Matthew Roy "Matt" Blunt (born November 20, 1970) was elected Governor of Missouri on November 2, 2004. At the age of 33, this made him the second youngest person ever elected to that office after Kit Bond. He is a member of the Republican Party. Blunt will continue to be the youngest Governor in the United States until Bobby Jindal is sworn in as governor of Louisiana on January 14, 2008. Image File history File links Mattblunt3. ... The Governors of Missouri since its statehood in 1820 are: Alexander McNair 1821-24 Frederick Bates 1824-25 Abraham J. Williams 1825-26 John Miller 1826-32 Daniel Dunklin 1832-36 Lilburn W. Boggs 1836-40 Thomas Reynolds 1840-44 Meredith Miles Marmaduke 1844 John C. Edwards 1844-48 Austin... For the ecclesiastical office, see Incumbent (ecclesiastical). ... is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Lieutenant Governor of Missouri is the second highest executive officer in the U.S. of Missouri. ... Peter D. Kinder is an American politician from the State of Missouri. ... Bob Holden (born August 24, 1949, in Kansas City, Missouri), former Governor of Missouri, is an American politician of the Democratic Party. ... is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1970 ([[Rf 1970 == January 1 - The Unix epoch begins at 00:00:00 UTC January 2 - The last studio performance of The Beatles oman numerals|MCMLXX]]) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Missouri. ... Hammons Tower in downtown Springfield Springfield is the third largest city in Missouri. ... The Republican Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States of America, along with the Democratic Party. ... Matthew Roy Blunt (born November 20, 1970) was elected Governor of Missouri on November 2, 2004. ... USN redirects here. ... The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a United States cooperative ministry agency serving missionary Baptist churches around the world. ... is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1970 ([[Rf 1970 == January 1 - The Unix epoch begins at 00:00:00 UTC January 2 - The last studio performance of The Beatles oman numerals|MCMLXX]]) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Governors of Missouri since its statehood in 1820 are: Alexander McNair 1821-24 Frederick Bates 1824-25 Abraham J. Williams 1825-26 John Miller 1826-32 Daniel Dunklin 1832-36 Lilburn W. Boggs 1836-40 Thomas Reynolds 1840-44 Meredith Miles Marmaduke 1844 John C. Edwards 1844-48 Austin... is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Christopher Samuel Kit Bond (born March 6, 1939 in St. ... The Republican Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States of America, along with the Democratic Party. ... Bobby Jindal (born Piyush Jindal June 10, 1971, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is a Louisiana politician. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (common) era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ...

Background and education

Blunt is the son of current House Minority Whip (previously Majority Whip and Interim Majority Leader) Roy Blunt and his first wife, Roseann Blunt. After graduating from Jefferson City High School in Jefferson City, Missouri, Blunt was accepted into the United States Naval Academy where he received a bachelor's degree in history in 1993. The Minority Whip is a member of the minority party in the U.S. House of Representatives who assists the Minority Leader in coordinating the party caucus in its responses to legislation and other matters. ... Roy D. Blunt (born January 10, 1950) is a Republican politician from Missouri, currently representing that states 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. ... Nickname: Coordinates: , Country United States State Missouri Counties Cole and Callaway Government  - Mayor John Landwehr Area  - City  28. ... The United States Naval Academy (USNA) is an institution for the undergraduate education of officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps and is in Annapolis, Maryland . ... For other degrees, see Academic degree. ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ...

As an officer in the United States Navy, he went on to serve as an engineering officer aboard the USS Jack Williams and as the navigator and administrative officer on the USS Peterson. USN redirects here. ... USS Jack Williams (FFG-24), sixteenth ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry class of guided-missile frigates, was named for Pharmacists Mate Second Class Jack Williams (died 1945). ... USS Peterson, named for Lieutenant Commander Carl Jerrold Peterson (1936-1968), was a Spruance class destroyer laid down by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries at Pascagoula in Mississippi. ...

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. UN and U.N. redirect here. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... The Achievement Medal is the lowest of the United States military’s non-combat meritorious service medals. ...

