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Candidate's criticism of MoDOT hurts road improvements, panel says

A new report from MoDOT's Blue Ribbon Panel says that public office candidates should not run against MoDOT. Stephanie Hockridge has the story.

MoDOT's Blue Ribbon Panel is made up of independent lay persons from all over the state.

The purpose of the panel is to review MoDOT operations and recommend changes for the department.

The panel says the suspension of MoDOT's 1992 plan to clean up Missouri roads is one of the reasons that residents are leery of MoDOT today.

However, panel Chairman Jack Magruder says it is important the negative MoDOT vibe does not interfere with politics.

"WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE RUNNING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON HERE SO THEY DON'T RUN AGAINST MODOT. IT'S HARD TO TURN THOSE THINGS AROUND."

He says that candidates add to the public's diminished confidence in MoDOT and this hurts the department's chance to receive the necessary resources to make improvements.

From the state Capitol, I'm Stephanie Hockridge.