Gov. Bob Holden said he does not support repeal of Missouri's deaht penalty nor a moratorium on death sentences pending in the state.

Gov. Bob Holden made the prediction in welcoming remarks for Clair McCaskill's inauguration.

A full four years as auditor would preclude McCaskill challenging Holden for the Democratic nomination for governor in two years.

Asked about the governor's comments, McCaskill declined to talk about her political plans -- saying it was too early to talk about politics.

The new formula is an implementation of the department administration's emphasis on redirecting resources to maintaining existing facilities and restoring public support.

In recent years, the department and commission has come under severe criticism for failing to fulfill a new-highway construction program that been promoted as justification for a legislative-approved gasoline tax increase.

Hanaway, in her innaugural address, quickly issued a stern warning to the state's Democratic governor, Bob Holden, to not present lawmakers with a budget that is balanced by borrrowing money or raising taxes.

Holden was unavailable for comment. His budget director has said that program and facility closings likely could not be avoided without tax increases.