Capitol Report – May 18, 2010

The second session of the 95th General Assembly ended at 6 p.m. last Friday (5/14). It was a very
busy and challenging year in Jefferson City as state lawmakers faced historic declines in state revenues
and the necessity of retooling state government to a size and scope taxpayers can afford. Despite the
enormous challenges and the very difficult decisions required, the Legislature succeeded in passing a
fiscally responsible $23.3 billion budget that ensures our state can live within its means—without a tax
increase.

I am particularly proud of the Senate leadership this session. We took the lead in crafting the
state budget and were willing to take on the difficult and necessary task of cutting half a billion dollars
from the Governor’s proposed budget. And we completed the task more than a week ahead of our
Constitutional deadline. Senate leadership also took the initiative to begin several steps toward rebooting
and streamlining state government—with valuable input from Missouri citizens—in order to put our
state in a budget situation it can maintain through this budget crisis. The state budget deficit is expected
to reach $1 billion for the 2011 Fiscal Year. Budget analysts predict the financial crisis could easily last
through Fiscal Year 2014.

As one solution to the state budget crisis, I introduced legislation this year that amends various
requirements for public assistance programs administered by the state. Senate Bill 1007—passed by the
General Assembly on the final day of session—will improve efficiencies within the MO HealthNet system
and is expected to save taxpayers more than $24 million.

As the General Assembly examined ways to make government smaller and more efficient, we
also were also able to advance several priorities, including: ethics reform (SB 844), autism insurance
reform (HB 1311), and the Health Care Freedom Act. I co-sponsored the Health Care Freedom Act,
incorporated into HB 1764, which will allow Missouri voters to decide if they want to protect their right
to choose their own health care options.

In the next Capitol Report, I will highlight other priorities, legislation I sponsored, and other
major legislation passed by the General Assembly.

Also, I want to take opportunity to thank you for your calls, visits, emails, letters, and for your
continued support. As I return to the District, I will continue working to serve you—the citizens of the
23rd District—and hope to see many of you throughout the coming months.