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Blunt was called into active military service. Blunt completed a six-month tour of duty in Great Britain during Operation Enduring Freedom, during which time he continued to work full-time as Missouri Secretary of State. He is a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve. In accordance with Pentagon regulations and the Missouri Constitution, if Blunt is called for military duty while Governor, he might have to either transfer his gubernatorial powers to Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, or resign from the Naval Reserve. [1] A sequential look at United Flight 175 crashing into the south tower of the World Trade Center The September 11, 2001 attacks (often referred to as 9/11—pronounced nine eleven or nine one one) consisted of a series of coordinated terrorist[1] suicide attacks upon the United States, predominantly... Combatants United States, Poland, France, Canada, Pakistan, India, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines (in the Philippines theatre only), Northern Alliance, Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ethiopia, Somalia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, Macedonia, Romania, Portugal, Bulgaria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Georgia Taliban, al-Qaeda, Abu Sayyaf, Jemaah... In the Royal Navy, United States Navy and United States Coast Guard, a lieutenant commander (lieutenant-commander or Lt Cdr in the RN) is a commissioned officer superior to a lieutenant and inferior to a commander. ... The United States Navy Reserve is the reserve component of the United States Navy. ... Peter D. Kinder is an American politician from the State of Missouri. ...

Blunt is a member of the State Historical Society of Missouri, the American Legion, and the Missouri Farm Bureau. As Governor, he is a member of the National Governors Association and Southern Governors' Association, and is Vice Chairman of the Republican Governors Association. Blunt and his wife, Melanie, were married in May, 1997. Their son, William Branch Blunt was born on March 9, 2005. This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... The American Farm Bureau Federation calls itself the Voice of Agriculture, and was founded in 1919 in Chicago, Illinois at a meeting attended by a number of state representatives. ... The National Governors Association (NGA) is an organization of the governors of the fifty U.S. states and five U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). ... Southern Governors Association (SGA) was founded in 1934, and is the oldest and historically the largest of the USAs regional governors associations. ... The Republican Governors Association is an association for governors in the United States who belong to the United States Republican Party. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... is the 68th day of the year (69th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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. Blunt was the only Republican elected to statewide office in Missouri in 2000. On November 2, 2004, he defeated then-State Auditor (and current U.S. Senator) Claire McCaskill 50.8%-47.9% and was elected Governor of Missouri. Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... The Missouri State House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... Official language(s) English Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City Largest metro area St Louis[1] Area  Ranked 21st  - Total 69,709 sq mi (180,693 km²)  - Width 240 miles (385 km)  - Length 300 miles (480 km)  - % water 1. ... In several countries, Secretary of State is a senior government position. ... It has been suggested that Speakers of the House be merged into this article or section. ... is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Claire McCaskill (born July 24, 1953) is an American Democratic politician, currently the junior United States Senator from the state of Missouri and former State Auditor of Missouri. ... The Governors of Missouri since its statehood in 1820 are: Alexander McNair 1821-24 Frederick Bates 1824-25 Abraham J. Williams 1825-26 John Miller 1826-32 Daniel Dunklin 1832-36 Lilburn W. Boggs 1836-40 Thomas Reynolds 1840-44 Meredith Miles Marmaduke 1844 John C. Edwards 1844-48 Austin...

Election as Secretary of State

Blunt received considerable fundraising support from his father's supporters and from out-of-state Republicans in his 2000 Secretary of State bid. Senior political strategist Karl Rove appeared at an April 21, 2000 fundraiser in Springfield.[2] The state Republican Party contributed $160,000 to Blunt's campaign, having received $100,000 in donations from Rep. Roy Blunt's PAC[3], and the 7th District Congressional Republican Committee - a fundraising group affiliated with the senior Blunt - donated $40,000.[4]. Contributions from 84 of Rep. Blunt's colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives totalled over $65,000.[5][6] Matt Blunt defeated his Democrat opponent Steve Gaw with 51.4% of the vote, to Gaw's 45.1%.[7] Karl Christian Rove (born December 25, 1950) is Deputy Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush until the end of August 2007. ... is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... Roy D. Blunt (born January 10, 1950) is a Republican politician from Missouri, currently representing that states 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. ... In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group organized to elect or defeat government officials in order to promote legislation, often supporting the groups special interests. ... Roy D. Blunt (born January 10, 1950) is a Republican politician from Missouri, currently representing that states 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. ... Type Bicameral Speaker of the House of Representatives House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Steny Hoyer, (D) since January 4, 2007 House Minority Leader John Boehner, (R) since January 4, 2007 Members 435 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political groups Democratic Party Republican Party...

Term as Governor

When Blunt took office in January 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 [8]. Among the legislation passed were tort reform measures that overhauled the state's legal system [9], and changes in the state's workers compensation laws. The Missouri General Assembly is the state legislature of Missouri. ... Tort reform is the phrase used by its advocates who claim it is a change in the legal system to reduce litigations alleged adverse effects on the economy. ... Workers compensation programs and laws exist to protect employees who are injured while on the job. ...

