At the State Capitol, members of the appropriations committees, and the House budget committee are rolling up their sleeves, and getting down to business. These legislators are working hard to balance the state budget. This difficult task means they will be combing over the state balance sheets, and looking for areas to cut funds. While this provides a significant challenge, I am confident that we will find a way to balance the budget, and still provide the services and leadership that the great citizens of Missouri have come to expect from their state government.
Missouri Lottery Revenue Distribution
Many Missourians have asked the question, "Where do Lottery dollars go?" I am pleased to inform you that more the 96 cents of every dollar spent on the lottery in Missouri are returned to players, retailers and public education in Missouri. Of each dollar spent on the lottery 63.7 cents goes to prizes, 26.3 cents goes toward public education, 6.2 cents go to retailers and only 3.8 cents go toward administrative costs. The Missouri lottery generated sales of nearly 1 billion dollars in the fiscal year 2009. That means that over $600 million are returned in prizes, $250 million goes to public education, and $60 million to retailers. Of the education funds $188 million goes to elementary and secondary education, including funding for the Foundation Program and A+ Schools Program. Recently Kevin Roberts of Hillsboro was appointed by Gov. Nixon as chairman of the Missouri Lottery Commission. Mr. Roberts said, "The commission looks forward to working with Gov. Nixon and the General Assembly to explore avenues to improve the Lottery and increase the dollars it provides for public education in Missouri."
K2: Synthetic Marijuana
A new drug has arrived on the scene in Missouri called K2, but many refer to it as synthetic marijuana. Currently the drug is legal across the United States, a fact that leads many people to assume using the substance is safe. However, experts say it's too early to know all the dangers K2 may pose to the body since the drug is so new. In fact, some studies show the drug causes a drop in body temperature, decreased sensitivity to pain, and stroke like symptoms. Law enforcement officials are concerned that since the drug is legal, and relatively inexpensive, Missouri youths, even as young as middle school, will begin using the drug. Because of these factors Missouri lawmakers have proposed legislation [
HB1472] to make the drug illegal. Rep Roorda highlighted this sentiment saying, "This [substance] has no legitimate use in society that we're aware of." For more information
click here.
Missouri Veteran's Commission
The administration of the Missouri Veteran's Commission is in new hands. General Larry Kay is the new director of the commission, and Bryan Hunt, a 1984 Windsor High School graduate, is the new assistant director of the commission. I wanted to make you aware of how to use the Veteran's Commission to resolve any Veteran's issues you might have. If you are in need of any assistance regarding Veteran's issues you can contact Melissa Wilding of the Missouri Veterans Commission. The Commission's website is,
www.mvc.dps.mo.gov Melissa's can be reached by phone at, (573)-522-4220 or via e-mail at, Melissa{dot}Wilding{at}mvc{dot}dps{dot}mo{dot}gov
Term Limit Reform
The House Special Committee on General Laws held hearings on Tuesday, February 9
th on a trio of identical bipartisan bills that would modify legislative term limits. Under the existing term limits provision of the Missouri Constitution, lawmakers can serve up to 16 years in the General Assembly, but may serve no more than eight years in either the House of Representatives, or the Senate. Under the proposals to be considered the limit would remain capped at 16 years of service in the General Assembly, but that time could be served entirely in either legislative chamber, or split between the two chambers in any combination. Representative Roorda sponsored
HJR 69, one of the bills considered.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment