By Associated Press
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri House Republican leaders have proposed doing away with the state's traditional budget process. Republicans are frustrated in their attempts to make cuts to government programs. So they've dropped specific dollar appropriations for the state's thousands of programs. Instead, they plan to give departments a lump sum of money to spend as they choose.
Speaker Catherine Hanaway says the plan gives department directors total flexibility, forcing them to prioritize programs.
A spokeswoman for Democratic Governor Holden says the GOP is abdicating responsibility -- passing the buck. Lawmakers are working on the fiscal 2004 budget, which starts July First.