Originally published March 16, 2010 at 4:59 p.m., updated March 16, 2010 at 4:59 p.m.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Work Day -Tues., March 23
Missourians can continue to submit their ideas by visiting the Senate’s website:
-Click on the Rebooting Government logo.
-Submissions may be anonymous.
-Ideas will continue to be accepted throughout the legislative session.
Having invited Missourians to share their ideas on how to reboot Missouri state government, Senate Leader Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, Monday announced a new program where senators will take those ideas to the next level.
The program will consist of a full day set aside for working groups of senators to review the more than 500 ideas submitted to date.
Shields said senators will be tasked to review and discuss those ideas, and then submit at least five ideas they agree on to be introduced in legislation or the budget process.
“It’s a process we have never done before, but we are in unprecedented times,” Shields said. “The Senate will be engaged in evaluating all the ideas that have been submitted, plus as many other ideas that are brought forward. Missourians have thoughtful ideas on how to make state government more consumer-friendly, streamlined, and cost-effective, and we’re not only listening – we plan to act on those ideas.”
“Missouri is facing an on-going budget crisis that is expected to last through 2013 or 2014,” Shields said. “We cannot sustain the size and scope of government as we know it. We must think outside the box and consider every possible way to make government smaller and more efficient – whether that is through more control, alternations or deletions.”
The Senate’s working group day will be Tuesday, March 23. Groups of four senators will meet to examine ideas in the categories below.
The groups will meet at the same time on Tuesday upon morning session adjournment. Public notices will be posted relaying the location where each group is meeting. Public testimony will not be taken, but all working groups are open to the public.
Shields said this is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to truly examine and reshape every aspect of state government that could set Missouri on a sustainable, long-term path.
Following is the list of "Working Groups" and the senators in each(in alphabetical order):
Agriculture/Outdoors/Department of Natural Resources
Sen. Frank Barnitz, D-Lake Spring
Sen. Dan Clemens, R-Marshfield
Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia
Sen. Wes Shoemyer, D-Monroe County
Courts/Legal/Department of Public Service
Sen. Matt Bartle, R-Lee’s Summit
Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mt. Vernon
Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City
Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter
Education
Sen. Rita Days, D-St. Louis
Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg
Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin
Sen. Yvonne Wilson, D-Kansas City
General Government/Office of Administration
Sen. Tim Green, D-Spanish Lake
Sen. Jim Lembke, R-St. Louis
Sen. Luann Ridgeway, R-Smithville
Sen. Carl Vogel, R-Jefferson City
Retirement
Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau
Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield
Sen. John Griesheimer, R-Washington
Sen. Joe Keaveny, D-St. Louis
Social Programs
Sen. Joan Bray, D-University City
Sen. Norma Champion, R-Springfield
Sen. Scott T. Rupp, R-Wentzville
Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale
Tax Structure
Sen. Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles
Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah
Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield
Sen. Robin Wright-Jones, D- St. Louis
Transportation
Sen. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington
Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City
Delbert Scott, R-Lowry City
Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton
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