Governor’s recent veto of HB253 delays implementation of some MDA agenda items
Success hinges on restricted budget spending by PATRICK BAKER MDA LEGISLATIVE & REGULATORY DIRECTOR T
he Governor’s recent June 5 veto of House Bill 253 and restrictions placed on several budgetary items has delayed the implementa-
tion of some of the agenda items supported by MDA, which were Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed by the General Assembly this legislative session.
Our story begins with the passage of House Bill 253, sponsored by Representative T.J. Berry (R-Kearney), which modified several provisions of law relating to taxation. Since the passage of HB 253, Governor Nixon has spoke in opposition to the legislation stating that the tax changes would drain the state of much needed revenue and the bill that would eliminate a state sales tax exemption on the purchase of prescription drugs. Proponents of the legislation urged the Governor to sign the bill, claiming that because the bill does not go into effect until 2015, there is plenty of time for the legislature to reinstate the exemption during next year’s session.
On June 28, the Governor signed the various budget bills. Immediately following approval of the budget, the Governor released a list of budget items, totaling $400 million, which at this time will not be funded in the com- ing fiscal year, citing the possibility of the legislature’s planned override of HB 253. The Governor estimates this bill would drain the state’s revenue by $800 million to $1.2 billion.
The Governor is restricting spending, not vetoing, a variety of items within the budget. Those restricted items include funding for the Elks Mobile Dental Units, the Rural Health Clinic dental pilot project and implementation of the authorized funding of adult Medicaid dental extractions, exams and imagining.
Supporters of house bill believe that the tax cuts authorized in HB 253 will stimulate growth within the state’s economy and will not have the devastat- ing effect to state revenues the Governor is forecasting. Leaders within the General Assembly have questioned the constitutionality of the Gov- ernor’s actions, citing Article IV, Section 27 of the Missouri Constitution, which allows the Governor to withhold ap- propriations when actual revenues are less than the revenue estimates upon which the appropriations were based. Currently, state revenues are 10.2 percent higher than this time last year.
The General Assembly will convene in Sep- tember during a constitutionally-mandated veto session and will decide which vetoes to override. A two-thirds majority is needed by both chambers to override any veto. If the legislature fails to override the Governor’s veto of House Bill 253, then the restricted funds could be released.
The following is a list of the bills supported by the MDA that the General Assembly Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed this year. Those noted with the word “restricted” indicate that if the legislature fails to override the Governor’s veto of House Bill 253, then the restricted funds could be released to fully implement those pieces of legislation.
House Bill 315 Capped Fees: Signed into Law (June 12, 2013)
House Bill 11 : Signed into Law (June 28, 2013) Restricted
House Bill 11 Carve Out: Signed into Law (June 28, 2013)
18 focus | JUL/AUG 2013 | ISSUE 4
House Bill 11: Authorization for Rural Health Clinics to contract with private dentists to provide dental care to children: Signed into Law (June 28, 2013) Restricted
House Bill 10 Restoration of funding for : Signed into Law (June 28, 2013) Restricted
Senate Bill 127 Carve Out: Signed into Law (July 8, 2013)
Senate Bill 330 Sealants: Signed into Law (July 8, 2013)
The MDA would like to thank everyone in- volved in the passage of this legislation, espe- cially the members of the legislature who, by their actions, clearly identified dental health as a priority this year. Also, special thanks to Governor Nixon in his announcement to fill the position of Dental Director. The MDA has been working with the Governor’s office and the Missouri Coalition for Oral Health’s Executive Director Gary Harbison since the beginning of the year to secure funding, private and public, for the reinstatement of a Dental Director. A search by the Department for candidates to fill the position will begin shortly. If you or any dentist you know is in- terested in serving as Dental Director please contact Vicki Wilbers or Patrick Baker at the MDA for details as to how you may apply. f
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