By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – State Rep. Mark Wright (R-Springfield) says the offices that collect vehicle license and registration fees for the Department of Revenue are based on patronage.
He says that fosters public distrust.
Wright, who is also running for Missouri Auditor, is among those backing a GOP plan to award contracts to non-profits or local governments.
He says one of his constituents recently expressed his feelings about the current system.
"He told me it's the most distasteful experience that he has with state government," Wright said. "It ought to be a pleasant, more efficient experience, and that's what will happen as a result of our reforms."
Dept. of Revenue Director Trish Vincent says the system is not broken.
She cautions that awarding contracts to non-profits might not always work.
"They want non-profits? Well, that's fine, but not all non-profits know how to run a business, either," Vincent said. "We are holding these folks to their contracts, and we're making them run like a business."
Vincent says currently, non-profits run 37 fee offices in Missouri.
She says the Blunt Administration has already started to make reforms.