It has been approximately six weeks since the budget approved by the General Assembly was sent to the governor for his review. Between the constitutional deadline and the start of the fiscal year, it becomes evident that some of the programs and services may need to be trimmed in order to keep a balanced budget.
In my dedication to education in our state, I can’t help but feel a bit of disappointment in the numbers that have come down from this budget work. While I understand the necessity of reining spending in to avoid raising taxes, and with the serious hits to funding due to the inordinate amount of natural disasters our state has faced, much of the $172.15 million that had been withheld by the governor from the original $23.2 billion budget was from various education-related areas.
Late in the session, the Legislature worked to find funding for both two-and four-year higher education institutions, including a $12 million increase to higher education and a $10 million increase to K-12 transportation. Those numbers have since been reduced, cutting $8 million out of the $10 million for K-12 transportation. For higher education, we had accomplished cutting the governor’s proposed 7 percent reduction down to 5.4 percent, or $12 million. Those numbers were taken back to the original 7 percent cut, and even slightly higher for a few institutions.
The largest cut was made to MOHELA funds, approximately $100 million, to be used for construction projects on college and university campuses across the state in FY 2012.
During these tough economic times, we must all live within our means. Some budget items are impossible to predict. I happen to feel that natural disasters fall in that category. Funds to facilitate recovery have to be found in order for our neighbors to stand back up and find their way back to a sense of normalcy. However, it leaves a large gap in one of our top priorities, education. This is an issue that, while disappointing, cannot be helped if we are to maintain our promises to Missouri’s citizens, to not raise taxes and aid them in their time of need. In the case of the natural disasters that have visited Missouri so far this year, and the predictions of what is yet to come, I would support a special session of the Legislature to discuss utilizing the rainy day fund.
It is my hope that, as general revenue increases, the governor will release his withholdings for FY 2012.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31st State Senatorial District.
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