For years, port projects in Missouri were funded based not on need or priority, but on which local representative could best leverage the Appropriations Committee. It often came down to which elected official could scream the loudest. This is obviously not a very sound plan for appropriating state funds, which is why it was eventually agreed that the Missouri Department of Transportation would be in charge of distributing port project funds.
Ports lobbied MoDOT for state aid, and the department would base its funding for projects on a priority basis. Sometimes this required ports to wait years for their project to receive state dollars, but at least it was an equitable way of supporting port projects. This setup worked for many years.
All that fell apart on Monday night when the Senate took up the 13 bills that make up our state budget. The Senate’s version of the budget contained an across-the-board cut of around 8 percent for all port projects. That doesn’t sound like much, but an 8 percent reduction in funding can easily delay, derail or sink a project.
Many of the senators wanted to know why, and the answer we received was less than encouraging. Unlike most budget cuts, this one wasn’t done in the name of fiscal conservatism or a desire to focus state funds on particular projects. The cut was simply enacted to provide funding for a port project in Lewis County, which has never taken part in the established process of receiving state funds for port projects. They basically jumped the line, at the cost of the countless other ports that had patiently waited for project funding. Unfortunately, the funding was not restored on the floor, but I was assured the issue will be considered when the budget bills go to conference committee, where the Senate and House will work through any differences between the two chambers state spending plan.
One of the longer discussions while debating the state’s spending plan centered on solid waste management districts. For almost three hours, senators debated the merits of this program, which distributes state aid to local community agencies and groups to increase recycling options and promote recycling. The program is funded by a fee trash haulers pay when disposing of solid waste in landfills or transfer stations.
In the Senate’s version of the budget, this program was completely eliminated, a stark difference between the House’s version, which maintained 100 percent funding. The crux of the argument for eliminating these solid waste districts was the mismanagement of funds by two particular districts, which spent more than 50 percent of funding on administrative costs.
Those two districts are an exception, however. As I argued on the floor, the majority of these programs have been an overwhelming success. In Bollinger County, more than 150 volunteers and businesses kept more than 50 tons of recycled materials from landfills. This program was critical in that success, and helped Bollinger win the Missouri Recycling Association’s 2011 award for exceptional contributions to statewide recycling efforts.
If there are two solid waste districts misusing their funds, we should deal with those two districts. We should not completely eliminate a program that has helped countless areas across the state increase recycling and improve their communities.
Senator Jamilah Nasheed offered an amendment to restore 100 percent of the funding, which I whole-heartedly supported. It was summarily defeated by a fairly large margin. Yet, shortly thereafter, an amendment restoring 50 percent of funding passed. I can’t help but feel this decision was influenced more by politics than policy.
We will now work with the House during conference committee to decide how to proceed with solid waste management funding. I can only hope reason prevails and this beneficial program is completely restored.
I have also been working with leadership to restore a funding cut to the Tailor Institute, a wonderful organization in Cape Girardeau that helps individuals on the autism spectrum achieve independent living and reach their full potential.
Despite this, the Senate’s budget included a $100,000 cut to the institute, what amounts to a 50 percent reduction in state funding. I offered an amendment on the floor to restore these dollars, but it was ultimately defeated. However, I’ve since begun working with my colleagues to see the Tailor Institute receives the funding it needs to continue carrying out its important mission. We’ll discuss this issue when we meet in conference committee to finalize the Legislature’s version of the budget.
Contact Me
I always appreciate hearing your comments, opinions, and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2459. You may write me at Wayne Wallingford, Missouri Senate, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101, or email at wayne.wallingford@senate.mo.gov or www.senate.mo.gov/wallingford.
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