GOP WANTS EMPHASIS ON LESS GOVERNMENT

The Missouri House Republican Caucus this week released its 1992 legislative platform, which cites less government involvement, more efficiency, and innovative solutions to the state's most pressing problems as its goals.

"We offer a change and a new direction," said Rep. John Hancock, R-St. Louis, chairman of the Policy Development Committee. "We offer something different we do not believe government can be the sole problem solver in this state."

Hancock said the message voters gave last month in their overwhelming opposition to Proposition B last month is that they no longer want business as usual in state government. He said voters want to be assured that tax dollars are being spent wisely, before they'll agree to any tax increase.

"Our challenge here is to deliver more services with the resources we have," said Hancock at a Cape Girardeau press conference Wednesday.

Also participating in the session were Republican Reps. Mary Kasten of Cape Girardeau; David Schwab of Jackson; Mark Richardson, of Poplar Bluff; and Jim Graham, of Fredericktown. Kasten and Schwab are members of the policy development committee.

A key plank in the platform is finding a way to end federally-mandated school desegregation in St. Louis and Kansas City.

Hancock said the state will spend about $385 million this year on desegregation, which is the amount that Proposition B would have generated. It's also about 10 percent of the state's entire general revenue budget, he said.

The caucus plan is to end desegregation through a model parental choice program that calls for the establishment of a committee of parents, educators and community leaders to administer funds currently being used for desegregation.

The committee also will seek private donations to establish a pilot parental choice program that would allow urban parents to decide which schools their children attend.

"By giving the parents not the courts the responsibility to educate their children, schools become integrated, public support increases, and academic success follows," said Hancock.

"We believe this plan offers the best opportunity to achieve academic excellence and racial balance through a market-driven alternative rather than a socially engineered court solution."

Hancock said the program is patterned after a Milwaukee, Wis. plan and noted that it could work here. "Instead of saying there is nothing we can do, we are offering an alternative," he said.

Richardson said the state has taken an adversarial approach to desegregation but "has never offered an alternative." He suggested federal judges do not really want to be involved in education, but are there because of a void they see in the system.

"The public is speaking louder and harder against this spending on desegregation," added Kasten. "It is expedient that we do something else."

The platform components discussed by the group included:

Legislation to reform campaign finances to place greater emphasis on individual donations rather than those of political action committees.

A plan for zero-base budgeting.

Improved access to health care through the present system rather than by a move toward universal health coverage.

Welfare-system reform through a community-based approach.

An increase in the state's dependent exemptions from $400 to $1,200.

The GOP platform also addresses problems in other areas of state government.

The caucus seeks to earmark all lottery proceeds for education and replace the revenue shortfall with savings generated by zero-based budgeting and elimination of desegregation costs.

Graham said solutions to the state's health care needs will require a concerted effort from everyone.

"Everyone must make some concessions," he said. "We will have to work together."

Graham agreed with his colleagues on the need to put more of an emphasis on people at local levels to deal with complex problems like health care and welfare reform.

Kasten said the community-based programs are the only way to deal with the pressing social needs of the state in tight budget times. Working at the local level also will improve cooperation and coordination, she said.

"The theme that ties our package together," said Hancock, "is the need to live within our means in state government.

"The best way to do that is to provide services in the most cost-effective way, and that is at the local level."

Although 1992 is an election year, the representatives agreed that the combination of growing public discontent with government and the many pressing needs facing the state, could result in better cooperation between Democrats and Republicans next year.

"The handwriting is on the wall ... there is no reason to play politics," said Graham. "We've got to work together."

Hancock added, "We're prepared to work with the majority party if they are willing."