Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer of Dexter said Missourians deserve to be presented with a balanced budget plan that does not rely on special legislation to pass in order for the numbers to add up.
“In 2010, I led the difficult appropriations process in order to reduce spending by more than half a billion dollars to make sure the state lived within its means,” said Mayer. “The Senate, in cooperation with the House, took the reins after the governor presented an unbalanced budget and came to us mid-session to share the full and dismal financial reality our state faced. Missourians deserve a governor that will present an honest budget forecast — no matter how unpopular — and to present a budget at his State of the State Address that is balanced. That includes not basing his budget on special legislation that must pass in order for it to be balanced.”
Mayer said the Senate’s top priority in 2012 is to pass a balanced budget without a tax increase.
“The governor has echoed this,” said Mayer, “but has failed time and again to present a balanced budget that doesn’t rely on special legislation in his recommendations during the State of the State Address.”
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, said one of the toughest challenges this year will be to craft a balanced state budget.
“Unfortunately, slow revenue growth, increased mandatory expenses in programs like Medicaid, and the end of more than $400 million in one-time federal stabilization dollars means we could be forced to make further reductions in the upcoming budget for Fiscal Year 2013,” said Schaefer. “We want to know, and taxpayers want to know, how the governor proposes to meet our obligations and priorities while not spending more than the state takes in through general revenue collections.”
Senate Majority Floor Leader Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, said the Senate has taken the lead on examining ways to reduce the size and scope of state government making it more sustainable.
“In this ongoing budget crisis, we must continually look for efficiencies so taxpayers are not burdened,” said Dempsey. “Primarily, this involves fundamental, long-term changes. Quick fixes are usually unrealistic and fall short of the savings they promise. They should not have a place in the governor’s budget plan."
Senators said some of the past special legislation proposed by the governor to balance his recommended budget included relying on additional federal stimulus dollars, a fund sweep, tax amnesty and tax collection efficiencies. For this coming fiscal year, the governor has announced a plan to use interest-free loans from higher education to pay for higher education.
A date has yet to be set for the State of the State Address. The Fiscal Year 2013 begins July 1.
Link Of Interest
1961 Bearcat Spirit!
The Dexter High School Class of 1961 gathered this fall for a 50th Class Reunion Celebration. Class members recently purchased a park bench for the newly-restored Dexter Welcome Center (the railroad depot) in Historic Downtown Dexter. On hand for the presentation of the bench were class members (from left) Judi Peck, Lynda Lovins, Grojean Weeks and Judy Gregory. (Photo submitted by Grojean Weeks)
By Annabeth Miller, ShowMe Times Editor
Starting 2012 with an agenda with few surprises, Dexter’s aldermen will meet Tuesday, Jan. 2 for its first meeting of the new year.
The gavel will sound to convene the Board of Aldermen at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Municipal Building on Vine Street. The agenda released last week by city officials outlines a rather “routine” meeting to begin the year.
Aldermen will receive the November 2011 report from City Auditor Eddie Cato, reports from the city department heads, as well as the report from disbursements for December 2011 from City Clerk Crystal Bishop.
Filing for aldermanic and the mayor’s position opened Dec. 13, 2011. Four aldermanic positions as well as Dexter’s mayor and city collector offices will be on the April 3 municipal ballot.
At last report, all incumbents had filed:
- Joe Weber, for reelection to a four-year term as mayor; Weber was first elected as mayor in 2002
- Crystal Allstun, for reelection to a four-year term as city collector. Allstun first became city collector in 2002; she is seeking her second four-year term
- Jerry D. Corder, reelection to a two-year term as alderman from Ward One
- Ray Pixley, reelection to a two-year term as alderman from Ward Three
In addition, Tim Aslin filled for election to a one-year term to fill an unexpired term on the board. Aslin was appointed to the Board of Aldermen earlier this year from Ward Two to fill an opening left by the resignation of Rick Hux.
The last day to file to be a candidate on the April ballot if Tuesday, Jan. 17.
A reminder: Due to the Monday, Jan. 2 holiday, the trash pick-up schedule in Dexter will run one day late this week, and there will be no bulk pickup on Friday, Jan. 6.
Photo Above: Dexter Mayor Joe E. Weber.
By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
'Did you feel the shake, rattle and roll?
The Center for Earthquake Research and Information out of the University of Memphis reports an earthquake Thursday morning in Southeast Missouri.
Seismic monitors report an earthquake occurred Thursday, Dec. 29 at 9:06 a.m. The magnitude 2.8 earthquake was centered 7 miles west-southwest of New Madrid, 10 miles from Portageville and 10 miles from Parma.
Responses of having felt the quake were received the CER from Lilbourn, Marston, New Madrid and Portageville.
It was 200 years ago – on Dec. 16, 1812 – when a series of earthquakes began along what is now known as the New Madrid Fault – the most powerful earthquakes to hit the eastern United States in recorded history.
Did you feel Thursday’s quake? Share your experiences with the ShowMe Times by emailing news@showmetimes.com
