issues in missouri government david c. valentine february 5, 2009
TRANSCRIPT
Issues in Missouri Government
David C. ValentineFebruary 5, 2009
Basics of legislative organizationLegislative processTrendsImplementationState funding issues
Overview
House of Representatives2 year terms163 members
Senate4 year terms34 members
Basics
Republicans control both chambers
Since 2001 in SenateSince 2003 in House
Meets for 5 & ½ monthsM-Th; about 75 legislative days
Basics
How a bill becomes a law Handout
Bills introduced/bills finally passedNumbers
Legislative Process
Legislative process forces decisionsHundreds of important decisions each session
Regardless of quality & amount of information
Legislators have low level of knowledge about most issues
Legislative Process
Legislators often unable to connect specific voting decisions to specific outcomes
At the time of the decisionOr after the fact
Decisions are made without apparent consequences
Legislative Process
Most lobbying occurs during session Problem/solutionAdvocacy & persuasion what else?
Value of lobbying for legislatorsInformationalPositional (my constituents think…)
Citizen Lobbying
Engage before lobbyingConcentrate on regional legislatorsWork year round
Develop educational strategyFocus and priorities
Can’t do everythingTarget critical points/issues
Engage those with differing values
Effective Citizen Lobbying
Recognize the demands that legislators face Prepare for constant legislative turnoverEvery problem has many solutions – not just oneEducate, educate, educate
Effective Citizen Lobbying
Term limits and their effectsCampaigning, campaign costs, and the implications
Trends
Adopted in 1992Initiative petition70+% approval – no oppositionApplied to those elected subsequently
Those holding office remained without limits
Term limits
Eliminate careerismCareerists out of touch with constituentsObsessed with maintaining power
Increase competitionIncrease women/minority representationReduce costsReduce lobbyist influence
Term Limits - Rationale
Increased competitionDid not change female/minority representation Increased careerismReduced knowledge about government and the political process
Term Limits: The Reality
Average Tenure in Missouri General Assembly, 1911 - 2007
Leadership8-14 years experience, ave. before term limits5-7 years today under “mature” term limits
Term Limits - Implications
Loss of senior members Usually not chamber leadersKnowledge of prior developmentsCarriers of institutional memory
Loss of substantive knowledge about issues, programs
Term Limits - Implications
House v. SenateMost senators served in HouseSenators have more governmental experienceSenators have greater impact than members of house
Term limits - Implications
Lobbyists’ knowledge is more valuableLegislative processSpecific programs
Legislators less able to independently judge info provided by lobbyists
Term Limits & Professional Lobbyists
Weakens the most representative institution of government
Policy knowledgeKnowledge about governmentKnowledge about how to get things done
Changes commitment to InstitutionWhy learn the rules?What is my next career
Does not necessarily strengthen others involved in policy making
Term Limits
Legislative campaign costs risingIncreased competition (term limits)Increased competition between the parties
Contribution pattern have changedOnce used to ensure “access” Only indirectly related to elections & not necessarily limited to one partyToday contributions are explicitly linked to elections
Campaigns and Campaign costs
Increasingly, contributors and candidates see contributions as a guarantee of a vote in the future
NRAPro and anti-abortion groups
Campaign Contributions
GovernorAmount/type of activity dependent upon personality, philosophy, and opportunity
CourtSingle subjectConstitutional issues
And the Rest of State Government
Rule makingGovernor/departmentsAppropriationsLost art of oversight
Implementation
Long term revenue issues
State Revenue and Budget
$ 6.3 B federal$15.7 B state sources
$8.2 B general revenue$7.5 B dedicated revenue
$22 B total revenue
FY 2009 Budget
Missouri State BudgetThe Big Picture
Missouri General Revenue Sources FY 2009
Long term revenue issues
State Revenue and Budget
35% Elementary and secondary education19% Social services12% Higher education10% Health & mental health10% Judiciary, public safety, corrections6% All other departments
Where Does General Revenue Go?
General Revenue About $8.2 M/yearAlmost static over the decade
Tax cuts in 1990sAlmost $ 1 B (in 1990s dollars)About 14% of total General revenue
Trends in General Revenue
Dependence upon individual income
Heightens impact of minor economic downturns
Most “fat” eliminatedVulnerability of state programs
Implications
