With total expenditures only decreasing twice year-over-year in three decades, spending by the state government in Missouri has increased 508 percent from $3.9 billion in 1981 to an estimated $23.8 billion for this fiscal year.

Total expenditures will drop for a third time by 1.9 percent in fiscal 2012, starting July 1, if the $23.3 billion budget passed by lawmakers in Jefferson City last week is approved by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.

All funds, including capital expenditures, fell year-over-year 4.7 percent in 2003 and 2.8 percent in 1984.

The total expenditures for 30 years, assembled in a spreadsheet, are from the Executive Budget Book, required each year by the Missouri Constitution.

The totals are different than found in the Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports and the Appropriation Activity Reports put out each year, said Missouri Budget Director Linda Luebbering.

Comparing total spending in the past with what is approved in a budget is difficult, she warned Missouri Watchdog, noting there is appropriation authority in both fiscal 2011 and 2012 that will not be used.

Therefore, fiscal 2011 is likely to be less than what is reflected. And spending in fiscal 2012 may go up or down.

The budget office tries to avoid “double counts” when compiling totals. In the other financial reports there may be appropriations moving money from one fund to another and a separate appropriation where the funds are spent.

The office also does not count tax refunds as spending, Luebbering said.

The fiscal 2012 budget is also not finalized yet. The governor could veto the entire budget, or line-item veto specific lines in the budget. The decision by the governor of how to proceed is typically made in the third week in June. The governor also has the authority to restrict expenditures at anytime to ensure a balanced budget.

By Brian R. Hook, brhook@missouriwatchdog.org, (314) 482-7944

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