Dugger: Redistricting Override, State Budget Protects Seniors

“Let us be sure that those who come after will say of us in our time, that in our time we did everything that could be done. We finished the race; we kept them free; we kept the faith” – Ronald Reagan

Redistricting – Veto Override

A long process came to an end this week when the Missouri House and Senate joined together to override Governor Nixon’s veto of our legislative redistricting map [HB193]. It was the first successful veto override in Missouri since 2003.

Despite the fact that our map was supported by 8 of our state’s 9 current congressmen, and was backed by both Republicans and Democrats, Governor Nixon decided to veto it.

This week we stood up to the Governor and sent a clear message – we will not allow you to veto legislation for personal reasons – especially when it is supported by both sides of the aisle.

While the Senate has enough Republican members to override the Governor’s vetoes without Democrats, the House relied on bi-partisan support of the legislative plan to overcome the Governor’s veto.

Overriding a veto requires 109 of 163 members in the Missouri House, or a 2/3rds majority. As there are only 105 Republicans in the House this session, Democrats have to join in for a veto override to be successful.

With this vote we sent a clear message to the Governor; members of his own party are willing to stand up with us to continue to move Missouri forward. We will not allow the Governor to hold our state hostage with the legislative veto.

You can view the final, approved version of the new congressional map here:
http://kc.citizen-publications.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/missouri-redistricting-map.jpg

FY 2012 MISSOURI GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUDGET

The Missouri General Assembly passed its budget this week granting approval to a $23.2 billion budget. This budget reflects the continuing commitment of the House Majority to pass a budget that’s not only balanced, but sets aside $28 million in savings and continues to reflect the top priorities of the Missouri General Assembly.

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 continued fiscal recovery. The General Assembly balanced this budget while being able to hold K-12 education harmless to the 2011 funding levels, while instituting only modest reductions to our higher education institutions, while protecting low income health care and while 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. Continuing work by the House Appropriations Committees and by the Interim Committee on Budget Transparency will enable this process to remain fluid and will allow members the needed knowledge of state services to continue to make fiscal decisions.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Left more than $28 million on the balance sheet, a balanced budget that continues to meet the needs of all Missourians.
• Held funding for the Foundation Formula harmless. In light of recent historical declines in state revenues, the General Assembly was able to again make education the #1 priority.
• Mitigated the Governor’s reduction to Higher Education by appropriating $12 million more to institutions across the state.
• Rescued the Senior Missouri Rx Program from elimination in the Senate.
• Continued funding for Missouri’s commitment to the production of alternative fuels. This aims to continue to move Missouri towards an economy less dependent on foreign oil.
• A budget of over $8.4 billion for the MO Healthnet program. This money will continue to fund access to healthcare for the neediest Missourians.
• Combined funding of over $40 million for job training, retention and development programs within the Department of Economic Development.
• $365k 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 a maximum level of $86,500, saving state taxpayers over $1.0 million.
• Held the Governor accountable for his excessive use of the state plane by restricting expenses from other state departments.

SENIOR CITIZENS

This budget continues to honor and assist our seniors by continuing our commitment to providing funding for nursing homes, in-home services, home delivered meals and the Missouri Senior Rx Program.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• $571 million for our State’s nursing home industry.
• $581 million for in-home services. This funding ensures that seniors will be able to stay in their own homes with care.
• Approximately $37 million for non-emergency medical transportation.
• Increased funding of $942k, totaling over $40.6 million for Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s). This will support continued congregate and home delivered meals.
• Rescued the MO Senior Rx Program from elimination in the Senate. This will benefit over 207,000 seniors in the state.