Engler: Working for Better Long-Term Solutions

This week the governor delivered his State of the State address.  While I agree with him on the importance of job creation and Missouri's economic future, I was disappointed in certain aspects of the Governor's budget proposal.  His plan fails to fully fund the foundation formula for K-12 education, relies heavily on one-time federal bailout dollars, and is using fiscal shell games to mask the shortfall in his budget proposal.

Governor Nixon's budget leaves an $87 million shortfall in the schools funding formula. This could result in public schools filing a lawsuit alleging inadequate funding, which could ultimately lead to the courts drastically raising taxes to fully fund the formula.  To avoid a possible tax increase, I will continue to make education my top budget priority and work to fully fund the education foundation formula.

If we are to be responsible stewards of the taxpayers' money, we can no longer rely on the stimulus money as the solution to our budget challenges. Governor Nixon's budget uses stimulus funds and raids the Rainy Day Fund to allow him to propose additional spending on new programs.

The Governor has already spent nearly $1 billion in federal stimulus funding, yet unemployment remains at near-record levels.  Instead of continuing to use stimulus funds to plug budget holes and continue pet programs, the state should use them to grow the economy and create jobs.

Unlike the federal government, the state of Missouri is constitutionally obligated to pass a balanced budget, and this is a job the Legislature takes very seriously.  However in Governor Nixon's budget the state is spending more than it brings in.  He's counting on more federal money – your tax dollars – and millions of dollars from projected "revenue enhancements" that have not even been created yet. I feel that is like buying a fancy new car today with tomorrows winning lottery ticket.

The Legislature's work on the budget starts now as the House takes the governor's proposal and crafts it into a spending plan.  In the Senate, we will work to create a fiscally responsible budget that meets the vital needs of the state without relying on one-time funding or raising job-killing taxes.  I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Legislature to create long-term solutions to make our state a better place to live, work, and raise a family.