April 1, 2004 - Submitted by Dale Amick - MTC Legislative Consultant

Six weeks remain in the 2004 Missouri legislative session and a proposed state budget remains to be approved by the House Budget Committee. 

The budget being drafted by that committee maintains the governor’s recommendation for the Division of Tourism at 15 million dollars. 

House leaders are delaying approval of a new state budget in order to  obtain a better view of how much revenue will come into the state treasury from state tax returns. Once the committee approves a proposed budget, then the full House must give its okay as well. Then the proposed budget blueprint goes onto the Senate for further consideration. 

Under the constitution, the budget must win final approval in the legislature by May 7.

No efforts have been made in the House Budget Committee to reduce the Division of  Tourism budget. House Budget Committee Chairman, Rep. Carl Bearden, and  Lanie Black, the chairman of House Appropriations Committee for Economic Development,  are opposed to any reduction in the Division of Tourism budget. 

The 2004 session ends May 14.

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