Fact Check: Blunt comments on economy as government size increases

FACT CHECK

In a stump speech to Republicans in Columbia today, Gov. Matt Blunt painted a rosy picture of the state's economy by touting job gains since he became governor. Here are the facts associated with Blunt's claims as part of the MPN Fact Check series.

Blunt claim: "When you pass pro-jobs, pro-growth initiatives, Missourians respond. They recognize that government doesn’t create the jobs but provides the environment. When the environment improves, Missourians respond."

Fact: Government does not create all jobs, but since Jan. 2005 the total number of Missourians employed by government swelled by nearly 11,000 according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the same time period Blunt uses to cite job growth, jobs in the federal government decreased by 600 as state government jobs increased by 3,700, a 3.6% increase. Local governments added the largest number of government jobs, 7,700, but only a 2.9 percent increase. Collectively, increased government jobs account for 11.6% of the estimated job growth in the state since Jan. 2005 (see chart below).

Interestingly, the state government increase come despite moves by Blunt to privatize janitorial services, mental health services, and drivers license offices, among other services.

Fact: From May to July 2007, Missouri's total employment dropped by 13,100 jobs. In August the economy partially recovered from the decline by adding 5,700 jobs in government.

_________________________

An interesting note is that the Office of Administration's Strategic Plan boldly proclaims that Blunt was elected in part on a platform of decreasing the costs and size of government. Since 2005, both increased.

Democrats are quick to note the Missouri economy is not where it should be relative to other states.

"Our economy is moving backwards because our governor puts wealthy corporate types ahead of regular Missourians time and time again," Missouri Democratic Party spokesman Jack Cardetti said in a written statement.

Related Posts by Category: