By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
A state representative from St. Joseph who serves on the House Budget Committee says this year’s budget process might be tougher than in years past, all because the state has more money.
Rep. Brenda Shields says when times are tight, state agencies understand and adjust their expectations accordingly.
But, when there is a surplus, everybody has their hand out.
“I think that we will spend a lot of time in the budget process,” Shields tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I didn’t think that we could spend any more than we spend now, but I think we will as we study the merits of each of the projects that are presented to us.”
Shields says she wants to make sure that the state doesn’t squander the extra money it has.
A strong state economy, coupled with money flowing to Jefferson City from Washington, has swelled state coffers, giving Missouri a General Fund balance of $2 billion.
Shields, who serves on the House Budget Committee, says several state lawmakers will be seeking money for local projects. And, she has one of her own she hopes to fund.
“I’m hopeful that we appropriate money for our new medical school that we have, the UMKC Medical School at Mosaic Life Care,” Shields says. “I’m hoping that we can get about $1.3 million appropriated for it. We will hopefully be receiving some additional dollars from the feds.”
Education will be a big issue in this legislative session in Jefferson City.
Shields says the legislature needs to deal with open enrollment, because parents want more choice of public schools to send their children.
“COVID has made parents more aware of how their schools operate,” according to Shields. “They want that opportunity as well and I think it’s a great way that we can continue to control those public dollars that we spend for education.”
Shields says other education issues need to be addressed.
“I think, not I think, I know that we have a crisis with teacher recruitment and retention. We had that before the pandemic.”
Shields says teacher recruitment and retention isn’t just about salaries, but also is about the classroom environment.