There’s a big brouhaha of sorts over funding for the Tour of Missouri, a bicycle race which takes place in cities across the Show Me State.
The race features teams of bicycle riders from around the world racing in various portions of the state. This year’s event – which begins in September – is set to roll through St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, Farmington, Rolla, St. James, Jefferson City, Sedalia, Chillicothe, St. Joseph and Kansas City.
But numerous media outlets reported that Gov. Jay Nixon’s administration is considering freezing a $1.5 million allocation for the race. Nixon’s administration has cited tough economic times and a worsening budget situation as rationale for the move.
Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder – whose office has played a prominent role in the event – urged supporters on the event’s Web site to call Nixon to get him to reverse course.
Kinder and others have promoted the Tour of Missouri as a way to increase the state’s visability on an international stage. He’s also argued the event brings tourists – and therefore economic development – to a number of the state’s cities. But critics of the tour argue that the event shouldn’t be using taxpayer dollars.
In any case, the clash seems to be foreshadowing a bigger political fight. Kinder, a Republican, is a seen as a possible opponent to Nixon, a Democrat, in the 2012 governor’s race. Kinder opined to the St. Louis Beacon recently that he’s had little contact with Nixon for months.
By the way, Columbia – which hosted an stage of the event in 2007 – was not selected as a stop this year.
Tags: jay nixon, jefferson city, peter kinder, tour of missouriCategories: Politics, State Politics.
