Ruestman: A Federal Balanced Budget

Our futures are at stake, along with many future generations!  As far as I'm concerned there is only one option.  We have to get our budget back on track.  Last year, when the Missouri House Majority heard we were receiving funds from the bailout we wanted to send it back.  We then learned that if we sent it back it would be sent to other states.  Knowing that this was Missouri tax dollars, we agreed to accept it, feeling it was better to spend our tax dollars here.  It was then determined that our constituents should get the money back in the form of a rebate.  However, we were told that doing so would be illegal because that is not how the bailout was intended to be spent.

Last week, in a bipartisan effort, the Missouri House passed House Concurrent Resolutions 34 and 35 asking Congress to balance the national budget.  The House of Representatives passed this with a vote of 121 to 28 while the Senate passed its version [SCR36] by 28 to 1.  This is Missouri's official way of telling our federal government we are fed up with the spending and deficits.  These resolutions have the potential of becoming an amendment to the U.S. Constitution if ratified by 38 states.

Our federal fiscal policy (if you can call it that) is out of control.  The national budget is 40% out of balance and the liberal majority just voted to raise the debt ceiling another $1.9 trillion.  You and I know that we cannot operate our households like this, we cannot operate our small businesses like this and we don't operate our state like this.  I'm always happy to remind you that Missouri is one of the top 7 states with an AAA bond rating.  Over the eight years I've been in the legislature the Republicans have held the line on debt and balanced our budget.  Missourians are justified in demanding their national government stop this irresponsible behavior.  It is bad for our security and economy.

It is interesting to note that while the General Assembly was debating these resolutions, Senator McCaskill didn't hear the message we were trying to send her and her colleagues.  She publicly criticized the state saying we shouldn't complain about federal bailout dollars.  I'm insulted when our elected officials give us back our own tax dollars (and the money they plan to take in the future) and call it a "stimulus".  Then, they complain because we don't say "thank you" loud enough.  Perhaps the Senator should be reminded that after receiving the bailout money Missouri lost 62,600 jobs and the unemployment rate has settled at 9.6%.  This bailout has not worked.

In Missouri we voted overwhelmingly to tell Washington the spending spree is over.   Let us invest our own money.  It's time we turn things around!

If you have problems, questions or wish to express concern over an issue, please do not hesitate to contact me or my Legislator Assistant, Jonathan, at my Capitol office either by phone 573-751-9801 or by e-mail at Marilyn{dot}Ruestman{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov.

Kraus: Your Support Needed for Job Olympics

On Feb. 25, I will be lending a hand to help the area Job Olympics program, which will be holding a fund-raiser at Culver's Restaurant in Lee's Summit.  Along with special needs students, teachers and staff from several school districts, I will be greeting people and delivering trays to patrons of the restaurant from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Please come out and support this event!

During those hours, ten percent of all proceeds from the sale of meals will be donated to the Job Olympics program.  This fund raiser provides money to stage the Job Olympics competition at Unity Village on April 16, which helps special needs students from Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, and Belton school districts to find self-supporting work.  Over 25 area employers visit that event as the students showcase their skills in a variety of fields and compete for awards.  Their talents are wide-ranging, covering such tasks as child care, computer skills and food service.

The Job Olympics give special needs students an opportunity to showcase their capabilities and receive some well-deserved recognition for their efforts.  We all have a great time and the students enjoy it.  Most important, the competition can lead to work where the students can support themselves and lead a more independent life.

The fund-raiser at Culver's will raise money to purchase materials and stage the Olympics.  I encourage area residents to come out, enjoy a meal, and support a very worthwhile cause.  The backing given by Matt Mitchell and the folks at Culver's keeps this program viable and is much appreciated.  In addition, all of the employers who support it are crucial to its success, and I am grateful for their interest in this program.  This fundraiser will be held at the Culver's on 1701 North East Douglas Street in Lee's Summit.

This program originated with Kelly Twenter, Lee's Summit R-7 School District life skills teacher, and has expanded to include students from the Blue Springs and Belton school districts.  It is truly a special occasion for everyone involved.

House Approves Special Elections Bill

In January, we witnessed the vote heard around the world as Scott Brown was elected U.S. Senator, by a special election, to fill the seat vacated by Sen. Ted Kennedy.  That special election in Massachusetts gave the people an opportunity to speak, in a resounding voice, that they wanted a different direction.  Particularly given the knowledge that we now have of that election, I believe it prudent to have direct representation from the people to fill a vacant seat when an elected official cannot complete a term of office.  Under current Missouri law, the governor appoints a replacement if a statewide office becomes vacant.

To that end, we in the Missouri House of Representatives passed legislation that would require special elections to fill vacancies for the U.S. Senate and most executive offices.  The bill, HB 1497, would require special elections to fill vacancies in the offices of lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer and United States Senator.  HB 1497 would allow the governor to appoint a temporary replacement for U.S. Senate, auditor or attorney general until a special election could be held.  It would allow the governor to manage the offices of secretary of state or treasurer until a special election.

