Lincoln Hough Archives

House committee to get first look at in-writing list of potential bond projects

March 11, 2013 By Mike Lear

The House Appropriations Committee on Infrastructure and Job Creation on Tuesday will consider the first in-writing list of projects that could be covered by a proposed bond issuance.

Representatives Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) and Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) (photos courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

A resolution will be offered by its co-chairman, Representative Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield). The list includes targets that have been discussed by proponents of the measure and in committee hearings, including Fulton State Mental Hospital, sewer, building and road projects at Missouri State Parks, rural water projects, major metropolitan economic development projects and the State Capitol and various projects at 26 colleges and universities.

View the proposed resolution, with its list of projects.

The Committee could also vote Tuesday on what dollar amount its bonding proposal will be. It was introduced in the House at $950 million dollars. Its chairman, Representative Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) says Tuesday’s discussion will begin at $1.2 billion. The Senate Appropriations Committee has voted out a $950 million proposal.

Kelly says the legislature will act on two pieces. One would be the resolution with a list of projects that the state will follow, in the words of the draft resolution, “to the degree possible.” The other would be a resolution that would ask voters to authorize the bond issuance.

House Committee to consider parameters, list of targets for bonding proposal

March 5, 2013 By Mike Lear

The state House Committee preparing a more than $1 billion bond proposal will consider the first on-the-record list of projects that might support, next week.

Representative Chris Kelly (D-Columbia, left) and Representative Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) are the chair and co-chair, respectively, of the House Appropriations Committee on Infrastructure and Job Creation.

In its hearing today it was announced that Representative Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) will offer that list.

“The resolution would essentially be a framework of priority projects across the state to allow the citizens and the voters the opportunity to actually see the economic benefit that will be coming to their community if this moves through the process.”

Some projects that have been discussed are replacement of much of Fulton State Mental Hospital, renovations and repairs at the State Capitol and state parks, numerous improvements or new facilities at colleges and universities and some rural water upgrades.

The authorization for a bond issuance would have to come from voters, and some committee members raised concerns that Kansas City and St. Louis voters won’t support the proposal if it doesn’t include enough projects in those areas. Hough thinks there will be enough for everyone.

“I think we can bridge the gap between any sort of rural and urban issues that one area may think we need a little more or someone else wants a little more, but people need to look at this as a whole … what’s good for the state economic impact overall?”

The Committee will also consider what the price tag on that proposal will be. The resolutions introduced in the House and the Senate both propose a $950 million dollar plan, but lawmakers have speculated that figure could change. The Committee’s Chairman, Representative Chris Kelly (D-Columbia), will offer a proposal to set a target of $1.2 billion dollars, and members will debate whether to raise or lower that amount.

See our earlier stories on a state bonding proposal.

Representative Kevin Engler (R-Farmington) and Representative Dave Schatz (R-Sullivan) will work on an amendment that would add a cost-share component to have colleges and local governments cover part of the cost of their projects, either through cash or in-kind work.

Engler says he knows that idea has gotten the attention of higher education representatives.

“They’re not usually interested in putting up their own money, and in reality they only way we’re going to make this stretch to all the projects that have been proposed is to have some local cost-share match. They have to have some skin in the game. They have to have some incentive locally so that they can get money from the state.”

Schatz says a cost-share would make sure bond proceeds are used responsibly and would make colleges be more careful in selecting projects.

“If there’s a participation mechanism in there I think they will define those projects more on a need basis as opposed to on a wants basis.”

Amendments will also be considered to make energy efficiency a consideration of a bonding-backed project, and to create a “watchdog group” to oversee the use of the bond money.

House holds first hearing on proposed bond issuance (AUDIO)

February 6, 2013 By Mike Lear

The Committee that will put together the state House’s version of a bonding proposal has heard its first testimony.

From right, the new House Appropriations Committee on Infrastructure and Job Creation’s Chairman Chris Kelly and Vice-Chairman Lincoln Hough listen to the committee’s first testimony. (Photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications.)

The proposal, HJR 14, has been introduced at $950 million dollars and is described as identical to one introduced in the Senate by Senator Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia). Lawmakers say that figure could change however, either higher or lower.

