The Senate Appropriations Committee will have conference hearings with the House of Representatives in the upcoming weeks in an effort to produce a unified budget for Fiscal Year 2016. The conference hearings are organized for both chambers to discuss discrepancies in the 13 bills passed. Individuals from each chamber are selected based on membership on the appropriations or budget committee, depending on their chamber. After compromising over the differences in conference, the budget for FY 2016 will be discussed on the floor once more before being sent to the governor’s office for his approval or veto. It is my hope that the Legislature will retain management of the budget in order to prevent withholding of funds by the governor.

This year, our proposed budget will be one of the most conservative budgets yet, leaving the governor with a $75 million surplus so that there will be no reason for him to withhold funds. The current conservative format of the budget does not shrink the funds for each department, but reduces the total amount requested in order to effectively allocate resources. The budget bills passed by the Senate will create lump sums for the Departments of Mental Health, Health and Senior Services, and Social Services, which will help contain the unsustainable growth of these departments. These lump-sum budgets do not cut their total funds; in fact, the departments will still see a budget increase. It will be decided in conference whether or not the bills remain in this format or not.

Members of the Missouri Farm Bureau and Future Farmers of America visited for the Missouri Farm Bureau Leadership Day at the Capitol. It was a pleasure getting to meet with the group and discuss a vital contribution to Missouri’s history and future.

United States Navy Master-at-Arms Third Class Chris Browning also visited the Capitol while on leave from his station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Senator Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, introduced Mr. Browning to the Senate body on behalf of Senator Schaefer.

Thank you for your interest in the issues that affect the citizens of Boone and Cooper counties.  If you have any questions or concerns throughout this session, or plan on coming by the Capitol, please contact my office at (573) 751-3931.

Did you know...?
Sitting atop of the lantern of the Capitol dome, 260 feet above the ground, is a classic bronze figure of Ceres, goddess of grain, chosen to symbolize the state’s great agricultural heritage.

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