Star.
  46. ↑ "Tougher pedophilia laws urged". Springfield News-Leader. Gannett. January 13, 2006. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  47. ↑ "Get Tough on Repeat DUIs". stjoenews.net. The News-Press & St. Joe Now. July 8, 2008.
  48. ↑ Michael McSorley (July 6, 2008). "Ignition interlocks for dwi offenders to become mandatory". KRMS. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  49. ↑ Blank, Chris (July 3, 2008). "New Law Toughens Rules for Boating While Intoxicated". columbiamissourian.com. Associated Press.
  50. ↑ Rentas, Khadijah (October 17, 2007). "Governor Proposes Free Exams for Rape Victims". columbiamissourian.com. Columbia Missourian.
  51. ↑ Fry, Benjamin (July 1, 2008). "Springfield Crime Labs Get Funding". ksmu.org. KSMU: Ozarks Public Radio.
  52. ↑ Kriner, Kristian (December 15, 2008). "Springfield Officials Cut Ribbon for New Crime Lab". ksmu.org. KSMU: Ozarks Public Radio.
  53. ↑ Kennedy, Wally (July 7, 2008). "Gov. Blunt: New Illegal Immigration Bill Among 'Strongest Legislation in the Country'". joplinglobe.com. The Joplin Globe.
  54. ↑ "Blunt Enacts 10 Percent Ethanol Standard; State, Consumers to Recognize Renewable Fuel Benefits" (Press release). Missouri Governor. July 5, 2006. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  55. ↑ "Blunt Signs Legislation Promoting the Use of Renewable Energy – Kansas City infoZine News". Infozine.com. June 26, 2007. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  56. ↑ “Missouri Sees Rise in Carbon Dioxide,” Columbia Tribune, June 3, 2007
  57. ↑ "Sales tax holiday signed for energy-efficient appliances". columbiamissourian.com. Columbia Missourian. July 10, 2008.
  58. ↑ "Governors Blunt, Beebe Sign Water Pact". KSMU. November 24, 2008. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  59. ↑ "Executive Order 06-07". www.gov.mo.gov. February 1, 2006. Archived from the original on September 29, 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  60. ↑ "Growing the Nation's Bioscience Sector: State Bioscience Initiatives 2006" (PDF). bio.org. Biotechnology Industry Organization. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 20, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  61. ↑ "Missouri's Two-Faced Stance on Science". Kansas City Star. May 21, 2007.
  62. ↑ "Shameful hostility toward science in Missouri". Kansas City Star. May 17, 2007.
  63. 1 2 3 4 5 "The e-mails that brought down a Republican Governor", 17 November 2008, accessed 12 September 2014
  64. ↑ Young, Virginia (November 16, 2007). "Blunt will start saving e-mails". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on November 19, 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  65. 1 2 Associated Press (January 10, 2008). "Former staff attorney files suit against Blunt". archive.columbiatribune.com. Columbia Tribune. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
  66. ↑ Special Investigators C.E. Fisher and E.S. Wilhoit, Report of Investigation: Of the Practices and Policies of the Office of Governor Matt Blunt for the Identification and Retention of Public Records and Response to Requests for Public Records Archived September 16, 2014, at the Wayback Machine., 13 February 2009, State of Missouri, pp.2-3
  67. ↑ Fisher and Wilhoit (2009), Report of Investigation, pp. 5-9
  68. ↑ Fisher and Wilhoit (2009), Report of Investigation, p. 7
  69. ↑ Chris Blank, AP, "Fired Aide to Blunt Runs for Governor's Dad's Seat", eMissourian.com, 2 September 2010, accessed 15 September 2014
  70. ↑ "Editorial: Ed Martin finally wins an election, to the shame of the GOP", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 8 January 2013, accessed 15 September 2014
  71. ↑ "Lawsuit against ex-governor is settled for $500000". Kansas City Star. May 22, 2009. Archived from the original on May 29, 2009. Retrieved May 24, 2009.
  72. ↑ "State settles lawsuit by former Blunt lawyer for $500,000". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. May 22, 2009. Retrieved May 24, 2009.
  73. ↑ "Ex-state worker's fight began in '07". Springfield News-Leader. May 23, 2009. Retrieved May 24, 2009.
  74. ↑ "Missouri Governor Visits Missouri Troops in Iraq; Afghanistan Later This Week". Infozine.com. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  75. ↑ "Governor Blunt In Kosovo To Visit Missouri Troops". KSMU. September 15, 2008. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  76. ↑ NewsHour with Jim Lehrer (October 2, 2006). "Online NewsHour: Report | Guard Troops Assist Border Patrol | October 2, 2006". PBS. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  77. ↑ Lieb, David A. (November 5, 2004). "Blunt can stay in Reserves, but could face choice later". News Tribune. Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 14, 2004. Retrieved July 7, 2009. ... should he get called to active military duty, Blunt could face a choice: serve the country and forsake his elected job, or serve the state and give up his military career
  78. ↑ Catanese, David (August 10, 2008). "KY3 Political Notebook: Chrismer: Last Poll Showed Blunt With 57% Approval Rating". Ky3.blogspot.com. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  79. ↑ "Gov. Matt Blunt won't run for re-election". Columbia Missourian. January 22, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  80. ↑ "Gov. Matt Blunt won't run for re-election". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  81. ↑ "Blunt working at Cassidy & Associates". St. Louis Business Journal. American Business Journals. February 3, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  82. ↑ Thorner, Nancy (October 18, 2009). "IPI Hosts Missouri Governor Matt Blunt". Illinois Review.
  83. ↑ Blunt, Matt (September 22, 2009). "How Missouri Cut Junk Lawsuits". Wall Street Journal.
  84. ↑ "Education Cuts Undermine Missouri's Future". stltoday.com. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. December 10, 2009.
  85. ↑ Blunt, Matt (March 8, 2010). "Blunt backs Parents as Teachers". Kansas City Star.
  86. ↑ Blunt, Matt (March 31, 2010). "Students become scapegoats in cutting". news-leader.com. Springfield News-Leader.
  87. ↑ "Former MO Gov. Matt Blunt to Lead American Automotive Policy Council". American Automotive Policy Council. February 1, 2011. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
  88. ↑ Shesgreen, Deirdre (4 May 2014). "Former Missouri governor advocating for car companies". USA Today. Retrieved 16 April 2016. Since taking the council job, Blunt has won over key lawmakers from states with a strong auto industry presence.
Missouri House of Representatives
Preceded by
Phillip Wannenmacher		 State Representative for the 139th District of Missouri
1998–2001 		Succeeded by
Brad Roark
Political offices
Preceded by
Bekki Cook		 Missouri Secretary of State
January 8, 2001 – January 10, 2005 		Succeeded by
Robin Carnahan
Preceded by
Bob Holden		 Governor of Missouri
January 10, 2005 – January 12, 2009 		Succeeded by
Jay Nixon
Party political offices
Preceded by
Jim Talent		 Republican nominee for Governor of Missouri
2004 		Succeeded by
Kenny Hulshof
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