JEFFERSON CITY -- On Monday, the first day of the Special Session called by Gov. Bob Holden to address new taxes, Sen. John Loudon, R-West St. Louis County, released some of the results from his 2003 Spring Questionnaire which indicates that nearly 80 percent of the people of the 7th District oppose raising taxes.

"The survey solidly affirms what I said all session, the voters want state government to live within their means," said Loudon. "Just as they live within their means in their households."

According to Loudon, any new taxes will represent a growth in government and a reduction of real dollars circulating in the state's communities. Between 1985 and 2002, the Missouri state budget expanded a startling 266 percent. In the 10-year period between 1992 and 2002, the budget rose by 115 percent. In Fiscal Year 1993 alone, the state budget ballooned 14.11 percent over the previous year.

"Missouri taxpayers can no longer sustain this growth in government," Loudon said. "Instead of locking in that growth with new taxes, Gov. Holden needs to sit down with the General Assembly and work out a long-term plan for fiscal responsibility."

In his questionnaire, Loudon asked 7th District constituents: "Missouri is facing its worst fiscal crisis since the Great Depression. In the near term, at least, it does not appear the problem will get any better. Budget makers are looking for solutions that include making cuts to state programs or raising taxes."

Two possible answers were provided, and 79.5 percent of over 3,500 respondents selected: "We should avoid raising taxes and live within our means." Only 20.5 percent chose the answer: "Missouri should raise their taxes in order to fund the programs the people of Missouri have come to depend on."

In May, the General Assembly approved an $18.9 billion Fiscal Year 2004 state budget that funds essential services and programs without a tax increase.

"Tough choices had to be made this year," said Loudon. "But I believe we developed the best possible budget under current constraints."

The total operating budget approved by the legislature totals $18,961,902,430. There is less than 2 percent difference between the budget approved by the General Assembly and what was requested by Gov. Bob Holden in January, including almost 97 percent of the General Revenue expenditures requested the governor.

Unlike the governor's proposed budget, which was balanced by using more than $730 million in revenues dependent on tax increases similar to those rejected by voters late last year, the legislature primarily balances the budget by tightening government spending in a number of areas.

"The governor has drawn a line in the sand and stated he would not accept anything but a major tax increase like the 55-cent per pack on cigarettes or a similar proposal that would have to go to a vote of the people," Loudon said. "The people of Missouri have already spoken on new taxes. They have rejected tax issues not once, not twice, but three times. How often do the people of Missouri have to say 'no'?"

Many lawmakers believe that by calling this Special Session, the governor is only adding to the growing budget crisis. It's estimated that a Special Session costs $15,000 per day.

"The governor says we failed to do our job during the regular session, and that's why this Special Session is needed," said Loudon. "By almost 80 percent, my constituents tell me we did our job just fine. I will be voting accordingly."