The measure is sponsored in the House by Speaker Tim Jones (R-Eureka), who says it will change dramatically before it goes before voters.

“This is simply a starting off point. I’m sure this bill will undergo a lot of different changes and revisions throughout the process. We will have to marry it with whatever comes out of the Senate, so I would ask everybody to keep an open mind and be patient as we work through this. This is an extremely critical opportunity for our state but it is one that I think could result in a really bold and bright future for Missourians.”

Mental Health Department a no-show

In talking about possible targets for proceeds from a bond issuance, Jones, Governor Jay Nixon, Committee Chairman Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) and others have all said Fulton State Mental Hospital is likely to be included. Yet at Tuesday’s hearing the agency that oversees that facility, the Department of Mental Health, was not present as scheduled.

Kelly says he is disappointed the Nixon administration did not see fit to discuss the needs at Fulton, but says the no-show doesn’t hurt that hospital’s chances to be a priority.

“We all know the need is there, and it’s ridiculous to think about punishing the mental health patients because the administration doesn’t articulate it.”

Lawmakers will have to come to agreement on how much to spend on Fulton. Some have said a total replacement is needed, while others say that probably won’t happen.

It is estimated that a new mental health facility would cost about $211 million. The current language of the proposal says no more than $250 million will be used for construction of state buildings and $40 million of that must be used for parks and park facilities.

Mixing transportation with other needs

The hearing was held on the same day that a 10-year, one-cent sales/use tax proposal was introduced by Senators Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City) and Ryan McKenna (D-Crystal City) and Representative Dave Hinson (R-St. Clair) to support transportation. Kelly hopes the two issues can compliment each other.

“I believe that ultimately we can only have one proposal and I hope we find a way to comfortably combine the highway proposal and the general revenue proposal, and I believe we can do that.”

Jones says the two discussions could become one, but says he would rather see a revenue-neutral option to support transportation. Some transportation projects could also be included in the bond package.

Much of the testimony came from some of the state’s colleges and universities, who told the committee how great their backlog of needs has grown.

University of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe testifies on HJR 14, sponsored by House Speaker Tim Jones (right). (Photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications.)

University of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe tells lawmakers, his campuses could use all the $950 million being considered, and more.

“Because we’ve been chosen to invest scarce resources in mission-critical areas like education today we have a $1.3 billion backlog of renovation and repair projects on all four of our campuses.”

Wolfe says state support from the bonding package would encourage donors to the University system to accelerate their investments.

Missouri Parks Association board member Mike Sutherland told the Committee there are about $400 million in capital improvement needs at the state’s parks and historic sites.

Kelly cautioned those at the hearing that no one will get everything they want.

“Every single one of us will be disappointed, but every single one of us will also be delighted. There’s no way that we can do everything that we need to do but we can do some very good things and move our economy forward.”

See our earlier stories on bonding in the 2013 session.

No one testified against the proposal, which Vice-Chairman Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) says shows there is bi-partisan support across the state for the issuance of bonds. One urged lawmakers to make sure to identify cost savings or a new revenue source to fund the debt service on bonds, to protect other state services like K-12 education, higher education and public safety.

Jones told the committee taxpayers will be protected under the proposal.

“By specifying that the proceeds from the sale of the bond can be only used for projects that meet the criteria of this legislation. Most notably that criteria will first be established by this committee. Additionally the revenue placed in the Fifth State Building Fund, as we’re commonly referring to this bill, can only be used to pay off the principal and interest of the bond.”

He encouraged the committee to investigate a “more official mechanism,” a sort of “taxpayer watchdog,” to watch the projects as they move forward.

As for when the bond proposal might be ready to go to voters, Kelly says he would like to see it done this year but says it’s an “organic” process. Jones says he knows development will take time.

“I am under no delusions that this is going to be an easy process, so I start with the premise that this may be a 2-year project.”

AUDIO: House Speaker Tim Jones presents HJR 14, Missouri Fifth State Bonding Issue, 6:38

AUDIO: University of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe testifies on HJR 14, 6:30

Missouri House launches effort to create bond proposal

January 24, 2013 By Mike Lear

The effort to create a bonding proposal in the House is afoot.

