Press Releases

FRIDAY FLASHBACK
The Center for Public Integrity:
Ex-GOP Whip Blunt Gave Earmarks and Got Campaign Cash Through the ‘Murtha Method’

Jefferson City, Mo. – In October of 2009, the Center for Public Integrity highlighted an earmark Congressman Blunt was able to get for a private company represented by his former Chief of Staff who is now a lobbyist. According to the report, Blunt is the only member of Congressional leadership from either party who did this in 2007.

Here are some excerpts from the article:

 Minority Leader Paul LeVota, Area Missouri State Legislators and Consumer Advocates

To Address Missouri Budget Crisis and Impact of Budget Cuts on Services

Kansas City, MO – On Friday, March 12th at 12:30pm, Kansas City area Legislators and consumer advocates will come together to address concerns with current proposed state budget. With state revenue declining, services including education, transportation, health care, mental health, and child and senior services are at risk of losing vital funding.

Friday’s gathering is an attempt to inform the public of the revenue loss the state is facing and to hear proposed budget solutions from area legislators and providers. With millions of Missouri residents at risk of seeing a reduction or loss in services it is extremely important to find funding solutions to the budget crisis.

WHO: Minority Leader Paul LeVota, Area Legislators and Consumer Advocates
WHAT: Discussion of Missouri Budget and Cuts to Services
WHEN: Friday, March 12, 2010 at 12:30pm
WHERE: Swope Health Services
3801 Blue Parkway

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – House Minority Leader Paul LeVota today called on the Republican leaders of the House of Representatives to consider a wide range of options when the budget debate resumes next week, including eliminating certain loopholes and exemptions in the state tax code and reining in tax credits.

“Over most of the last decade, the Republican-controlled legislature’s method of budget management has been to erode the tax base through special interest giveaways and slash state services,” said LeVota, D-Independence. “Due to these failed policies, Missouri has stumbled aimlessly from one budget crisis to the next and fallen into a deep financial hole that will be difficult to crawl out of. Cutting alone is not the way to financial prosperity and a stable state budget. Missouri Republicans have tried that repeatedly, and it hasn’t worked.”

Below is a statement regarding the Missouri House Minority Caucus News Release on “WideRange of Options Needed to Address State Budget Crisis” from Missouri Budget Project Executive Director Amy Blouin:

Congressman Blunt's Wednesday to do list: Rake in More Insurance Lobbyist Money after Bashing Health Insurance Reform in DC

Blunt to Raising More Money from Insurance, Pharmaceutical Lobbyists After Making Their Case Against Reform with Reporters

Jefferson City – Congressman Roy Blunt will rake in the insurance and pharmaceutical lobbyist dough on the same day that he is joining Senator Kit Bond on a media conference call to bash health insurance reform.

According to the Kansas City Star, Blunt is having a fundraiser in DC with some of his many insurance and pharmaceutical lobbyist supporters:

“There won’t be any moss growing on Rep. Roy Blunt’s campaign wallet on Wednesday…The leading Republican contender in the Missouri Senate contest will be feted at the offices of DC Navigators, a lobbying and communications firm whose clients include the insurance and pharmaceutical industries.” (Kansas City Star, 3/9/10)

Coincidentally, this will be only hours after he joins Senator Kit Bond on a Conference call to bash efforts working towards health insurance reform:

MORE DC DOUBLETALK FROM CONGRESSMAN BLUNT – SAID JOBS BILL WAS TOO SMALL BEFORE HE SAID IT WAS TOO BIG

Congressman Blunt Opposed The Bipartisan Jobs Bill But Can’t Seem To Settle On A Reason Why