Handling the states financial crisis by reducing spending was Governor Blunt's first task in office [10]. Along with the Republican leadership in the General Assembly, Blunt trimmed state spending in order to keep the budget balanced without raising taxes. Particularly controversial were provisions eliminating parts of the state's social entitlement programs. The cuts were criticized by editorials in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch [11] [12] [13]. After some minor changes to the Governor's original requests the final version was passed [14]. With the implementation of Governor Blunt's MO HealthNet Initiative, Senate Bill SB577 [15] thousands of Missourians were able to leave the Medicaid system for the new coverage which offered them more choices and more rewards for healthy behavior [16]. The St. ...

Abortion and stem cell research have also been contentious issues during Blunt's term. Blunt opposes abortion, but has also opposed efforts to ban research procedures such as somatic cell nuclear transfer. 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 [17]. Mouse embryonic stem cells. ... In genetics and developmental biology, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a laboratory technique for creating an ovum with a donor nucleus (see process below) . It can be used in embryonic stem cell research, or in regenerative medicine where it is sometimes referred to as therapeutic cloning. ... Parental consent laws (also known as parental involvement or parental notification laws) in some countries require that one or more parents consent to or be notified before their minor child can legally engage in certain activities. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In October 2005, Blunt announced his support for an initiative petition, prominently supported by former Senator John Danforth, that would amend Missouri's Constitution to prohibit a ban on somatic cell nuclear transfer. Because constitutional amendments can only be approved by the voters, this would effectively remove the issue from the Legislature. [18] Due to his position on this initiative, Missouri Right to Life announced that it no longer considers Blunt a pro-life politician.[19] John Danforth John Claggett Danforth (born September 5, 1936), also referred to as Jack Danforth, is a former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and former Republican United States Senator from Missouri. ... Within Missouri, there are three levels of government: state government county city Missouris state capital is Jefferson City lying approximately halfway between its two largest cities, St. ... The National Right to Life Committee is a right to life/pro-life organization, that was founded in in Detroit as a non-sectarian, non-partisan group, opposed to abortion, euthanasia and infanticide. ... This article is about the social movement. ...

Criticism from both the left and the right made Blunt's first year in office difficult. 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. [20] His approval among Republicans polled was 62%, but his rating among Democrats was only 12%.[21]. This was one of the greatest partisan divides of any governor. SurveyUSA is a major polling firm in the United States. ...

In the 2006 legislative session, Blunt's stated priorities included enacting a version of "Jessica's Law" requiring a minimum 25 year sentences for child sex offenders one of his legislative priorities. [22] In the area of education, 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. [23] 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.[24] Blunt has also offered his support for measures that would allow pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception, in contrast to Illinois, which recently enacted legislation requiring pharmacies to fill such prescriptions.[25] It has been suggested that Jessica Lunsford Act be merged into this article or section. ... Wikinews has related news: FDA to move on approval of over-the-counter sale of Plan B birth control Emergency contraception (EC), or emergency postcoital contraception, refers to contraceptive measures that, if taken after sex, may prevent pregnancy. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Largest metro area Chicago Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (140,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ...

As of July 24, 2007, Blunt had a 48% approval rating. [26] is the 205th day of the year (206th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

In October 2006, Governor Blunt earned the highest score of any US governor from the libertarian Cato Institute. Blunt received a grade of 'A' -- the only governor to do so -- by reducing Missouri's budget, limiting Medicaid spending, and making the state government smaller. [27] The Cato Institute is a libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Institutes stated mission is to broaden the parameters of public policy debate to allow consideration of the traditional American principles of limited government, individual liberty, free markets, and peace by striving to achieve greater involvement...

Environmental record

Blunt has promoted Missouri as a potential hotspot for bioscience, although he has been criticized for restricting science funding for controversial research such as that involving stem cells—a decision seen as discouraging the science community at large from working in the state.^[1][2] On June 5, 2007, the chair of Blunt’s Advisory Council for Plant Biotechnology Roger Beachy announced that Washington University would go ahead with plans for the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability, rather than wait for a grant from the Department of Energy.^[3] In 2006, Blunt signed legislation requiring gasoline sold in Missouri to contain 10% ethanol.^[4] Despite these advances, Missouri’s per capita carbon dioxide emissions have increased 15% since 1990, a development largely due to lack of incentives for reducing dependence on coal. Missouri’s per-person CO₂ emissions have increased faster during this period than have those of all but four other U.S. states.^[5] Biology studies the variety of life (clockwise from top-left) E. coli, tree fern, gazelle, Goliath beetle Biology is the science of life (from the Greek words bios = life and logos = word). ... Mouse embryonic stem cells. ... is the 156th day of the year (157th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Washington University in St. ... The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government responsible for energy policy and nuclear safety. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Petrol redirects here. ... Grain alcohol redirects here. ... Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head. ... Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. ... The word emission generally means sending something out. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... Coal Coal (IPA: ) is a fossil fuel formed in swamp ecosystems where plant remains were saved by water and mud from oxidization and biodegradation. ...

