The Missouri Legislature returned to Jefferson City January 7 to begin its 2004 regular session. Once more, writing of a new state budget should take center stage as the state continues to have a faltering economy. 

No one in Jefferson City can seem to figure out exactly how much the state revenue shortfall will be this year. Governor Bob Holden says the shortfall could be up to one billion dollars. House and Senate budget staffers say it will be much lower. As one Senate staffer put it “Take any figure and somebody can justify it.” That kind of situation will make it tough to write a new state budget. 

It is hoped the governor may recommend  funding for the Division of Tourism near the funding level in the current fiscal year. We won’t know that for sure until the governor presents his budget recommendations to the legislature January 21. 

Budget committees in both houses began hearings in November and December on  the next fiscal year’s spending for state government. Those committees will  reconvene next week to continue the budget writing process. 

Fewer bills have been pre-filed for the 2004 session than in any session in recent memory. Many more bills will be filed in the coming weeks as lawmakers gear up for the five and one-half month session. 

A number of bills related to the tourism and travel industry have been filed in both houses of the legislature. Those dealing with gambling boat changes have little chance of passage in the 2004 session. New regulatory powers governing state control of historic markers will be pursued this year.  

• CLICK HERE to download the Tourism Legislative Status Report

NOTE:  This file is saved in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.