Capitol Report: September 5, 2013

Committee Seeks Performance Data from Departments

During the annual budget process, departments come to the legislature asking for funds to administer new or existing programs, yet they rarely offer sufficient justification for expanding or developing them. While departments may find it easier to ignore or gloss over performance data, they should be held responsible for proving that they are using taxpayer funds efficiently. Missourians should not be forced to pay for programs that are wasteful or fail to accomplish their intended purposes. 

At the August 26 hearing for the Improving Government Responsiveness and Efficiency Interim Committee, Department of Social Services (DSS) officials presented what they considered to be performance data. For the most part, they only measured the number of recipients for each program, and the department even admitted that they generally look at outputs rather than outcomes. This is not the proper way to measure success, however, because making a program larger is not the same as making it more effective. Read more here.

Committee on St. Louis Governance Begins Public Hearings

The Joint Interim Committee on St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area Governance and Taxation heard testimony from over forty St. Louis area residents at the August 28 hearing in Clayton.

 The joint committee has been charged with commissioning an independent study on St. Louis’ taxation and governance systems, and we want this study to delve into the issues that matter most to area residents. This hearing gave members an opportunity to listen to residents’ concerns, and the topics raised will help us define the scope of the study. Read more here.

Political Games Don’t Change the Facts About HB 253

As veto session approaches, it is more important than ever to ascertain the true fiscal impact of HB 253 because, unfortunately, misinformation and manipulated facts about the bill have been widely circulated.

Critics argue that lower tax rates will cost the state millions of dollars and destroy Missouri’s public school system, but they overlook an important safeguard built into the bill. The cuts will be phased in incrementally, and Missouri’s revenues will have to grow by $100 million each year for the next cut to be implemented. The trigger protects education and other vital state programs because taxes will not continue to be cut unless revenues grow.

While the Governor’s messaging is full of scare tactics and exaggerations, he never mentions that HB 253 will boost our state’s economy and create jobs for hardworking Missourians. Read more here or take a look at Rep. TJ Berry’s letter to Governor Nixon on HB 253 here.

Upcoming Hearing Will Delve Into Student Transfers

The Joint Committee on Education will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 1 to discuss student transfers from unaccredited school districts.

Recent events in the St. Louis area have prompted members to examine our state’s transfer policies in depth, and the joint committee will develop legislative recommendations to improve and clarify these laws. Read more here.