Capitol Report for April 22nd, 2009

The Need for a Balanced Budget
This past week, the Missouri State Senate passed it’s version of the fiscal year 2010 budget. I believe that crafting our state’s spending plan is the most important thing we do in state government. Unlike our friends in Washington DC, here in Missouri, we are bound by our Constitution to produce a balanced budget. Although this forces the Legislature to make many difficult decisions, I believe that our state government must live within its means just like you and I do in our personal checkbooks.
In the coming weeks, the appropriations leaders in both the House and Senate will meet in conference to work out the differences. As I look at both versions of this budget, I am concerned with the amount of federal money being used to fund ongoing programs. For example, the Senate version includes nearly $950 million of one-time money to fund ongoing state programs. While many legislators are happy to take this federal handout thereby avoiding the difficult decisions necessary to balance this year’s budget, I am disappointed that the General Assembly once again took the easy but fiscally irresponsible approach to budgeting. Relying on this one-time money does not fix the underlying problem; it simply postpones the difficult decisions that will have to be made in order to structurally balance our budget in future years.
As the budget process moves forward, I will continue to fight for a budget that does not spend more than we bring in. We must make the difficult decisions necessary to responsibly deal with our growing financial demands and live within our means. We must work to reduce the rate at which government programs are growing while prioritizing current funding to honor our promise of making education Missouri's number one priority. I believe we have a responsibility to the taxpayers to make the decisions necessary to balance the budget while ensuring state government is held accountable for how the people’s money is utilized. Although balancing the budget in difficult times is never easy, it is the responsible thing to do.
As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my email is brad.lager@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 429, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.