Suppose you had a lot of experience with a particular company.But when you left it, the law said you could not use that experience to make a living. That that is the basic issue that has stopped debate on a government ethics bill. It’s not a non-compete clause. It’s an outright ban. [Read more...]
House Budget Committee Chairman calls for additonal 5% cut
February 17, 2010 By
House budget committee members have been told to cut a little deeper as the committee chairman looks ahead and sees no reason to believe state revenues are turning around any time soon.
The state budget submitted by Governor Nixon totals nearly $24 billion, which would be $2.6 billion less than the current budget. That still is too large for House Budget Committee Chairman Allen Icet (R-Wildwood) who has asked his various appropriations sub-committee chairmen to trim an extra five percent.
“Now, clearly every committee has different dynamics they have deal with so that was not a hard and fast, but see what you could do,” Icet says he instructed his six budget sub-committee chairmen. “And if you can go beyond five percent, that’s good.”
Some have taken the advice to heart with chaotic results. The House Appropriations Committee for Health, Mental Health and Social Services was thrown into disarray when it couldn’t get enough Republicans to vote for deep cuts to the departments of health and mental health. The committee went into recess until enough members were persuaded to approve the budgets.
The cuts being pushed by Icet would come in the crucial General Revenue budget which totals $7.2 billion. State tax revenues still lag well below levels necessary to pay all the state’s bills; as much as 12% below. Icet doesn’t see them rebounding over the next couple of years. The state also plans to use the remaining budget stabilization money approved by Congress, which would total at least $900 million, perhaps $1.2 billion if a promised $300 million actually comes through.
The five percent reduction target would total about $300 million. Icet worries about making up the extra federal funds.
“Next year at this time, if we do in fact have a, let’s say, a $900 million hole. If we are able to cut $300 million this year, which I don’t know if we can get to, that still leaves a $600 million hole,” Icet says. “My opinion is, again if nothing happens, there will be programs that are completely eliminated. You can’t get to $600 million by trimming around the edges.”
The health sub-committee has proposed cutting funding to crisis pregnancy centers as well as community health care centers. It recommends cutting state subsidies for domestic violence shelters.
Much time remains in the budget process. The six sub-committees funnel their recommendations to the full House Budget Committee which must approve the bills and send them to the full House for consideration. Once the House approves a budget, it moves to the Senate for consideration. The two chambers then meet to reach agreement before a final product goes to Governor Nixon for consideration.
Senate stalls on ethics bill
February 17, 2010 By
The state senate’s debate on new ethical standards for lawmakers and candidates has stalled on a proposal to ban legislators from becoming lobbyists after they leave office
Senator Jason Crowell of Cape Girardeau wants the ban to last for two years and include more than lobbying. He knows his chances are limited for getting approval for his plan.”I give it one in a million shot that this General Assembly is actually going to prevent itself from being lobbyists,” he says.
The Senate also is considering whether to ban former lawmakers from being appointed to judgeships. The hang-up that has stopped debate is whether to ban former legislators from returning to the Capitol after their terms to work as aides to other lawmakers.
The ethics bill has been set aside without a vote being taken on Crowell’s amendment.
Backes scores a goal in his olympic debut
February 17, 2010 By
David Backes, one of two St. Louis Blues on Team USA’s roster made an impact in yesterday’s 3-1 opening game win over Switzerland. After team USA goalie Ryan Miller made a sprawling save, Backes picked up the rebound and skated end-to-end along the left-wing boards, beat a Swiss defender then cut toward the net tucking a shot past the Swiss goalies inside the left post. That came 5:52 into the second period and gave team USA at 2-0 lead at that point. Team USA will play Norway this Thursday at 2pm.
Missouri baseball picked for 8th in Big 12
February 17, 2010 By
The Missouri Tiger baseball team was picked to finish tied in 8th place with Nebraska in the Big 12 coaches preseason poll. The Tigers went 35-27 losing in the NCAA regionals last year, but they return just one starting infielder, they need a new catcher and senior Aaron Senne who mostly played in the outfield his last three seasons will move to first base. Senne was drafted by his hometown Minnesota Twins, but decided to come back to Mizzou for his senior season. The Tigers open up play in Tempe Arizona against Gonzaga, Washington and New Mexico State on February 19th.
