JEFFERSON CITY -- Legislation sponsored by Sen. Chuck Gross, R-St. Charles, that would reform Missouri's budget process and limit the growth of state government, has been passed out of a Senate committee and sent to the Senate floor for debate.

"Missouri is facing its worst budget crisis since the Great Depression, and serious changes need to be made to avoid similar problems in the future," said Sen. Gross. "Our state needs real reform and this bill is a good beginning."

The Missouri General Assembly develops the state's budget based on the initial budget presented by the governor as part of the State of the State address in January.

"Between 1985 and 2002, our state budget expanded a startling 266 percent," Sen. Gross said. "In the 10-year period between 1992 and 2002, the budget rose by 115 percent."

Under SB 28, the revenue estimate which the governor's yearly budget is based on would be the lesser of the revenue estimate as prepared or the actual amount spent for the most recently completed fiscal year as modified by:

• An increase of 1 percent.
• Any increase of state spending that has been approved by voters.

"We appreciate Sen. Gross sponsoring this legislation that finally places a responsible limit on the growth in state government," said Dan Mehan, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "Passage of this legislation should help prevent Missouri from facing future budget crises resulting from excessive spending."