Making ends meet

As much of the nation warily watches the foundering economy, many state governments are trying to decide how to overcome revenue shortfalls that amount to billions of dollars. While Missouri faces a tight budget pinch that is likely to worsen next year, it is, fortunately, able to pay for essential government services.

There's a reason: Missouri is constitutionally required to spend only what it takes in, and the actions of former governor Matt Blunt and a cost-conscious Republican legislature anticipated the revenue squeeze. Both Blunt and legislators whose leadership prominently included two Cape Girardeans, Peter Kinder and Jason Crowell, made tough decisions to cut spending. They were roundly criticized in many quarters for those cost-saving steps. Now Gov. Jay Nixon is able to keep state spending in check largely because of the sensible foundation laid by Blunt and cautious Republican legislators.

Many Missouri taxpayers may not fully comprehend how important this is. Key steps that were taken as the national economy first faltered have resulted in state government's ability to pay its bills. There have been cuts, and some of them have been unpopular. But instead of facing financial ruin like California, Illinois, New York and Michigan, the Show Me State is able to make ends meet.