Kermit Miller
Kermit Miller is the evening news anchor and state legislature reporter.
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The 2012 legislative session in Missouri began on Wednesday. Legislative leaders made it clear they believe it's the Governor's job to propose the cuts needed to balance the $500M gap in the budget.
“I certainly hope the governor presents us with a real budget, with numbers that work out and not phantom legislation that, once we hear about it on the night of the State of the State, we never hear from the governor on it again,” Appropriations Committee Chairman Sen. Kurt Schaefer said.
Jay Nixon's budget people have suggested taking cash from the savings accounts of state universities to fund higher education.
“Unlike Washington, we won't balance our budget by borrowing from the taxpayers,” House Speaker Rep. Steve Tilley said. “And unlike our governor, we won't balance our budget by asking our state colleges and universities for a bailout.”
The Republicans won't stand for new taxes to balance the books, even on tobacco or internet sales.
“With such a weak recovery coming out of the session of several years ago, now's not the time to be talking about an increased tax burden on any segment of our society,” Senate President Pro Term Sen. Rob Mayer said.
The GOP holds commanding majorities in both chambers and Republicans plan to push several changes to benefit businesses, including lawsuit restrictions on workers claiming they have been injured or discriminated against. The Democrats say those proposals will do little to create jobs.
“In discussing job development, we need to make sure that, again, in our haste to become more business friendly, we do not become anti-worker,” House Minority Leader Rep. Mike Talboy said.
How do you think Missouri should fix the $500M budget gap?
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