Democrats to challenge some budget cuts

The Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Funding for Alzheimer's research and tourism are among budget cuts Democrats plan to challenge during the annual veto session that begins Wednesday.

But it would take a two-thirds vote by the Legislature to override a veto of the governor -- an unlikely scenario in a year when both chambers and the governor are Republican.

Still, House Democrats plan to try to override at least a few of the governor's line-item budget vetoes. The tourism and Alzheimer's cuts were among $36 million in spending that Blunt cut in June, and those two areas found strong support from both parties during the regular session that ended in May.

Rep. Paul LeVota, the assistant minority leader, said Monday that Democrats also plan to try to restore money that had been cut from the Office of Public Counsel, which acts as a consumer advocate in utility cases, and for an ombudsman to help veterans obtain benefits.

He said other cuts also could be challenged, but Democrats had to focus on a few ideas and would visit Tuesday with Republicans to see if they could gain some support.

"There are a whole bunch of things that are important that we may not try to override, but just make the point that the governor made these vetoes that are not good for Missouri," said LeVota, D-Independence.

House Budget Committee chairman Brad Lager said no one has approached him about override attempts. Other House leaders echoed that sentiment, saying even if they occur, it's unlikely there are enough votes to succeed. Lager said lawmakers' budget work is done and they should defer to the governor at this point.

"We've completed our part of the process," said Lager, R-Maryville. "I trust him to do what he thinks is best."

The governor generally said many of the programs were worthwhile, but that the cuts were necessary to keep the state's budget balanced.

Some legislators already have been at the Capitol for a week working to pass new abortion restrictions and fix errors in other laws.

Any attempts to override budget vetoes must start in the House, where the budget bills originated.

"The two main things we're looking at are things that actually threaten the protection and safety of Missourians and efforts to create jobs in Missouri," said Rep. Margaret Donnelly, D-St. Louis, a member of the House Budget Committee.

Cuts to Missouri's tourism budget have some in the industry worried about the state's ability to continue attracting visitors. They fear a scaled-back marketing campaign could lead to fewer tourists, and hence less tax revenue for the state.

Also scaled back in the Economic Development Department is funding for business innovation centers, which Donnelly worries could hurt the state's efforts to attract technology jobs to the state.

Many also decried the veto of about $227,000 in state funding for studying Alzheimer's disease. Researchers said those funds provided seed money to help them obtain initial data and then pursue larger grants from national sources.

Lager said those are issues lawmakers can revisit next year, and restore funding if they determine it's needed.

Donnelly countered that some cuts don't amount to a major cost reduction for the state, but could have a negative impact down the road.

"The overall principle is trying to look at things that are not saving much money but in the long run are going to cost taxpayers more," she said.

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