JEFFERSON CITY—Two ideas that came out of last month’s “Rebooting Government” work day received initial Senate approval yesterday. These measures, which are estimated to save Missouri taxpayers approximately $28 million, need one more passing vote from the Senate before moving to the House for similar consideration.

At an approximate savings of $2 million, Senate Bill 1057 , sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph), would merge the State Water Patrol into the Missouri State Highway Patrol and transfer the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control from the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Revenue.

Watch a video clip of Sen. Shields discussing SB 1057 on the Senate floor.

On the other hand, Senate Bill 1014 , sponsored by Sen. Matt Bartle (R-Lee’s Summit), would reduce the state’s prison population by nearly 2,000 inmates by directing offenders who plead guilty to or are found guilty of a class D felony—with less than two prior felony convictions—to either a treatment court (such as a drug or DWI court), sentencing offenders to a county jail, or placing them on probation. Anticipated savings from not accepting new offenders into state prisons who meet the criteria is $26 million.

Half the savings from the bill would be placed into the state’s general revenue fund. The remaining savings would be divided equally among the Department of Corrections, Missouri ’s circuit courts, and the “County Corrections Stabilization Fund,” created in the bill to assist counties with costs associated with housing inmates sentenced to county jail.

In addition, the measure would also allow the Board of Probation and Parole to select non-violent offenders for release if they are admitted into a drug or DWI treatment court.

Watch a video clip of Sen. Bartle discussing SB 1014 on the Senate floor.

For a complete listing of Rebooting Government recommendations, click on the Rebooting Government logo at www.senate.mo.gov . 

 The Second Regular Session of the 95th Missouri General Assembly runs through May 14, 2010. For more information about the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov . To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or e-mail newsroom@senate.mo.gov . 

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