Missouri Legislature Sets Forth 2012 Agenda

Jefferson City -- Missouri lawmakers reconvened Wednesday January 4th in order to take on very large issues. These issues are not only going to require action but they will also require radical methodology.

"We've got an aggressive agenda," said House Speaker Steve Tilley, R-Perryville.

Speaker Tilley also made it clear that in the past he has wavered on making radical reforms to the budget and education systems of Missouri, but that this year he will not hesitate so much. This may be due to the expiration of the Speakers ability to run for the state legislature as his term limits have been reached and he will not be running for another office.

The $500 Million hole in Missouri's budget will be a problem of much discourse. Republican lawmakers have made it clear that cuts must be made and taxes must not be increased. Speaker Tilley(R) and Senator President Pro Tem Rob Mayer(R) both pledged to not increase taxes while fixing Missouri's budget crisis.

"Now's not the time to be talking about increasing the tax burden on any segment of our society," said Senator Rob Mayer(R)

Senator Victor Callahan, D-Independence, agreed that taxes cannot be heightened and that state tax credits are needed instead.

While a no-tax-increase pledge is respected and appreciated by the citizens of Missouri, the state budget is demanding more money while state growth has not met its expected rate. Missouri is also one of the states with the lowest tax on tobacco, a tax that could both incentivize healthy living and bring about greater revenue for the state.

Governor Jay Nixon(D) will present his state budget on January 17th in his State of the State address. Last heard, Governor Nixon's plan to borrow money from state universities was considered to not be an option any longer due to the immediate and passionate rejection of this plan.

With election year around the corner and many state offices up for re-election along with several term limits expiring it is likely that the legislature will struggle to come to a consensus on many issues.

-Arthur Yakov Krichevsky