Republicans Propose Constitutional Amendment On Budget

The Senate Republican strategy in this campaign year to attack the budget policies of Democrat Governor Bob Holden is being played out with a proposed constitutionalamendment. Republicans say Governor Holden should not be proposing budgets that require tax increases to support the programs he wants to continue, increase or create. Senate Leader Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau proposes a constitutional amendnment demanding the Governor base his budget proposals on amounts previously agreed to by the legisalture. But last year the House of Representatives refused to join a consensus revenue estimate. Senate Democrat Leader Ken Jacob says Kinder’s move is nothingmore than political partisanship. And, he says the Republicans should be experts on imaginary revenue, based on the budget they passed last year. Kinder admits his proposal is not well thought out but says it will be improved in hearings and during floor debate.