Posted on 03/05/2010 7:05:37 AM PST by Just another Joe
Missouri State Budget - Discussion with the legislators today From greeneyes | 03/03/2010 5:35:36 PM PST new Joe, can you ping other Missouri Freepers? I am having computer trouble, and can not seem to get to the Locale screen to post my message.
I have spent the day with the several of the House Budget Committe Representatives and the Senator from my district. Missouri’s financial status is in dire straits.
We are currently underwater with revenue by 25%, and every couple of weeks-the picture gets more bleak. They just found out today that they will be receiving another $300,000 reduction that had not been factored into the budget. There will be massive cuts everywhere.
We will probably have to close one or two prizons, and release people with ankle bracelets. I can not even begin to discribe all the things that are on the chopping block. Never before in my memory has it been this bad, and next year will be even worse.
Many of the people we talked to have indicated/agreed that the government itself needs to be downsized. This would mean, consolidating departments, and laying off workers-indeed a total restructuring of our government to become efficient, and non-redundant.
County offices for social services, etc. will be eliminated, and whatever is left(if anything) combined into regional centers. The Republicans are adamant that government should downsize first, and then cut services.
They want the Governor to show leadership, admit he made a mistake by dipping into rainy day funds last year, and counting on projected funds from the Federal government in the budget. Money which is now non-existent.
They are not going to be hung out to dry on the budget issue this year as they were a few years back when much smaller cuts in spending where used against them at the next election. Democrats will have to help support the cuts.
There are enough members who are retiring, or not running again due to term limits, that this is the year to shrink the size of government. If we can not get it done this year, it will not be done.
They want the Governor to step forward, and tell his party that the government needs to reorganize, and slash the size of government, (big impact on Jefferson City), stop paying the health Insurance for retirees, etc. etc. and get them to agree that this needs to be done to save our state from going the route of California.
Only when a significant number of democrats get on board, will they take action, and time is rapidly running out.
If Missouri Freepers agree that the government bureaucracy needs to downsize, we all need to contact the Governor’s Office, and make this request, as well as your representatives and Senators.
The House Budget Committee members we spoke to are from my tri-county area:
Representative Icet, Chair(He was not available) Rep. Rick Stream, Vice Chair Rep. Joe Fallert Rep. Belinda Harris Rep. Steve Tilley Rep. JC Kuesner
You can ask your representative if there are others you need to contact. I hope that those of you who have democrats for a representative will hold their feet to the fire, and request them to work with Republicans to get this job done RIGHT(no pun intended).
PS - They were also discussing the Federal Health Care bill, and Missouri’s opt out legislation. It was a very intensive, heated, and loud discussion in the well of the house. Wish we had it on CSPAN.
The Senator had a prayer group come in after we left to pray for our state, our country, wisdom and devine guidance for our legislature and leaders.
Thanks in advance to any one who helps with this effort.
Low volume ping list
FReepmail me to be on, or off, this list.
Since state spending on public K-12 education is one of the biggest parts of the budget I have to disagree with the Republicans.
From my local property taxes to the state spending in my opinion the school districts has done nothing but increase spending over the years. Keep the prisons open that is a historical duty of the state but cut spending on public education and social programs which isn’t a historical duty of the state.
Thanks, JaJ
For example, state law specifies things like the minimum number of librarians, counselors, etc. a school must have based on the number of students.
This will be changed to allow the districts to use their own judgment on where to cut back, since the foundation formula will not be fully funded.
Public pensions, and benefits will be changed. (no more health insurance during retirement paid by the state is tops on the list, but there are others).
I encouraged them all that they should start by downsizing government, combining departments, as well as reducing the benefits and wage freezes. One of the Senators, said tell that to the people representing Jefferson City.
Since the government exits to the serve the people, I would think it logical that they would trim their expenses first, and services to the people last (especially prisons), but from my discussions, there are no sacred cows. All areas will share the pain.
Everything is on the chopping block. Contact your Reps and Senator to let them know your ideas and priorities, and encourage them in their efforts to be fiscally responsible. They will need to cut 25% from the budget this year, and an additional amount next year. 2011 is projected to be even worse than 2010. It will take a minimum of 5 years to get back to where we were.
You can also track everything by going to the government website. They have audio of debate on the floor of the house, if you want to listen.
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