This bill also removes the potential for corruption, such as selling a Senate seat, as has been alleged in neighboring Illinois.  The responsibility will be on the shoulders of Missourians to choose the individual that they want to represent them, and that is where it should be.

House Passes Federal Balanced Budget Resolution

Last week, we in the House approved a resolution that calls for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to require a federal balanced budget.  The House approved HCR 34 & 35 by a vote of 121-28.  The proposal is in response to widespread alarm that federal spending is so out of control and the national debt so large that it poses a threat to the future of our country and therefore to Missourians.  A number of states have passed similar resolutions.

All citizens should be concerned upon learning that the U.S. debt ceiling was recently raised to 14.3 trillion dollars.  The interest payments alone on such a debt can become a crippling component of our national budget.  In addition to economic repercussions, the government can use its deficit spending to expand its own authority, creating a self-perpetuating and ever enlarging sphere of power.

Here in Missouri, the state constitution requires a balanced budget.  While it forces some hard and uncomfortable choices at times, the requirement has led to more sustainable finances.  We in Missouri know how to balance a budget; the federal government would do well to learn this skill.

During the debate, an amendment was added to clarify that the resolution does not call for a constitutional convention. HCR 34 & 35 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Burlison: An Open Letter to the Federal Government: Balance the Nation Budget!

You are a hard-working Missouri taxpayer who has bills, expenses, and every day items which you budget for. For most of us, it’s a common occurrence to sit down at the kitchen table at the end of the week and balance our budgets. In state government, we do the same thing. Every year, we go through the budget line by line and make the tough decisions necessary to keep our state on track. It’s not easy, and no one likes to do it, but it’s the responsible thing to do.

For our federal government it’s a completely different story. A balanced budget seems to be a foreign concept to them. This has caused the national budget to be out of balance by over 40% this year. In December of 2009 and again this month Moodys Investor Services threatened that the United States would lose its triple A bond rating if the budget deficit was not reduced.

We are in the midst of what economists are calling, “The Great Recession” and spending our way to prosperity isn’t the answer. Instead, we need to be putting to use wise fiscal planning and responsible use of your tax dollars.

That is why, this week the House of Representatives passed House Concurrent Resolution 34 and 35 sponsored by our Budget Chairman, Allen Icet and Representative Chris Kelly, asking Congress to balance the national budget.

HCR 34 & 35 is an official message from the Missouri General Assembly, and if adopted by Congress, has a chance of becoming an amendment to the United States Constitution. An official change will depend on ratification by ¾’s of our nation’s states. If passed Missouri would join thirty other states that have already made requests for a balanced budget amendment. Only three more states would be needed to urge congress to act.

With a budget that is over 40% out of balance, and a recent vote to raise the debt ceiling by 1.9 trillion dollars, we need to bring our elected officials in Washington DC back to reality.

You, as constituents, can help. If you agree with our resolution to require the national government to balance the budget, contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives and let them know you support us in this effort.

Congress needs to stop spending and start standing up for the future of America. This means sitting down at the table and making the hard decisions the responsible way.

Joe Smith: A Balance Budget

When it comes to the federal government, few things frustrate the American people like the out-of-control Congressional spending that have continued for decades. Our families recognize that we must make enough money to cover our expenses and when times get tough, we must make tough decisions. But unfortunately, Congress has failed to recognize these common-sense values.

Unlike 49 out of the 50 states, the federal government is not currently required to pass a balanced budget. Because of this, Congress has, for too long, neglected to make the tough decisions necessary to balance the budget. The federal government continues to spend money that it does not have and these reckless habits continue to threaten the long-term economic and fiscal stability of our nation’s future.

Currently, our federal government has racked up an estimated 100 trillion dollars in unfunded liabilities that our nation’s children and grandchildren will be left to pay. Still, it appears Congress does not intend to work to repair this damage. In fact, just this week, President Obama submitted his budget recommendations to Congress which included 3.8 trillion dollars in spending; 1.6 trillion of which we cannot afford and will be piled on top of the more than 12 trillion dollars of national debt that we already have.

We, in the Missouri House, recognize the danger of continually passing unbalanced budgets and adding trillions of dollars each year to our national debt. That is why, this week, we passed House Concurrent Resolution 34 & 35 which urges the United States Congress to submit a balanced budget amendment to the states. Should Congress pass the proposed amendment, it would need the ratification of three-fourths of the states to become an amendment to the United States Constitution.

Requiring the federal government to balance its budget each year is long overdue. For decades, efforts to pass a balanced budget have come up short. I believe that to ensure a fiscally stable future, our federal government must begin to live within its means. In light of the recent increase in deficit spending and the growing national debt, we must act now.