Kraus: Budget Numbers, Tracking Down Scams, Free Groceries?

House Budget Committee Looks at Projected Revenue

Last week, the House Budget Committee held its first meeting of the 2010 legislative session.  Each year with the help of budget experts, the state budget director, Linda Luebbering, and the budget chairs from the House and Senate determine an agreed upon estimate of revenue for the upcoming budget year, called the Consensus Revenue Estimate. If the House, Senate and governor all agree on one single revenue estimate, then debate can be focused on how to spend the money rather than on how much money there is.

Luebbering discussed the projected revenue for both the second half of the 2010 fiscal year and the upcoming 2011 fiscal year.  The estimated revenue for 2010 is $6.9 billion; a 6.4 percent decrease when compared to state revenues for fiscal year 2009.  The last time revenues were close to this level was in 2005. Since then, Medicaid and education spending have grown.

However, there is some positive news for the fiscal year 2011 budget. Revenues are predicted to increase slightly by 3.6 percent; bringing the Consensus Revenue Estimate to $7.2 billion.  This increase is due to projected growth in individual income taxes, sales taxes and corporate taxes.

While Missouri is in better financial position than many states, we know that we are facing significant budget challenges.  Fortunately, we have a constitutional mandate that requires balancing the state budget, and we know how to live within our means.  But it will be tough.

The governor will announce his recommendations for the 2011 budget during his State of the State address on Jan. 20.  From there, we in the House will craft legislation to lay out how to spend the projected revenue in 2011.  These appropriations bills must pass through both the House and Senate by May 7.

A Constituent Asked…

With the information below, I'll continue to share some of my answers to constituent questions that come through my office.  As always, feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns.

Tracking Down Scams

In this age of numerous forms of instant communication, we may receive telephone calls or e-mails that appear to be official or sound like a good deal.  Chances are that it is neither.  Constituents sometimes ask if the person who contacted them at home is part of a scam or real.  If you receive a telephone call or information in your mail or e-mail box and want to check it out, here is a great web site,Federal Citizen Information Center, you can use to ferret out scams.  Click on the name to go directly to the page.

Cars, computers, scams masquerading as federal programs, health, and housing are some of the topics listed on this site.  For example, its most recent alert warned about criminals posing as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) special agents in order to extort money from victims who, in most cases, had previously purchased drugs over the Internet or via "telepharmacies." If you go to this web site and sign up, you will be sent automatic alerts of new scams, frauds, and consumer abuses.

Free Groceries

A new campaign has been launched that offers Missouri consumers the chance to learn more about their food and register to win free groceries for a year.  Now through April 11, 2010, Missourians can visit www.FarmersFeedUS.org, sign up for a chance to win a year's worth of groceries, and meet five featured farmers along the way.

Our district is largely urban in nature.  I'm sure that many of its residents have not had the opportunity to work on a farm and understand the agricultural system that puts food on our tables.  On this web site, featured farmers discuss their farms and their families as they lead consumers through the registration process.  Afterward, consumers can take an online tour of a family farm to gain insight into various types of farming operations. Participating farmers talk about their corn, beef, dairy, swine or soybean operations. Missouri farms have a great story to tell.

Throughout the 90-day campaign, consumers can enter daily by visiting each of the five farmers - meaning any Missouri resident can sign up five times a day.  I hope that someone in District 48 brings home the groceries!

With the beginning of the 2010 Legislative Session, the Capitol Report will be issued about once a week. During this time, if you have an event that you would like me to attend or speak at, please contact my office at 1 (573)751-1459 or e-mail at will{dot}kraus{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov.