Dennis Morrissey
Jefferson City
Dear Editor:
The State of Missouri has admitted it has so much money the governor formed a task force to figure out how to spend it. There are federal COVID-19 relief funds for infrastructure, general revenue collections are way up, and we have a new gas tax to fix our roads. The governor said he wants big ideas from everyone on how to spend the money.
Our Missouri Department of Transportation is giving us the old bait-and-switch with the new gas tax. Now that the tax has passed, they say they are short people and salaries are too low. Instead of fixing our roads, they want to give raises with the new gas tax. They will probably spend a bunch on new equipment, also. I agree general workers are probably underpaid. It is just that we were told the gas tax increase would be used to fix our roads.
However, I believe a reasonable wage increase for all state workers is needed. Missouri pays the lowest wages to state workers out of all 50 states. It is disgraceful that this is our claim to fame. This is one time in many years there are enough funds to address this issue of low state worker pay. Fully funding the state employee retirement system would be another problem that could also be addressed.
Maybe these are two big ideas the governor should pursue with some of the general revenue surplus. These two ideas would not come near to spending all the excess funds available and there would be plenty left for the governor's other "big ideas."
We are so far behind the 8-ball on spending relief funds, we are at risk of turning back education funds if we don't pass a special supplemental budget. In fact, many people weren't even aware of the last date to spend the education funds. Why can't we plan ahead instead of living up to our motto of being the Show-Me State? We elected Gov. Mike Parson to lead; not follow. It is just sad he has to slow up the process by forming a task force and ask for ideas on how to spend funds. I sure hope all the surplus funds don't get used to line the pockets of corporations and political consultants or given out as big government tax credits.