Supporting Biotechnology

As Monsanto's home State, Missouri has vast numbers of programs supporting the development of genetically modified food crops and the science that helps create the fee based seeds driving the industry. In 2005 Governor Blunt created the Missouri Life Sciences Trust Fund to take monies from the Tobacco Settlement fund and apply them to biotech efforts. In January 2006 Gov. Blunt created the Lewis and Clark Discovery Inatative (LCDI) designed to spread biotechnology across the State. The LCDI takes funds from the Missouri higher education learning assistance fund (MOHELA)

Among the many efforts are Executive Orders [28] and programs created by Blunt delivering 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 putting their money in funds that hold biotech stocks. Full details of the Missouri Biotech efforts in pdf Report.[29]

United States Attorney controversy

Main article: Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy

In April 2006 it was reported that United States Attorney Bud Cummins "is handling an investigation into how the license fee offices were awarded to political supporters of the Blunt administration."[30] On October 4, 2006, Cummins announced "that he has concluded an inquiry into alleged wrongdoings involving the awarding of contracts for Missouri fee offices with no indictments sought or returned." Cummins elaborated: "First, the matter has been closed with no indictments sought or returned. Second, at no time was Governor Blunt a target, subject, or witness in the investigation, nor was he implicated in any allegation being investigated. Any allegations or inferences to the contrary are uninformed and erroneous." [31] Cummins has since become embroiled in the Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy: in December 2006, Cummins resigned from his post in favor of Tim Griffin, a former aide to Karl Rove. Cummins described the dismissal of the U.S Attorneys as "unprecedented", and said "I think the fact that my name turned up and other names turned up on the disloyal list had a lot more to do with some political minion at Justice wanting to be a U.S. Attorney and wanting to create a vacancy than it had to do with anybody's loyalty to the President."^[6] Cummins concluded his investigation of the Blunt Administration two months before he resigned. The dismissal of U.S. Attorneys controversy is an ongoing political dispute initiated by the unprecedented dismissal of seven United States Attorneys by the George W. Bush administrations Department of Justice (DOJ) on December 7, 2006, and their replacement by interim appointees under provisions of the 2005 Patriot Act... The dismissal of U.S. Attorneys controversy is an ongoing political dispute initiated by the unprecedented dismissal of seven United States Attorneys by the George W. Bush administrations Department of Justice (DOJ) on December 7, 2006, and their replacement by interim appointees under provisions of the 2005 Patriot Act... This article details the chonology of events that occured regarding the Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy. ... This article about dismissed U.S. attorneys summarizes the circumstances surrounding a number of U.S. attorneys dismissed from office in the United States Department of Justice in 2006. ... Main article: Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy The various documents obtained by request or subpoena during dissmissal of U.S attorneys controversy by both the the United States House and Senate Committees on the Judiciary, originally produced by the Department of Justice (DOJ) or White House have been made... Main article: Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy See Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy documents for publicly released documents and hearings transcripts. ... Harry Earnest Bud Cummins III, was born in Enid, Oklahoma. ... The dismissal of U.S. Attorneys controversy is an ongoing political dispute initiated by the unprecedented dismissal of seven United States Attorneys by the George W. Bush administrations Department of Justice (DOJ) on December 7, 2006, and their replacement by interim appointees under provisions of the 2005 Patriot Act... Timothy Griffin John Timothy Griffin (born 1970) is the current interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and has recently received attention in the 2006 Dismissal of U.S. Attorneys controversy when he wqas chosen to replace US Attorney Bud Cummins. ... Karl Christian Rove (born December 25, 1950) is Deputy Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush until the end of August 2007. ...

Electoral history

This article is about the modern United States Republican Party. ... The Democratic Party is one of the two major United States political parties. ... Claire McCaskill (born July 24, 1953) is an American Democratic politician, currently the junior United States Senator from the state of Missouri and former State Auditor of Missouri. ...

References

External links

• Governor Matt Blunt official state site
• Governor Matt Blunt official campaign site
• National Governors Association - Missouri Governor Matt Blunt biography
• Follow the Money - Matt Blunt 2004 campaign contributions
• On the Issues - Matt Blunt issue positions and quotes
• Project Vote Smart - Governor Matthew R. 'Matt' Blunt (MO) profile
• Legislation sponsored by Representative Matt Blunt in 1999 in 2000