Tuesday, February 1, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson, (573)751-1378
Blunt Releases Inaugural Donor List, Expenditures Gives Excess Contributions to Mehlville Public Schools' Tsunami Relief Efforts
ST. LOUIS - Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today made full public disclosure of the private contributions and expenditures on his inauguration and donated more than $11,000 in excess contributions to the Mehlville public school district's efforts to help tsunami victims in the Asian Pacific.
The governor's inaugural committee raised $260,832 in private contributions and spent $249,466.46. Unlike previous inaugurations, no public money was used to pay for Blunt's inaugural events.
Blunt decided to donate the remaining $11,365.54 to a tsunami relief fund created by students in the Mehlville Public School District after learning about the student's efforts to raise money for tsunami victims. Students from grades K-12 have been selling T-shirts at $6 a shirt. As of last week they had collected nearly $12,000 in proceeds, Blunt's contribution will nearly double that total.
"It is very heartening to see young Missourians so committed to help ease the suffering of others," Blunt said. "This effort is indicative of similar efforts going on across Missouri and I am pleased to provide additional resources for this noble cause."
The accounting of inaugural expenses includes the names of contributors, the amount donated and a list of how the money was spent. With the donation to the tsunami victims, the account is officially closed.
The overall cost of Blunt's inaugural was 75 percent less than the $1 million spent in 2001 that included $125,000 in taxpayer money.