Missouri State Budget Cuts

Lawmakers who support cutting the MC plus program are speaking out about their decision. Missouri State Represenative Brian stevenson voted for the cuts is defending them. He says the program is frought with abuse and over spending. In these tight times for the state budgets, Republicans are looking for ways to tighten the state`s belt. "I got personally four phone calls from auditors of the MC plus program thanking us for the re-prioritization that we did. Because it was a program that was frautght with abuse,"said Stevenson. Stevenson is also defending a 27.5 million dollar cut to the senior drug program. The program was established to help cut drug costs for low-income seniors. The program went into affect in 2001 with the approval of both parties. Stevenson says only $22,000 seniors signed up for the program, but the state had budgeted for 25-thousand. "Our initial opinion that there will be fewer people sign up this year than last year. If you signed up for senior perscription drug plan the funds will be there to cover whatever it is you signed up for,"said Stevenson. Stevenson says the state may save money with fewer seniors signing up for the program. The vote to cut the program was a straight party line vote by Republicans. Opponents of the cuts say the Republican leadership is backing down on their commitment to seniors if the program is cut. Of course the debate will continue on these controversial cuts. Reported By: Brad Douglas