Monday, March 31, 2014

Charlie Davis on the state budget and his kidney stone

(In his latest report, Rep. Charlie Davis, R-Webb City, talks about the budget which was passed by the House last week and his problems with a kidney stone.)

Last week, the Missouri House of Representatives passed a balanced and fiscally responsible budget that contains the largest education budget in the state’s history, funds Medicaid reforms, and increases appropriations for business development while limiting wasteful spending.


Operating within Missouri’s Means


The budget process begins with the development of the consensus revenue estimate (CRE), which approximates how much revenue the state will have for the next year. This year the governor’s staff walked out of the CRE negotiations, refusing to accept the estimate developed by the House, Senate, and University of Missouri economist.

The House of Representatives is dedicated to crafting a fiscally responsible budget, not playing political games. Our 2015 budget relies on the reasonable revenue projection crafted during the CRE process. If Missouri takes in more money than expected, the additional income will go into a surplus fund for education and one-time expenditures.

Education: Investing in the Next Generation

The House is committed to providing all children in Missouri a high-quality education to prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. Between general revenue and the surplus revenue fund, we supported Missouri schools with a $278 million increase for the Foundation Formula. To help struggling schools better serve students, the House appropriated $8.2 million for the Missouri preschool program and $3.5 million for reading programs in unaccredited and provisionally accredited districts.

For Missouri to remain a land of economic opportunity, we need a skilled workforce and strong educational institutions that keep the best and brightest minds in our state. Thanks to the expansion of the Bright Flight scholarship, high school seniors who score in the top 3% on the ACT or SAT will be eligible for a scholarship and a forgivable loan to cover their tuition at any public university in Missouri if they commit to working in the state upon graduation.

Improved Social Services to Save Taxpayer Dollars

One of the state’s most important functions is caring for Missouri’s truly vulnerable citizens in a fiscally responsible manner. Unfortunately, Missouri’s Medicaid system is plagued by unnecessary emergency room visits, wasteful spending, and subpar services. To improve our state’s healthcare system, the budget includes:

· A healthcare fraud detection system to proactively identify improper payments

· Asthma education for families

· Preventative dental care for adults on Medicaid

· A pilot program to provide coordinated healthcare for foster children

· Coverage for rehabilitative therapies and complex rehab therapy items like individualized wheelchairs

Providing more comprehensive care will save money long-term by limiting costly emergency care and improving recipients’ wellness.

The budget also eliminates the development disabilities waitlist so individuals in need can receive care quickly. Delays in newborn blood tests have placed the youngest Missourians at risk, so we included money speed up the newborn blood screening process. Improving the timeliness of tests will help newborns receive early treatment to possibly prevent life-long health issues.

Securing Economic Growth for Tomorrow

Your Republican-led legislature remains committed to encouraging economic growth by allowing the private sector to create jobs and innovative businesses unfettered by intrusive government regulations.

The Missouri Technology Corporation, which promotes entrepreneurship and emerging high-tech companies, received a $5 million increase. We included $4.5 million for matching funds to early-stage business development grants, which distribute money to businesses that have potential for national or international sales or technological development.

Checking Reckless Spending Through Fiscal Oversight

The budget process, however, does not end with the passage of these bills. Even the most carefully crafted budget will not safeguard the people’s interests unless the legislature vigilantly oversees the day-to-day spending by departments. Representatives serve on a variety of committees that meet throughout the year to track down waste and fraud.

Good governance requires that the state does not shirk from its fundamental responsibilities or intrude on the rights of individuals. This budget is designed to provide Missourians with the services they need while spending taxpayer resources efficiently and frugally. There is still much work to be done as the budget moves to the Senate, but I will continue working toward a fiscally prudent budget that protects the long-term financial health of our state.

House Budget Highlights:


K-12 Education

1. $278m increase for the Foundation Formula ($122m GR and $156m Surplus Revenue) which would make the K-12 education budget the largest in in state history.

2. $8.2m for Missouri Preschool Program in unaccredited and provisionally accredited districts.

3. $3.5m for reading programs in unaccredited and provisionally accredited districts.

4. $1m increase in Parents as Teachers.

5. $1m increase for Teach for America.

6. $25m increase to transportation funding.

7. $29m increase in First Steps Program

Higher Education

1. 3% increase to the core at every university and community college in the state.

2. $10m in equity funding for community colleges.

3. Full ride loan forgiveness for Bright Flight recipients who stay and work in Missouri.

4. $20m increase for Access Missouri.

5. $6.7m increase for A+ Scholarship Program.

6. $1.5m in UMSL equity funding

Economic Development

1. $4.5m for matching funds to Early Stage Business Development Grants.

2. $5m increase to MTC.

3. $400k to Certified Work Ready Communities.

4. $5m increase to Tourism.

Moving Missouri Forward

1. $7.2m in payments to the Biodiesel incentive fund.

2. 1% pay raise for state employees.

3. $25/month deferred compensation match for state employees.

4. Eliminated the Development Disabilities waitlist.

5. Money for an extra day of courier service to the state lab and money for the lab to run on the weekends for newborn screening test results.

6. Expand dental coverage to adult Medicaid recipients to cut down on emergency room visits.

7. $600k in highway safety improvements

8. $500k in Alternatives to Abortion

Friends:

As I came to the capitol Sunday evening, I developed a sharp pain in my stomach. So severe, I decided I needed to go to the hospital. After stopping at Bill Lant and Bill Reiboldt’s house for dinner, which we didn’t get to eat, Bill Lant drove me to the hospital where they found a baseball sized kidney stone. Well, maybe just 3mm but it felt like a baseball. Lant stayed with me most of the evening and Bill Reiboldt came to visit, also. Paul Meinsen, our missionary to the capitol, stopped by to offer up a prayer and some word of encouragement. Bill White was kind enough to help me get my car this morning. It is great to have some awesome friends that have no agenda other than they want to be a blessing. We have some wonderful representatives in Southwest Missouri! My wife was packed in a few minutes ready to make the drive to Jefferson City. Fortunately, I was feeling better and didn’t think me having my baby was serious enough for her to make the trip. God has given me a wonderful wife who is more of a treasure than imaginable.

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