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Gov.-elect Jay Nixon wants to eliminate a political plum used by Missouri Governors to reward supporters.

Friday morning, Nixon outlined a plan to competitively bid the state's 183 license fee offices.

Located around the state, fee offices allow people to renew drivers' licenses and motor vehicle registrations without coming to Jefferson Cty.

The fee agents are private contractors who can keep a small fee added to each transaction.

"It was a bit unfair for incoming governors to take the heat over a process that was set by law," said Missouri Revenue Director Omar Davis. 

He was referring to the fact that, in the past, all governors, both Democrats and Republicans, rewarded political allies with the fee agent contracts.

"Let me be clear," said the gov.-elect during a conference call with capitol reporters, "Those days are over. Upon taking office, I'm going to change how we do things."

In 2006, federal authorities launched an inquiry into the handling of fee offices in Missouri.

That same year, the Blunt administration began to competitively bid new fee office contracts.

So far, 12 of the 183 fee offices in Missouri have been awarded by competitive bid.

"The city of Vandalia is an example," explained Revenue Department Spokesman Dave Griffith, "They applied for a bid and were awarded that bid. We've had the chamber of commerce down in Branson that applied for a bid. We've had Rotary clubs, we've had Lions clubs apply for bids."

Nixon has promised to open the bidding for all 183 fee office contracts the day he takes office.

He says he will apply a point system that favors non-profit groups, women, and minorities.

He says campaign contributors will get no special consideration.

"This is about getting rid of advantages for specific people," Nixon told reporters, "[It's about] getting to a situation in which all are equal, and those that can make the system more efficient and effective for our state are the ones that are gonna win these bids."

Gov. Matt Blunt's revenue director put a positive spin on the Nixon announcement.

Omar Davis said he was gratified to see the incoming administration continuing a policy put in place by a political opponent.