Senator Denny Hoskins Looks For Budget Savings in Unfilled Jobs
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, is keeping a close eye on empty desks as the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee reviews state budget proposals forwarded from the House of Representatives. The senator has proposed trimming the budget by eliminating approximately 200 full-time positions that have remained unfilled for one year or more.
“I believe in transparency when it comes to state tax dollars,” Sen. Hoskins said. “My concern is that departments are trying to hoodwink Missouri taxpayers and the Legislature by intentionally not filling positions, and then using the money for other purposes. Tax dollars should not be used for something other than what the Legislature approved, and this bait-and-switch way of operating must stop.”
Senator Hoskins raised the issue of long-vacant job positions as the Appropriations Committee began searching for ways to reduce the state budget, which is projected to top $30 billion in 2020. The 200 positions targeted for elimination represent 20 percent of approximately 1,000 vacant positions in state government. The senator has not called for the elimination of any current employees.
For information about Sen. Hoskins, please visit his official Missouri Senate website: senate.mo.gov/Hoskins.