The Missouri Budget Project Articles

2011 Legislative Updates

Fri, 11 May 2012 18:01:41 GMT

The Missouri Budget Project's E-News Updates and Legislative Action Alerts provide timely information on what is happening in the Missouri Legislature and the U.S. Congress and how it will impact Missourians. They also periodically include details on upcoming events and information on how you can get involved. Click here to sign up for the MBP's E-News Updates!

Click on the dates below to read previous E-News Updates and Action Alerts:

Budget May Have Passed, But There is Still Time for Responsible Leadership

Thu, 10 May 2012 19:28:40 GMT

The budget may have passed through the legislature, but there is still time for policymakers to enact balanced solutions that include new revenue, protecting the services that all Missourians rely on and improving our economy both now and in the future. To read MBP's full statement on the budget, click here.

State Revenue Growth Rate Picking Up Pace

Fri, 04 May 2012 13:49:03 GMT

Missouri General Revenue collections increased by 2.5 percent during the first nine months of the fiscal year. However, even with recent growth trends, revenue will remain more than $700 million below fiscal year 2008 levels. Read more here.

FY 2013 Budget Conference Committee "Cheat Sheet"

Thu, 03 May 2012 17:49:53 GMT

Both legislative chambers have approved their versions of the state's FY 2013 operating budget, and the conference committee will begin meeting at any time to negotiate the differences between the budget bills. For an explanation of the major differences that need to be resolved in committee, click here.

TABOR Proposal Would Require Significant Cuts to Education, Heath Care, and Infrastructure

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:31:50 GMT

Earlier this year, the Missouri House approved a measure that, if approved by the Senate and voter,s would create one of the strictest appropriations lids in the nation. If the lid had been enacted in 1992, Missouri would have hit the cap in nearly every year from FY 1993 to FY 2012. Changes made in the House simply delay the inevitable crisis that has been proven to result under TABOR. To read the full analysis, click here.

Streamlined Sales Tax House Committee Substitute Creates Unintended Consequences

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:06:39 GMT

The streamlined sales and use tax agreement would level the playing field for MO businesses and allow the state to collect taxes owed on online purchases. However, a recently passed House committee substitute now includes language that would create inherent long-term policy consequences. To learn more, click here.

Without New Revenue, MO Will Face Perennial Budget Shortfalls

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:39:22 GMT

A new analysis indicates that Missouri's budget woes are worse than in previous recessions, and that the state will not recover soon. Not only will Missouri continue to experience annual budget shortfalls, but it will not achieve pre-recession purchasing power until FY 2029. To read more, click here.

Budgeting for FY 2013 under Uncertain Revenue Dynamics

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:37:05 GMT

Recent state general revenue trends raise concern about the state's to meet revenue projections for the current year. Moreover, the dynamics of revenue growth call into question two unusual components of the Executive Budget Proposal. To learn more about why conservative budgeting techniques may be required for FY 2013, click here.

Evaluating the Fiscal Impact of a Medicaid Block Grant

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:03:15 GMT

The Missouri Senate Special Committee on Social Service Program Savings is currently assessing the concept of a block grant for the state's Medicaid program. However, as a strategy to save money, it is a risky proposition. To learn more, click here.

At Home Thanks to Missouri's Circuit Breaker: 219,000 Missourians Benefit from Important Tax Provision

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:53:05 GMT

State lawmakers will soon consider a proposal to repeal Missouri's circuit breaker property tax credit, which enables 219,000 Missouri seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans to remain in their homes by offsetting costs related to property taxes. To learn more about this important credit, click here.

Gov. Nixon Proposes to Save Medicaid Money Without Cutting Eligibility or Services

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:07:01 GMT

In his budget proposal for FY 2013, Governor Nixon proposed significant reductions in funding for Medicaid. To achieve these reductions, more than $190 million in "efficiencies" were recommended. To learn more about the details of the proposal, click here.

Slow General Revenue Growth Continues

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:55:53 GMT

Despite the generally improving economy, Missouri net general revenue collection growth remains sluggish. Collections must grow considerably over the next six months to avoid mid-year budget cuts. To learn more about quarterly trends, click here.

