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Senate Approves Extra Budget Funds

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Senators approved $30 million in 2002 supplemental budget funds Thursday, even though they've yet to debate next year's operating figures.

"It is not an expansion," said Sen. John Russell, R-Lebanon. "We just didn't appropriate enough funds in the first place."

Supplemental funds are proposed during the legislative session by the governor to compensate for shortfalls in various state departments.

Shortfalls most commonly occur if too little money was appropriated the previous year, if a department runs out of money during the year, or if a new program exceeds expected costs.

Compensatory funds can come from other state department budgets, previous witholdings, or the federal government.

The largest portion of this year's supplemental budget is an estimated $19 million for homeland security from the federal government. Other major portions are related to public safety and health.

Much of the funding is meant to compensate for unexpected state costs since September 11.

Because the supplemental budget only applies until the beginning of the next fiscal year on July 1, 2002, some Senators questioned the necessity of spending the $19 million during the next 90 days.

But the concerns sparked little hesitancy. The bill was approved with only one negative vote.

"It is a lot of money, but this is something that has to be done," said Russell.

Over $17 million has been added to the supplemental budget since the house approved its version two weeks ago. It will now be sent to a conference commitee to reconcile the differences between the two chambers.