JEFFERSON CITY -- State Sen. John Loudon, R-West St. Louis County, has been appointed to serve on the newly formed Joint Interim Committee on Judicial Resources. The committee has been charged with conducting a comprehensive analysis of the activities of the 45 Judicial Circuit Courts in the state.

"Missouri is facing its most serious budget crisis since the Great Depression," said Loudon. "It's imperative that we examine all aspects of state government to insure that each branch operates as efficiently as possible."

Established under Senate Concurrent Resolution 7, areas the committee will study include examination of the caseload of each circuit judge, associate circuit judge and any commissioner of the circuit, and examine any other issues other issues the committee deems relevant.

The committee will be made up of two majority members and one minority member of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, one appellate judge, on circuit judge and one associate circuit judge.

"The General Assembly is in charge of writing the state budget and, therefore, it is part of our job as lawmakers to make certain that all funds are being used wisely," Loudon said.

The Joint Interim Committee on Judicial Resources has scheduled it first meeting in Jefferson City at 10 a.m. on Sept. 9, in House Hearing Room 7, in the State Capitol.