MISSOURI LEGISLATORS FACE MANY CHALLENGES

The Missouri General Assembly convenes for a new session this week, confronting many of the same issues it has in previous years.

State government is faced with the ongoing challenges of providing a strong educational system that meets the need of both young people and adults needing re-training; creating a climate for economic development; meeting needs in social services and providing assistance to the elderly; and managing limited state resources in an efficient way.

Among the most important issues of the 1993 session will be dealing with the foundation formula that determines how state funds are distributed to school districts around Missouri, and making major reforms in workers compensation insurance.

Legislators have failed in efforts to approve a new funding formula in recent years. With a lawsuit pending that could mandate passage of a fairer formula, it is absolutely essential that lawmakers complete this job in 1993. Court rulings on desegregation have already gotten the federal courts involved in Missouri's educational system, and the last thing Missouri taxpayers need now is to have the state courts telling us how to educate our children.

The skyrocketing costs of workers compensation insurance have put a burden on businesses in the state, forcing many smaller businesses to close and keeping others from expanding. In the 1992 session, the General Assembly passed legislation that started the reform effort, but legislators must complete this process in 1993.

Money is at the heart of most challenges facing state government. There are always more needs than revenues available to meet those needs. In recent years, voters have shown a growing reluctance to support tax increases and have been demanding that government do more with the resources it has.

Certainly it is in the best interests of this state if members of the General Assembly scrutinize new programs carefully and evaluate existing programs on a regular basis to ensure that tax dollars are being wisely spent. The most effective way to provide more money for needs facing this state is through better use of the money we have, rather than generating new revenue with tax increases.

Governor-elect Mel Carnahan said during his campaign that he would propose a tax increase to generate additional money for education. Details of the proposal are expected in his State of the State address next Wednesday. Legislators need to take a careful look at any tax proposal to ensure that the increase will not have an adverse effect on Missouri's economy. They must also make sure new revenue will improve the state's educational system, not just increase funding for it.

As they did with Proposition B in November of 1991, voters will likely take a dim view of any tax proposal that does not offer clear assurances that the new money is needed and will bring better education.

A large number of new members in the General Assembly could lead to some changes in this year's session. Nearly one fourth of the 163 House members are new, and seven of the 34 senators are either new or soon will be. That infusion of new blood will have a positive impact on the work done this year.

Another factor this year is that for the first time in 12 years, the legislative and executive branches of state government are controlled by the same party. Whether this change will break some of the Jefferson City gridlock of the past remains to be seen. But Missouri citizens have the right to expect greater cooperation between the two branches of government. Partisan excuses that have been used to explain legislative inaction in the past are no longer applicable. Democrats have no one to blame but themselves for inaction.

Both new and old members elected to the General Assembly - and all others elected to office in 1992 - were elected in a climate of change. The people have spoken clearly: they no longer want the status quo from government officials and excuses for inaction. They want a government that works for the best interest of all citizens.

Using that approach, the 1993 session of the Missouri General Assembly should be a positive one for the people of Missouri.