Taking a crack at cronyism, gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R-Mo.) has a proposal that would end the patronage system in Missouri’s fee offices.

The old, controversial system involved about 183 privately run offices that collected vehicle sales taxes, drivers’ license fees and other fees on the state’s behalf. State contractors get to keep a fee for each transaction and were used by past governors of both parties to reward loyal supporters.

Hulshof, who is currently representing the 9^th district in Washington, D.C., is running as a Republican candidate for governor. He is pushing for a more transparent system with an emphasis on customer service, performance and accountability.

“These offices should be awarded in the same manner as every other government contract – in an open and objective way,” Hulshof said in a written release distributed Thursday. “Customer service should be the top consideration when determining who runs these offices, not who offers the most political support.”

The fee offices were a matter of controversy under current Gov. Matt Blunt’s administration. The federal government was questioning former state contractors about the way vehicle license offices were managed under Blunt’s administration. The investigating hinged on irregularities during the transition between former Gov. Bob Holden and Blunt, said the Associated Press.

Then the fee office investigation became tied to larger US Attorney firings scandal when US Attorney Bud Cummins, who was investigating the fee office irregularities, was dismissed from the Department of Justice.

Hulshof’s new proposal requires every fee office be up for an open bid. There will also be a point system to rate the bids, created by the Department of Revenue and Office of Administration.

These points would be based on charitable considerations, customer service initiatives, past performance where appropriate and personnel qualifications.

Hulshof said he would eschew looking at who contributed the most to campaigns, and instead focus on performance and business plans. Hulshof said this will result “in better customer service, taxpayer savings and more confidence in the system.”

Current fee office agents could submit a proposal to continue using their offices. The plan also calls for charities and minority-owned business to submit proposals.

All of these proposals would be up for public scrutiny.