LETTERS: NAEGER SHOULD LIST WASTE AND FRAUD

To the editor:

I read with great interest state Rep. Pat Naeger's comments in the Southeast Missourian article, "Tax cuts top lawmakers' list for '98 session," published Dec. 29. Particularly interesting to me was the following quote: "The state could afford a tax cut of $200 to $400 million without hurting government services. They key to such cuts is to eliminate government waste and fraud."

State revenue for 1997 is expected to exceed the state spending lid set by the Hancock Amendment by $120 million. To address this, Gov. Mel Carnahan has proposed a plan to provide broad-based property-tax relief and expand the circuit breaker for low-income seniors and disabled people. Upon much analysis, these proposals have been found to be measured and fair. Naeger may want to re-evaluate cutting into the budget $200 to $400 million in the name of tax relief. The effect of such a move would have a detrimental impact on state services.

Naeger's opinion that Missouri could withstand a tax cut of $200 to $400 million without creating a negative effect on government services is ludicrous. I would think Naeger would want to take into account the actual financial needs of our state before trying to give away money that would be put to good use if invested in education, health care, child care and early childhood development.

In addition, Naeger's cries of government waste and fraud are especially interesting, since in his more than four years in the General Assembly he has not offered a single amendment to appropriations bills to rid the budget of $200 to $400 million in supposed government waste and fraud. If he has direct knowledge of this amount of waste and fraud, he should provide specifics as to where in the budget these amounts exist. As your readers know, he took and oath of office to report any and all fraudulent schemes.

Since Naeger is a member of the House Appropriations Committee for Health and Mental Health, a Committee that make funding recommendations totalling nearly $1 billion and is responsible for the funding of more than 11,000 employees, the timeliness of this information is critical. As you know, appropriations bills have specific sections for funding certain department activities. Therefore, I would like to see Naeger's waste and fraud cuts detailed in the same manner.

Given Naeger's integrity as a lawmaker, I know that he would not make statements to the news media without proper documentation, so I further know I can depend on him to provide this information to the House Budget chairman.

SEAN GAGEN, Executive Director

Missouri State Democratic Committee

Jefferson City