SENATE REFORMS ARE A REAL BREATH OF FRESH AIR

When Republicans in the Missouri Senate, who have a majority for the first time in more than half a century, recently announced steps that would clean house, reduce costs and establish guidelines for moving legislation, the ensuing howl from Democrats diverted attention away from real issues.

Under the existing budget, Missouri taxpayers were expected to spend some $12 million this year for Senate operations. The proposed changes would have reduced those costs by about 10 percent. This is the year of higher-than-expected state spending and tight revenue. So you would think legislators would welcome ideas for ways to cut costs.

Among the cuts was the proposed elimination of 12 jobs. One of those was an aide to a blind senator. Instead of being included in the senator's annual $105,256 allowance to run his office, the aide's $54,000 salary is paid by the Senate. The outcry over this planned cut was widely reported and dominated most news accounts. As a result, most Missourians know very little about the proposed reforms the GOP senators were suggesting.

There is no doubt the handling of the personnel cuts -- a committee later agreed to dismiss only six Senate employees, not including the blind senator's aide -- could have been a bit more graceful. And there is no doubt that some sort of housecleaning would have been necessary if Republicans had been in control for the last 53 years. But the fact that the good ideas being proposed were overshadowed by petty bickering is a shame.

For example, the six guidelines among the GOP suggestions for setting priorities for legislation are reasonably sound. Look at the list:

Less government. Lower taxes. Financial and social responsibility. Individual freedom. Family empowerment. Justice and compassion.

In other words, the Republicans let it be known that legislation that meets these criteria will be moved along in the lawmaking process. Democrats, of course, respond that these guidelines advance the Republican agenda. Yes, they do. But after 53 years of Democratic agenda, what the Republicans are proposing sounds exactly like the fresh air that is needed from time to time.

It is a sad state of affairs when efforts to streamline government, improve the legislative process and cut the cost of bureaucracy are met with strong objections over who's going to pay for a senator's aide. For too long, elected officials in Jefferson City have winked at the costly perks for which taxpayers ultimately must pay. The effort of Republicans to initiate some reforms is both welcome and overdue.