Gatschenberger: Town Hall Invitation, House Recap on 2011 Budget, Ten Minutes to Real Understanding

Please be my guest!

What:  Town Hall Meeting
When:  Thursday, April 29^th – 7:00 pm
Where:  Lake St. Louis City Hall – 200 Civic Center Drive
Why:  Attendees of my last Town Hall Meeting requested a Speaker on Cap and Trade Legislation. (Cap and trade is a form of emissions trading used to control alleged pollution by offering economic penalties in order to achieve reductions in alleged emissions pollutants. Cap and trade would put limits on emissions from motor vehicles, coal-fired plants, and factories.)

A representative from Ameren UE will address this issue.  Also attending will be a representatives for the Department of Conservation to discuss current programs.

For questions on the content of this meeting you may contact my Capitol office at (573) 751-3572 or e-mail me at Chuck{dot}Gatschenberger{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov

Hope to see you there!

Please note that my Capitol office will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday… April 2^nd and 5^th.

Missouri House of Representatives FY 2011 Budget

The Missouri House passed its budget last week granting approval to a $23.6 billion budget.  This budget reflects the continuing commitment of the House Majority to pass a budget that's not only balanced, but continues to reflect the top priorities of the Missouri House of Representatives.

States across this country are faced with budget shortfalls on an unprecedented scale.  Tough decisions made in the past, and tougher decisions made during this budget process, have led to a budget that House Majority members can point to as a roadmap for fiscal recovery.  The House trimmed over $224M from a massively out of balance Governor's budget while currently being able to hold K-12 education harmless to the 2010 funding levels, while currently being able to hold the line on tuition in our public colleges and universities, while currently protecting low income health care and while currently maintaining funding for other vital state services such as correctional facilities and public safety.

Further State restructuring and programmatic changes will be needed to move Missouri through this current financial crisis.  Legislation making government smaller will be introduced, and debated, as we continue to move Missouri forward to a better, sustainable future.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Currently we have:

• Reduced the Governor's budget by over $224 million, a balanced budget that continues to meet the needs of all Missourians.
• Held funding for the Foundation Formula harmless.  In light of historical declines in state revenues, the House Majority was able to again make education the #1 priority.
• Instituted a higher education budget that will hold the line on tuition for working students and families.
• Continued funding for Missouri's commitment to the production of alternative fuels. This aims to move Missouri towards an economy less dependent on foreign oil.
• A budget of over $7.9 billion for the MO Healthnet program. This money will continue to fund access to healthcare for the neediest Missourians. (33.47% of our budget… I tried to trim this more without any success).
• Combined funding of over $40 million for jobs programs within the Department of Economic Development.
• Over $1 million in cuts to the Missouri House of Representatives budget, further proof the House is taking the lead during this financial crisis.
• Reduced funding for Department Directors and Deputy Directors to their respective statutory minimums saving state taxpayers over $1.1 million.
• Made significant reductions to agency spending plans by reducing travel and food purchases.

EDUCATION

The House of Representatives continues their strong commitment to public education and this budget is a clear reflection of how the Missouri House is prepared to deal with the nation's economic downturn.  Included in this is the House Majority's continued commitment to make K-12 education their highest priority.  Currently, we have held the Foundation Formula harmless during these challenging economic times further proves this commitment.  Total funding will exceed $5.3 billion. (22.46% of our budget… we spend more on welfare in our State than we do on K-12 education).

Also included is the House's continued commitment to the state's higher education system.  The House met the Governor's funding levels that ensures no new tuition increases on students or families.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Over $3 billion for the School Foundation Formula.
• $167.8 million for the school transportation program.  Funding for school bus transportation was once again held harmless by the House.
• $200k for a pilot St. Louis Transportation project.  This will enable kids to stay in their home school district.
• $29.3M for the High Need Fund. This reimburses school districts for the cost of educating children with disabilities.
• Provides an increase in the Early Childhood Special Education line of $11.6 million.  The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that these services shall come at no cost to school districts, and we continue to meet this commitment.

Funding for education also currently includes:

• Full funding of the Career Ladder program. This funding ensures prior year commitments to teachers.
• Over $27M for the Parents As Teachers program.
• A modest 5.2% reduction to higher education institutions.  This funding level will protect students and working families from increases in tuition during these challenging financial times.
• An increase of $7.5M for the Bright Flight program.  This will fully fund the statutory changes to the program ensuring that our State's best and brightest stay in Missouri's higher education institutions.
• Continued funding of over $80M for the Access Missouri Scholarship program.  These successful scholarship programs will continue to allow Missouri students the ability to attend Missouri public and private institutions.

