Senator Bond has some sympathy for Governor Nixon’s budget problems. But he has no advice.
Bond recalls beginning his second term in 1981 knowing that the administration of his predecessor, Joseph Teasdale, had significantly overspent in the first half of the fiscal year. Bond determined that the budget would have to be slashed $900 million for the second half of the fiscal year.
He says he met with members of the legislature, outlined $1.6 billion in possible cuts and told lawmakers to decide what to cut. He told the legislators he would suggest the cuts and they could complain but they could not avoid cutting the budget.
Bond will not recommend Nixon do the same thing but he knows whatever Nixon and the legislature do will be tough.
Bond comments on Nixon budget problems 1:51 MP3