House Happenings: Budget takes priority at the Capitol

Most of the significant action in the Missouri House of Representatives was related to budgetary matters this past week. Our Constitution requires that we agree upon a budget for FY2007 by a certain date, which happens to fall on May 5. Our budget plan consists of 13 individual bills, each of which relates to revenue and appropriations for one or more state departments. The budget process begins in the House and we submitted our version for these bills to the Senate some weeks ago. Following Senate consideration and modifications, their versions of these 13 budget bills returned to the House this week. Our body refused to adopt any of the Senate positions, which means we must now go to "conference committee" and reach a compromised position for each bill, which both chambers of our General Assembly can agree upon. Those committees will consist of five members, to be named from each body, and they will be formed and begin meeting early next week.

Most of the current differences may not be insurmountable; however, I will share one example with you that is very, very critical for us to maintain the position of the House. HB 1010 is primarily a venue for the Department of Mental Health as well as the Department of Health and Senior Services. Funding for the nutrition program for senior citizens, including both "meals on wheels" and congregate center activity, is covered in this bill. I have worked hard to gain some limited increases for support funding of these programs since I arrived in Jefferson City. This year I continued these efforts and was pleased that both our Governor and Speaker of the House had publicly stated their support for nutritional programs. Collectively, we had proposed a program increase of $1.6 million dollars; however, the Senate action reduced that proposal by $1.0 million.

Many of our nutrition programs (senior centers) are suffering financial hardships. My understanding is that generally, the support funding by state and federal sources, even coupled with private payments by individuals being served, is still about one dollar below actual cost for providing each meal. It requires considerable volunteerism and local fundraising efforts in addition to public support in order to keep these centers open.

Other budgetary business included both House perfection and third reading of HB 1021, which appropriates money to the Office of Administration for capital projects within various state agencies. One of those projects in our area is the proposed women’s prison at Chillicothe. This item would involve the preparation, sale and distribution of an estimated $120,000,000 of revenue bonds for that project.

Our Budget Committee considered and passed HB 1022 which outlines appropriation priorities for potential revenues that might be received upon any sale of assets by Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA). Although the MOHELA proposal is still under consideration, and likely will not happen while we are in session, it is prudent that our Budget Committee determine priorities now, in order to possibly avoid a special session for that purpose. During committee deliberation, I was able to gain support for inclusion of significant capital project revenues for Missouri community colleges. Pending action by MOHELA, North Central Missouri College would be eligible for $1.5 million dollars as their share of this plan.

Capitol visitors from our area included several livestock farmers sharing their concerns with proposed animal identification requirements, as well as representatives of the American Cancer Society who provided updated information regarding society’s battles with cancer. A special visitor was Missouri Senator Kit Bond who gave a brief presentation to the House concerning several issues that are being discussed in Washington. Please feel free to keep in touch; our email address is [email protected] and our phone number in Jefferson City is (573) 751-1649.