Through the budget process, I will keep you informed of what our Budget Chairman, Allen Icet, is doing to ensure a bright future for Missourians. Many believed we had seen the worst of the economic downturn and that this year would be better, but they were wrong. Unfortunately, this year we face a grim economy and one far worse than what we saw last year during the budget process. To me, this means we have to tighten our belts, just like families are doing all across the state, and work as responsible stewards of Missouri tax dollars.
Governor Nixon proposed a budget that exceeds the Consensus Revenue Estimate by over a billion dollars. He is counting on an economic turnaround, which is very troubling. We have to look ahead and plan accordingly – not budget dollars in hope that things begin to improve. We are urging Governor Nixon to do the same.
You see, several months ago Governor Nixon gave this quote to reporters: "I'm not trying to think, right now, two and a half years from now what a budget might look like starting July 1 of 2011 or 2012." (Reported by Missourinet on February 17, 2009) Our budgeting philosophy couldn't be any further from the governor's thought process. This week, Budget Chairman Icet told reporters that while working on the budget, he has to keep future budget years in mind – not just this budget year. We don't want to leave a mess for our successors. It wouldn't be prudent.
In the past, the House has been dedicated to operating under a wise fiscal philosophy while utilizing your tax dollars. You can rest assured we will continue this practice in the future.
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