Flanigan: Many of governor's proposals are unwise

In his capitol report this week, Rep. Tom Flanigan, R-Carthage, says Gov. Jay Nixon's State of the State speech had an uplifting tone, but some of the governor's proposals are unwise:

The Second Regular Session of the 95th General Assembly convened on January 6, 2010, however, it is the Governor’s State of the State Address that begins the active legislative process. It is in this State of the State Address to a Joint Session of the General Assembly that the Governor lays out his vision, not only legislatively, but also his spending priorities as well.

On Wednesday, the Governor laid out his budget priorities. They are:
· Job Growth, which includes the implementation of Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act.
· Funding for K-12 Education
· Health Care, with emphasis on maximizing benefits for the people of Missouri
· Ethics Reform

Although the tone of his speech was uplifting, many of the Governor’s proposed solutions to our State’s problems are unwise and simply recycled failed programs of the past. In fact, much of what the Governor “said” is quite contradictory to what he actually “proposes”, for example, state revenue projections.

Indicators from budget writers in both the House and the Senate describe the recovery in Missouri as “slow and anemic.” They also say that the outlook for 2010 is “flat” and that the recovery throughout the state will be “steady, but slow”, which translates into an increase demand on a shrinking pool of available funds.

We have a responsibility, in my opinion, to manage this state prudently and with such fiscal discipline as to meet our obligations.

Against this bleak economic backdrop the Governor, this year, has joined Speaker of the House, Ron Richard, and Senate President Pro Tem, Charlie Shields, in a pledge not to raise taxes as a method of balancing the state budget.

We have many busy months ahead. We must do more with fewer resources. I look forward to joining my colleagues in the House in working to boost Missouri’s economy and help to create an atmosphere that will assist our citizens in getting back to work.