Mo. Senate's budget leader cuts department funding to get answers about licensing scandal
From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
Lobbyist Money Help  

Mo. Senate's budget leader cuts department funding to get answers about licensing scandal

Date: April 17, 2013
By: Taylor Beck
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
In an attempt to get answers, the state Senate's top budget official proposed funding cuts to some state departments involved in the personal document scanning scandal in Wednesday's 20-14 budget talks.
RunTime:  0:34
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Republican Senator Kurt Schaefer proposed a six million dollar budget cut to the Office of Administration's Information Technology Division.

A division which spent money to scan and retain source documents, a practice which came under fire after personal information of Missourians was sent to the feds.

When asked why he cut the money, Schaefer said he did it to get answers.

Actuality:  APPROP1.WAV
Run Time:  00:5
Description: "I think that we have a lot more questions that have to be answered, and I think that's a sufficient amount to cover what we need to find out."

Schaefer also cut funding from the Department of Public Safety for the same reasons.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Taylor Beck.

Intro: 
In the wake of the personal document scanning scandal, state Senate budgeters look to make cuts to get the attention of the departments responsible while formulating the 20-14 budget.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The Senate's top budget official Republican Senator Kurt Schaefer proposed six million dollars in cuts to the Office of Administration's Information Technology Division.

The division used funds to scan and retain source documents, or personal information needed to obtain a Missouri license-- a practice which has come under fire after some information was sent to the feds.

Republican Senator Mike Parson questioned Schaefer's proposed cut.

Actuality:  PARSON1.WAV
Run Time:  00:06
Description: "you're confident we can operate, no problems, life goes on?"

Schaefer said the cuts would be discussed and were made to get the attention of the departments involved.

Schaefer also made cuts to the Department of Public Safety for the same reasons.  

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Taylor Beck.