WITH TIME RUNNING OUT FAST, GOVERNOR NEEDS TO SPEAK UP

Dear Gov. Bob Holden:

Eight days ago, you held a press conference and announced that, due to lower-than-expected tax receipts, we faced the necessity of another $50 million to $100 million in budgetary savings beyond what we had already effected.

I told several observers at the time that, once again, the Senate is ahead of the game:

Our version of the budget bills, heading into the House-Senate conference, was some $51 million lower than the House version.

So we are trying earnestly to work with you.

As to the state's budget woes, I have the answer.

On Dec. 20, 2000, I wrote you a letter asking your help in a cause that can gain for the state another $50 million to $200 million in funding for the legitimate needs of the people of Missouri -- be they transportation, health care, teachers' salaries, foster-care reimbursement, whatever.

I speak of the tobacco lawyers' fee issue, with which you are well familiar.

Since then, I introduced Senate Bill 454. It follows on the unanimous Supreme Court decision of Dec. 12, 2000, inviting us to rewrite the terms by which Missouri's outside counsel will be paid in the tobacco litigation.

SB 454 won't pass on its own, but you're going to see it in any version of a transportation bill that has a chance of passage.

Since I sent you that letter, you and I have met at least twice, face to face, and discussed this matter.

You will recall that once again, last month, we met in your office with your chief of staff, Julie Gibson, and your legal counsel, Judge Glenn Norton.

To date there has been no real response of any kind from your office beyond, "We're looking at it."

Governor, the time has arrived for an answer.

Which will it be:

Tobacco lawyers, or teachers' salaries?

Tobacco lawyers, or fixing crumbling, 90-year-old schools?

Tobacco lawyers or building roads and bridges?

Tobacco lawyers, or prescription drug help for hard- pressed seniors on fixed incomes?

Tobacco lawyers, or improving reimbursement for Missouri's foster parents, currently a disgraceful 50th in the nation?

Tobacco lawyers, or a small pay raise for state employees?

As I write this, Friday morning, we stand exactly three weeks from May 18 adjournment and two weeks from the May 11 budget deadline. Budgetary concerns loom large for us all.

Completion of the state's fiscal year 2002 budget is ahead of schedule, due to months of hard, bipartisan work in both the House and Senate.

Final work on the budget is about half completed, with the House-Senate conference due to wrap up work next week and send their version to both houses for approval.

I have shoved my stack of chips to the middle of the table on this issue.

In it is contained the answer to the state's budget woes.

The answer is to access all the tobacco money, and pay the lawyers a reasonable fee, but not an obscene one.

What is your answer?

~Peter Kinder is assistant to the chairman of Rust Communications and president pro tem of the Missouri Senate.