By JASON NOBLE

The Star’s Jefferson City correspondent

JEFFERSON CITY | A state audit released Thursday critiqued Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt on e-mail retention and use of state vehicles — issues that have been political flashpoints during his term.

Blunt, however, dismissed the findings as “nothing of any great significance.”

The audit was performed by the state auditor’s office as part of its regular oversight of statewide elected offices, and included findings on seven areas of operation within the governor’s office.

First among these was an analysis of the governor’s use of state resources, chiefly security and transportation services provided by the State Highway Patrol. Blunt has used vehicles and personnel provided by the Patrol for “all official, political and personal activities,” according to the audit.

But, the audit says, state laws regarding the governor’s use of such resources are contradictory. While the Constitution prohibits public officials from using state resources for personal or private use, a state law passed in 2005 allows the Highway Patrol to provide security and transportation to the governor and his family with no distinction between public and private purposes.

The audit asks the legislature to resolve the contradiction and suggests that Blunt, in the mean time, reimburse the state for personal and political use of vehicles.

The governor’s office response, included in the audit, disputes the audit’s argument and says no further legislation is necessary.

On Thursday, Blunt said he had no intention of reimbursing the state for personal or political use of vehicles.

“It’d be very difficult to break apart what was personal and political and professional,” he said. “It just makes sense to have that level of security and protection and assistance at all times.”

Political use of state vehicles first arose as an issue last year, when Blunt criticized Attorney General Jay Nixon, the presumptive Democratic candidate for governor, for riding in a state car to political fundraisers. Nixon eventually repaid the state more than $47,000 for mileage and staff time.

The audit also says the governor’s office does not adequately define in its employee manual what records are subject to the Missouri Sunshine Law. The manual as written does not specifically classify e-mail as a public record, potentially leading to failures in preserving records, according to the audit.

The governor’s handling of e-mail records has been a source of controversy over the last few months. A former employee whose duties included responding to such requests sued the governor and four current and former administration officials earlier this year, accusing them of ordering subordinates to delete e-mails in order to avoid complying with open-records requests.

In presenting the audit, State Auditor Susan Montee, a Democrat, said many of the issues raised applied to governor’s office generally, and not to the Blunt administration in particular. Given Blunt’s decision not to seek reelection, she suggested, now is a good time to address those issues.

“These issues have been out there for a long, long time and we haven’t dealt with them properly under the statutes…” Montee said. “Right now, when we’ve got an open seat for governor, is the time to clarify these things outside of a party position and make sure we’re complying with our law.”

Not everyone saw it that way, however.

Even before it was officially released, the Missouri Republican Party blasted the audit, calling it “nothing more than a taxpayer-financed media release for Jay Nixon’s political campaign.”

To reach Jason Noble, call 573-634-3565 or send e-mail to jnoble@kcstar.com.