House Speaker Tim Jones (at podium) announces the filing of his bonding proposal along with (from left) Budget Chairman Rick Stream, Representative Chris Kelly and Representative Lincoln Hough. (Photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

A bipartisan effort has been announced to create what proponents bill as potentially the biggest jobs package in state history. House Speaker Tim Jones (R-Eureka) says what it would support and other details must be worked out by a committee he has created.

“The bonds, if they’re approved, would of course have to be submitted to the voters for final approval but our suggestion would be at the outset we would look at financing construction at college campuses, repairs at state mental health institutions and office buildings and as I mentioned, perhaps even this could be one of the components for our transportation needs.”

Jones says a bonding proposal would be a jobs package.

“We can actually put people to work almost immediately because, as I mentioned, these projects are on the books. All the institutions I mentioned simply revamp their project wish list every year and they’re ready to go as soon as the General Assembly puts something on the ballot which would hopefully be supported by a majority of Missourians.

78 representatives have signed on as co-sponsors of the proposal with both Republicans and Democrats among that number.

Read the plan that’s been filed, HJR 14.

At the top of the co-sponsor list is Representative Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) who Jones appointed to head the committee that will hammer out the House’s proposal.

Kelly says it will begin with the same 950 million dollar plan that has been filed in the Senate.

“Where it goes is going to be an organic process that our committee, the budget committee and ultimately the floor will work on. The Speaker has instructed us to find a way to deal with the transportation issues … we don’t have all the answers for him yet but working with the committee members, we’re going to try to find the answers and try to fit these two things together appropriately.”

The Fulton state hospital is likely to be a target for part of the proceeds. Representative Jeanie Riddle (R-Mokane) says rather than try to update what’s there, a new facility is needed.

“Building a new hospital will change the dynamics of what it’s costing the state right now in utility costs because it’s a very old building, in staffing costs because we have the long hallways and the dynamics of the building would be vastly different now with today’s policies, and with workmen’s injuries … the employees and the injuries that they are incurring there.”

The cost of a new, modern mental health facility to replace the Fulton hospital is estimated at $211 million.

Jones says he doesn’t want to rush the process, adding he hopes to see a compromise reached with the Senate by the end of the 2014 session.

House budget chairman confident balanced budget will be on time

April 30, 2012 By Mike Lear

A conference committee of the House and Senate could begin meeting as early as today to hash out the two chambers’ differences in the budget. The Chairman of the House Budget Committee says the Senate’s budget proposal is not balanced.

House Budget Committee Chairman Ryan Silvey will be one of the House budget conferees. (photo courtesy, Missouri House Communications)

Ryan Silvey says an amendment offered by Senator Jim Lembke (R-St. Louis) threw the Senate’s proposal off kilter. “Senator Lembke was very clear … there was only $3 million left in the bank and he was very upset there was only $3 million left on the bottom line, and then by the time he got to House Bill 2011, he offered a $10 million dollar amendment. It’s not rocket science to figure out that three minus ten is negative-seven, so they put it out of balance singlehandedly.”

Silvey says what puts the Senate proposal out of balance is the restoration of a $28 million dollar blind medical subsidy fund, which the House proposed cutting. “It’s been our argument all along that it’s not sustainable, so it’s ironic that issue, which has become such a focal point, is what put the budget out of balance.”

Silvey says the two chambers do agree on at least one point. “Clearly the House made higher education a priority. We’re glad that the Senate concurred with that. The Governor’s $106 million cut to higher education is no longer on the table and won’t be discussed in conference.”

The state Constitution requires the budget be balanced and delivered to the Governor by the end of next week. Silvey is confident that will happen. “We’re going to figure out how to clean up the mess and what we can get in conference, but I’m confident that we’ll have conference committee reports on time by the constitutional deadline and that the Governor will get a balanced budget from the general assembly.”

Silvey will be one of the budget conferees for the House. Speaker Steven Tilley (R-Perryville) says he has a good idea who the others will be. “The vice chair of budget, Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood), then you’re going to see the third person from the Republican side be either Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) from southwest Missouri or Tom Flanigan (R-Carthage) from southwest Missouri as well. On the Democratic side it will almost always be Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) and Sara Lampe (D-Springfield).”