Brad Lager's Capitol Report -- Finalizing the Budget

Harry Truman was one of our nations most famous Presidents. Not because he was from the great state of Missouri, but because he was a man who was willing to make tough and often unpopular decisions during time of great challenge. He always followed through on his promises and he was a responsible leader that lived by his famous words "the Buck Stops Here."

Last week, the General Assembly met its constitutional deadline and sent to the Governor the fiscal year 2012 budget. This plan protects education funding, lives within our financial means and begins to reduce our reliance of using one time moneys to fund on-going programs. As I have discussed before, it has been a very challenging budget year as we have worked to fix the structural problems facing our state, make government more efficient, and prioritize our spending. By ensuring a strong fiscal foundation, we are securing an important cornerstone for future economic growth and job creation.

Since the FY12 budget has been built on more optimistic estimates than I would have preferred, I believe that the General Assembly must exercise extraordinary restraint as we finalize legislation this week. During the last week of session, bills and amendments start moving at a rapid pace and unfortunately, many of these initiatives, although well intended, have the ability to put serious strain on the state’s finances by dramatically increasing our costs. It is imperative that the legislature advances with caution in these final days so that we can ensure fiscal restraint and responsible stewardship of your hard earned money.

The tax and spend philosophy that is plaguing federal, state and local governments across this nation must come to and end. I am proud that we have forced Missouri’s state government to live within its fiscal means and not take more from Missouri’s hard working families. Through responsible management of the taxpayer’s money and a commitment to not raising taxes on hard working Missourians, we are one step closer to creating an economic environment that facilitates job creation and fuels economic growth.

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 422, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.