Engler: Realistic and Responsible Budgeting

At the beginning of the legislative session, I said I was interested in looking at the budget solutions proposed by Governor Nixon. From a fiscal standpoint, our state is better off than many. However, we are still facing tough times and hard choices when it comes to spending.  While I like some of the funding ideas the governor proposed in his budget this January, I was disappointed in the fact that he tried to balance the budget on federal funding that may not be available.  Now, as we approach the session's mid-way point, the actions of the federal government have again made it clear that we should not speculate on money we may receive down the road.

The governor's proposed budget relied on $300 million in expanded Medicaid reimbursements in order to balance our state's budget.  At the time the governor drafted his proposal, he relied on this funding that provided in a federal jobs bill that had yet to be passed by Congress.  Now, a couple months later, the U.S. Senate has approved the bill, but without the funds the governor used to balance our state's budget.  This leaves the governor's budget $300 million in the red.

One of the biggest frustrations I am hearing from constituents when they contact my office or see me out and about in the 3^rd district is Washington's inability to work together to get things done. I am determined not to make the same mistake in Jefferson City, especially regarding our budget. We were elected to do a job and I plan on working with both the governor and the minority party in order to make the tough decisions and cut the size of government in order to put Missouri's economy back on track.

On that note, I am proud of the work Missouri legislature got accomplished this week. We passed an extremely important bill that will affect the cost of heaS03, lthcare across the state. We perfected and unanimously passed SB 636. This bill requires that health insurance companies accept or reject a claim with in 30 days of its filing. Currently, there is so much red tape for doctors and hospitals to go through in order to get reimbursed for their work that the cost to cut through that red tape is passed onto patients. A lot of people have been through this hassle with their healthcare provider and insurance company and the headaches are unbelievable. This bill will help to ease the burden on everyone involved, not to mention save people money.

As we approach the half-way point of session, many issues are just coming to the surface. I will keep you all aware of what we are doing in Jefferson City and I look forward to hearing from you with any questions, comments, or concerns.