by State Sen. Brad Lager
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This past week, the Missouri Senate passed its version of the fiscal year 2013 state budget.
Unlike the dysfunction in Washington D.C., our state’s constitution ensures that the Legislature passes a balanced budget each year. Over the last four years, we have had to make some very difficult decisions in order to balance our budgets. Falling revenues coupled with exploding government entitlement programs have made balancing the state budget increasingly difficult. The silver lining found within these difficult decisions is the fact that this process has forced nearly every level of government to prioritize its expenses, fund its fundamental responsibilities, and address the public policy decisions necessary to help fuel economic growth.
As I have shared on numerous occasions, I do not believe that government creates jobs. The private sector creates jobs. However, each branch of government does play a role in creating a state’s overall business climate. Unfortunately, in recent years, the legal environment facing Missouri businesses has deteriorated. One aspect of this has been a series of judicial decisions that have rewritten the way business law is practiced in our state. The majority of these decisions have come from judges who are appointed, not elected, and therefore cannot be held accountable for their actions.
These overreaching decisions have forced the Legislature to reevaluate how judges are selected for our state’s larger counties, our appellate courts, and our state’s Supreme Court. Currently, a small number of lawyers have hijacked the process for selecting these non-elected judges. The secrecy of the process and the obvious potential for conflicts of interest has prompted legislation to reform this process. With a system that is more open, inclusive, and driven by ordinary citizens, I believe we have a greater chance of selecting judges that reflect the morals, values, and direction of our state.
These efforts will help restore the checks and balances prescribed in our state’s Constitution. Government cannot be allowed to stand in the way of sound economic growth, and this can only be ensured through greater accountability to our citizens. With the appropriate checks and balances and a government that is on the side of everyday citizens, we will strengthen the foundation necessary for future economic growth and prosperity.
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 [email protected] and my mailing address is Room 422, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.