Lant: Break Over, Budget Bills Await

Well, so called "Spring Break" is over for us. It's back to work on Monday. On our return we will be hearing debate on the budget bills. There are 14 different bills that we need to pass and forward to the Senate. This will probably occupy many hours next week but it is the final step for the House in a process that began last August. The Budget Committee has been hard at work since then trying to make everything balance without cutting too drastically any needed programs and expenditures. We've had the Governors' recommendations for some time, and although there are some good ideas in his budget, he doesn't have the ultimate responsibility of making the budget balance. That is the first and foremost job of the Legislature. Consequently, the Governors' budget can sometimes promise funding a certain program when there just aren't enough funds to go around. That, my friends, is POLITICS.

On the bright side, there appears to be a little more revenue coming in than we expected which should make it easier to continue funding much needed programs in education and social services. These two categories make up the bulk of the budget pie. As we require more and better education and social services, we have to developed additional revenue to fund them. In my mind, that is why it is vitally important that we promote economic development, not just within our immediate area, but the entire state.

During the past week, I had the opportunity of visiting with Mayors and Commissioners in the district. Although most of us in Southwest Missouri have the same basic ideas and values, each community has its' own unique personality. I am very pleased to brag that we have some extremely capable and far sighted city officials. Of course, we all have our unique problems, but all the leaders I visited with have worked out solutions that fit with the wants and needs of their constituents. I also visited with some law enforcement and fire and emergency services people. I was reminded by a Sheriff that some of the bills we pass have unintended consequences and that we should spend a little more time figuring out if additional funding is required before we make a law! I think I will make a practice of asking the advice of the people who will be affected before I make decisions.

I had the pleasure of meeting with several business leaders in the area. There may well be places in this Nation where business and industrial leaders have given up, but it's sure not around here! Every person I visited with was confident that we would successfully weather this recession and come back stronger than ever. It was reassuring to me to hear that some of our businesses fared quite well last year and are on track to expand this year. I spoke with many people at the McDonald County Chamber Expo and found that there were families there that were confident enough in the future to buy and expand existing businesses, introducing new product lines, and making future plans for additional goods and services. I can't wait to get back to Jefferson City and start bragging!

The Capitol Commission, under whose direction the Capitol was erected after the 1911 fire, added an important decorative feature by inscribing on the walls of the corridors and public rooms some choice quotes, such as: "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof", "Nothing is politically right that is morally wrong", "Be just and fear not", Righteousness exalteth a nation", and "Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, lest we forget".

Have a great week! Until then, I am and remain in your service.