Springfield News-Leader: Tour of Missouri bike race is economic boon for state

Springfield News-Leader:

Support the Tour of Missouri

Here's a quick quiz. Over the past three years, what annual no-admission-fee sporting event was viewed by 1.2 million Missourians and other spectators from 40 states and 20 countries, with highlights seen by 7 million viewers in 170 countries through television and webcasts, with 120 world-class athletes from 30 countries competing, with a total economic impact of $94.1 million accrued to the state of Missouri? With out-of-state racing visitors spending $220 a day during an average four-day stay?

Answer: The Tour of Missouri. And it is scheduled again, tentatively, this year -- Aug. 31 through Sept. 6. Tentative, because it faces funding tests. The first is in the Senate Appropriations Committee next week. It also could face further opposition, as last year, from those who may not appreciate bike racing or recognize surefire investments.

Last year, the News-Leader of July 10 reported that Linda Martinez, director of the Department of Economic Development, sent Gov. Nixon's budget director a letter on July 7 recommending a specific $1.5 million cut to the Division of Tourism's support of the Tour of Missouri. On July 11, the News-Leader reported that the seven-member Missouri Tourism Commission unanimously reaffirmed its support of the race.

Mr. Nixon froze the funds.

There was likely more to it than appeared at first blush, as the chairman of the Missouri Tourism Commission was Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, and anyone who follows Missouri politics knows who is not, to put it gently, a fan of whom and vice versa.

Fifteen professional cycling teams and scores of volunteers and vendors awaited a Nixonian decision as one of Missouri's largest sporting events was held in abeyance. Hundreds of thousands of voters, er, I mean viewers, also awaited a verdict.

Why the hold? Was it to check the polls? Was it because the race was Peter Kinder's baby? Was it Missouri politics as usual? Fans of racing and taxpayers -- and taxpaying racing fans -- were hopeful that the governor would not use his veto power in what could be a monumental, monetarily counterproductive move. Not to mention losing the chance to see an exciting race.

We live in belt-tightening times, but the possibility of pernicious politics-at-play could have caused us to lose our pants. Financially, figuratively speaking that is. And, happily, Mr. Nixon relented and the 2009 Tour of Missouri went forward to the tune of a significant return of a $38.1 million total economic impact on a $1.5 million investment.

Some political pundits believe that Mr. Kinder will challenge Mr. Nixon in the next governor's race. Hopefully that will not influence any decision Mr. Nixon -- with line-item veto power -- may make about this race, the Tour of Missouri.

He made the best choice for Missouri taxpayers and racing fans last year and it paid off handsomely, financially and in political capital. Here's hoping he will do it again if the final decision is made at his desk.

James Regions lives in Springfield.