Korman: Spirits Refreshed To Tackle Budget

The Missouri General Assembly returned from Spring Break this week with a refreshed spirit we began to tackle the task of the budget right away!

The focus this week was on approving the budget for Fiscal Year 2012 beginning July 1, 2011. The Missouri House of Representatives approved the Appropriations Bills and sent them over to the Senate for their consideration. Among the highlights of the roughly $23 billion budget, we held funding for the education foundation formula whole and noted an ability to avoid any tax increases. Unfortunately we appropriated $97.8 million for the school transportation program; which was better than some earlier proposals but way short of what is needed. The Senate will go through the bill process and the two Chambers must ultimately agree. No appropriation bill may be considered after 6:00 p.m. on the first Friday after the first Monday in May (this year May 6, 2011).

The Affordable Health Care Act passed by Congress has unfunded mandates and crippling tax increases. In the Missouri House this week we tackled both of those issues that ravage our state’s healthcare system.

Under HB 423 - The Health Care Compact, Missouri would have the ability to band with other states and write our own rules. A compact is a legal device that states can use to work together aside from the Federal Government. We already have compacts on issues as diverse as energy production, our border with Nebraska, and the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Compacts can be given legal powers from Congress that overrules Federal Laws, like the Affordable Health Care Act.

We also passed HB 475, this bill would require greater transparency of healthcare costs among providers and carriers, so consumers have better knowledge and information regarding where they go for their healthcare needs. The key principles of HB 475 are that it encourages competition and improves transparency both things that will naturally drive down costs and increase quality.

The Missouri Farm Bureau Youth Leadership Day was Thursday, March 31, 2011. We welcomed youth from Montgomery and Warren Counties to the Capitol. Other visitors included members of the Missouri Petroleum Marketers Association with gas and convenience stores in the 99th District. Machinists from SAF-HOLLAND & Metso Minerals and elected officials; Sheriffs and Assessors also visited.

Please feel free to stop by or contact your 99^th District office at:

201 W Capitol Ave., Office 114C
Jefferson City, MO 65101
573-751-2689
Bart{dot}Korman{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov

Working for You,
Bart Korman