Republican leaders in the Missouri House have stated they will propose a budget for Fiscal Year 2004 based on the budget approved in 2001. House Speaker Catherine Hanaway of Warson Woods says the 2001 budget was the last time revenue fell within projections for the coming fiscal year. Hanaway has complained that state department heads have been unwilling to work with Republicans in reducing the budget, so Republicans will give them an overall budget number and tell them to set priorities. Hanaway denies the approach allows Republicans to skirt their responsibility to set priorities within the budget.
