SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 50
WHEREAS, the travel and tourism industry is one of the top job- and revenue-producers in Missouri, accounting for approximately 250,700 working men and women in our state and generating $12.5 billion in total economic activity; and
WHEREAS, in fiscal year 2001, the marketing and promotion activities of the Division of Tourism used a budget of $16 million to increase travel in Missouri and revenues to state and local destinations; and
WHEREAS, in conjunction and cooperation with the convention and visitors bureaus and destination markets throughout Missouri, generated tourism sales tax growth over the past 9 years amounting to $586.3 million, of which amount, $484.8 million went into General Revenue to fund critical state services to our local governments, our elderly and our children; and
WHEREAS, the current fiscal crisis facing the State of Missouri has required substantial cuts in nearly all departments and divisions of state government; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Tourism budget was reduced by 8% in Fiscal Year 2002 and the proposed Fiscal Year 2003 budget recommends a 30% reduction in the Division's budget; and
WHEREAS, in combination with the after effects of the September 11th terrorist attack and a weakened economy, Missouri's marketing efforts will be crippled, and dire consequences will be felt in the travel and tourism industry and its 250,700 workers and Missouri's tax revenue will further be detrimentally effected if the proposed budget cuts are enacted; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's proposed 30% budget reduction to the Division of Tourism is contrary to the best interest of the state and other critical state services:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the Missouri Senate, Ninety-First General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the House of Representatives concurring therein, hereby urge the Governor to more equitably distribute budget reductions so that our state's ability to produce tax revenues is not crippled; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the General Assembly agree to review the Governor's proposed budget cuts to the Division of Tourism in order to ensure the revenue producing responsibilities of the Division remain beneficial to the state of Missouri.