Is DREAM Initiative in Nixon’s crosshair?

With changes of governmental administrations frequently come program changes. It’s a fact of life, especially when the new administration marches under a different party’s banner. Such will be the case in Missouri when Gov.-elect Jay Nixon, a Democrat, replaces Gov. Matt Blunt, a Republican, on Jan. 12.
With an eye toward getting Missourians back to work, Nixon has proposed the Show Me Jobs initiative. But how will the new governor pay for his economic development program, especially at a time when budget cuts are already likely?
One of the programs that could suffer is Blunt’s DREAM Initiative, which had as its goal increasing property values, re-establishing cultural heritage, attracting private investment and creating jobs in downtown areas of Missouri communities.
Late last year someone familiar with the DREAM Initiative indicated that members of the new administration had indicated that the program, which was launched in June 2006, would be safe.
Nixon spokesman Oren Shur told The Associated Press that the incoming governor is not trying to replace the DREAM program with his own economic development initiative or diminish his predecessor’s program. However, in the near future it is likely that the two development programs will be drawing money from the same source, which isn’t feasible, especially in tough economic times.
Shur said the DREAM Initiative will be subject to performance reviews to determine if it is efficient and effective and, if so, how much money it should get. While we believe that such an evaluation is fair, we hope that the incoming administration understands and acknowledges what a successful program the DREAM Initiative has been in the 30 cities which currently hold that distinction. Residents in these communities, including Hannibal and Louisiana, worked long and hard to earn that designation. We hope the initiative is not diluted before all the DREAM communities have the chance to enjoy the fullest extent of the program’s benefits.