Analysis: Governor's Budget Likely to Harm Economic Outlook

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:01:27 GMT

Governor Nixon's proposed budget continues a 3 year trend of spending cuts to balance the budget. A better approach includes more revenue to keep Missouri from falling further behind, build strong schools, create an environment for job growth, and protect vital programs. Click here to learn more about the budget cuts and their impact.

Proposal to Cap State Spending Would Damage Missouri's Economy

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:45:53 GMT

The Missouri House of Representatives passed a proposal to cap state spending that would damage Missouri's economy and its ability to create jobs and fund critical services. To read the full Missouri Budget Project press release, click here.

Governor's Budget Harms Missouri's Economic Outlook

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:28:44 GMT

By relying on a cuts-only approach to the state's budget crisis, the Governor's budget proposal will make it harder for students to get the quality education they need to compete in the global economy and for Missouri to attract jobs to our state. To read Missouri Budget Project Executive Director Amy Blouin's full statement on the Governor's budget, click here.

Missouri Faces $800 Million Budget Shortfall in FY 2013

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:38:07 GMT

The state of Missouri will face a budget shortfall nearing $800 million in fiscal year 2013, making it more difficult than ever for the state to make vital investments to create jobs and boost our economy, according to a new analysis by the Missouri Budget Project. The shortfall is more than $300 million more than previous estimates by the state. To read the full analysis, click here. To read the MBP press release, click here.

Press Release: Missouri Faces $800 Million Budget Shortfall in FY 2013

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:35:32 GMT

The state of Missouri will face a budget shortfall nearing $800 million in FY 2013, making it more difficult than ever for the state to make vital investments to create jobs and boost our economy, according to a new analysis. The shortfall is more than $300 million more than previously estimated by the state.

Click here to read the full press release with comments from Executive Director Amy Blouin.

Digging Into the Census Data: Poverty, Income, and Health Insurance by Congressional District

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:22:43 GMT

Census data show that Missourians' median income has dropped, growing numbers of Missourians are poor, unemployment is high, and record numbers are uninsured. However, situations vary broadly across Missouri. Click here to see how these metrics compare across Missouri's congressional districts.

Report Shows Need to Reform Outdated Income Tax Structure

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:39:57 GMT

A new national report found that Missouri was one of only a few states that tax working poor families below the poverty threshold, emphasizing the need to carefully reform its outdated income tax structure. To read the full Missouri Budget Project press release on the issue, click here.

KC Event November 4th

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:45:24 GMT

Invitation

MO General Revenue Report, First Quarter FY 2012

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:12:37 GMT

Despite falling 1.5 percent in September, net General Revenue collections increased 1.9 percent for the quarter ending in September. However, the state still faces a major budget shortfall in FY 2013. The revenue declines seen in FYs 2009 and 2010 were the largest sustained decline since the Great Depression, and FY 2011 GR collections were below those of FY 2006. To learn more about first quarter revenue, click here.

New Census Data: Missourians Struggle in Face of Economic Decline

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:51:09 GMT

New census data highlights the increase in poverty and the plight of Missouri's middle class following the economic recession. As families struggle to make ends meet and provide for their children, government services have kept even more Missourians from falling into poverty. To read the Missouri Budget Project press release on the new data, click here.

U.S. Census Bureau Releases Current Population Survey Data on Health Insurance

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:44:37 GMT

More than 850,000 Missourians are uninsured, according to census data released this week - more than twice as many as a decade ago. To learn more about trends in Missouri health insurance coverage, click here.

Senate Protects Critical Tax Credit for More than 105,000 Low-Income Missourians

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:11:18 GMT

The Missouri Senate rejected a provision that would eliminate more than 105,000 low-income seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities from eligibility for a modest tax credit that is critical to keeping them in their homes. To learn more about the credit and the vote to maintain it, click here.

Missourians Struggle with Economic Recovery: Poverty and the Number of Uninsured Rises

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:21:28 GMT

The number of Missourians living in poverty or without health insurance rose dramatically while earnings dropped, according to preliminary Census Bureau figures released today. Government investments in critical safety net programs like Medicaid are critical in assisting families to weather the economic storm. More information about the census figures is available here.