AGRICULTURE AND ENERGY

Missouri's primary industry is agriculture, and our state cannot meet the challenges of the competitive global economy without a healthy, vibrant agricultural system.

America uses foreign oil at an alarming rate.  We must look to agriculture as a solution to this dependence.  The Missouri House of Representatives is seeking innovative solutions to our energy issues through the promotion of biofuels.  Research institutions statewide continue to develop new, innovative means to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

This budget, as it affects agriculture, is forward-looking, as we continue our service to Missouri farmers, while realizing the potential of Missouri agribusiness in the new, global economy.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Continued funding of the biodiesel incentive fund totaling over $19M.
• $24 million in aid to private land owners for local soil and water conservation efforts.
• House added two veterinarians for the purpose of animal disease control throughout the state.
• Provides for $5 million in funding for plant and animal research aimed at making Missouri the leader of this type of research in the nation.  Missouri has a unique opportunity to become a world leader in this field, and this funding will help reach this potential.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Missouri economy—fueled by key budgetary and policy decisions passed by this General Assembly—is continuing to move in the right direction despite challenging economic times nationwide. Combined with the Quality Jobs Act, continued funding for job creation and incentives for innovation will be vital as we strive to climb out of this global financial recession.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• House funded over $2.6 million for innovation centers, the State MOFAST program and the Missouri Manufacturing Program.  These programs will continue to assist businesses in job training/job retention programs throughout the State.
• Continued full funding for the Community College Jobs Retention Training ($10M), Community College New Jobs Training ($16M) and Jobs Development ($15M) programs.  Combined, these programs will continue to aid in statewide workforce development.

The House of Representatives Downsizes Their Budget, in Light of Economic Conditions

State revenues are way down, 17% over the last two years and things do not look good for the rest of the year.  Countless Missourians have lost their jobs and many of our citizens are having difficulty providing for their families.  As we CONTINUE to find ways to decrease spending in the state budget, we have made significant decreases in our own House budget as well.

Along with the Accounts Committee Chairman, Representative Kenny Jones, we have taken a step to reduce state travel by House members.  Most travel expense reimbursements are denied – which will save a good portion of House budget funds.

Cellular phone reimbursements have also been eliminated, saving the House $55,000.

Unlike the Governor's Office of Administration, we fulfilled our constitutional redistricting responsibilities without using additional fiscal resources.  This was a savings of $100,000 – 200,000 of the House budget fund.

In addition, we worked with the Joint Committee on Legislative Research to eliminate the Legislative Budget Office which was a $242,000 savings.

In the past, the House has been a member of several key programs including the NCSL, the ALEC, the Counsel of State Governments and so forth.  This year, we opted out of our memberships in effort to reduce spending.  This provided us a total of $345,000 in savings.

Finally, we replaced our paper system in the Chamber with laptop computers in effort to reduce paper consumption and costs.  Although the laptops were expensive, over time we expect to see significant decreases in paper costs.

Ten Minutes to Real Understanding

THIS VIDEO IS AN OUTSTADING LESSON ON THE FORMS OF GOVERNMENT… WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES TODAY AND WHERE WE MAY BE HEADED IF WE DO NOT MAINTAIN OUR REPUBLIC.

I WONDER IF MOST AMERICANS UNDERSTAND WHAT A REPUBLIC VS A DEMOCRACY REALLY IS ALL ABOUT … BUT OUR FOUNDING FATHERS DID AND THAT IS THE WISDOM OF HOW WE BECAME THE GREATEST COUNTRY ON EARTH.

PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE YOU CAN.  IT IS AN EYE OPENER.  OUR FUTURE AND THE FUTURE OF OUR KIDS AND GRANKIDS DEPENDS ON IT!

Follow this link to the video… you may have to hit your ctrl key and click at the same time http://www.wimp.com/thegovernment/   If that does not work… paste it in your browser.

STAY IN TOUCH

As always, please let me know your thoughts about these or other matters of concern by calling my office at: (573) 751-3572 or by emailing me at chuck{dot}gatschenberger{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov

REAL FACTS

Socialism… the main problem with it… is that sooner or later you run out of other people's money!

FUN FACTS

Carp are spawning.

Look for Luna Moths around your porch light.

Robins and other backyard birds are building nests.

We've been waiting for this weather all winter… get out there and plant something!