Search for executive director for UM System Governmental Relations canceled

The University of Missouri System announced Tuesday President Mun Choi is canceling the search for a governmental relations executive director.

The university system had created and was in the process of hiring for the position after laying off several staff lobbyist positions within the University Relations office due to budget cuts.

Mizzou spokesman Christian Basi said they had already done several interviews for the position but after those interviews and feedback, they decided to “take a step back.”

“We have a few more questions we’d like to answer,” he said. “What kind of money are we saving? What kind of drain on our current resources is this causing? What are the specifics that we do need?”

Basi said President Choi plans to work with the chancellors and legislative consultants to advocate at the capitol for the system’s legislative priorities.

The system already contracts with two different consulting firms for state and federal lobbying. The university pays $10,500 a month for state lobbying with Statehouse Strategies, led by Andy Blunt, Sen. Roy Blunt’s son. That contract ends in June.

Basi said that spending just about $126,00 a year to have access to the entire firm’s resources was cheaper than paying individual staff positions, which also included benefits.

The system said it will come up with long-term plans for staffing and government relations.

“I know for sure that we are going to continue to be very involved with communications with legislators personally,” said Basi.