We’ve reached that time of year again to debate the operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year; FY 2014 will begin on July 1 and run until June 30, 2014. Crafting the budget is a process that takes much hard work, as the operating budget of our state and its services is a very important issue. Lawmakers’ goal is to pass a balanced budget and ensure that vital state programs remain strong, while our state lives within its means. Submerging ourselves in debt, like the federal government, is not an option. Just like many Missourians these days, we need to make every dollar count and watch our budget carefully. Although discussing potential cuts is not easy or enjoyable, the Missouri Senate is dedicated to passing a responsible budget for our state.

There are 13 budget bills that comprise Missouri’s FY 2014 operating budget; those budget bills always originate in the House of Representatives and are handled by the House Budget Committee. When the House’s version of the budget is sent to the Senate, members of the Senate Appropriations Committee (of which I am vice chair) consider the bills and begin the blueprints of the upper chamber’s version of the budget. Often times, the Senate and House committees responsible for crafting their chambers’ versions of the state budget use recommendations noted in the governor’s State of the State address in January.

On Monday, April 22, senators debated and approved the budget bills (HBs 1-13) that address a variety of state services and departments. The Senate’s version of the FY 2014 budget, totaling $24.7 billion, includes approximately $5.5 billion slated to go to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (HB 2), $1.2 billion for the Department of Higher Education (HB 3), $1.6 billion and $1.1 billion for the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Health and Senior Services (HB 10), respectively; and $8.5 billion for the Department of Social Services (HB 11).

The Senate budget plan also notes an elimination of funding for various services under the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR). These proposed cuts have occurred amid charges that DOR is retaining the private information of citizens seeking concealed carry endorsements in a computer database and sharing that data with the federal government. Some lawmakers are hoping these budget proposals regarding DOR will spur discussion with executive branch officials about how state money is spent.

The Senate’s budget plan will now be sent to the House for its consideration. If the House disagrees with the Senate’s version of the budget, the two chambers’ differences will be addressed in a conference committee, in which five members of the Senate and three members of the House (including the chairs of the House Budget Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee) will work together on a compromise. When the two chambers agree on a final plan for the FY 2014 budget (the constitutional deadline for the completed budget is Friday, May 10), all 13 bills will be sent on their way to the governor. The governor can only line-item veto budget bills, meaning nullifying or canceling specific provisions of a bill without vetoing the entire legislative package. 

If you have any questions about the FY 2014 budget, please don’t hesitate contact my Capitol office. Issues pertaining to the budget can be complicated and confusing, so I am happy to help answer any questions I can. If you’d like to view budget notes on the 13 budget bills, visit the Missouri Senate website (www.senate.mo.gov) and check out the Senate Appropriations Committee website (listed under “Standing Committees” in the “Committees” tab at the top of the page). Thank you for your interest in state government and God bless.

Public Forum for DOR Questions

Many Missourians throughout the state are aware of and concerned about the charges that DOR is retaining the private information of citizens who apply for certain documents in a computer database and sharing that data with the federal government. A public forum has been scheduled in our community so you can voice your concerns regarding your private information to Missouri lawmakers. The forum will be from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 27, at the Christian High School’s commons area, located at 1145 Tom Ginnever Ave.,O’Fallon, Mo. Hope to see you there!