State rep explains budget issues

Missouri's budget troubles dominated the last legislative session, state Rep. Jason Crowell told Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce members and guests, and a new financial reality will mean wholesale changes in the budgeting process.

Crowell, a Cape Girardeau Republican, was invited to the chamber's First Friday Coffee at the Show Me Center to recap actions in the Legislature this year. He explained that, because the state's fiscal years run from July 1 to June 30, lawmakers were stuck dealing with a shortfall in the FY2002 and had to make adjustments for FY2003, which begins July 1.

For the first time, he said, the state passed a budget smaller than the previous year's. It was $18.8 billion.

"What we were able to accomplish with our budget is nothing short of miraculous," he said, pointing to Illinois as an example of what could have happened. Lawmakers there continue to meet in an attempt to pass a budget, while Missouri's session ended on time, and the budget was balanced.

Successful fight

He said he helped successfully fight attempts to borrow from the so-called Rainy Day Fund, a voter-established savings account to deal with financial crises, once Missouri leaders learned of the state's 4.4 percent negative growth rate.

Instead, the state faced massive budget cuts. Thirty-seven percent of them fell on higher education, Crowell said, while the kindergarten through 12 grade system received an increase of $135 million. He said all education should be spared, and in the future, excessive layers of bureaucracy should be addressed.

Other accomplishments included election reforms to end voter fraud and putting a 4-cent fuel tax and half-cent sales tax for transportation on the August ballot.

"I am troubled by the sales tax, but you have the last word on this," Crowell said.

The event ended with Thomas M. Meyer, chairman of the chamber's Government and Public Policy Committee, expressing appreciation for those who run for public office.

"Whether they win or lose, it is the effort they put themselves through," he said.

He also recognized the veterans present and encouraged participation in Flag Day, June 14, and the Fourth of July.