Thursday, June 23, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson or Jessica Robinson, (573)751-0290
Blunt Signs Budget Bills, Uses Line Item Vetoes to Ensure Balance
JEFFERSON CITY-Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today signed House Bills 3 through 13, 15 and 19 into law and used his line-item veto authority to make reductions totaling $20,327,247 in state general revenue funds to balance the state's $19.2 billion budget as required by the Constitution.
The governor spread the vetoed items across several state agencies and almost all reductions reflect areas where the General Assembly added new programs or decision items or where they funded programs in excess of the balanced budget presented by the governor. None of the vetoes will impact the $158 million increase to public schools the governor fought for and secured in the regular legislative session.
"Having come into office facing a $1.1 billion dollar budget deficit I am pleased that my administration in cooperation with the Missouri General Assembly has completed a budget that provides more money for public schools and lives within the taxpayers' means without imposing new tax increases," Blunt said.
"I want to commend my department directors and Missouri's state employees for meeting the challenge and working together to reduce costs for Missouri taxpayers. We are reversing the trend of years of poor budget planning and spending decisions, but much work lies ahead to put our state on a firm financial footing."
Blunt has created a special commission to review every facet of state government and to recommend ideas for reform that will improve efficiency and maximize the use of Missouri tax dollars. The commission recently started holding public hearings throughout the state to gather citizen input and advice on possible cost savings changes.
Blunt has moved ahead of the commission by proposing numerous cost savings initiatives throughout state government including placing a ban on the purchase of cell phones, new office space, and non-emergency vehicles. Every agency under Blunt's control has fully complied with the Executive Order he issued on his first full day in office.
Here is a list of the line item vetoes made from the final budget the Missouri General Assembly sent to the governor.
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Agriculture: Economic Development: Higher Education: Labor and Industrial Relations: Public Safety: Mental Health: Health and Senior Services: Social Services: Leasing: |
$125,178.00 $5,187,410.00 $1,445,305.00 $402,814.00 $196,796.00 $1,716,967.00 $2,067,601.00 $9,029,416.00 $155,760.00 |