FIRST REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 17
92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Whereas, in March 2001, the economies of the United States and the State of Missouri went into recession, with any projected economic recovery delayed indefinitely; and
Whereas, in 2003, while thirty states in the United States are near recession, Missouri is one of approximately a dozen states that are still in recession; and
Whereas, in fiscal year 2002 thirty-seven states were forced to reduce their enacted budgets by a total of approximately $12.6 billion; and
Whereas, in fiscal year 2002, forty-one states collected less revenue than they had planned for their state budgets, with sales tax collections 3.2% lower than originally budgeted, personal income taxes off by 12.8%, and corporate income taxes 21.5% lower than originally estimated; and
Whereas, while for fiscal year 2003 states expect a 4.9% increase in sales tax revenues, a 3.1% increase in personal income tax collections, and a 25.2% increase in corporate income tax collection based on revenue projections used in their fiscal year 2003 enacted state budgets, such increases are speculative at best since the actual revenue collected for fiscal year 2002 fell far short of the revenue projections used in their fiscal year 2002 enacted state budgets; and
Whereas, in a recent report, the National Governors' Association declared that states are facing "the most dire fiscal situation since World War II", and the Center on Budget
and Policy Priorities says that the state budget deficits "constitute the largest state budget gaps in half a century"; and
Whereas, since the last comprehensive reorganization of state government 30 years ago, many programs and entities have been added to state government resulting in the duplication and redundancy of many state services ; and
Whereas, Governor Holden's commitment to create the Missouri Commission on Efficiency and Fiscal Management in State Government Finances to undertake a complete, comprehensive, and thorough examination of all aspects of the state's cash management practices, debt management practices, budgetary processes, personnel practices, and other areas relevant to sound business and financial management is a step in the right direction; and
Whereas, with the supremacy of the people and the fact that government exists for the sole purpose of serving the people preserved throughout all the documents and papers used in the formation of our national and state governments, it is a fundamental responsibility of government to provide services and assistance to its citizenry with a commitment to customer service and satisfaction; and
Whereas, while Governor Holden's Managing for Results Initiative (MRI) assists state agencies in focusing on customer satisfaction, process improvement, and problem solving, and strives to hold state government accountable for key results by identifying historic trends, monitoring recent progress, and comparing Missouri to the nation as a whole, when possible, the Managing for Results Initiative and promised Missouri Commission on Efficiency and Fiscal Management in State Government Finances do not go far enough to truly achieve change for the State of Missouri; and
Whereas, to achieve the magnitude of change necessary to alleviate the strains on Missouri's state budget and more efficiently provide essential services and assistance to the citizens of Missouri, the State of Missouri should utilize professionals such as management consultants or efficiency experts whose sole function and expertise is identifying problem areas, developing strategies for improvement, and implementing procedures and policies to effectuate real change; and
Whereas, in the private sector, periodic evaluations of all aspects of an organization's operations are an important and useful tool utilized by successful corporations and companies, and should be emulated by state governments:
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-second General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby encourage the Governor of the State of Missouri to utilize the services of management consultants and efficiency experts to review all existing government operations and make recommendations on ways to minimize redundancy in programs and services, and increase the efficiency and cost effectiveness of all government operations; and
Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for Governor Bob Holden.