LAWMAKERS VIEW TAX REVISIONS

JEFFERSON CITY - Several area legislators said Tuesday they would likely support a $385 million tax plan to increase funding for education being hammered out between Gov. John Ashcroft and legislative leaders.

Cape Girardeau County's two state representatives, Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, and David Schwab, R-Jackson, indicated late Tuesday night that it appeared to be a reasonable package and something they could seriously consider.

"This is good government when you are really able to work through issues like this and come to a meeting of the minds and reach a compromise," said Kasten. "It might blow up tomorrow, but it sure looks good tonight.

"I think when this is done, there will be some relief felt. This is like a huge cloud hanging over everyone and has caused a lot of tension and sparring during the session."

Additional funding for education has been the dominant issue of the 1991 session. For a while it appeared differences in the size of the packages passed by each house, debate over the kinds of reforms that should be included, and uncertainty over whether Ashcroft would support any type of tax plan would doom the effort.

The governor had maintained that the $462 million package passed by the Senate and the $550 million House bill represented too large of a tax increase and did not have enough educational reforms.

But late last week, Ashcroft, House Speaker Bob Griffin, and Senate President James Mathewson went behind closed doors for a series of meetings to discuss differences. After extensive sessions in the governor's office Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the three held a brief press conference last night to announce they had a tentative agreement.

Area legislators had all agreed that without Ashcroft's support for a tax increase, it would stand little chance of being approved by voters when it goes on the ballot in November.

Schwab said before he would support sending any kind of tax increase to voters it must be a reasonable package that people can support.

"If we do come out with a reasonable package, I would probably try to consider for it to go to a vote of the people and let them tell us if they do want a tax increase or not," said Schwab.

He added that based on what he had heard so far about the compromise plan, it appears to be reasonable, but stressed he would review it carefully.

Kasten noted that based on what she had heard, "I'm supportive of it. If we have something reasonable, I certainly can support it. It sounds like they are working hard on a compromise.

"I think it had to be scrutinized in order to get something acceptable to the people and they need a chance to vote on something."

Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, said he wants to see the package and study it carefully, but noted, "it appears from what we are hearing, it is getting a lot closer to something I could support."

Rep. Joe Driskill, D-Doniphan, who was one of only 13 House Democrats that voted against Griffin's $575 million plan last week, said the compromise appears to be more acceptable.

"It appears the amount of money will be less, the scope of programs smaller, and in my view, somewhat more acceptable to me."

Driskill said he voted against Griffin's bill last week because it had $125 million in social welfare programs, which he felt made the bill too big for voters to approve.

"I'm not against social welfare programs. Some parts of it were good, but it is getting too big and too complex, trying to do too many things."

Driskill stressed that schools in his district need more money and he wants a tax package for education only.

Kasten noted that taking social welfare programs out of the compromise bill concerns her some because of the needs, but said she could support a version with funding only for education.

Rep. Ollie Amick, D-Scott City, said he was optimistic a compromise will be finalized and be approved by the General Assembly before Friday's adjournment. "The governor's support is key to getting a bill out. Apparently the governor has decided there are some legitimate needs, and there is no way to pass it without his support."

Amick indicated he could support the plan. "It sounds good to me," declared Amick. "I think an even break between higher education and elementary and secondary is all right. I can live with that. I think the price is reasonable; it will take some selling to voters and they will have to be convinced they are getting their money's worth, but there is nothing wrong with that."

Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, said funding for education is a key issue of the session and how it is handled will have a lot to do with how successful the session is judged. Thomason said he doubts anything will be passed by lawmakers without Ashcroft's support.

He acknowledged a lot of haggling between legislative leaders and Ashcroft, but noted, "all the comments don't mean anything to me except that they are talking. We'll have to wait and see the final package."

Richardson said before he could support the plan he would have to see its impact on the two school districts in his legislative district and the amount of funding earmarked for community colleges like Three Rivers in Poplar Bluff.

The freshman legislator stressed he also wants to see the plan address problems with the school foundation formula.

"This plan is certainly more realistic and reasonable than the $750 million package being talked about earlier," he noted, "and it apparently calls for some significant reforms."

Other big issues still on the table with three days remaining in the session are major drug and crime bills, a new ethics law creating a commission to monitor compliance, congressional re-districting, making the school foundation formula more equitable, and right to die legislation.

"We've got some important issues still hanging out there," acknowledged Thomason. "What happens to those issues will determine the overall success of the session."

Kasten added, "I'm always amazed at this point when we are wondering what we are doing. But when it all shakes out, things are not that bad. The process works - cumbersome and painful as it is."