About once a month, some knowledgeable Dem politico bemoans to me the pool of knowledge our legislature lost when term limits were instituted. Almost without exception, they mention how much state senator Wayne Goode knew.

Well, he’s ba-a-ck! Not in the legislature but on Nixon’s transitional team.

With tax revenue dropping and budget trouble looming, Gov.-elect Jay Nixon has turned to a veteran number-cruncher to help him get a handle on the state’s finances.

Former state Sen. Wayne Goode, D-Normandy, will serve as Nixon’s deputy transition director for budget review. Goode was a legislator for 42 years before retiring in 2005. His tenure included stints heading appropriations committees in both the House and Senate.

Nixon said Goode is “uniquely qualified to help develop a budget that will move our state forward.”

A commenter at STLtoday.com is less than enthusiastic:

Wayne Goode was a “tax and spend” Democrat all of his career. He was at the far left edge of the liberal wing so hang on to your wallets folks. Here we go!!

You’ve heard of damning with faint praise? To my mind, that damning comment is the highest praise. What this state needs to do is tax the rich and spend that money to salvage our economy.

photo courtesy of Missourinet: the blog