Missouri's youngest state treasurer in more than a century talks

Branson Tri-Lakes News
By Mindy Honey
October 7, 2009

Last week, Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel visited with the Branson Tri-Lakes News about the Missouri Linked Deposit program, a loan program for small businesses and farmers. During his visit, he sat down and talked about himself and some of his views.

Zweifel was sworn into office earlier this year and at 35, he is Missouri's youngest State Treasurer in more than a century.

Q: What are your job duties?
Zweifel: We manage the investment portfolio for the state, which is about $3.5 billion. That is job No. 1, to make sure we invest that money in a way that protects taxpayers and protects those resources.

Q: In your opinion, what is the current condition of the state's economy?
Zweifel: It is a challenging economic time for every individual and small business out there right now. We know they are operating in an environment they could have never predicted just a few short years ago. There are still too many Missourians that are looking for work that have not been able to find it. There are too many Missourians that have found jobs that are paying below what they were earning before. So, we have a big job ahead of us. I am very optimistic. Missouri's fiscal condition is much stronger compared to that of many states. We have been a responsible steward of our finances. We borrowed responsibly. We made sure we managed a budget in a way that gives us options and gives us choices.

Q: How important is tourism?
Zweifel: Tourism is critical. It allows us to not only draw revenue from residents in Missouri and build our state's economy, but it allows us to build our state's economy by attracting people from out of state to come see what Missouri is all about. Southwest Missouri is the best place to demonstrate that when you are really marketing to multiple states throughout a really general region.

Q: Where does Branson fit into tourism in the state?
Zweifel: I think it is a cornerstone of tourism in Missouri and it really has been our leader on making sure we reach beyond our borders and really act and think in a global way about attracting people to come to our state.

Q: Where do you see the state's economy in a year?
Zweifel: First of all, I don't think humans are particularly great, or machines for that matter, at predicting short-term economic changes. We are going to have tough times ahead. We are going to have tough choices to make in this state. It is important we take responsibility just as every family out there is taking personal responsibility for themselves and to lead and to make smart investments that actually make economic returns for the state.

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