JEFFERSON CITY -- Warning!!! Warning!!! There is a train wreck about to occur at the State Capitol. No, not a real train wreck but a budgetary train wreck. With only a few days left before the Constitutional deadline of May 9, the legislature and the governor are on a collision course over the budgetary shortfall and how to fix it.

The governor has drawn a line in the sand and stated he would not accept anything but a major tax increase like the 55-cent per pack on cigarettes or a similar proposal that would have to go to a vote of the people. He has threatened to veto any budget that does not contain a major tax increase $600 to $800 million in new revenue.

Meanwhile, the legislature is having problems agreeing on a budget to send to the governor.

The House of Representatives passed, and sent to the Senate, a lump-sum budget using spending levels similar to those in Fiscal Year 2001. This was done because of the total lack of cooperation that the House leadership received from the different state department officials and staff regarding proposed budget cuts and identifying unused and unspent funds and outdated programs.

Senate members found this form of budgeting unacceptable, and put together its own version that included provisions for some minor provisions that would generate approximately $200 million in new revenue, spread out so no one takes too big a hit. The Senate has spent much of this week debating legislation that would generate additional funds without actually raising your taxes.

Ordinarily, the House and Senate would sit down in conference committee meetings to iron out our differences. However, at this time, House leadership has yet to appoint a conference committee and seems uninterested in considering any revenue generating legislation.

I understand the House's position. The Republicans took over the majority on the promise that they would not raise taxes. I share their views. Raising taxes would be regressive, and voters have already shown that they won't support them. How often do the voters have to say "no"?

I believe that the House will eventually sit down with the Senate and together we'll be able to iron out our differences. It's not going to be easy, but I'm optimistic that it can be done.

Differences with the governor, however, seem nearly impossible to work out. The governor has repeatedly said that he is unwilling to compromise and is willing to veto any budget that does not include a major tax hike or long-term funding solution. If the governor vetoes the budget as threatened, he could then call the legislature into special session to try and hammer out a budget that he is willing to sign.

By calling for a special session, the governor will only add to our growing budget crisis. It's estimated that a special session would cost $15,000 per day. Money that the state cannot afford.

This is a showdown that has not happened for several decades, with the governor and legislature at total odds over how much money is needed for the budget.

When I ran for the Senate, I told you that I would not vote for a tax increase. I continue to stand by that. Unless the people have the 26th District tell me differently, I will not vote for a tax increase. I am willing to look at almost anything but a big tax increase.

In my opinion, it is very possible that the governor and the legislature will not be able to reach an agreement by June 30, the end of the current fiscal year. That would mean that the Missouri State Government could shut down on July 1, like the federal government did back in 1996 when President Clinton refused to work with the Republican Congress.

All of the essential services the state provides would have to be put on hold until this governor was finally willing to compromise with the legislature. I hope I'm wrong and this never happens.

Stay tuned for more details as all of these points are still being hammered out in the legislature, and may be changed very soon.

At a time like this, it's especially important that you, the people of the 26th District, tell me how you feel. I am your voice in government and I will vote your views. If you are in Jefferson City, please feel free to stop by my office in Room 226 at the State Capitol. You may call me anytime at (800) 247-6102 or (573) 751-3678, or you may call my home at 239-2521 or 239-2523. My cell phone number is (314) 650-5777.