Protecting Your Checkbook

If it’s been a while since my last Capitol report, I apologize. Since we returned from our spring break, we’ve been burning the midnight oil between floor debate and committee hearings, working to resolve some of the issues facing our state economy. Luckily, I have good news to report to you, the taxpayer.

Last week, we started discussion on the budget. It was contentious at times, with both sides presenting heated and passionate arguments. Thanks to the tireless work of our Budget Committee and Chairman Allen Icet, we were able to finish up work on the budget last Thursday, and not only passed the budget but did it while ensuring that Missouri lived within its means—making the tough decisions while not requiring our citizens to give even more during a time where families are also feeling their own budget crunch. Some of the highlights include:

• restoring the budget for Meals at Home by cutting out taxpayer-funded lobbyists;
• improving and expanding programs dealing with nursing homes and long-term care facilities to ensure our senior citizens get the safe and vital care they sometimes cannot provide for themselves;
• ensuring our education system is fully funded so that our next generation can be successful in an increasingly competitive global workforce;
• increasing funding to the MOFAST program to provide counseling and startup services assistance to small businesses in order to bring research and development grant awards to these entrepreneurs; and
• working together with the minority caucus to shift $9.3 million from ethanol payments to go to school transportation, funding for the developmentally disabled, and state tourism programs.

While I have not been a big fan of the federal stimulus package as written, both sides agreed to later replace the ethanol payments with money from the stimulus.

This week, we’ve worked to pass through “consent” bills—non-controversial pieces of legislation that do not negatively impact the state budget and which passed through the committee process unanimously. Debate still got hot at times, but we’ve passed several good pieces of legislation. And more remain to be heard on the calendar, including one from my good friend and colleague Kenny Jones that would instill the so-called “Castle Doctrine” of self-defense against intruders in your home. As always, I’m working hard trying to get my bills to the floor as well. Most of them have passed out of their respective committees unanimously, but when you have 163 representatives filing over 1200 bills, it can be hard to get legislation to the floor. Hopefully, we’ll hear a couple of them on the floor and get them over to the Senate in time to let them vote on the bills and present them to the governor for his signature.

As always, I welcome your thoughts and concerns. What we do here in Jefferson City is definitely a process, and I cannot effectively represent my friends and neighbors in God’s country without their input. Feel free to contact me anytime.

Working With You,
Mark