Elections, and reshaping of government
HANNIBAL, MO. (AP) -- Missouri Democrats brace for a tough election season in 2010, but remain optimistic.
Hundreds of democratic law makers and supporters met in Hannibal for this year's Democrat Days. The party is hopeful that an anti-Washington frustration is aimed more at individual politicians than the party in charge of the nation's Capitol.
While that may draw some concerns for an upcoming election this November, others believe democrats can still win.
Another topic up for discussion at Democrat Days was the state's budget. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon says about $500 million will need to be trimmed from his Missouri budget proposal for next year.
He's already cut more than $700 million from the budget. Nixon blames the shortfall on lower than expected state tax revenue and lack of federal funding. Nixon says now is the time to reshape and restructure government.
He's meeting with Republican and Democratic to look at all areas to save money. Consolidating buildings, vehicles and agencies are some ideas. He says another possibility for savings could be privatizing the collection of child support payments.
He also suggests trimming the number of state holidays.
"Missouri has more state holidays than any state in the country and that costs us money, so much in the days that they miss, but in the comp time and over time that we have to pay," said Governor Nixon.
We talked to State Senator Wes Shoemyer about this budget. He tells KHQA he hopes education does not suffer, because that paves the way for jobs down the road. Because Shoemyer knows this year calls for some tough choices, he wants input from constituents and other state lawmakers.
"We're only as good as the people make us, and we need to hear these ideas, and some different ideas if we're going to make it from this budget. There's gonna have to be some innovative things that's gonna happen," said Senator Shoemyer.
Governor Nixon says he hopes to make more announcements about Missouri's revenue and budget issues by next Thursday.
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