West Newsmagazine 4-19-17

FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE
WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
citing steps in tort reform, Greitens forming
a committee to study and recommend how
to reform the state’s tax rates and credits,
and labor reform, including the governor’s
signing of right-to-work legislation.
“By the time this session ends, we’ll look
back and be pleased with the progress that
has been made,” Dogan observed.
Although some in the news media have
been critical of Greitens’ lack of availability,
Dogan, from his perspective as a legislator,
views the issue differently.
“I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the
governor’s accessibility,” Dogan said. “He
has been much more engaged with legislators
than Gov. Nixon was. He met with
the black caucus during his first month in
office, for example, something that didn’t
occur with Nixon for a number of years
after he came into office. I feel we have
established a very good relationship with
people on the governor’s staff and that they
know what our priority issues are.”
Dogan serves as vice chairman of the
black caucus and is the only Republican
member of the group.
The Ballwin resident concedes he has
been frustrated with the lack of progress on
education reform measures in the legislature.
Various groups in the state have been
calling for a number of changes, including
school choice, restructuring or repeal of
teacher tenure, implementation of merit
pay systems and better teacher evaluation
procedures.
“I think we will need the governor’s leadership
to get some of these issues through,”
Dogan said.
Keeping campaign promises
One of Greitens’ main campaign issues
was his call for transparency in government,
but he has been unwilling to release his tax
returns or the names of major contributors
to his campaign. As with a number of other
politicians nationwide, Greitens also now
has two nonprofit entities, known as 501(c)
(4)s, that can raise unlimited amounts of
money from donors whose names do not
have to be disclosed.
Asked for his views on the apparent
contradiction, Dogan said, “I really have
no comment on that. I’ll let the governor
decide how he wants to comment on those
issues.”
West Newsmagazine wanted Gov. Greitens
to comment as well, not only on that
issue but a number of others, such as his
own assessment of his first 100 days in
office, his current legislative priorities, his
vision for the state and strategy for making
it a reality. However, there was no response
to repeated email. On April 12, press secretary
Parker Briden did contact West Newsmagazine,
but an interview was not able to
be schedules prior to presstime.
April 19, 2017
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
I COVER STORY I 53
13th Annual Circle Of Concern
Charity Golf Tournament
NEW
COURSE
hosted by The Deacons of St. Mark Presbyterian Church
May 8, 2017 at Aberdeen Golf Club in Eureka
$125 per player ($500 for a foursome)
Challenging Play • Golf Scramble • Prizes • Silent Auction • Food & Drinks
Register today at www.circleofconcern.org! Sponsorships available!
(636) 861-2623 • www.circleofconcern.org
Find your style at
Mohawk SmartStrand Forever Clean
ALL PET PROTECTION AND WARRANTY
starting at $3.29 sq. ft. with pad & basic install
12 months No Interest Financing with as
little as 10% down and approved credit.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Wood Look Water Proof Core
3 1/4 ” starting at $2.99 sq. ft.
starting at
5” starting at $3.79 sq. ft.
$3.29 sq. ft.
Carpet • Hardwood • Laminate • Linoleum • Floor Tile • Luxury Vinyl Tile • Water Proof Core
Wall Tile • Custom Area Rugs • Tub Surrounds • Granite Counter Tops
www.michaelsflooringoutlet.com
Creve Coeur
12669 olive Blvd.
Next to WalgreeN’s
314.434.2121
Florissant
8471 N Lindbergh Blvd.
Next to Penn Station
314.837.4300
dardenne Prairie
7959 Hwy N.
Next to Target
636.695.4601
saint Peters
116 Main St.
Next to Hobo’s at Legion
636.970.6000
Granite Counter Tops
starting at $45 sq. ft. installed
Choose from 21 popular of colors