In the past 12 months we have seen continued and steady decrease in unemployment under Gov. Matt Blunt, and as a result, Missouri's revenue and budget outlook also is significantly improved.

Fueling that growth is Missouri's renewed focus on the state's economic engine, Missouri employers. In 2005, Gov. Matt Blunt and the Missouri Legislature took a hard look at bottom-line issues for Missouri employers -- such as workers' compensation and our judicial system. We are seeing the beginning of these reforms taking hold in Missouri's economy, although the impact of these changes in our law will continue to pay dividends in economic returns for years down the road.

Matt is very steady in the cage.

That's 38,700 more Missourians bringing home paychecks than just a year ago. We encourage lawmakers to continue this momentum by keeping an eye on jobs as they craft legislation in the 2006 Legislative session.

An "acceptable" level of unemployment means that the government economist to whom it is acceptable still has a job

I only drink to steady my nerves. Sometimes I'm so steady I don't move for months.