Schupp: Fiscal Responsibility, Staff Moves On, Your Survey Responses

Many of you have been hearing and reading about the significant budget cuts in the bills  passed out of the House and Senate which will be sent to Governor Nixon for his final approval.  Fiscal responsibility has perhaps never been more critical as we continue to navigate the best legislative solutions. 

As you have often heard me state, our budget reflects our priorities.  How and what we cut, go to the heart of who we are.  A balanced and inclusive approach would lay out all considerations including revenue options as we try to maintain those programs, laws and services that make Missouri the best place it can be.  As I work in support of that goal, I thank you for this opportunity to serve.

Truly,

Jill


On the steps of our Capitol, Rep. Schupp preparing to present a resolution to Morgan Zuhler, Ross Elementary 4th grade student, for her amazing dedication and commitment to public service.  (Rep Schupp on left, Morgan, right, back to camera)

Budget News

Conference committees between the Senate and House reached agreement on cuts shy of the $500 million the Governor asked the Legislature to cut from his proposed budget.  The budget he offered in January was crafted based on information and assumptions existing at that time.  It is likely that the Governor will continue having to make cuts within the current budget cycle and will be working to find areas to make further cuts in the proposed budgets for next year as the bills reach his desk.

Controversy abounds.  It is stated that elementary and secondary schools' funding will remain flat as we move into the next fiscal year.  However, the Foundation Formula, to be phased in over eight years has been stopped in its tracks because of the lack of revenue, so the characterization of "fully funded" education is subject to interpretation.  With transportation dollars down, and programs that help support early identification of developmental delays, such as Parents as Teachers losing significant funding (over half of what was appropriated last year,) the long term costs to districts and education are worthy of consideration of new strategies.

The Governor's agreement with Community Colleges and Universities was upheld within the budget.  There will be no increase in tuition and the schools will only suffer a 5.2% cut.

The Social Services budget bill cut subsidized child care by $3 million.  This program provides aid to low income employees to place children in safe environments in order that they might be able to work and earn a living.  The more egregious House position that recommended over double that amount in cuts would have cost the state an additional $38 million in federal funds.  Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural health services for low income individuals were also cut.

So many in our area are advocates for the Area Agencies on Aging, understanding that this program includes Meals on Wheels, a lifeline for so many seniors who continue, with this type of human contact: nourishment for the body and soul, to be able to live in their own homes as they age.

AAA took about $1.4 million in cuts, and OATS (Older Adults Transportation Service) was cut by about $900,000.

There is little, if any discussion about revenue generation.  There are opportunities including putting into place the structure for collection of the internet sales tax.  This is not a new tax.  The structure proposed in legislation details where taxes collected on internet sales should be sent based upon such factors as the origination of the sale, the state in which the selling company is housed, or the destination of the product purchased.

The Governor's proposal to evaluate existing tax credits to ensure that they are achieving the revenue goals expected by the state, whether for the long or short term is one I support being evaluated during the interim, which takes place after May 14 (end of session) and prior to swearing-in in January.

Casey's Goodbye

Friends and neighbors:

I have truly enjoyed and appreciated my time serving you during my one and a half years with Rep. Jill Schupp.  It has been fun laughing with you, getting to know you, helping you navigate our government and meeting so many of you.  You are all truly involved in your community in so many ways.  I have met teenagers, senior citizens, middle-aged men and women, post-graduate young adults and even pre-teens all with the common mission of making the place that we all live and work in together a better place to be.

While it is sad to say goodbye to go on to take my new position, I want you all to rest assured that you are in very good hands with Rep. Schupp.  She truly cares and worries each and every day about the very issues that mean so much to all of you.  She understands while it is always important to do what she believes to be the right thing, she is a representative, not just of herself, but of the entire 82nd district, and at times, the citizens of our entire state.  She takes her challenge to represent seriously, and works night and day to understand every side of as many issues as she can--sometimes from 7 am to 1 am.  I know that she will choose someone to replace me that wants to work as hard for you as she does, and as I have tried to emulate.

I have met so many friends along the way and I have learned a lot about what it means to be a good public servant.  Thank you for all of the memories, and I hope to see many more of you as we work together to make our government work for us.

All the best,

Casey Bruce

Your Survey Responses

As promised, below are results from the hundreds of survey cards that were returned. Thank you for the time you took to provide your input.  The longer online survey answers will be provided in another update.

Q1- Do you support a law that would force businesses to refund state and local tax breaks they received if they move their businesses and jobs out of Missouri?
Strongly Support: 66%
Somewhat Support: 20%
Somewhat Oppose: 4%
Strongly Oppose: 5%
No Opinion: 5%
 
Q2- Do you support tax breaks for new Missouri businesses that create jobs and hire local employees?
Strongly Support: 61%
Somewhat Support: 28%
Somewhat Oppose: 4%
Strongly Oppose: 4%
No Opinion: 2%
 
Q3- Do you support some public funding for life and plant science research and development in such places as the Bio-Research and Development Growth (BRDG) Park and the Nidus Center for Scientific Enterprise, both located on the Danforth Plant Science Campus, that could lead to energy alternatives and lifesaving cures and treatments for spinal cord injuries and debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer's?
Strongly Support: 53%
Somewhat Support: 26%
Somewhat Oppose: 6%
Strongly Oppose: 9%
No Opinion: 6%
 
Q4- Would you support a property tax assessment cap to relieve the property tax burden on working families?
Strongly Support: 49%
Somewhat Support: 26%
Somewhat Oppose: 9%
Strongly Oppose: 8%
No Opinion: 8%
 
Q5- Do you support property tax breaks and increased funding for assisted living programs that help seniors live independently and stay in their own homes?
Strongly Support: 63%
Somewhat Support: 24%
Somewhat Oppose: 5%
Strongly Oppose: 4%
No Opinion: 5%

Green Tip of the Week

By Jenna Scavuzzo

Microwave Proof

The microwave is an appliance that has become a part of everyday life.  Whether heating up leftovers or cooking an entire meal, it is important to consider the container being used.

Make certain bowls and tupperware have labelled the product you use as microwave safe. If a product contains plastic it is not always as safe as you might think.  Heated plastics release chemicals into the air and food.  The chemicals that are used to make that plastic soft and pliable are passed by heat into your food.

When uncertain about the safety of the plastics, considering using glass or microwave safe ceramic bowls to heat up food.

Avoid using soft plastic containers, including regular plastic wrap, as well as take-out containers, in your microwave. Never reuse cartons from microwaveable meals.