After the governor presented his State of the State address this week and unveiled his budget numbers, we in the legislature will need to take on the responsibility of crafting a budget that will best benefit the future of Missouri. There is no denying that Missouri sits at a crossroads. We no longer have the option of relying on federal funds to plug large holes in our state budget. Since we are mandated by the Missouri Constitution to not spend more than we have, the budget creation process is that much more difficult.
The budget for Fiscal Year 2013 that will take effect July 1, 2012, needs to address a $500 million shortfall compared to this year. However, that shortfall should not be allowed to severely impact one of the legislature’s highest priorities, education. As a state, one of the greatest tools we have to our current economic situation is an educated workforce. It is in our best interest, therefore, to provide a world-class education, not only for K-12, but post-secondary, as well.
Over the last three years, education funding has taken some large hits, with level funding for K-12 and cuts to higher education. At that rate, our students’ education opportunities will begin to suffer, thus affecting our state’s future work force.
The governor’s proposed budget says level funding will be provided for the K-12 classroom. Funds for higher education have been slashed 12.5 percent, because the governor’s thought is that higher education institutions should learn to operate in a leaner scale with a more modern business model. Higher education should not have to bear the entire burden of our state’s budget shortfall by itself, and the Senate will work to restore funding.
Another topic, the one that we spent a majority of the special session discussing, is job creation. By creating jobs, we will spur our economy to grow, because more jobs mean more paychecks for people who have been doing without. In the proposed budget, we see a loss of more than 800 state jobs. Trimming the fat is never a bad thing. Streamlining can only make us stronger. The state workforce is already the smallest is has been in decades.
There are also specific issues that impact the 31st Senatorial District, such as funding for the Missouri Veterans’ Commission, including veterans’ homes and cemeteries, and passenger rail/Amtrak funding. These are topics that I will certainly support as they are discussed in committee meetings and will keep my constituents informed regarding.
As a member of the nine-member Senate Appropriations Committee, I look forward to discussing these issues with my colleagues. I have no doubt that this will continue to be a difficult discussion. Stretching a finite amount of dollars to cover a $23 billion budget without overspending is a difficult task. But this is the task we are charged with. As your elected officials, we will do our best to make certain that Missourians receive the best services the legislature can provide for them.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31st State Senatorial District.
