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House Budget Committee Chairman Apointed

December 1, 2005
By: Bente Birkeland
State Capital Bureau

The state's new house budget committee chairman says Missouri is facing a tough budget cycle. Bente (BEN ta) Birkeland has more from Jefferson City.

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In fiscal year 2006 the state had a budget shortfall. Republican Allen Icet, from St. Louis County is the new House Budget Chairman. He says fiscal year 2007 could be worse. While the state has more money compared to the same period last year. Icet says expenses are up.

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"We've all been paying three dollars a gallon for gas and the state does that as well. We have some expanding programs within the state. we've added over two inmates a day to the prison system. So the state has ongoing expenses that will not go away."

Icet says the state's new programs will bring additional budget challenges.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Bente Birkeland.

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Missouri's House Speaker says the new house budget committee chairman will try to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse. Bente (BEN ta) Birkeland has more from Jefferson City.

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Representative Allen Icet, a Republican from St. Louis County was previously the committee's vice-chairman. Icet says as chairman, he wants to make sure the state lives within its means.

House Speaker, Rod Jettton is from Marble Hill. Jetton says he and Icet share a similar philosophy.

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"I mean if you're not always looking for ways to make state government better. Ways to cut spending, ways to make if more efficient. And that's what Allen's all about and that's why he's been given the responsibility he's been given."

Jetton would not say why the previous chairman was asked to step down.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Bente Birkeland.

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Missouri's House Speaker says the state is benefiting from a smaller more efficient government. Bente (BEN ta) Birkeland has more from Jefferson City.

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Representative Rod Jetton, from Marble Hill says he thinks the state's in good shape to start budgeting for fiscal year 2007. Jetton says the state's unemployment rate is the lowest in 5 years and revenues are higher compared to this time last year. Jetton says he credits a healthy economy and some tough decisions, like cutting 90,000 people from Medicaid.

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"We probably are facing the best situation going in. I mean it's still going to be tough. There could be a shortfall, we could be a little ahead. Who knows, we're still trying to figure all that out."

Jetton says the House Budget Committee will meet with the Governor and senate some time in December to discuss the budget.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Bente Birkeland.

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The new house budget committee chairman says he has no hard feelings towards his predecessor. Bente (BEN ta) Birkeland has more from Jefferson City.

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Republican Brad Lager was asked to step down as committee chairman. Former vice-chairman Allen Icet, a Republican from St. Louis County, will take his spot. Lager remains on the committee, and Icet says he hopes the change won't be awkward.

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"I really believe we work very very well together as chair and vice-chair together. There were some assignments I took on for the chairman, and I always worked hard to do my best and he knows that."

The House speaker would not say why Lager was asked to step down.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Bente Birkeland.